Water resources cost reimbursement consultant pool

The Washington State Department of Ecology is seeking to establish a pre-qualified water resources consultant pool through a Request for Qualifications and Quotations (RFQQ) to support water rights permitting under cost reimbursement provisions. The procurement targets hydrogeological and water resources consulting services across multiple counties including Franklin, Grant, Grays Harbor, Chelan, and Yakima Counties. Consultants will be responsible for permit coordination, environmental review, application assessment, technical studies, and permit processing. The solicitation requires bidders to have a minimum of three years of relevant business experience, valid Washington State business licensing, and no current government suspension or debarment. Key evaluation criteria include technical and management proposal scores, with a minimum threshold of 75 percent required for consideration. The bid response is due on February 18, 2026, by 4:00 p.m. Lacey time, with an optional pre-bid conference scheduled for January 13, 2026, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. The evaluation period will run from February 19 through March 5, 2026, with an apparent successful bidder announcement anticipated on March 10, 2026.

The contract supports two cost reimbursement models: Standard Cost Reimbursement and Coordinated Cost Reimbursement, with no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises mentioned. Contractors will be compensated on an hourly rate basis, with a maximum budget of $150,000 per contractor, excluding travel and sales tax expenses. Travel reimbursements will follow Washington state travel rates when pre-approved by ECOLOGY. The initial contract term will run from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, with ECOLOGY retaining the option to extend the contract for two additional 2-year periods, potentially spanning a total of six years. Funding will be provided through ECOLOGY's Water Resources Program via cost reimbursement agreements with water rights applicants, subject to funding availability. Bidders must register with Washington's Electronic Business Solution (WEBS) system and submit bids electronically via email. The solicitation includes requirements for insurance, nondiscrimination compliance, wage law certification, workers' rights certification, and subcontractor participation reporting through the Access Equity system.