Hydrologic Engineering Review Services

The California Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams, is seeking qualified firms to provide hydrologic engineering review services through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) numbered 10219533, with a submission deadline of July 17, 2026. The contract involves retaining one of three independent technical experts to serve on a review board that will evaluate and provide recommendations on the agency’s internal Hydrology Manual, hydrologic policies, technical methodologies, and engineering practices related to the safety of jurisdictional-sized dams in California. This is a qualifications-based selection process where proposals are evaluated on professional qualifications, demonstrated experience in hydrologic analyses for dam safety—including design flood estimation and spillway adequacy evaluations—availability to meet the board’s schedule, and proximity to Sacramento, where in-person meetings are required. The contract is governed by California law, and the selected firm must act as an independent contractor, not as a state employee or agent. Compensation is structured as a fixed fee with a total estimated value between $50,000 and $100,000, paid through task orders issued under the master contract, with all expenses including travel, per diem, and taxes covered by the stated consideration. Hourly rates are subject to annual escalation based on the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment Cost Index for professional services, and no markup is permitted on subcontractor work or other direct costs. The contract requires strict adherence to deadlines, with time being of the essence, and includes a detailed performance schedule covering kick-off meetings, in-person sessions at DSOD’s Sacramento office, draft and final report submissions, and a briefing to DSOD within specified timeframes following receipt of comments. Invoicing is limited to monthly submissions in arrears and requires prior written acceptance of work by the DWR Contract Manager, with undisputed invoices payable within 45 days. Ten percent of progress payments may be withheld at the Contract Manager’s discretion under California Public Contract Code Section 10346. Firms must submit a complete Statement of Qualification, not exceeding forty pages, including signed certifications, FEIN and California corporation numbers, professional licenses, conflict of interest disclosures, and a mandatory GenAI disclosure form. A certification regarding lobbying is required under 44 C.F.R. Part 18, and firms must comply with federal regulations under 2 CFR Part 200, Appendix II, as well as 31 USC Chapter 38 regarding false claims.