Watershed Improvement Plan RFP

The Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District (UFSWQD) in Multnomah County, Oregon, is seeking proposals from qualified firms to develop a comprehensive Watershed Improvement Plan for the Columbia Slough Watershed. This Request for Proposals (RFP #S-Q10054-00012235) requires professional services to assess current watershed conditions, develop a strategic vision for integrating flood safety and watershed health, and identify and prioritize improvement solutions. Key deliverables include an equity and engagement strategy, draft and final reports, communication products, and an implementation plan. The project, mandated by ORS550.260, will require expertise across multiple disciplines including ecology, modeling, stakeholder engagement, equity, planning, and public outreach. Evaluation criteria will be based on technical approach, project understanding, team qualifications, and past performance. Critical dates include an optional pre-proposal conference on December 20, 2024, questions due by January 8, 2025, and proposals due January 28, 2025, at 4:00 PM PT. The anticipated contract term spans three years, with work expected to begin in April 2025 and conclude by January 2028.

The UFSWQD explicitly encourages participation from disadvantaged business enterprises, minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, and emerging small businesses in accordance with the District's Local Contract Review Board requirements. While no incumbent vendors are specified, the District will provide substantial resources to support the project, including staff time, meeting venues, and access to existing data such as drainage master plans, stormwater models, asset assessments, and water quality monitoring information. The project will be funded through the District's General Funds, with approximately $25M available from a General Obligation Bond passed in May 2024 for floodplain restoration and resilience projects. Contract structure will be task-order based with time and materials payment terms, and not-to-exceed amounts determined by District budgets. Required insurance includes $1M commercial general liability, $1M automobile liability, workers' compensation, $5M umbrella liability, and $1M professional liability coverage. Labor rates will be adjusted annually using the Consumer Price Index (CPI).