CLOSED: Water - Request for Proposals 2019

This RFP is CLOSED

RFP 2019-004: Supplemental and Coordinated Monitoring Program, Northeastern BC

This request for proposals is for a collaborative research project to expand groundwater, surface water and meteorological monitoring in northeastern British Columbia to help meet the Strategic Objective Understanding Water, and the associated goals:

  • Characterizing groundwater and aquifers throughout British Columbia; and
  • Measuring local and regional water balance.

The deadline for submissions is 12:00 pm Pacific Standard Time on November 25, 2019.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) appear at the bottom of this page. If you are interested in this RFP, we strongly recommend you check this section regularly.

RFP 2019-04          Appendix A: Proposal Template          Appendix B: Proposal Budget Template

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Have the four watersheds mentioned been selected, or is the selection of the watersheds part of this RFP?
The four watersheds are being selected as part of another project Geoscience BC is supporting. They have not yet been selected but this work will support work conducted under the scope of the other project.

2. Is purchase of large equipment (greater than $1,000) part of the scope?
The purchase of equipment is requested as part of the RFP under the “Project Scope” section of the RFP. The purchase would still need to be approved, but is part of the scope.

3. Is the intent to have one proponent cover all aspects of monitoring (groundwater, surface water, and meteorological)?
The intent is to cover all aspects of the monitoring with one proponent, to reduce the number of people onsite/conducting training. However, that does not preclude the option that we may split the work between several groups.

4. Is there to be long-term funding for continued monitoring?
Currently there is no guarantee of further funding. One of the goals of the project is to have local personnel take over long-term monitoring and sample collection once training has been provided.

5. This RFP is relatively specific – should we include our own research questions, or are you primarily looking for just the data that will come from the new stations?
We are primarily looking for the data. However, if you feel you can use this data to answer research questions, please provide information for consideration.

6. Are you looking for any matching/leveraging to expand on the project?
Leveraging/matching is always considered when we evaluate proposals. Please note that this scope is considered to be concurrent with/supporting other work that Geoscience BC is supporting in the area.

7.  Are there specifications available regarding the desired parameters to be collected?
We would expect that meteorological monitoring stations would include temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed and direction, and solar radiation, with precipitation monitoring using a snow pillow and an all-season gauge.

8. Geoscience BC initiated the Horn River Basin Surface Water Monitoring Program (2012 to 2016). If Geoscience BC is still in possession of the monitoring equipment used for the Horn River Basin Program, would this instrumentation be available for this scope of work? Or should we assume all new equipment will be purchased?
As per the RFP, please assume all new equipment will be purchased for this program.

9. The Geoscience BC 2018-2022 Strategic Plan Objectives aim to meet the goal of developing local and regional water balances; however, a hydrometric/surface water quantity component is not explicitly mentioned in the RFP. Could you confirm that hydrometric monitoring is not part of the scope of this RFP.
Hydrometric monitoring is being covered under other Geoscience BC projects, referred to in the RFP as “existing approved Geoscience BC projects, which involve surface water quantity assessment”.

10. For the surface water quality, CABIN component, is the expectation for a single monitoring event at one of the surface water locations, or 4 monitoring events at a single location?
Please assume 4 CABIN sampling events at one location.

11. Since there is a First Nations training component in the scope, is the proponent expected to subcontract the First Nations staff for their time/expenses or will those costs be incurred directly by Geoscience BC?
The proponent will be expected to subcontract the First Nations personnel for the project. Given the current lack of specificity on locations and First Nations involvement, we would like you to assume 2 First Nations personnel being trained per site for this proposal. Once the sites are selected and First Nations involvement is confirmed, Geoscience BC will work with the successful proponent to adjust approved scope and costs accordingly.