Starkweather Creek and Olbrich Gardens Watershed Models Calibration and Flood Mitigation Modeling

The City of Madison, Wisconsin, through its Engineering Division, has issued Request for Proposals (RFP #14028-0-2025-BG) for advanced watershed modeling and flood mitigation services specifically targeting the Starkweather Creek and Olbrich Gardens Watersheds. The procurement seeks a qualified consultant to develop comprehensive watershed models, calibrate five existing XPSWMM models, and create detailed flood mitigation strategies. Key deliverables include comprehensive hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, inundation maps, flooding impact analyses, and recommended mitigation solutions. The project will be conducted in three distinct phases: existing conditions modeling, developing flood mitigation recommendations, and final reporting, with a specific emphasis on the Olbrich Gardens sub-watershed. Proposals are due on Wednesday, June 11th, 2025, at 2:00 PM Central Time, with an anticipated project completion date of June 30th, 2027. The consultant will be expected to engage public stakeholders through multiple information meetings and focus groups, with the overarching goals of reducing flood damages and providing guidance for future construction efforts.

While no specific set-aside designations or enterprise restrictions were explicitly mentioned in the documentation, the project has a budgeted range of $250,000-$300,000. The project requires significant technical expertise in watershed modeling, hydrologic analysis, and flood mitigation planning. The scope of work involves sophisticated modeling techniques to address recent increases in extreme flood events, suggesting that respondents should have advanced capabilities in geospatial analysis, hydraulic modeling, and environmental engineering. The project will utilize existing XPSWMM models as a foundation, indicating that familiarity with this specific modeling platform would be advantageous. Potential respondents should possess demonstrated experience in creating comprehensive watershed models, developing flood mitigation strategies, and conducting detailed environmental impact assessments. The City of Madison appears to be seeking a highly specialized consulting firm with proven capabilities in watershed engineering and flood risk management.