Advanced Water-Energy Modeling and Simulation

The contract seeks the development of advanced high-fidelity models to simulate the complex interdependencies between energy and water systems within the Colorado River Basin, specifically under conditions of climate variability and increasing stress on existing infrastructure. The goal is to create computational frameworks capable of capturing dynamic feedback loops between water withdrawals for power generation, energy demands for water conveyance and treatment, and the impacts of droughts, temperature shifts, and aging infrastructure on system resilience and sustainability. This effort requires integration of hydrologic, thermodynamic, and economic data across spatial and temporal scales to produce actionable insights for resource managers and policymakers. The work fall under NAICS code 541690, indicating it is a scientific and technical consulting service, and is structured as a subcontract under the National Science Foundation’s Division of Acquisition and Cooperative Support. The opportunity was posted on July 23, 2026, with a response deadline of August 6, 2026, suggesting a compressed timeline for proposing sophisticated modeling approaches. Although no specific location is designated for performance, the project’s scope is geographically focused on the Colorado River Basin and demands expertise in environmental systems modeling, climate science, and energy-water nexus analysis, with the expectation of delivering scalable, validated simulation tools that can inform long-term resource planning under uncertain future conditions.