The Central Nevada Regional Water Authority (CNRWA) is soliciting Statements of Qualifications from experienced firms and individuals for the purpose of implementing CNRWA’S Groundwater Monitoring Program.
Background
CNRWA collects water level measurements from 51 wells in 12 groundwater basins to: determine temporal trends, identify the occurrence and movement of groundwater and help quantify subsurface flow between basins. The wells were selected in concert with the U.S. Geological Survey and the Nevada Division of Water Resources to fill gaps.
CNRWA budgeted $15,000 for its Groundwater Monitoring Program contract for the current fiscal year which includes labor and travel expenses. The term of this project is for one year with additional annual renewal options.
Tentative Schedule
CNRWA anticipates the following general timeline for its selection process. CNRWA reserves the right to change this schedule:
September 6, 2025 RFQ Advertised
September 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM PST – Submittal Deadline
September 16, 2025 – Evaluation and Ranking of Submittals
October 3, 2025 – Contractor Selection
October 3, 2025 – Contract Award and Approval by CNRWA Board
Scope of Services
The general scope of services is, but not limited to:
Visit and measure water level in 51 CNRWA index wells located in 12 groundwater basins, or Hydrologic Areas: Kumiva Valley-HA 079 (3 wells), Granite Springs Valley-HA 078 (3 wells), Big Smoky Valley-HA’s 137A and 137B (5 wells), Newark Valley-HA 154 (6 wells), Railroad Valley-HA’s 173A and 173B (6 wells), Long Valley-Central Nevada-HA 175 (6 wells), Butte Valley-HA’s 178A and 178B (8 wells), Ruby Valley-HA 176 (4 wells), Jakes Valley-HA 174 (2 wells), Clayton Valley-HA 143 (3 wells), Alkali Springs Valley-HA 142 (3 wells) and Clover Valley-HA 177 (2 wells). Water levels are to be recorded in feet and tenths of feet) typically using either a 500-foot Kevlar Electric Tape, or where appropriate, a weighted 500-foot steel tape. Groundwater monitoring is conducted between the months of August and October and is contingent upon weather and other natural conditions. A complete list of wells to be monitored can be found at: https://cnrwa.com/resources-documents/groundwater-monitoring/
Submit CNRWA groundwater monitoring data to the Nevada Division of Water Resources and the U.S. Geological Survey.
Prepare and present to the Central Nevada Regional Water Authority Board a report that includes water level monitoring effort and significant findings, if any; general observations and recommendations, and hydrographs for areas where water level declines and/or recoveries are occurring.
Additional work tasks related to CNRWA’s Groundwater Monitoring Program as directed by the CNRWA Contract Executive Director.
Note: The previous contractor drove approximately 3,200 miles annually from August through October from Carson City to the well locations. This included significant travel on unpaved and occasionally treacherous roads to remote locations throughout central and eastern Nevada. A high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle with spare tires and fuel and satellite GPS locater are essential.
Submittal Requirements
In order for your submittal to be considered responsive, it must include:
1. The key individual (s) who will be providing the services and the resumés and work location(s) of each key individual.
2. Description of your understanding of CNRWA’s groundwater monitoring program
3. Knowledge and experience with groundwater hydrology and well monitoring in rural Nevada
4. Knowledge and experience with organizing data, preparing reports and giving presentations
5. Experience working with the Nevada Division of Water Resources, U.S. Geological Service and other governmental agencies and educational/research institutions on water resource issues
6. Experience driving to remote locations in rural Nevada, and capability and understanding of safety precautions/protocols and route finding needed for backcountry travel
5. Two professional references
Statement of Qualifications Evaluation Criteria
Submittals will be evaluated by CNRWA using the following criteria:
Evaluation Criteria Max Points
Knowledge and experience in the type of work (30)
to be performed
Capability to perform the work in a safe and (40)
efficient manner
Quality of submittal (10)
Availability and capacity to perform the work (10)
References (10)
Maximum Total Points 100
Selection Process
The Contract Executive Director will be responsible to review all submitted SOQ’s and will recommend a maximum of three of the highest rated submittals to make a presentation to the CNRWA Board on October 3, 2025. The CNRWA Board of Directors may select and approve a contract with the most qualified firm or individual at the October 3, 2025 meeting. It is anticipated the selected that the selected firm or individual will start their duties in October 2025.
Submittal Details/Deadlines
Submittals must be sent via email (pdf format) to: ccjfontaine@gmail.com with the subject line: CNRWA Groundwater Monitoring SOQ.
Submittals must be received by 5:00 PM PST on September 15, 2025.
Contact information, by email or phone:
Jeff Fontaine
775-443-7667
Terms and Conditions
CNRWA reserves the right to reject any and all Proposals and to waive irregularities and informalities in the submittal and evaluation process. CNRWA does not intend, and is under no obligation, to pay any costs incurred by any Respondent to prepare and submit an SOQ. Responses become the property of the Board and may be subject to public disclosure.
A copy of CNRWA’s Boilerplate Contract for Professional Services is provided on its Website cnrwa.com under the Resources and Documents/Groundwater Monitoring Tab.
Any Respondent submitting a SOQ shall become familiar with the boilerplate contract. It is anticipated that the selected Respondent will enter into the contract with CNRWA with only minor revisions to the boilerplate contract. However, the scope of work for the current year may be reduced due to inaccessibility of wells due to weather conditions.
Note: The contractor at the contractor’s sole expense will be required to procure, maintain and keep in force general commercial liability insurance with an individual occurrence limit of $1,000,000 and aggregate limit of $2,000,000.
Reservation of Rights
CNRWA reserves the right to: 1) seek clarifications for each submittal; 2) negotiate a final contract that is in the best interest of CNRWA; 3) reject any or all submittals; 4) cancel this RFQ at any time if doing so would be in the public interest, as determined by CNRWA in its sole discretion; 5) waive minor informalities contained in any submittal, when, in CNRWA’s sole judgement, it is in the CNRWA’s best interest to do so; and 6) request any additional information CNRWA deems reasonably necessary to allow the CNRWA to evaluate, rank and select the most qualified respondent to perform the services described in this RFQ.
If CNRWA and the selected candidate are unable for any reason to negotiate a contract CNRWA shall, in writing, formally terminate the negotiations with the selected candidate. CNRWA may then negotiate with the next most qualified candidate, may terminate the process, or may start over the SOQ process. This solicitation is not an implied contract and may be modified or revoked without notice.