REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Transcription

1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS LOWER GREAT MIAMI RIVER NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PROJECT INTRODUCTION On behalf of a partnership of Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRFs) WRRFs and other stakeholders with permitted outfalls to the lower Great Miami River (LGMR), the Miami Conservancy District (MCD) seeks the services of a consulting firm or team (Contractor) in support of nutrient management planning efforts. This Request for Proposals (RFP) includes the information needed for submission of a proposal. This RFP describes the scope requirements for the Project. In anticipation of future numeric nutrient criteria, and in the absence of an approved TMDL for the LGMR, the WRRFs partnership desires the assistance of a Contractor with experience in nutrient impairment, water quality modeling, and regulatory collaboration. The Contractor will collect technical information and prepare guidance documents and other tools to support an understanding of nutrient conditions and processes in the Great Miami River that will lead to sound management decisions on addressing water quality conditions. The partnership includes: the cities of Dayton, Englewood, Fairfield, Franklin, Hamilton, Miamisburg, Middletown, Springboro, Troy, Union, and West Carrollton; Tri-Cities Wastewater Authority on behalf of the cities of Huber Heights, Vandalia, and Tipp City; and Montgomery County. BACKGROUND Originating upstream from Indian Lake, the Great Miami River flows 170 miles southwest to its confluence with the Ohio River west of Cincinnati. The Great Miami River Watershed drains all or parts of 15 counties and includes the Stillwater and Mad Rivers; and Twin, Wolf and Seven Mile Creeks (see Map 1). An estimated 97 percent of the population in the Great Miami River Watershed relies on groundwater for its drinking water supply. The total drainage area of the watershed in Ohio is 3,946 square miles; the entire watershed, including the Whitewater River in Indiana, drains 5,702 square miles. The watershed has a population of 1.6 million people with more than 75 percent of the population residing in urban areas. The lower section of the Great Miami River flows through Montgomery, Warren, Butler, and Hamilton counties (see Map 2). The WRRFs partnership is engaged in the review, analysis, and management of nutrient enrichment issues in the Great Miami River. Since 2004, activities have included collaborating with representatives from agricultural and state and federal agencies to create a market-based nutrient credit trading program to improve water quality in the rivers and streams. Efforts to address nutrient issues have also included extensive water quality data collection and analysis. Recently, the WRRFs partnership engaged in discussions with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) on the causes of nutrient enrichment of the lower section of the Great Miami River, and is actively monitoring this issue as it relates to the renewal of individual National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for their respective facilities. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Lower Great Miami River Nutrient Management Project 1

2 SCOPE OF WORK This section describes the scope of services to be provided for the Project. A successful proposal will demonstrate the approach and qualifications for the entire project. The project is divided into five tasks that are described below: Task 1: Act as Technical Lead Task 2: Water Quality Data Compilation and Synthesis Task 3: Water Quality Model Platform Selection Task 4: Water Quality Model Development Task 5: Water Quality Model Report and Presentation Task 1 Act as Technical Lead The Contractor will serve as the lead on technical discussions between the WRRFs partnership, MCD, and the OEPA. This task may include regular updates on project progress, meeting attendance; and permit reviews. The following assumptions are made: Contractor will serve as the technical lead for this contract; and Provide monthly updates on project progress and attend scheduled meetings. Deliverables of Task 1 include: Progress reports and other relevant documents. Outcomes of Task 1 include: Attend scheduled meetings. Task 2 Compile and Synthesize Water Quality Data Contractor will compile, review and analyze available data on water quality. This includes, but is not limited to; data collected by WRRFs, MCD, USGS, Heidelberg, and OEPA (see References). To gather information necessary to complete the data review, the Contractor will work through the MCD Water Resources Manager, who will serves as the contact person between the Contractor and other participating agencies. The Contractor must understand the expectations required to adequately address the aquatic life beneficial use impairments that are outlined in the report, Biological and Water Quality Study of the Lower Great Miami River and Select Tributaries (OEPA, 2012). The Contractor will identify all types of data required to complete a full watershed assessment, assist in model platform selection, and identify data gaps that may affect model development. Where data gaps are identified, the Contractor will discuss options for obtaining the missing data and limitations in using the existing data for model development. If additional sampling is needed, it must conform to Credible Data Level 3 requirements and a Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) must be developed prior to collection. The OEPA will be notified of the sampling schedule and may accompany the contractor during sampling events. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Lower Great Miami River Nutrient Management Project 2

3 As the WRRFs partnership has indicated their desire to collaborate with OEPA, this task will also identify what data sources have undergone acceptable OEPA Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) review. The purpose of this QA/QC review is to enable mutual acceptance by the WRRFs partnership and OEPA of the data to be used in water quality assessments, model development and future regulatory actions. Deliverables of Task 2 include: a Data Compilation and Synthesis technical memorandum. Outcomes of Task 2 include: Complete review of existing data, identification of gaps, endorsement by OEPA and WRRFs partnership. Task 3 Select a Water Quality Modeling Framework/Platform The Contractor will prepare a technical memorandum that explains which water quality parameters are important in the LGMR and recommend a water quality modeling framework that can effectively address nutrient related issues in the LGMR. The Contractor will identify other factors that may affect the success of water quality model development and regulatory coordination. The recommendation for a modeling framework will be presented at a workshop that includes participation from the WRRFs partnership and OEPA. Deliverables of Task 3 include: Workshop agenda and minutes, and Model Selection technical memorandum. Outcomes of Task 3 include: Workshop held that ensures concurrence of model framework by both WRRFs partnership and OEPA. Task 4 Develop a Water Quality Model The Contractor will develop a water quality model that builds on historical and ongoing water quality sampling by the WRRFs, MCD, OEPA and other relevant agencies as identified in Task 2. The water quality model will represent all of the different nutrient sources in the watershed, inflows to the rivers at upstream and tributary locations, and the necessary water quality and nutrient transport dynamics. There is particular interest in understanding any relationships that might occur between nutrient transport during runoff events, point source discharges of nutrients, and algal biomass during the summer and early fall at low flow. The geographic boundaries used in the water quality model are to be determined during the initial stages of the Project. The Contractor will use the water quality model to evaluate different scenarios with alternative phosphorous and/or nitrogen loading conditions from the point sources and nonpoint sources. Scenario development will be based on concurrence with the WRRFs partnership and OEPA. The Contractor is responsible for developing, calibrating, and validating with appropriate uncertainty analysis a water quality model of the LGMR to provide, at minimum, the following specific capabilities and key requirements: Simulation of nutrients and the dissolved oxygen cycle; Model representation of the interactive sediment flux of nutrients to/from the water column; REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Lower Great Miami River Nutrient Management Project 3

4 Ability to assess the relative contribution from various sources (point and nonpoint sources); and Ability to assess the relative water quality benefits from up to ten (10) different management scenarios. An understanding of seasonality and critical conditions most important to the nutrient enrichment of the river and applicable water quality standards. If the model is to be used for consideration for permit limits and/or TMDLs it: must conform to OEPA accepted modeling procedures, e.g. OEPA Reaeration Manual, Deliverable of Task 4 includes: A calibrated water quality model representative of all nutrient sources in the watershed that is endorsed by the WRRFs partnership and OEPA. Outcomes of Task 4 include: A WRRFs partnership and OEPA-endorsed water quality model. Task 5 Prepare a Modeling Report and Workshop The Contractor will document the modeling effort in draft and final reports that describe the outcomes and deliverables of Tasks 1-4 and all aspects of model development. The report will include sections for each of the data and modeling components. Report outcomes will be presented to the WRRFs. The report generated in this task will include prepared data, a summary of model construction and calibration, and scenario results. Following comment by this partnership, Contractor will produce a final report. The final report will be presented to the WRRFs partnership, MCD, and OEPA at a workshop. A presentation shall be made to the Great Miami River Watershed Joint Board, Ohio DNR and Ohio Department of Agriculture. Deliverable of Task 5 includes: At least one draft, or more if necessary, and one final report. Outcomes of Task 5 include: Workshop agenda and minutes. A better understanding of which nutrient management approach is likely to be most effective in addressing impairment due to nutrient enrichment in the Great Miami River. PROJECT SCHEDULE The Project Schedule includes the following major milestones: Notice to Proceed 01/04/2016 Participating agencies provide data and information 01/04/2016 Data Compilation and Synthesis technical memorandum 04/01/2016 Water Quality Model Selection technical memorandum 06/01/2016 Draft Report 12/31/2016 Final Report and Workshop 04/01/2017 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Lower Great Miami River Nutrient Management Project 4

5 ORGANIZATION AND CONTENT OF THE PROPOSAL Submittals shall be a maximum of 30 pages, excluding resumes of key project team members and submittal cover, cover letter, and tabbed dividers. Section Contents 1 Organization History 2 Project Approach 3 Anticipated Deliverables and Milestones 4 Project Team and Key Personnel Qualifications 5 Project Experience 6 References Section 1: Organization History Clearly list the following information for your organization: company name, address, phone number, fax number and main contact person with title and address. Section 2: Project Approach Use the information provided in this RFP to provide a detailed description of your approach for completing the desired services. Describe the tasks that you see as necessary to complete the work identified in this RFP to meet the goals and objectives, and satisfy coordination with the OEPA. Discuss how you plan to provide the requested services and how you will staff the project given the various tasks. Describe how your team s project members will interface with one another. Outline the methods and controls by which your firm will manage and complete the tasks as described in this RFP. Section 3: Anticipated Deliverables and Milestones The proposal should include a detailed scope of work and budget, as well as a list of deliverables and milestones to track, communicate, and measure progress reports, conferences calls/seminars/meetings, and a workshop. Draft and final reports that can be published and distributed by MCD and the LGMR WRRFs partnership are among the required deliverables. Section 4: Project Team and Key Personnel Qualifications Describe the proposed team organization (include an organizational chart); the specific role of key staff members; and how MCD and the LGMR WRRFs partnership will be involved with the proposed team. Specifically list the names and titles of the firm s key staff that will participate on the project and briefly describe their involvement on similar projects. Describe prior projects where key team members have worked together. Describe the manner in which key team members interfaced with each other and with the owners of prior projects in a REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Lower Great Miami River Nutrient Management Project 5

6 regulatory support/modeling context. For each key project team member describe their level of experience with similar projects (include resumes in the Proposal Appendix). Section 5: Project Experience Describe prior clients projects wherein your firm has provided the services outlined in this RFP. Provide a minimum of five similar project descriptions on projects from the past ten (10) years where your firm has provided water quality modeling in riverine and lake environments with both rural and urban land uses. Summarize experience with modeling sediment transport and nutrient cycling processes. Summarize recent experiences gained from other projects that are specifically relevant to the subject project. Section 6: References Include five (5) references for relevant and related projects over the last ten (10) years. The references shall include the following: owner name; contact person with and phone number; project name; date of project commencement and completion; project location; and a brief description of the services provided by your firm. Proposal Evaluation Criteria Points Project Approach, Anticipated Deliverables and Milestones 40 Budget 10 Project Experience 20 Project Team and Key Personnel Qualifications 20 References 10 Total 100 OPTIONAL PRE-PROPOSAL MEETING A pre-proposal meeting will be held on October 27 th from 10am-12pm to answer questions about the Request for Proposals or about the Lower Great Miami River Nutrient Management project. Attendance is optional. RSVPs are required. Location and contact information below. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION To be considered, proposals must be submitted (four original copies and one electronic copy) to the address listed below. Proposals must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on November 30, 2015 to: Miami Conservancy District c/o Lower Great Miami River Nutrient Management Project 38 E. Monument Avenue Dayton, Ohio REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Lower Great Miami River Nutrient Management Project 6

7 QUESTIONS REGARDING THE RFP: Miami Conservancy District Sarah Hippensteel Hall Manager, Watershed Partnerships (937) Map 1 Great Miami River Watershed, Ohio REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Lower Great Miami River Nutrient Management Project 7

8 Map 2 OEPA s Lower Great Miami River Assessment Area REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Lower Great Miami River Nutrient Management Project 8

9 References Debrewer, L.M., Rowe, G.L., Reutter, D.C., Moore, R.C., Hambrook, J.A., & Baker, N.T. (2000). Environmental Setting and Effects on Water Quality in the Great and Little Miami River Basins, Ohio and Indiana: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigation Report National Center for Water Quality Research at Heidelberg University - Miami Conservancy District (2014). Water Resources Report of the Great Miami River Watershed: Report Miami Conservancy District (2012). Nitrogen and Phosphorus Concentrations and Loads in the Great Miami River Watershed, Ohio : Report Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (2011). Biological and Water Quality Study of the Upper Great Miami River and Selected Tributaries, 2008: OEPA Technical Report EAS/ Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (2012). Biological and Water Quality Study of the Lower Great Miami River Watershed Butler, Hamilton, Montgomery, Preble, and Warren Counties, 2012: OEPA Technical Report EAS/ Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (2013a). Biological and Water Quality Study of the Middle Great Miami River and Principal Tributaries, 2009: OEPA Technical Report EAS/ Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (2013b). Ohio Nutrient Reduction Strategy: From Accessed May 5, REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Lower Great Miami River Nutrient Management Project 9