The engineering firm selected through this RFP will lead the technical development of final designs for the Bear Creek Water Quality and Fish Access Wetland Improvement Project. The contractor will be responsible for integrating existing data with new field-collected information to develop restoration designs that restore hydrologic connectivity, enhance floodplain habitat, and improve water quality within the Bear Creek watershed, while maintaining compatibility with current agricultural land uses. Project activities will include restoration of a remnant oxbow channel, enhancement of a seasonal wetland to reduce fish stranding risk, and installation of fencing and hardened livestock crossings to protect newly established riparian vegetation. The selected firm will collaborate with Coos SWCD staff, private landowners, and state and federal partners to ensure that designs meet state and federal permitting standards, including those of the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The goal is to create ecologically meaningful and constructible plans that reflect best available science and regulatory guidance. 2.1 Project Administration, Coordination, and Review of Existing Data This task includes all project management and coordination activities necessary to ensure successful delivery of the design phase. The contractor will participate in project kickoff and regular check-in meetings with Coos SWCD, ODFW, and other partners to track progress, review deliverables, and align on design decisions. The contractor will review all relevant existing data, including but not limited to LiDAR, historical aerial photos, previous site assessments, DEQ water quality data, and hydrologic information. A detailed project schedule will be developed and maintained throughout the contract period. Project administration will also include submittal of progress invoices and task summaries, as well as participation in regulatory discussions when requested by Coos SWCD. 2.2 Field Data Collection and Site Investigation The contractor will conduct field investigations to collect critical data needed for design development. These investigations may include topographic and geomorphic surveys, vegetation mapping, wetland delineation (if required), and shallow soil sampling. The fieldwork should be focused on verifying floodplain elevations, wetland hydrology, bank conditions, and identifying fish passage barriers or stranding risks in off-channel areas. Data collected will support hydraulic modeling, habitat grading designs, and development of construction documents. The contractor will be responsible for ensuring appropriate site access with landowner coordination through Coos SWCD. Safety protocols, field permits, and landowner notification requirements must be observed. 2.3 Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling The contractor will perform hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) modeling to inform project designs, particularly grading of the remnant oxbow channel and connectivity to the adjacent seasonal wetland. Modeling will consider baseflow conditions, flood events, groundwater interaction, and expected changes in floodplain inundation extent and duration. A FEMA floodplain analysis (no-rise certification) will be a necessary component of hydrologic analysis to inform project design in regard to permitting. Modeling results will support identification of excavation needs, channel morphometrics, overflow risk zones, and design elevations for livestock crossings and fencing infrastructure. Contractors must use modeling approaches consistent with permitting and regulatory needs, such as those required under FEMA or Clean Water Act Section 404. 2.4 Design Alternatives and Implementation Planning Based on the outcomes of site investigations and modeling, the contractor will develop and evaluate design alternatives. Each alternative should consider habitat benefits, cost, feasibility, and compatibility with continued agricultural operations. Alternatives will be presented in narrative and graphical formats to project partners for review and input. Upon selection of a preferred alternative, the contractor will begin preparing engineering designs at the 30%, advancing to the 60%, and 90% design levels upon completion of a technical review by Coos SWCD and associates. Each design submittal will include detailed plan sheets, cross-sections, grading and planting plans, construction notes. Preliminary construction cost estimates will be provided at the 60% design phase. 2.5 Permitting Support The contractor will support Coos SWCD in preparing permit application materials for the project. This includes providing design drawings, modeling outputs, engineering calculations, and technical narratives needed to complete permit applications for USACE (Section 404), DSL (Removal-Fill), DEQ (401 Certification and 1200-C), and Coos County Land Use Planning/Floodplain Certification. The contractor will also attend coordination meetings with regulatory agencies as needed (please budget for up to at least 3 meetings). 2.6 Final Design and Construction Documentation Following review and feedback on the 90% design submittal, the contractor will prepare final construction-ready documents, stamped by a licensed engineer. Deliverables will include full plan sets in PDF and CAD format, technical specifications, and final cost estimates. These documents will be used by Coos SWCD to apply for implementation/construction funding and initiate project implementation.
