REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS South Fork Nooksack River, Nesset Reach Habitat Restoration Project

The Nooksack Indian Tribe Natural Resources Department (NIT) is seeking proposals to advance restoration designs that will build on preliminary reach-scale designs already developed for restoration in the Nesset Reach (RM 10.3-12) of the South Fork Nooksack River in Whatcom County, WA. The goal of restoration in the reach is to reduce reach-level constraints to habitat formation (e.g. remove bank hardening that constrains channel migration and disconnects historic migration zone) and reconnect existing habitat (Rothenbuhler Slough), while implementing interim actions (log jam placement) to achieve habitat targets until habitat-forming processes can occur. Specific objectives of restoration in the reach are to: (1) increase habitat unit diversity (quantity of complex wood cover in low-flow channel, habitat unit diversity); (2) increase key habitat quantity (number and depth of pools in low-flow channel – especially primary pools >1m residual depth); (3) reconnect disconnected floodplain and floodplain tributaries; and (4) increase availability of temperature refuges. In addition to achieving the habitat objectives, the firm awarded the contract will be required to evaluate impacts to flood risk for adjacent landowners. Successful firms will develop creative solutions to meet the Tribe’s habitat objectives while conforming to FEMA’s no-rise requirements. The South Fork Nesset Reach extends from immediately above Hutchinson Creek (RM 10.3) to the downstream end of the Nesset Farm (RM 12) (Figure 1). Downstream of the Nesset farm, the right bank is owned by Whatcom County Parks and the left bank by the Whatcom Land Trust; downstream from that, ownership becomes more complex with private landowners on the left bank and downstream portion of the proposed reach (Figure 2). Additional reference information is available upon request. Proposals are hereby solicited for design services for the South Fork Nooksack Nesset Reach Habitat Restoration Project. Tribal staff will conduct landowner and stakeholder outreach and acquire permits. Initial design services have been provided by Natural Systems Design (NSD), as specified below. Work completed to date:

• Basis of Design report o Preliminary design drawings for whole reach (Phases 1-3): o Preliminary design drawings (NSD) o Design review comments solicited through permitting and stakeholder consultation (NIT) o Discussion of how stakeholder comments were incorporated (NIT/NSD) o No-rise hydraulic analysis and certification letter (NSD) o Cost estimate and quantities (NSD)

• Final design for Phase 1 o 90% design drawings o Technical specifications o Final construction quantities and costs

The scope (Tasks) for this request for proposal includes:

• Phase 1 o Bid documents (Due 3/1/16) o Construction observation o Project management

• Phase 2 and 3 Final design (6/1/2016) o 90% design drawings o Draft memorandum detailing hydraulic and geomorphic analysis of 90% design

• Phase 2 o Bid documents (3/1/2017) o Final memorandum detailing hydraulic and geomorphic analysis of final design (3/1/2017) o Construction observation o Project management

• Phase 3 o Bid documents (3/1/2018) o Final memorandum detailing hydraulic and geomorphic analysis of final design (3/1/2017) o Construction observation o Project management

Underlined items are currently funded. Other items are contingent on future funding and will be null if funding is not secured. Proposals must be submitted by mail or email to the following address by close of business (5 pm), 9/22/15: Notification of probable award will be made by 9/25/15. estover@nooksack-nsn.gov Eric Stover, Watershed Restoration Coordinator Nooksack Indian Tribe Natural Resources Department 5016 Deming Road, PO Box 157 Deming, WA 98244 Submittal Requirements: Proposals should be succinct and include the following:

1. An organizational flow chart identifying all project personnel and their anticipated roles, and a description of relevant experience in geomorphic assessment, design of engineered log jams, hydraulic modeling, and flood risk analysis.

2. Proposed design approach (types of structures, conceptual placement) for the reach.

3. Proposed approach to dealing with FEMA “no-rise” requirements (design, documentation, or other approaches).

4. Proposed approach to producing the required deliverables, detailed by task, with cost estimates and timeline for each task.

5. Description of relevant project experience, and a list of clients who can be contacted as references for past projects.

Evaluation Criteria: All qualified responses will be reviewed by a committee of Nooksack Tribe Natural Resources staff. The three highest qualified firms may be asked to provide a presentation of their proposals to the selection committee. All responses will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Design/Feasibility (40%): o Demonstrated understanding of reach limiting factors and project objectives o Certainty of design approach meeting habitat objectives o Feasibility of construction

• Experience/Qualifications (20%): o Prior experience and proven success at designing log jam projects of similar scope and size

but o Demonstrated ability/experience to accomplish proposed tasks

• Deliverables/Schedule (20%). o Whether the proposed tasks are appropriately inclusive (field reconnaissance/information

review, geomorphic assessment, hydraulic modeling, multiple design iterations) and sequenced

o Extent to which proposal produces required grant deliverables o Timeline to produce deliverables

• Cost-effectiveness (20%). o Cost relative to deliverables produced o Approach to cost overruns

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Phase 3

Phase 1

Phase 2

12

11

0.1

0.5

0.2

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.4

0.3

0.1

11.911.8

11.711.6

11.5

11.4

11.3

11.2

11.110.9

10.8

10.7

10.6

10.5

10.4

10.3

10.2 Legend# River Mile

Phase´0 0.1 0.20.05 Miles

E

E

EE

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E12

11

11.9

11.8

11.7

11.6

11.5

11.4

11.3

11.2

11.1

10.9

10.810.7

10.610.5

10.4

10.3

0 500 1,000 Feet

South Fork NooksackNesset's Reach Restoration DesignNooksack Natural Resources

FOwnership

PrivateState of WashingtonWhatcom CountyWhatcom Land Trust

E River Mile