How to bid on Monitoring and Evaluation of Russian River Coho Salmon for USACE

What the agency is buying and why a vendor would care

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is conducting market research for services to monitor and evaluate Russian River coho salmon. This work involves assessing juvenile survival, counting adult salmon, evaluating natural spawning success, and tracking population trends. The monitoring would occur at the Don Clausen Fish Hatchery and in various Russian River tributaries or the mainstem in Sonoma County, California.

This is an opportunity for firms with expertise in environmental monitoring, fisheries biology, or similar scientific and technical consulting services to demonstrate their capabilities to USACE. While this is not a contract solicitation, responding can position your firm for potential future opportunities related to this program. The anticipated period of performance is one year with three option years.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This Request for Information (RFI) was published on July 30, 2026. All responses must be submitted by August 13, 2026, at 6:00 PM ET. This is a firm deadline, and late submissions may not be considered for the market research.

At the deadline, USACE will stop accepting responses. The information gathered will be analyzed to help the government determine the appropriate strategy for a potential future acquisition. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this evaluation.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for professional scientific and technical consulting firms, particularly those with experience in fisheries monitoring, ecological evaluations, or environmental science. The applicable NAICS code is 541690, Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services, with a small business size standard of $19,000,000.

USACE is specifically interested in identifying small business sources, including certified HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned, Veteran-Owned, Certified 8(a), and Women-Owned small businesses. Other than small businesses may also respond.

How to respond

To respond to this RFI, you need to email your submission to [email protected] and [email protected]. Your response must include specific information.

You must provide your point of contact name, email address, and phone number. Include your CAGE Code and UEI. If your organization is a small business, state your specific small business category (e.g., 8(a), HUBZone, Veteran Owned Small Business, Woman Owned Small Business, or SDVOSB).

Finally, submit a Statement of Capability (SOC) demonstrating that you have the necessary skills, equipment, and personnel, or can acquire them, to perform the specified services. The SOC should also highlight recent and relevant experience within the last five years.

Tips for preparing a competitive response

Even though this is an RFI and not a proposal request, a well-prepared response can make a strong impression. Clearly articulate your firm's specific experience with salmon monitoring, fish hatcheries, or riverine ecosystems. Quantify your past successes where possible, such as the number of years you've conducted similar monitoring or the size of the populations you've studied.

Ensure your Statement of Capability directly addresses the types of monitoring and evaluation mentioned in the RFI, such as juvenile survival, adult counts, spawning success, and population trends. Highlight any experience working with agencies like the National Marine Fisheries Service or the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, as these are mentioned as part of the technical advisory committee. Double-check that all required information, including CAGE Code, UEI, and small business designation, is accurately provided, as incomplete responses may not be used by the government.