Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF MARCH 08, 2006 FBO #1563
SOURCES SOUGHT

R -- Criteria and Procedures for Indian Water Right Settlements

Notice Date

3/6/2006
 

Notice Type

Sources Sought
 

Contracting Office

Bureau of Reclamation - Upper Columbia Area Office 1917 Marsh Road Yakima WA 98901
 

ZIP Code

98901
 

Solicitation Number

06SQ1U0550
 

Response Due

3/16/2006
 

Archive Date

3/6/2007
 

Small Business Set-Aside

N/A
 

Description

The NAICS code for this requirement is 541618; the activity description is "Other Management Consulting Services"; and the small business size standard is $6.5 million. The Bureau of Reclamation's Upper Columbia Area Office (Reclamation) intends to negotiate a sole-source contract for advisory and assistance services with formulating a settlement position and determining the value of a settlement, as required by the DOI "Criteria and Procedures for Indian Water Right Settlements." The tasks identified below are designed to address specific information needs for the DOI assessment report and the Federal Negotiating Team in addressing settlement options. A primary requirement of the economist for this team is to analyze the existing information developed by the Tribe for credibility, and to assist in determining the value of settlement. To that end, a certain degree of latitude in tasks and data needs is appropriate, and will be provided by the Cascade Economics team, given the nature of settlement discussions. Statement of Work: 1. Analysis of Economic Data Developed by the Tribal Consultant The data to be provided in this task relates to the economic components and feasibility of a future irrigation plan in support of Practicably Irrigable Acreage (PIA). Cascade Economics will analyze the plan and its elements for realism and correctness by considering the data used, modeling approach, reasoning, and results as presented by Tribe's consultant. 2. Conduct Analysis of Future Water Plans In the course of preparing information in support of the settlement, the Tribe has identified a number of water related projects that it may be contemplating. These projects are intended to be future options that could be put into practice at some point in the future should the associated quantity of water required ultimately be decreed. The task will be accomplished by conducting a reconnaissance level market analysis of the various projects identified in order to determine their degree of reasonableness. 3. Value of Settlement Analysis The "Criteria and Procedures" were designed to provide guidance to the Federal Negotiating Team in negotiating settlements. A primary component of the "Assessment and Recommendations" phase is to (1) measure all costs presuming no settlement, and (2) measure complete settlement costs to all the parties. An important requirement within the "Criteria and Procedures" is the determination of the value associated with the benefits of settlement. The value of settlement must be measured in various ways, and measured in terms of benefits to the United States and each of the parties involved. 4. A final component that may be necessary is the value of settlement to other parties, including the State of California and other non-Indian entities. This is often accomplished by considering the value of water in its forecasted use and the so-called multiplier effect in terms of economic commerce and secondary impacts for the regional or state economy. 5. Interaction with the Federal Negotiating Team and Participation in Negotiation Meetings: As noted above in Tasks 1 through 3, interaction with members of the Federal Negotiating Team will be necessary to ensure consistency with the vision of the team, and in response to settlement discussions. Reclamation has determined that Cascade Economics LLC is the only reasonable source based upon the following criteria: The specialized nature of the field has a limited number of individuals qualified. Cascade Economics LLC is a research and consulting firm specializing in natural resource economics. Cascade Economics includes experienced professionals with specialties in economic analysis, water resources and water rights, litigation and negotiation support, agricultural production, regional economics, commercial fisheries, and environmental economics. Additional expertise in socioeconomic analysis, EA/EIS preparation, and impacts analysis are represented at Cascade Economics, as well as research project management, technical writing, editing, and exhibit preparation. Dr. Michael Taylor is the Managing Partner for Cascade Economics LLC, and will be the lead researcher for this project. Dr. Taylor was the lead research economist for studies in support of federal reserved water rights on ten Indian reservations, and he has completed studies for nine others. He serves or served as lead agricultural economist and designated expert witness for the United States for each of the following water rights cases: Duck Valley Indian Reservation, Idaho and Nevada, for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Northwest Region. Lummi Indian Reservation, Washington, for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Northwest Region. Hopi and Navajo Indian Reservations, Arizona, for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Southwest Region. Nez Perce Indian Reservation, Idaho, for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Northwest Region. Flathead Indian Reservation, Montana, for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Northwest Region. Crow Indian Reservation, Montana, for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Rocky Mountain Region. Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, Montana, for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Rocky Mountain Region. The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, interested parties that are certain they can meet the requirement must submit in writing an affirmative response and technical capabilities. All written responses must include a written narrative statement of capability, including detailed technical information demonstrating their ability to meet the above requirements. All proposals received within 10 days after date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by Reclamation. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by Reclamation not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of Reclamation.
 

Web Link

Please click here to view more details.
(http://ideasec.nbc.gov/j2ee/announcementdetail.jsp?serverId=BR14251U&objId=19523)
 

Place of Performance

Address: Porterville CA

Zip Code: 98901

Country: US
 

Record

SN01000863-W 20060308/060306212438 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

---

| FSG Index  |  This Issue's Index  |  Today's FBO Daily Index Page |