Request for Qualifications - Geomorphic Assessment

Department of Public Works
Board of County Commissioners
1600 13th Ave S Steve Rader District 1
Kelso, WA 98626 Steven L. Ferrell District 2
TEL (360) 577-3030 Richard R. Dahl District 3
Purchasing Services
www.co.cowlitz.wa.us
Ashley Claussen, Supervisor
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
NO. 2026-0033-01
FOR GEOMORPHIC ASSESSMENT
Deadline: Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 4:00 PM Local Time
This is a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from qualified firms to provide professional
geomorphic assessment services of the lower Toutle and Cowlitz rivers. The purpose of this
assessment is to evaluate geomorphic conditions within the study area to support future watershed
planning, sediment management, floodplain planning, habitat restoration, and related decision-
making efforts.
The study area consists of the river-floodplain corridors of the lower Toutle and lower Cowlitz
rivers, including:
1. Lower Toutle River between river mile (RM) 6.5, near the U.S. Geological Survey river
gage at Tower Road, and RM 0 at its confluence with the Cowlitz River.
2. Lower Cowlitz River between RM 20 at its confluence with the Toutle River and RM 0 at
its confluence with the Columbia River.
The selected firm shall be licensed in the State of Washington to provide the professional services
necessary to complete a comprehensive geomorphic assessment of the study area. The Consultant
shall propose the technical approach, methodologies, level of effort, and sequencing of work
necessary to accomplish the project objectives. The Consultant will coordinate with Cowlitz
County, the Rivers Need Room Workgroup of the Spirit Lake/Toutle - Cowlitz River
Collaborative, and other identified project stakeholders throughout the project. Coordination may
include progress meetings, review of draft deliverables, and incorporation of comments into final
work products.
This is a qualifications-based selection process. Cost or fee proposals are not requested and shall
not be submitted with the Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Cowlitz County will negotiate the
final Scope of Work and fee with the highest-ranked Consultant.
Project Schedule
All project work, including submission, review, revision (if required), and acceptance of all final
deliverables by Cowlitz County, must be completed no later than May 31, 2027.
Consultants shall develop and propose a project schedule that demonstrates their ability to meet
this required completion date. The ability to successfully complete the project by May 31, 2027,

will be considered during contract negotiations and project management. The proposed schedule
shall identify major milestones, including:
1. Project kickoff
2. Completion of data review
3. Completion of field investigations
4. Draft technical memorandum
5. Draft final report
6. Final deliverables
Project Objectives
The objectives of this project include:
1. Characterizing existing geomorphic conditions within the study area
2. Evaluating the processes influencing channel morphology and sediment transport
3. Identifying geomorphic trends affecting floodplain function and habitat
4. Developing mapping and technical documentation to support future planning and
management
5. Providing technical information that can be used by Cowlitz County and project partners
for future restoration, floodplain management, and sediment management decisions
Scope of Services
1. Project Management
Provide overall project management and coordination throughout the duration of the
project, including:
i. Project management and administration
ii. Development of a detailed work plan and project schedule
iii. Coordination with Cowlitz County staff and project stakeholders
iv. Progress reporting, invoicing, and project meetings as necessary
2. Existing Conditions Assessment
Compile, review, and evaluate existing information relevant to the study area. The
Consultant shall identify available datasets, previous studies, and other information
necessary to support the assessment, including, as appropriate:
i. Previous technical studies and reports
ii. Historical mapping and aerial imagery
iii. Topographic and LiDAR datasets
iv. Geologic information
v. Hydrologic and hydraulic data
vi. Sediment and channel migration information
vii. Land use and land cover information
viii. Floodplain and infrastructure information
ix. Other relevant federal, state, tribal, and local data sources

The Consultant shall organize project information in an appropriate digital format suitable
for future use by Cowlitz County.
3. Field Investigation
The Consultant shall propose and conduct field investigations appropriate to support the
geomorphic assessment. The proposed approach should identify the anticipated field
methods, level of effort, and data collection necessary to characterize existing conditions
and validate desktop analyses. Field investigations may include, but are not limited to:
i. Site reconnaissance
ii. Geomorphic reach characterization
iii. Documentation of channel and floodplain conditions
iv. Identification of sediment sources, transport processes, and depositional areas
v. Documentation of infrastructure, habitat features, and other factors influencing
channel processes
The Consultant shall document field observations through appropriate notes, mapping,
photography, and other supporting information.
4. Geomorphic Assessment and Mapping
Develop a comprehensive geomorphic assessment of the study area, including mapping
and interpretation of watershed- and reach-scale conditions. The assessment should
include, as appropriate:
i. Delineation of geomorphic reaches
ii. Existing channel conditions
iii. Floodplain characteristics
iv. Historical channel migration
v. Geomorphic change analyses
vi. Sediment processes
vii. Areas of erosion and deposition
viii. Human modifications affecting channel function
ix. Other geomorphic features relevant to the project objectives
The Consultant shall prepare GIS mapping products and supporting figures suitable for
technical documentation and future planning efforts.
5. Technical Analysis
The Consultant shall recommend and perform the technical analyses necessary to evaluate
geomorphic processes within the study area. As appropriate, analyses may include
hydraulic modeling, sediment transport evaluation, channel stability assessments, or other
analytical methods proposed by the Consultant.
The Consultant shall describe the proposed analytical methods, assumptions, limitations,
and expected project outcomes.

6. Technical Memorandum and Final Deliverables
Prepare a technical memorandum summarizing the project methods, findings, analyses,
conclusions, and recommendations. Final deliverables shall include, at a minimum:
i. Project work plan
ii. Digital GIS database and mapping products
iii. Field documentation
iv. Geomorphic assessment maps
v. Technical memorandum
vi. Supporting model files, if applicable
vii. Final electronic report incorporating Cowlitz County review comments.
Minimum Qualifications
Qualified firms should demonstrate expertise in the following areas:
1. Experience conducting river geomorphic assessments.
2. Experience with fluvial geomorphology, sediment transport, and river processes.
3. Experience performing hydraulic, sediment transport, or related technical analyses.
4. Experience with GIS, LiDAR analysis, and geomorphic mapping.
5. Experience completing similar work for federal, state, tribal, or local agencies.
6. Availability of appropriately licensed and qualified professional staff necessary to
complete the project in accordance with applicable Washington State laws and regulations.
In addition, the Consultants submitting their SOQ (and any subconsultants) must not be listed with
the Washington State Department of Licensing as debarred, suspended, or otherwise ineligible to
contract with Cowlitz County and must not be included on the General Services Administration's
List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement and Non-procurement Programs or the
Department of Housing and Urban Development's Limited Denial of Participation list.
SOQ Format
In order to assure uniformity of the SOQ's responding to this RFQ and to facilitate the evaluation
process, all submittals should be organized and labeled following the outline below:
1. Cover Letter - Introduce the firm and express interest in the project.
2. Company Profile - Include background and qualifications.
3. Project Approach and Schedule - Outline the firm's understanding of the project
objectives, proposed approach and methodology, anticipated level of effort, and projected
timeline for completing the project.
4. Key Personnel - Identify the project team and relevant expertise.
5. References - Provide descriptions of similar projects completed, including owner
references with current contact information.
Evaluation and Selection
The following criteria will be used to evaluate each proposal.

1. 40 points - Demonstrated experience conducting geomorphic assessments and similar
technical studies.
2. 30 points - Understanding of the project objectives, proposed technical approach, and
ability to complete the project by the required May 31, 2027 deadline.
3. 20 points - Qualifications and experience of key personnel.
4. 10 points - Past performance and client references.
Qualifications will be reviewed and weighed as indicated above. Following evaluations of the
SOQs, the highest-ranking firms may be invited to participate in an interview process. The intent
of the interviews is to help clarify and verify information provided in the SOQ and to give the
evaluation team an opportunity to learn more about the firm's relevant experience and expertise.
Cowlitz County will negotiate the final Scope of Work and budget with the highest-scoring
Consultant. The successful Consultant will be expected to enter into Cowlitz County's standard
Professional Services Agreement attached to this RFQ. Insurance requirements are included in that
agreement. In no event is a Consultant to submit its own standard contract terms and conditions in
response to this solicitation. The Consultant must submit proposed exceptions to the contract terms
and conditions as a part of their submittal, or the standard contract shall be deemed accepted as
attached. Cowlitz County will review requested exceptions and accept or reject the same at its sole
discretion in awarding the contract.
Revisions
In the event it becomes necessary to revise any part of this RFQ, addenda will be provided via
email to all individuals who have made Cowlitz County aware of their interest. Revisions, updates,
and clarifications will also be posted on Cowlitz County's webpage at www.co.cowlitz.wa.us.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information
Cowlitz County in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), commits to nondiscrimination based on disability in all programs and
activities. This material can be made available in an alternate format by emailing Cowlitz County
Department of Purchasing Services at cowlitz.purchasing@cowlitzwa.gov or by calling 360-577-
3030.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Cowlitz County in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42
U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation,
subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part 21, nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs of the
Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will
affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged
business enterprises as defined at 49 CFR Part 26 will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids
in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color,
national origin or sex in consideration for an award.
Reservations
Cowlitz County reserves the right to reject any and all SOQs and to waive irregularities and
informalities in the submittal and evaluation process. This solicitation does not obligate Cowlitz

County to pay any costs incurred by respondents in the preparation and submission of an SOQ or
any other presentations, whether in response to this RFQ or to any subsequent requirements of the
consultant selection and contract negotiation process. This solicitation does not obligate Cowlitz
County to accept or contract for any expressed or implied services. Furthermore, Cowlitz County
reserves the right to award the contract to the next most qualified Consultant if the originally
selected Consultant does not successfully negotiate and execute a contract within thirty (30) days
after the award of the proposal.
Submittal
One (1) electronic copy in PDF form is due no later than 4:00 PM on Wednesday, August 19,
2026 to Ashley Claussen at ClaussenA@cowlitzwa.gov. The Subject Line shall read "Geomorphic
Assessment RFQ #2026-0033-01." Late submittals will not be considered for contract award.
Cowlitz County looks forward to reviewing your submittal. If you have any questions pertaining
to this RFQ, please contact Ashley Claussen at 360-577-3030 ext. 6856.