2026 Five-Year Periodic Evaluation of the Alternative Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the Livermore Valley Groundwater Basin

The Zone 7 Water Agency, serving as the Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) for the Livermore Valley Groundwater Basin, is soliciting proposals for the 2026 Five-Year Periodic Evaluation of its Alternative Groundwater Sustainability Plan (Alt-GSP). This effort follows prior successful submissions including the original 2016 Alt-GSP approved by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) in 2019, a 2021 update approved in 2024 with a recommended corrective action, and consistent annual reports aligned with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) guidelines established by DWR. The contract scope centers on assessing and updating key technical components of the Alt-GSP, such as groundwater storage, water quality, groundwater-dependent ecosystems, interconnected surface waters, and water budget evaluations to ensure ongoing regulatory compliance and sustainable basin management. The selected consultant will undertake data evaluation, conduct workshops, prepare technical memoranda, provide monthly progress reporting, and offer supplemental technical support, all aimed at producing the 2026 periodic evaluation report by December 2026 and subsequent annual reports through 2028. The contract will be governed by a professional services agreement operating on a time-and-materials basis with a period of performance commencing around early 2026. Proposals will be evaluated using weighted criteria emphasizing completeness, familiarity with the basin and agency history, and qualifications of project personnel. Special contractual provisions require disclosure and approval of key personnel, maintenance of robust insurance coverage meeting specified standards, and compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations, including Cal/OSHA and prevailing wage laws. The Consultant will be responsible for executing fieldwork, data management, and ensuring the confidentiality and security of sensitive information. Work products, including all deliverables, become sole property of Zone 7. Inspection and acceptance of work will be based on monitoring results at designated basin sites, following regulatory thresholds consistent with SGMA and state water quality standards. The contract budget is integrated into Zone 7’s multi-year groundwater sustainability plan with estimated annual funding that supports professional services and technical updates through 2026, reflecting Zone 7’s commitment to adaptive management and sustainable groundwater resource stewardship in the region.