BRACKISH GROUNDWATER PRODUCTION ZONE ANALYSIS FOR PORTIONS OF THE CARRIZO-WILCOX, QUEEN CITY, SPARTA AND YEGUA AQUIFERS IN CENTRAL TEXAS

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is seeking qualified proposers to conduct a comprehensive analysis of brackish groundwater resources in portions of the Carrizo-Wilcox, Queen City, Sparta, and Yegua aquifers in Central Texas, building upon two prior studies. The objective is to evaluate the hydrogeological characteristics of these aquifers, resolve existing data inconsistencies, delineate viable production zones for brackish water (1,000–9,999 mg/L TDS), and estimate sustainable 30- and 50-year production yields. The selected contractor will perform advanced geospatial modeling using MODFLOW, develop GIS datasets, prepare detailed technical reports, and conduct stakeholder engagements, ensuring all final deliverables—including shapefiles, geodatabases, and maps—are sealed by a Texas-licensed geoscientist and fully compliant with TWDB-specific nomenclature and FGDC metadata standards. The project requires strict adherence to accessibility mandates under WCAG 2.1 Level AA and Texas Administrative Code Chapters 206 and 213, with all electronic documents subject to review and approval by TWDB upon submission. The contract will be awarded on a best-value basis, weighing technical merit at 40%, team qualifications and experience at 25%, past performance and government contracting history at 20%, and price at 15%, for a total of 100 points. The period of performance begins September 1, 2026, and ends August 31, 2027, with potential one-year renewals up to August 31, 2030. Proposals must be submitted as a single PDF not exceeding 100 MB, structured with specific page limits per section totaling 31 pages of evaluated content, accompanied by a signed transmittal letter and required attachments including a VetHUB Subcontracting Plan and Accessibility Certification. Special contractual obligations include mandatory E-Verify enrollment, cybersecurity training per Texas Government Code § 2054.5192, professional liability insurance of at least $50,000 per occurrence, prohibition of assignment without TWDB consent, and certification that the proposer has not received compensation for developing the solicitation nor is affiliated with boycotting Israel or entities controlled by designated foreign nations. The contractor must also comply with state ethics rules, record retention policies, and indemnification requirements, with all work product becoming the exclusive property of TWDB.