Request for Proposals Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan Coordination and Implementation Support Services

Ref. #: Susquehanna River Basin Commission, Dauphin County
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC or Commission) is a federal-interstate compact agency established by Congress and the states of Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania to coordinate management and protection of the Susquehanna River Basin’s water resources. The Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan (CWIP) is a collaborative interstate effort involving SRBC and participating jurisdictions to advance additional nutrient reductions in the Susquehanna watershed beyond existing state Watershed Implementation Plan commitments. The effort responds in part to the reduced capacity of Conowingo Dam to trap sediment and associated nutrients before they reach the Chesapeake Bay. CWIP complements participating states’ Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts. SRBC has obtained grant funding to support a dedicated CWIP coordination function for an anticipated three-year period. The function combines ongoing coordination, administration, tracking, and reporting with development of partnerships, funding strategies, and project opportunities that can accelerate implementation. This work will be done in close coordination with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP), Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). The three states are pursuing an additional reduction of approximately 6 million pounds of nitrogen per year beyond existing state WIP obligations. Progress has been constrained by the absence of a single person or entity whose primary responsibility is to coordinate and advance this work across jurisdictions. SRBC is conducting a concurrent two-track recruitment and selection process for the CWIP Coordinator function. The first track is this RFP to identify a firm capable of performing the CWIP Coordinator scope of work. The second track is to develop and post a job announcement through SRBC’s standard recruitment process for a three-year contracted term employee. SRBC is pursuing the two tracks concurrently to evaluate both and determine its ultimate course of action.
SRBC invites proposals from qualified firms or other business entities to provide CWIP Coordination and Implementation Support Services. The selected Offeror shall provide a dedicated day-to-day lead and may deploy additional personnel with task-specific expertise. The engagement is for coordination, funding development, and technical/implementation assistance; it does not procure professional engineering design or construction services. Issuance of this RFP does not commit SRBC to a consulting award. SRBC may select the employee alternative and make no award under this RFP. Job applicants must apply through the separate employment process; an employment application is not a response to this RFP. SRBC anticipates awarding one professional services agreement, substantially in the form of Appendix A, if it selects the consulting alternative. Offerors must submit a complete technical proposal and a separately sealed cost proposal through PennBid. The accepted proposal will become a contractual obligation, subject to the agreement’s order of precedence. C. ISSUING OFFICER The Issuing Officer and sole procurement point of contact is Jason Oyler, Esq., General Counsel and Secretary to the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, 4423 North Front Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110. Submit all procurement questions through PennBid. Offerors shall not contact SRBC program staff, agency interview participants, or steering committee members concerning this solicitation outside the prescribed process. Following award, Erin Lynam, Policy Specialist, SRBC, will serve as the primary contract manager. The SRBC will strive to adhere to the following schedule: Activity Responsibility Date Dissemination of RFP SRBC 10/23/2026 Questions Submitted through PennBid Offerors 11/02/2026 by 4 PM Responses to Questions Issued SRBC 11/9/2026 Proposals submitted to SRBC Offeror 11/23/2026 by 4 PM Interview with Top 3 Candidates SRBC/Offeror 12/8 to 12/10/2026 Proposal selected and Offeror notified SRBC 12/15/2026