Request for Qualifications for Professional Engineering Services: Trout Unlimited - Irrigation District Water Conservation Plan Update

Background Trout Unlimited, Inc. (“TU”) is seeking engineering services from qualified, licensed consultants and engineers for a partnership project with the Columbia Irrigation District (“CID”) to revise and update a water conservation plan. TU is a national 501(c)(3) coldwater fish conservation group working to restore fish populations in the Yakima Basin through collaborative projects that improve fish habitat (e.g., streamflows) while supporting local communities and economies. CID is a Washington irrigation district that diverts water from the Yakima River at Wanawish Dam and delivers the water to customers around around Washington’s Tri-Cities, especially Richland and Kennewick. The CID conveyance system includes over 30 miles of canals and laterals that deliver over 140 cfs to over 9,000 acres within the CID place of use. In April 1997, CID completed a water conservation plan (“1997 Plan”) and then a revision in September 1999. Since the late 1990s, there have been no updates to the original or revised water conservation plans. However, there have been significant water and fish planning efforts in the Yakima Basin that now necessitate an updated water conservation plan. Both the original 1997 and the revised 1999 water conservation plans are available for this project. The Yakima Basin Integrated Plan (“YBIP”) is a multi-decade effort to restore healthy, harvestable fish populations and improve water security for the Yakima Basin. YBIP, through the Washington Department of Ecology (“Ecology”), has awarded a grant to TU to partner with CID and complete the updated water conservation plan to help advance YBIP goals. The underlying premise of YBIP water conservation projects is that the project must help advance YBIP goals which this project does through improved operational flexibility and opportunities for streamflow improvements (fish benefits). The goal of this project is to complete an updated water conservation plan that (1) addresses YBIP goals and objectives to the extent practicable, (2) outlines a long-term approach for implementation (e.g., funding, timing, phasing, etc.), and (3) clearly and articulately addresses the needs of CID and its water customers in the near and long-term. The end product—an updated water conservation plan—must meet standards necessary to allow funding of specific elements from multiple sources that will likely include: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART program (“USBR”), Ecology’s YBIP, Ecology’s drought relief programs, and others identified through the project process. **Please note, this project is not approved for any ground disturbing activities and none shall be allowed without specific approval by TU and the funder, the WA Department of Ecology.** Scope of Work Anticipated tasks associated with this project include: Coordination Meet with TU and CID in autumn 2026 to discuss the project, recommend a timeline to meet the project deadlines, and conduct necessary field work. Conduct regular meetings with TU and CID staff to update project partners on project status, needs, and unanticipated hurdles. Provide draft documents for discussion with project partners. Desktop Document Review Coordinate with TU staff and CID to secure necessary materials (e.g., plans, designs, etc.) to document the current condition of CID’s point of diversion and conveyance system. Review materials and develop an understanding of the project and the current conditions of CID’s system. Summarize key findings for inclusion as chapter/section in the updated water conservation plan. Provide draft of key findings for review by project partners, then incorporate feedback as necessary. Review preliminary design comments from project stakeholders and responses from TU, incorporate comments and responses at the direction of TU. Draft Water Conservation Plan Develop a draft water conservation plan that updates the prior versions from the 1990s and is compliant with USBR and WA Department of Ecology water conservation plan requirements for projects to be eligible for future implementation funding. Provide the draft water conservation plan to TU by April 1, 2027. Review the draft water conservation plan with TU and CID and incorporate feedback as necessary. Final Water Conservation Plan Advance draft water conservation plan to final and provide the product to TU and CID. Incorporate CID capital improvement projects into the final plan. Administrative Complete project tasks according to the timeline Maintain timely communication with TU project staff Provide services only as requested by TU and necessary for completion of the Scope of Work and Project Deliverables Provide monthly billing invoices with a complete explanation of dates of service, hours, cost, work performed, and additional notes as needed or requested by TU. Project Deliverables Deliverables will meet standards and follow design examples provided by TU, CID, and project funders (WA Department of Ecology). This project is intended to allow improvement of CID infrastructure and, as such, CID must approve the final product. Deliverables and timeline are listed below. The selected firm shall provide all products in electronic versions and the final version in a duplicate, bound hard copy. Copies of all electronic products will be emailed to the TU project manager, Justin Bezold, at justin.bezold@tu.org. Receipt of hard copies will be coordinated with the selected firm, CID, and TU. Summary of findings of current conditions Draft water conservation plan Final water conservation plan Proposed Selection Schedule Oct 2, 2026 Responsive materials electronically submitted to TU no later than 4:00 p.m. pacific time. Oct 6, 2026 Consultant selected Oct 12, 2026 Scope & budget (negotiations) finalized Oct 16, 2026 Contracting complete Oct 20, 2026 Project kick-off meeting with TU and CID (on or about Oct 20) Apr 1, 2027 Draft water conservation plan for review and feedback Mar 30, 2027 Draft water conservation plan (incorporates feedback) Jul 1, 2027 Final water conservation plan for review and feedback Aug 30, 2027 Final, water conservation plan (incorporates feedback) Submittal Guidelines and Evaluation Candidates must prepare a responsive qualifications package that includes a letter of interest, relevant staff qualifications, relevant firm work experience, a planned or estimated scope of work and schedule based on the information in this request for qualifications, resumes of principle staff, and standard rates of expected staff. A list of qualifications of all staff from firms or subcontractors who will do work must also be included. Please also include three (3) references (phone and email) for TU to contact. This is a qualification-based selection process. Submittals will be evaluated based on the following criteria: Firm’s balance of knowledge and experience w/in geotechnical, civil or environmental engineering field. (25 points) Proven technical ability in analysis and design of water conveyance canals, laterals, pipelines and/or underground siphons. (25 points) Experience with water conservation plans that meet Washington Department of Ecology and US Bureau of Reclamation standards for future grant funding. (15 points) Comparable project demonstrated on-time completion. (15 points) Available resources to complete project (e.g., technical resources and staff capacity). (10 points) Licensed professionals (e.g., engineers) included in project team. (10 points) Consideration shall be given to such matters as consultant integrity, record of past performance, and financial and technical resources or accessibility to other necessary resources. The person or team completing the design must include engineer(s) licenced in Washington state that also have experience working with irrigation district and who will “stamp” the final water conservation plan. The selected firm must be willing to negotiate a fair and equitable price with TU for the work to be completed. All questions must be in writing and received by 5:00 pm pacific time on September 28, 2026 and submitted to justin.bezold@tu.org. Trout Unlimited will respond in writing to all interested parties. Contact Information Please send a responsive qualifications package that addresses the desired qualifications, scope of work, and criteria outlined above. Each firm must submit one (1) electronic copy to the email address listed below. General format requirements are 12 point times new roman font, 1” margins, and portrait orientation for narrative sections. Please limit submissions to 12 pages. Qualifications Packages must be submitted by 4:00 pm PT on October 2, 2026. Direct any questions to: Trout Unlimited – Eastern Washington Program Justin Bezold, Sr. Project Manager 509-881-5464 / justin.bezold@tu.org