Requests for Statements of Qualifications for Water Research

Pursuant to 31 Texas Administrative Code §355.3, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) requests the submission of Statements of Qualifications leading to the possible award of a contract to develop a groundwater availability model for the Brazos River Alluvium Aquifer system. The project should take no more than three years to complete.

Details on the research projects and project requirements are available from the TWDB website. The TWDB website site includes (1) guidelines for the Statements of Qualifications, (2) copies of the attachments, (3) a list of Statement of Qualifications Review Criteria, and (4) some supporting material.

Background

In 2001, the Texas Legislature mandated that the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) obtain or develop groundwater availability models for all major and minor aquifers in Texas in coordination with groundwater conservation districts and regional water planning groups (Texas Water Code Section 16.012). TWDB staff have developed or obtained groundwater availability models for all of the 9 major aquifers and 13 of the 21 minor aquifers. TWDB staff are working on or have been assigned to develop models for six minor aquifers: the eastern arm of the Capitan Reef Complex Aquifer, the Blossom Aquifer, the Marathon Aquifer, and the three aquifers (Hickory, Ellenburger-San Saba, and Marble Falls aquifers) in the Llano Uplift area of Texas. We are also considering adopting a series of groundwater flow models developed by El Paso Water Utilities for the Bone Spring-Victorio Peak Aquifer. The last minor aquifer remaining to be modeled is the Brazos River Alluvium Aquifer.

In 2009, we contracted with the U.S. Geological Survey to analyze existing data to construct the hydrogeologic framework for the Brazos River Alluvium. This project will be to develop a groundwater availability model for the Brazos River Alluvium Aquifer system using the data from the U.S. Geological Survey contract, as well as other sources as needed and required.

Description of Research Objectives

Since 1999, the Texas Legislature has approved funding for the Groundwater Availability Modeling Program. The purpose of the Groundwater Availability Modeling Program is to provide reliable and timely information on available groundwater to the citizens of Texas to ensure adequate supplies or to recognize inadequate supplies over a 50-year planning period.

In support of the Groundwater Availability Modeling Program, the TWDB is requesting Statements of Qualifications for developing a numerical groundwater flow model for the Brazos River Alluvium Aquifer system. Part of this project will be to analyze surface water-groundwater interactions with a goal that the model developed from this project can later be coupled with a surface water model to more accurately represent and assess this interaction. In addition, any interactions with underlying aquifers should be assessed and modeled accordingly. One of the objectives for the model is to be able to accurately predict different pumping scenarios and how large pumping in one of the hydraulically connected aquifers may affect the system. Additional information from the groundwater conservation districts located in the study area should be requested, reviewed, and used, as applicable, to advance the modeling effort. Pumping and the model calibration should be projected to the most recent time defendable with an approach used and approved by TWDB staff and should also encapsulate historical periods of stresses upon the aquifers. This proposed groundwater availability modeling project shall (1) include stakeholder involvement; (2) use valid, defensible, and documented data and standard scientific modeling procedures; and (3) follow all TWDB groundwater availability modeling protocol and standards, as applicable unless negotiated otherwise. We encourage the collection of new data that directly benefits the project.

Details on the modeling projects and project requirements are available from TWDB. The TWDB website site includes (1) guidelines for the Statements of Qualifications, (2) copies of the attachments, (3) a list of Statement of Qualifications Review Criteria, and (4) some supporting material.

The following issues need to be addressed in each Statement of Qualifications:

1. experience with hydrogeology, knowledge of the Brazos River Alluvium Aquifer and any associated aquifers in communication with the Brazos River Alluvium Aquifer, and experience with MODFLOW and Groundwater Vistas;
2. communication between the contractor and stakeholders for the model including regional water planning groups and groundwater conservation districts;
3. approach for calibrating the model;
4. approach for dealing with de-watered cells;
5. approach for modeling surface water/groundwater, recharge, and hydraulic properties;
6. total budget and an itemized budget broken by tasks and personnel; and
7. project schedule grouped by tasks and projected expenditures.

In addition, we expect potential contractors to indicate their abilities in:

1. general hydrogeology;
2. hydrogeology of the modeled aquifers;
3. numerical groundwater flow modeling;
4. geographical information systems including geodatabase use and design;
5. communicating with the general public;
6. technology transfer;
7. producing high-quality reports; and
8. meeting deadlines within budget.

Note: contract time extensions will be granted only in extreme cases.

Interim deliverables shall include a draft geodatabase of all source data and a conceptual model report. At the end of the project, draft and final deliverables will include the interim deliverables and a numerical groundwater flow model (in MODFLOW and Groundwater Vistas format), as well as a model report describing the calibration portion of the project. All draft and final reports shall be delivered in Word and PDF formats. All information used in the modeling effort should be included and documented in sufficient detail, including metadata that describes units, formulas, and source of the data, so TWDB staff can replicate the process from beginning to end.

At a minimum, TWDB staff expects to meet with the project team at the beginning of the project and at the midpoint of the project. Coordination with TWDB staff, as well as with the groundwater conservation districts within the study area, will be critical throughout the project.

A formal presentation discussing and presenting the results shall be given to TWDB staff at the end of the project. Additional technical meetings shall be scheduled either in person or through a webinar venue to discuss modeling progress and issues. TWDB staff may periodically visit the contractor's work premises to assess progress on the project. Formal stakeholder meetings shall be scheduled in the study area throughout the project. Detailed monthly progress reports must be submitted to the TWDB outlining progress of the project and include the original schedule timeline and how the project is progressing relative to this standard. Project invoices cannot be processed without detailed description of the progress made by tasks. Each of the project tasks must be described in detail consistent with the budget description. We expect issues to be reported to the TWDB contract manager as they appear.

A detailed scope of work describing each task, a percent of effort per each task, a time schedule for each task, and the amount of time each team member will spend on the project shall not exceed 15 pages using Times Roman 12 font and the Statement of Qualifications shall not be more than 20 pages in length, excluding qualifications and experience of project staff and HUB plan. Applicants should be familiar with standards and requirements for the TWDB groundwater availability models. An updated guideline will be provided.

Description of Funding Consideration

Up to $540,135 has been identified for water research assistance from the Water Assistance Fund for research on this modeling project. Following the receipt and evaluation of all Statements of Qualifications, the TWDB may adjust the amount of funding initially authorized. Oral presentations may be required as part of qualification review. However, an invitation for oral presentation is not an indication of probable selection. Up to 100 percent funding may be provided to individual applicants; however, applicants are encouraged to contribute matching funds or services, and funding will not include reimbursement for indirect expenses incurred by political subdivisions of the state or other state and federal agencies. In the event that acceptable Statements of Qualifications are not submitted, the TWDB retains the right to not award funds for the contracts.

Deadline, Review Criteria, and Contact Person for Additional Information.

Six double- sided copies of a complete Statements of Qualifications, including the required attachments, must be filed with the TWDB prior to 12:00 noon, Friday, May 31, 2013. Statements of Qualifications must be directed either in person to Mr. David Carter, Texas Water Development Board, Stephen F. Austin Building, 1700 North Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701; or by mail to Mr. David Carter, Texas Water Development Board, P.O. Box 13231-Capitol Station, Austin, Texas 78711-3231. Statements of Qualifications will be evaluated according to 31 Texas Administrative Code §355.5 and the Statements of Qualifications Review Criteria rating form included in the TWDB's Guidelines for Water Research Grants. Research shall not duplicate work planned or underway by state agencies. All potential applicants must contact the TWDB to obtain these guidelines. Requests for information, the TWDB's rules covering the Research and Planning Fund, detailed evaluation criteria, more detailed research topic information, and the guidelines may be directed to Mr. David Carter at the preceding address or by calling (512) 936-6079. All technical questions should be directed to Ms. Cindy Ridgeway at (512) 936-2386.