Sole Source Intent Announcement

The Bureau of Reclamation, Columbia-Cascades Area Office, Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Program (YRBWEP) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with the Yakima Tieton Irrigation District (YTID) for a firm-fixed price to conduct an assessment to evaluate alternatives to upgrade their main canal and provide reliable irrigation water delivery to Cowiche Creek water users. The assessment will be used by YRBWEP to complete a Tributaries Report outlining implementation alternatives for improving instream flows and restoration of fish habitat in the Cowiche Creek Basin. This assessment includes: developing base maps, identify main canal replace alternatives, identify main canal evaluation criteria, develop Cowiche Creek expansion alternative, field investigations, stakeholder workshop, and project management. The proposed action is for services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106-1 (b). Basis for intent: Since 2001, the Cowiche Creek Restoration Project has been in various stages of planning and implementation by the North Yakima Conservation District, Reclamation, the State of Washington, YTID, the Yakama Nation, and other Cowiche Creek stakeholders. YTID has already met with landowners, water rights holders, and other stakeholders in the Cowiche Creek watershed, and has formed a stakeholder group consisting of Washington State agencies, Federal agencies including YRBWEP, the Yakama Nation, and Cowiche Creek water users. In an effort to improve habitat in Cowiche Creek YTID has entered into an agreement with the Cowiche Creek Water Users Association (CCWUA) to deliver 8 cfs of irrigation water from the Tieton River in exchange for the CCWUA placing their creek rights in trust for instream flows and removing two Cowiche Creek diversion dams. YTID is the only entity with the capability of providing an alternate source of irrigation water to the Cowiche Creek Basin. Firms believing they can provide the service required must provide written notification to the Contracting Officer with supporting evidence to that effect in sufficient detail to demonstrate the respondent's ability to meet the stated requirements. This notice is not a request for competitive quotations and award of this requirement will not be delayed to qualify a new contractor. Responses should include the firm's Dun and Bradstreet number (DUNS) and Tax Identification Number (TIN). Prospective contractors MUST be actively registered in the SAM database to be eligible for award. Firms should identify business size (i.e. small business, other than small business, etc.). This notice may represent the only official notice of such a solicitation. Responses and questions concerning this solicitation should be directed to Connie Morgan by e-mail to [email protected] no later than February 25, 2013.