Real-Time River Forecasting System

The California Department of Water Resources is soliciting quotes under RFQ 10222412 for design, implementation, and technical support of a real-time river forecasting system, with proposals due November 9, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PT. Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation at a minimum of 3 percent of total contract amount is required, and small business preference applies.

The small business preference offers a 5 percent calculation preference to certified small businesses, or a 5 percent preference to non-small businesses achieving 25 percent SB subcontractor participation. DVBE incentive preferences apply based on participation levels.

The work establishes an independent Community Hydrologic Prediction System (CHPS) Operator-Client environment as a complementary backup to the California-Nevada River Forecast Center's CHPS environment, performed at DWR's Joint Operations Center in Sacramento, California. The seven tasks are project management and coordination, stand-alone CHPS system development, live system pilot testing, operator-client system setup, system integration and validation, annual FEWS maintenance and technical support, and training for DWR staff. Major milestones fall at Days 45, 120, 210, 540, 660, and 720. Mandatory technical requirements include at least five years of hydrologic forecasting system experience, direct experience with Delft-FEWS and CHPS configuration, real-time forecasting system experience, and at least three customer references for similar work within the past five years. Required insurance includes Commercial General Liability at $1,000,000 per occurrence, Workers' Compensation, Automobile Liability at $1,000,000 combined single limit, and Technology Professional Liability/Errors and Omissions at $5,000,000 per occurrence.

The anticipated contract budget is not to exceed $750,000, and quotes exceeding that amount are non-responsive. The anticipated term runs from December 1, 2026 through November 31, 2029, with a State option to extend one additional year at the rates in the contractor's cost worksheet.

Evaluation is best-value, with administrative and technical requirements comprising 50 percent of the total score (70 points maximum for technical evaluation) and cost comprising the remaining 50 percent (70 points maximum).

The RFQ was posted October 19, 2026, and written questions were due October 26, 2026.