SOURCES SOUGHT UPDATE RIVER BASIN MODEL (RBM10)

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Contract Opportunity

Sources Sought
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is conducting market research to identify qualified businesses capable of updating the Klamath Falls river basin model 10 (RBM10) as described in the attached performance work statement. This sources sought notice is not a request for quote or proposal, and the Government is not committed to awarding a purchase order or contract as a result of this announcement. Information received will be used solely for planning purposes to assist the Government in determining an appropriate acquisition strategy. The Government will not reimburse any costs associated with preparing a response to this notice.

NAICS Code: 541690 Environmental Consulting Services
Size Standard: $19.0 Million (or current SBA size standard applicable at time of posting)
Please indicate in your response whether your business qualifies as a small or large business under the above NAICS size standard.

Respondents shall demonstrate their ability to meet all technical and performance requirements described in the Performance Work Statement (PWS). Capability statements must clearly address the vendors capacity, expertise, and experience relevant to the following areas:

1. RBM10 Model Expertise and Environmental Modeling Capability
Demonstrated experience implementing, modifying, calibrating, and validating large river water temperature models such as RBM10 or closely related hydrodynamic/water quality models.
Ability to support USGS scientists by providing temperature datasets, calibration site selection, and participation in joint calibration/validation review sessions.

2. Water Temperature Data Compilation and Management
Ability to compile, quality check, and consolidate multiyear water temperature datasets (2024 to 2026) from multiple sources for use in the postdam removal calibration period.
Experience transmitting environmental datasets to federal scientific teams using standard formats, metadata, and data integrity protocols.

3. Counterfactual Model Scenario Development
Capability to run RBM10 for both with dam and postdam scenarios, including identifying appropriate spatial/temporal model domains.
Demonstrated experience conducting counterfactual or alternative condition scenario modeling in environmental or hydrological contexts.

4. Comparative Model Analysis
Experience comparing outputs across multiple model types, including prior studies such as Perry et al. (2011), TMDL analyses, and relicensing¿related thermal models. Ability to evaluate consistency, deviations, and methodological differences between model outputs.

5. Biological Temperature Metrics
Capability to calculate biologically relevant temperature indicators, including those tied to fall Chinook salmon migration, spawning conditions, and egg incubation viability under dam in versus dam out conditions.
Experience applying ecological or fisheries related metrics in a modeling context is strongly encouraged.

6. Manuscript Preparation and Scientific Publication
Demonstrated ability to prepare scientific manuscripts suitable for peer reviewed journals, including literature review, methods descriptions, model calibration write ups, results summaries, and interpretation of biological relevance.
Ability to revise manuscripts in response to peer review feedback and submit finalized versions consistent with journal requirements.

7. Scientific Presentation Capability
Experience developing and delivering presentations at scientific conferences, including clear communication of modeling approaches, environmental impacts, and fisheries related findings.

8. Schedule Performance
Capability to meet all performance milestones and deliverables specified in the PWS, including manuscript development, comparative modeling, temperature metric calculations, and presentation preparation.

Responses to this announcement must be submitted via email only to Anthony_berry@ios.doi.gov and must be received in full no later than July 16th, 2026, at 8:00 AM Pacific Time.

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