OVERVIEW
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in partnership with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (NMISC), and Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) seeks a qualified Contractor to assist in the implementation of an Environmental Water Leasing Program (EWLP) for the Middle Rio Grande Focal Area of the Southwest Rivers Program. The Middle Rio Grande Environmental Water Leasing Program is designed to improve habitat for native species in the Middle Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico. You can obtain a copy of the Program’s Business Plan on NFWF’s website, here.
BACKGROUND
NFWF is seeking a qualified contractor to support implementation of the Middle Rio Grande EWLP to benefit Rio Grande silvery minnow and Southwestern willow flycatcher.
Since 2018, NFWF and partners in the Middle Rio Grande watershed in New Mexico have been exploring conservation efforts that would address issues of environmental water needs and the potential for voluntary water transactions to support collaborative water management and conservation of the Rio Grande silvery minnow.
In September 2017, NFWF entered into a Cooperative Agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation to develop and implement a Middle Rio Grande Native Water Leasing and Habitat Restoration Pilot Program in collaboration with the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District. The Leasing Program continues to develop and implement a voluntary initiative to lease rights to natural river flow as a complement to other conservation water management work underway. Water acquired from willing lessors though the EWLP is being used to support river flows and Rio Grande silvery minnow refugia during the irrigation season in areas south of Albuquerque where the river channel is prone to drying. Avoidance of channel drying is one of the major water management goals for Rio Grande silvery minnow recovery
Through program development since execution of the Cooperative Agreement, the program has successfully designed and tested a water leasing program that works with irrigators and irrigation managers to secure water for habitat restoration through voluntary water right leasing by willing participants. The EWLP has also worked with MRGCD to identify strategic investments in water delivery infrastructure that complement the leasing effort. It has also identified and enhanced habitat restoration sites to receive leased water.
SCOPE OF WORK
The scope of work to be funded under this RFQ is comprised of five tasks, some of which are in turn divided into subtasks. All activities under these tasks build on the work undertaken to date to design, develop, and test the water leasing program and complementary infrastructure and habitat restoration activities, and will be done in close collaboration with staff of NFWF and MRGCD. This scope of work covers the period from November 1, 2025 through October 31, 2027.
Task 1, Policy Analysis and Development, is focused on technical policy integration of the EWLP into existing MRGCD operations and policy, State water law, and the local stakeholder context. This is an ongoing task that builds on progress to date. It is estimated at 5% of the program scope of work in this RFQ.
Task 2, Water Market Research and Leasing Program Design, is concerned with conducting water market research to inform and design annual water leasing program structure and offerings. It is estimated at 15% of the program scope of work in this RFQ.
Task 3, Water Use Scenario Development, will develop plans for the conservation use of EWLP leased water at existing and future habitat/restoration sites under different hydrological conditions and river management scenarios. This is an ongoing task that builds on progress to date and includes integration of EWLP water deployment with other sources of environmental and/or Rio Grande Compact water in collaboration with USBR, NMISC, MRGCD, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and non-profit partners. It is estimated at 35% of the program scope of work in this RFQ.
Task 4, Program Implementation, Expansion, and Refinement, involves staged growth and refinement of program activities including i) water leasing and other environmental water transactions, ii) irrigation infrastructure improvements, and iii) habitat restoration. It is estimated at 40% of the program scope of work.
Task 5, Reporting, including support and input to NFWF’s reporting requirements under its funding agreement with NMISC. This task is estimated at 5% of the program scope of work.
