Riparian Data Engine

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is procuring a specialized riparian data analysis platform from Environmental Science Associates (ESA) through a sole source contract. The project aims to develop a comprehensive data engine that identifies gaps in vegetated cover within riparian ecosystems, comparing these gaps to water temperature impairments, fish passage barriers, and salmonid stock status. Key deliverables include creating a user-friendly platform with secure Single Sign On (SSO) integration, implementing saved search and bookmarking functionality, and developing high-priority upgrades identified by an internal work group. The contract requires expertise in specific technologies including Esri, Neo4j, Python's Networkx package, and cloud-hosted databases. Vendors must demonstrate deep knowledge of WDFW's riparian management recommendations, salmon distribution, 303(d) listings, fish passage barrier inventories, and Washington State land use decisions related to urbanization, forestry, and agriculture. The contract is set to run from January 10, 2025, to June 30, 2025, with interested vendors required to submit capability statements within 10 working days of the sole source posting.

This sole source contract is specifically targeted at ESA due to their unique expertise and existing work on the database system. The contract has no explicit set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. The total contract value is $110,000, with the budget divided into four main tasks: $30,000 for SSO capability, $30,000 for bookmarking and saved search functionality, $30,000 for priority functionality identified by key users, and $20,000 for technical support. WDFW will retain 5% ($5,500) of the contract value pending receipt and acceptance of all deliverables. The existing infrastructure involves a complex database of terabytes in size, with ongoing code development that makes it impractical for alternative vendors to integrate. The contract includes an option to extend for an additional 6 months due to potential unforeseen political circumstances. Funding for the project is sourced entirely from state funds, with ESA being the incumbent and recommended vendor based on their intimate knowledge of the existing system and active development work.