Specifications include, but are not limited to: The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is requesting statement of qualification (SOQ) proposals from consulting firms interested in providing engineering assistance to the dam safety regulatory program. In accordance with Montana’s Dam Safety Act, the DNRC is tasked with ensuring that dams are constructed and operated to minimize the potential for downstream loss of life and property damage. DNRC accomplishes this task using a variety of means: 1) Review of engineering completed by dam owner’s engineer (inspection reports, construction documents, engineering analysis); 2) Providing education and outreach to dam owners, so that they understand their responsibility for maintaining and operating safe dams; 3) Providing education and outreach to engineers, so they are aware of current technology and regulatory guidelines and 4) Conducting necessary research to assure the Montana Dam Safety Program is using current technology to make regulatory decisions. DNRC’s Dam Safety program has been partnering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to accomplish its mission of maintaining safe dams. FEMA annually provides DNRC grant funding under the National Dam Safety Act Assistance to States grant program to accomplish specific tasks. DNRC outlines these tasks each year in May and presents a detailed work plan and budget to FEMA for approval. Funding to accomplish approved tasks is generally available in early August. The funding level varies, depending on congressional appropriation and the number of dams reported by Montana to the National Inventory of Dams program. Limited state general funds and funding through interagency agreements may also be used to complete select projects.
