Water right settlement economic analysis

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is a Request for Quote (RFQ) for water right settlement economic analysis services. The services are in support of the Department of the Interior (DOI), Secretary's Indian Water Rights Office.

• The primary service required is "Labor - Economic Analysis" (Product/Service Code: B510), described as "SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS- ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS".

• Offerors must demonstrate an understanding of the work and provide a convincing technical approach.

• Offerors must demonstrate experience in the evaluation of Indian water rights and settlements.

• Offerors must provide recent and relevant past performance, specifically one order with the Federal Government or a commercial customer similar in scope, size, and complexity.

• The anticipated contract type is a firm fixed price purchase order.

• Period of Performance: May 1, 2026, to June 30, 2026.

• Questions regarding the solicitation must be submitted by April 1, 2026, 1600 ED.

• Quotes are due no later than April 3, 2026, by 1600 ED.

• Responses must be submitted via email to Juan Rendon at juan_rendon@ibc.doi.gov.

• Evaluation factors are Technical, Past Performance, and Price, in descending order of importance. Non-price factors combined are more important than price.

• This acquisition is set aside for Small Business (100%).

• NAICS Code: 541620 (Environmental Consulting Services) with a size standard of $19 million.

• The solicitation incorporates FAR clauses by reference and in full text.

• Offerors must submit a signed SF 1449, a Technical Volume, a Past Performance example, and a Price Volume.

• The Price Volume must include specific details such as UEI, business address, contact information, and quote total.

• Payment will be made via the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide expert economic analysis services related to the negotiation of water rights settlements, specifically for the Agua Caliente Indian water rights settlement.

• Conduct a value of water study for the Agua Caliente water rights settlement negotiations.

• Analyze existing economic damages claims, including water volume, place of use, priority date, and purpose of use.

• Evaluate the marketability of covered water, considering geographic and other constraints.

• Assess the size and geography of relevant surface and groundwater sources.

• Determine the cost of the next best alternative use of the water (e.g., conservation, recharge).

• Capture income capitalization from changes in net income due to water supply changes, if data is available.

• Identify and analyze any additional economic measures relevant to the contract.

• Provide a written analysis of source documents provided by SIWRO, identifying potential policy, programmatic, budgetary, or other issues.

• Participate in requested telephone conference calls.

• Services to be provided at the Contractor's place of business.

• No travel is expected.

• The performance period for this task order is 60 days from the award date.

• Contractor must possess current knowledge and substantial experience in evaluating Indian water rights and settlements.

• Demonstrated knowledge in characterizing historical economic context of tribal water rights claims.

• Experience in evaluating legal and technical reports to quantify tribal water claims.

• Expertise in evaluating economics related to Practicably Irrigable Acreage and tribal homeland claims.

• Experience in evaluating economics of tribal historical use, Municipal and Industrial (M&I), and environmental water claims.

• Must demonstrate working knowledge of and ability to interpret criteria and procedures for Indian water rights settlements.

• Must be an expert in economics, assessing tribal monetary damage claims and water right valuation in the context of development, redevelopment, and litigation.

• Contractor shall maintain strict confidentiality of all information and data.

• Draft reviews and analyses (if requested by Government, emailed daily; otherwise, within 10 business days of completion).

• Final Report (MS Word with accompanying MS Excel spreadsheets).

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a pricing template attachment (Attachment 2) for the solicitation. Bidders are instructed to use this template to provide their proposed hourly rates and estimated hours for various labor categories required to complete the work outlined in the solicitation.

• Labor Category: Field to list the specific job titles or roles.
• Hourly Rate*: Field for bidders to enter their proposed hourly rate for each labor category.
• Hours: Field for bidders to estimate the number of hours required for each labor category.
• Total price: This field will be calculated based on the proposed hourly rate and hours.

This pricing sheet is crucial for bidders to accurately calculate and submit their proposed costs for the opportunity. It requires bidders to detail their labor rates and hours, which will be a significant factor in the overall proposal and evaluation.