C -- BLACKWOOD CREEK STREAM RESTORATION PROJECT -- LAKE TAHOE BASIN

Notice Date

May 8, 2001

Contracting Office

Tahoe National Forest, 631 Coyote Street, Nevada City, Ca 95959-2250

ZIP Code

95959-2250

Solicitation Number

RFP-IBET-17-01-074

Response Due

June 7, 2001

Point of Contact

Tahoe National Forest, Fax Machine 530-478-6126

Description

Statement of Work Blackwood Creek Stream Restoration Project Introduction Lake Tahoe Basin is considered a national treasure and therefore the subject of legislation, research, and management in order to restore the lake's ecosystem. Blackwood Creek, a subbasin of Lake Tahoe is a naturally large contributor of sediment due to geology, soils, topography, and climate. In addition to natural sediment loads, watershed disturbances associated with timber harvest, road construction, livestock grazing, gravel mining, and recreation have magnified the effects of floods leading to a decline in riparian and aquatic ecosystems. The USDA Forest Service (USFS), Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is seeking SF-254s abd SF-255s from qualified consultants to provide professional services for the design of stream restoration along approximately 3.5 miles of Blackwood Creek. The project area is located in Placer County in the northwest portion of the Lake Tahoe Basin and is accessible from US Highway 89 (Figure 1). Basin and Project Site Description The Blackwood Creek watershed encompasses 11.2 square miles. The watershed is a glaciated steep-walled oval bowl with a length of six miles and an average width of two miles. Elevations range from 6,230 feet at Lake Tahoe to 8,878 feet at Twin Peaks. Valley gradient ranges from less than one to four percent. The basin geology is dominated by highly dissected extrusive volcanic rock. Upland soils consist primarily of a thin mantle of forest debris and colluvial material, while valley soils are a combination of fluvial, colluvial and landslide deposits. The combination of basin physiography and thin upland soils produces a flashy hydrologic regime. Peak flows are 150 to 400 cfs for an annual snowmelt and 1800 to 2300 cfs for mid-winter rain on snow floods. The project site is located in the lower and middle reaches of the mainstem of Blackwood Creek (Figure 1). There are seven stream reaches in the project area, based on Rosgen stream classification. The project site is located entirely on Forest Service Lands and extends upstream from the California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC)/U.S. Forest Service (USFS) property boundary for approximately 5,000 meters. The reaches have a slope ranging from less than one percent to two percent. The vegetation of the stream corridor includes conifers, cottonwoods, aspens, deciduous shrubs, dominated by willows, and annual and perennial grasses. The aquatic habitat supports resident and lake-run populations of salmonids, which include rainbow, brown, and brook trouts, and possibly kokanee salmon. Native fish species include Tahoe sucker, mountain sucker, speckled dace, Piute sculpin, and possibly mountain whitefish. Also, there are amphibian populations of Pacific tree frog and bull frog. Proposed Project The project objectives are: A stream channel and riparian area that reduces streambank erosion and improves water quality. A stream channel and floodplain that is dynamically stable with sediment transport continuity and floodplain connectivity. A stream channel with a range of aquatic habitats and associated riparian areas to improve and support the desired riparian ecosystem. A stream channel and riparian design that meets the management direction, goals, and standards and guidelines of the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment. There are four main components of this project: 1. Design appropriate stream channels, aquatic habitat, floodplains, and associated riparian areas through degraded and eroding stream reaches within Blackwood Creek. Land use, floods, and recent climate change caused portions of Blackwood Creek to incise. Consequently several reaches have become straighter and significantly wider to adjust to this condition. Several reaches are now wide enough such that floodplains will eventually become established in these areas. The intent of this component is to accelerate the recovery process by reconstructing the channel and floodplain in these reaches. The project shall design stream function, floodplain connectivity, and floodplains appropriate for stream reaches two through nine (Figure 1). Design should support a range of aquatic habitat. The geomorphic components for re-establishing sediment transport continuity must match the range of flows expected under the present hydrologic regime. The design for each reach of stream shall include appropriate: Entrenchment ratios Width-to-depth ratios Average reach slope Sinuosity Channel curvature Meander wave pattern Streambank morphology Instream structures, including large woody debris (if necessary) Pool and non-pool habitat spacing Pool and non-pool morphology The general design criteria listed above shall be flexible, so as to allow for minor stream channel adjustments. Dynamic adjustment must be planned for and designed into this system. The design shall reestablish floodplain connectivity in these reaches. The design shall include appropriate: Floodplain elevations to cause surface inundation at 2 to 5 year intervals. Floodplain flow velocities that promote deposition of fine sediment. Vegetation for water table elevation. Floodplain roughness elements of appropriate spacing and type to further promote deposition of fine sediment. Design backwater/wetland areas to store waters during floods and cause sediment deposition annually. Increase floodplain width (if necessary) to reduce flood flow velocity and depth to accommodate floods with a recurrence interval greater than 10 years. One or two dimensional flow modeling may be necessary to account and design for complex flow patterns during high magnitude flow events. Applicants must demonstrate experience in use of appropriate hydrologic and hydraulic modeling techniques in dynamic environments. 2. Design appropriate stream channels at the new Blackwood Creek stream crossing. The new stream crossing will be a multi-span bridge or bottomless arch design, and may be at a different location than the existing culvert. The decision on the type of crossing will be completed by September 2001. Also, the design will account for appropriate stream channel type and floodplain through the stream crossing. 3. Develop a design for modification of the channel base-control/fish ladder structure and stream channel. The design shall modify and reconstruct the existing concrete base-control/fish ladder structure within stream reaches eight and nine. At this location the design shall show the appropriate stream type and modified base-control structure. 4. Determine whether the diversion channel or historic channel shall be used for primary streamflow. Design reconstruction for the diversion channel or historic channel to include criteria in #1 above. There are two stream channels above the base control structure that parallel each other. One is the historic stream channel, while the other was constructed as a diversion during the gravel-mining period. The consultant shall recommend which channel should function as the primary stream channel. If the historic channel is recommended, then the consultant shall design the restoration of the historic channel to accommodate the annual flow regimen, and design for restoration of the diversion channel. If the diversion channel is recommended as the primary stream channel, then the consultant shall design the required restoration to accommodate the annual flow regimen. Scope of Work The consultant shall perform all professional and technical services necessary to accomplish the work. Professional and technical services shall include all labor, materials, equipment, and facilities, as required. The work to be performed by the consultant shall consist of, but is not limited to, the following items and sub-items: Project Design 1. USFS coordination. A USFS restoration hydrologist and/or restoration aquatic biologist will be part of the consultant's design team from conceptual design through final design. There will be bimonthly coordination with the restoration group, as needed, regarding the progress and status of the project and related issues through meetings or personal communications. 2. Environmental and technical documents. This includes all studies and plans necessary for the development of NEPA documents. 3. Conduct all studies and/or research necessary to determine and/or support project design. This includes, but is not limited to, a thorough and complete site inspection, collection, compilation, assessment, and analysis of topographic survey data, stream channel data, aquatic habitat data, riparian data, and upland watershed conditions. A fluvial geomorphological analysis of the project area shall be performed to determine appropriate channel configurations/channel types, aquatic habitat types, floodprone/floodplain configurations, floodplain connectivity, channel bar size and shapes, streambank shapes, large woody structure design and spacing, instream structure design and location, and wetland and meadow design and location and an evaluation of the factors causing the existing stream channel erosion and loss of aquatic ecosystem components shall be conducted in order to mitigate future erosion from those sources and create a properly functioning stream channel and aquatic ecosystem. 4. Preparation of design plans and project report. Project designs shall emphasize the use of passive watershed or bioengineering methods and approaches. Design plans shall be stamped and signed by a civil engineer registered in California. Final plans shall be detailed to the degree necessary that they can be used for construction drawings (main sheets at 1' = 40 scale) and shall include, at a minimum, a cover sheet, location map, legend, abbreviation list, general notes, plan and profile sheets, cross sections, details, temporary erosion control, land capability, revegetation, bioengineering techniques, land disturbance calculations, soil excavation quantity calculations, and instream structures. Plans shall also show the location of construction and maintenance access and haul roads. The project report shall include, at a minimum, project introduction, problem and project need descriptions, project goals and objectives, proposed improvements, hydrologic and hydraulic analysis with findings and recommendations, alternatives considered, and a construction cost estimate. 5. Contract documents. This includes technical specifications that shall include, at a minimum, description of bid items and materials specified, quantity takeoff, order of work, types of equipment to be used, and procedures for diversion of the stream and/or dewatering. The project shall be able to be constructed in phases, and the contract documents shall reflect this. Consultant shall also provide a final engineer's construction cost estimate for each phase and the project in total. 6. Field reviews. Consultant shall lead four field reviews of the project at preliminary, 50%, and 90% phases of project planning and design with the USFS, TRPA, LRWQCB, CTC, League To Save Lake Tahoe, and Army Corps. of Engineers. The fourth field review shall be for the Forest Leadership Team (FLT): Forest Supervisor, Deputy Forest Supervisor, and Staff Officers. 7. Attendance at agency/organization meetings. This includes two meetings: 50% and 90% phases of project planning and design. Consultant shall be prepared to present the project design and respond to questions. Consultant shall respond in writing to comments presented at the meetings as well as to comments received in writing from the USFS. 8. Design/Construction drawings and specifications. Provide three sets of reproducible, stamped and signed original final plans for construction bidding purposes and one electronic file of the final plans in AutoCAD 14 and construction specifications in CSI format. Each submittal package shall consist of drawings, specifications, calculations, and cost estimates at the applicable stage of completion. All copies and the original shall be clear, concise, and fonts shall be of a size that is easily read. Design criteria will be provided for all projects in the form of a Scope of Work or Design Prospectus, which will define the design and operational objectives. Designs shall comply with local agency restrictions and requirements and shall minimize impacts on resources. 9. Monitoring plans. Consultant shall develop a monitoring plan for the project, in conjunction with the Forest Service, that shall include constituents for stream channel morphology, aquatic habitat, revegetation, and erosion and sedimentation. Work Completed to Date and Supportive Data The following information shall be made available for the planning and design of the project. 1. Aerial photos 1939-2000. 2. Stream channel typing. 3. Aquatic habitat typing. 4. Water quality monitoring data. 5. Stream condition inventory data. 6. Blackwood Creek Watershed and Fisheries Habitat Improvement Plan Project Feasibility Study Proposed Project Schedule Contract award July 2001 Project design completion June 2002 Prospective Consultant shall include in the proposal any anticipated deviations from this schedule. Minimum Requirements Concise, responsive proposals shall include the following: 1. Cover letter, not to exceed one page, identifying name, address, and telephone number of the principal representing the firm/term, signed by a person authorized to execute a contract with the USFS. A copy of the corporate resolution, or other applicable document, confirming the person is duly authorized shall be included with the proposal. 2. A description of the firm/team, not to exceed three pages, identifying the firm's/team's primary services, office location(s), and professional and support staff members. 3. Resumes, not to exceed one page each, of personnel and principal(s) to be assigned to this project and a description of their responsibilities as they relate to this project. 4. Provide a description of similar projects under similar Sierra Nevada conditions prepared, planned, and designed with the involvement of the principal(s) by the firm/team. This shall include client reference, phone number, and all consultant staff persons who worked on the plan. Include information on project acreage, size and location, scope of work, and if the project is available for inspection. Include estimated and actual budget, estimated and actual schedule, and original staffing and staffing at project completion, and involvement of principal(s). Limit the list to three projects and the descriptions to one page. 5. A brief statement, not to exceed two pages, expressing the firm's/team's understanding of, and general approach to, the proposed project. Include any relevant experience and knowledge of the watersheds within the Lake Tahoe Basin. 6. Comments on the proposed Scope of Work as detailed in this SOW, including suggestions for augmenting, streamlining, or clarifying the scope. Firms/teams are encouraged to be creative in preparing proposals that demonstrate the most effective procedures for producing the expected results. 7. The proposal must include a discussion of any other projects currently being undertaken by the firm/team that might result in delays to completing this project on schedule or that would constitute a conflicting interest. 8. A work schedule with the start dates and completion dates of the individual sub-items listed under the Scope of Work. The Consultant shall submit a SF-254 and SF-255 containing the above requirements. Selection Process The Government shall evaluate each potential contractor in terms of its (1) Professional qualifications necessary for satisfactory performance of required services; (2) Specialized experience and technical competence in the type of work required, including, where appropriate, experience in energy conservation, pollution prevention, waste reduction, and the use of recovered materials; (3) Capacity to accomplish the work in the required time; (4) Past performance on contracts with Government agencies and private industry in terms of cost control, quality of work, and compliance with performance schedules; (5) Location in the general geographical area of the project and knowledge of the locality of the project; provided, that application of this criterion leaves an appropriate number of qualified firms, given the nature and size of the project, and in accordance with the following criteria: Proposals shall be evaluated based on the thoroughness, clarity, and quality of the material presented with emphasis on relevant experience, project staffing, proximity to the site, understanding of the project, and knowledge of the watersheds of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Other evaluation criteria include performance record and familiarity with agency requirements of the Lake Tahoe Basin. The above selection criteria are provided to assist prospective Consultants and are not meant to limit other considerations that may be identified during the course of the selection process. The Watershed and Riparian Ecosystems Restoration Group and the Technical Advisory Committee will evaluate the proposals and, if deemed necessary, conduct interviews. The selection of the Consultant shall be based on the following: 1. Demonstrated competence in the areas of stream and meadow restoration project planning and design, knowledge of applicable codes and regulations for restoration work in streams and riparian areas of the agencies involved in the Lake Tahoe Basin. 2. Demonstrated ability to complete the scope of work in a professional and timely manner. 3. Qualifications of personnel assigned to the project. For technical information contact Jeff Reiner, 530-573-2624, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010510/CSOL004.HTM (W-128 SN50L5P6)