Sole Source- Partners for the Umpqua Rivers stream habitat restoration project

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is pursuing a sole source contract with Partners for the Umpqua Rivers (PUR) for a stream habitat restoration project on Harrington Creek in the Umpqua watershed. The procurement involves implementing stream habitat improvements across 0.6 miles of creek, which will include placing up to 15 log jams to create complex fish habitat, trap and sort sediment, and mitigate increased stream temperatures. ODF will specifically contribute funding to 0.3 miles of the total project area. The procurement requires a contractor with specialized expertise in watershed restoration, with ODF determining that PUR is the only qualified entity capable of executing the project. PUR will be responsible for administering the contract, conducting comprehensive pre- and post-project monitoring, and completing all work by December 31, 2026. Any other recognized watershed council with a minimum of 10 years' experience implementing fish habitat projects in the Umpqua Basin has until July 30, 2021 at 3:00 PM to submit a formal protest to ODF.

The sole source notice does not specify set-aside designations, disadvantaged enterprise requirements, or explicit award values. No incumbent vendors or alternative contractors were mentioned beyond PUR. The procurement appears to be specifically targeted at watershed councils with extensive local experience, effectively limiting potential respondents to organizations with deep regional expertise in the Umpqua River basin. ODF has determined that PUR possesses a unique level of expertise and holds the designated status as a watershed council under Oregon law, which further restricts potential competitive bidding. The project will be funded by ODF, though specific budget allocations were not disclosed in the provided documentation. The contract appears focused on environmental restoration and habitat improvement, with a clear emphasis on technical capability and local ecological knowledge rather than traditional competitive procurement processes.