Rio Grande Basin Rules/Hydrogeologic Consul-amended 92472

The Colorado Division of Water Resources is issuing a Notice of Proposed Sole Source contract for hydrogeologic consultation services related to Rio Grande Basin groundwater rules administration in the San Luis Valley. This procurement is conducted by the state of Colorado with jurisdictional relevance to Denver County and Denver City. The scope of work encompasses three distinct phases: pre-filing coordination including peer review team meetings, expert report preparation, and depositions; settlement negotiations and trial preparation; and rules trial attendance with expert testimony. The contractor must provide expert witness testimony, technical consultation, and comprehensive support for the legal process of adopting groundwater administration rules, with all work expected to be completed by December 31, 2018. Key qualifications include intimate involvement in developing the Rio Grande Decision Support System and associated groundwater modeling since 1998, prior participation in Water Court trials in 2006 and 2009, and demonstrated experience serving as an expert witness on hydrogeologic issues for Colorado. Vendors disputing the sole source designation were required to submit a cover letter, vendor information including FEIN/SSN, and an explanation of relevant past work experience by 1:00 p.m. on August 30, 2017, to Maggie Van Cleef at the Department of Natural Resources Purchasing Office, with the overall opportunity posted on September 1, 2017, and a due date of September 6, 2017.

This procurement is designated as a sole source contract, which restricts competition to vendors meeting the specific qualifications outlined in the justification. The incumbent vendor identified for this work is HRS Water Consultants, Inc., selected based on their unique qualifications and extensive historical involvement with Rio Grande Basin groundwater modeling and Water Court proceedings. The contract requires integration with the Rio Grande Decision Support System and associated groundwater model that have been in development since 1998. The Colorado Division of Water Resources has budgeted approximately $250,000 for this contract, representing an increase from the original sole source approval amount of $155,000, with potential for additional funding in future fiscal years as necessary to complete project work. The contract structure anticipates potential multi-year litigation related to rules promulgation and includes provisions for phased contract modifications to efficiently manage both contractor and government resources.