Las Cruces Facility Sediment Disposal in the Rio Grande Canalization Project

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for RFP 191BWC26R0011, issued by the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC). The project requires a contractor to load, haul, and dispose of stockpiled sediment material from the Hershey Arroyo and Rincon Syphon stockpiles along the Rio Grande Canalization Project (RGCP) into the USIBWC-owned Angostura Gravel Pit in Doña Ana County, New Mexico. The contractor must provide all labor, equipment, and materials to complete the work within a six-month period of performance, coordinating activities during the non-irrigation season (typically October to February). Key responsibilities include conducting pre- and post-work video documentation, maintaining and restoring access roads and floodplains, and implementing strict dust control measures. Environmental compliance is a critical component of the contract. The contractor must adhere to the migratory bird nesting season restrictions (March 1 to August 31), prevent water and noise pollution, manage fuel and oil storage outside the 100-year floodplain, and establish a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). Work in Waters of the United States (WOTUS) is generally excluded unless specifically authorized, requiring the contractor to operate primarily within upland areas. Administrative mandates include submitting a draft work plan, maintaining a baseline project schedule with monthly updates, and providing monthly progress reports. Payments will be processed based on a verified Schedule of Values (SOV) and measured quantities of completed work.

This document is the River Management Plan (RMP) for the USIBWC Rio Grande Canalization Project (RGCP), which spans 105.6 miles along the Rio Grande across New Mexico and Texas. The plan provides operational guidance to fulfill the USIBWC’s statutory duties of flood control and water delivery while implementing environmental commitments from the 2009 Record of Decision (ROD) and the 2012 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Opinion. Key components of the RMP include: - **Floodplain Management Plan**: Outlines routine levee maintenance, rehabilitation standards, and mitigation measures for construction activities to protect water, soil, and wildlife. - **Vegetation and Invasive Species Management**: Restricts mowing during the migratory bird breeding season (March 1 to August 30) unless clear of active nests via standardized surveys. It establishes 2,536 acres of "No-Mow Zones" (including 553 acres of habitat restoration and 1,983 acres of managed grasslands) to promote native riparian vegetation. It details approved chemical (Garlon 4 and Habitat herbicides) and mechanical (excavation and mastication) methods to control invasive saltcedar. - **Endangered Species Management Plan**: Focuses on protecting the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and the Yellow-billed Cuckoo through habitat establishment and buffer zones. - **Channel Maintenance Plan**: Governs dredging, sediment control, and infrastructure maintenance. The RMP is designed as an adaptive, multi-part document updated periodically by the USIBWC and collaborative stakeholders to balance flood protection with ecosystem restoration.

This final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), prepared by the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation as a cooperating agency, evaluates long-term river management alternatives for the 105.4-mile Rio Grande Canalization Project (RGCP) spanning from Sierra County, New Mexico, to El Paso, Texas. Originally completed in 1943 for flood control and water delivery, the project now requires an updated operational approach to support riparian ecosystem restoration while maintaining its core safety and delivery mandates. The EIS evaluates four management pathways: the No Action Alternative, the Flood Control Improvement Alternative, the Integrated USIBWC Land Management Alternative, and the Targeted River Restoration Alternative. Following a public review period, the USIBWC designated the Integrated USIBWC Land Management Alternative as the preferred approach. This preferred alternative balances flood protection with gradual, cost-effective environmental enhancements within the USIBWC's jurisdictional land, requiring a manageable water consumption increase of 2,203 acre-feet per year over a 20-year implementation timeline. Key restoration measures include stream bank reconfiguration, native vegetation planting, modified grazing leases for erosion control, and reduced floodway mowing to encourage native grasslands. Implementing these measures will rely on adaptive management in coordination with the Paso del Norte Watershed Council, alongside voluntary water conservation programs to secure necessary water rights without disrupting regional agricultural allocations.

This document is Amendment 0002 for federal solicitation 191BWC26R0011, issued by the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), Acquisitions Division. The primary purpose of this amendment is to incorporate a revised Performance Work Statement (PWS), titled "PWS LCF Sediment Disposal in the RGCP 9-4-26.pdf," for the LCF Sediment Removal project. The amendment was issued on September 4, 2026, by Contracting Officer Seone M. Jones. All other terms, conditions, and financial totals of the original solicitation remain unchanged. Contractors must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the specified offer submission deadline to avoid rejection of their proposals.

This Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) outlines the procedures and guidelines the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) will use to monitor and evaluate contractor performance for the LCF Sediment Removal project in the Rio Grande Canalization Project (RGCP). The plan establishes a performance-based management approach, shifting the focus from process compliance to achieving specific outcomes outlined in the Performance Work Statement (PWS). The Contracting Officer (CO) maintains overall contract authority, while the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) is responsible for day-to-day monitoring, documenting evaluations, and addressing performance issues. Surveillance methodologies include random monitoring, 100% inspection, periodic inspections, and customer feedback. If the contractor fails to meet the specified Acceptable Quality Levels (AQLs), the USIBWC may require re-performance at no additional cost, reduce the contract price, or issue cure, show cause, or default termination notices under FAR Part 49. The document includes three attachments: - **Attachment I (Performance Requirements Summary):** Details key deliverables, including sediment disposal within six months, a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), a Project Work Plan, schedules, bonds, and monthly reports—all requiring 100% compliance. - **Attachment II (Quality Assurance Monitoring Form):** Used by the COR to document monthly or quarterly performance ratings. - **Attachment III (Customer Complaint Investigation Form):** Used to record, investigate, and resolve external customer complaints.

This document is a solicitation amendment containing Questions and Answers (Q&As) for project 191BWC26R0011, "Las Cruces Facility Sediment Disposal in the Rio Grande Canalization Project," issued by the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). The project requires the Contractor to remove, haul, and evenly spread all stockpiled sediment within specified boundaries at the Rincon Syphon and Hershey Arroyo sites, depositing the material into the Angostura Gravel Pit. Key details clarified in the Q&As include: - **Contract Type & Quantities:** This is a firm-fixed-price, lump-sum contract (CLIN 002). No official sediment quantities are provided; bidders must conduct their own surveys and site investigations to estimate volumes. - **Operations & Hauling:** Levee roads cannot be used as haul routes. Compaction and sediment screening are not required in the disposal pit, and vegetation may remain mixed with the dirt. - **Environmental & Cultural Clearances:** Cultural resource clearances are complete for IBWC property. To protect nesting migratory birds, a 9:00 AM work-start restriction and a one-quarter-mile buffer apply if work occurs between March 1 and August 31. - **Project Timeline & Administration:** The period of performance is limited to six months from the Notice to Proceed. Permitted working hours are generally Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. The proposal submission deadline has been extended to September 14th. Self-performance (minimum 51%) will be calculated based on labor hours.

Amendment 0001 to Solicitation/IFB 191BWC26R0011, issued by the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), details requirements and changes for the "LCF Sediment Removal" project. The amendment extends the proposal due date to September 14, 2026, at 3:00 PM Mountain Time, and outlines site-visit scheduling for September 2–4, 2026. Key updates clarify that bidders are solely responsible for all costs and execution of site investigations and quantity measurements. Permitted technology tools, such as drones, are authorized for surveys, subject to federal regulations and prior submission of equipment details. The document incorporates updated Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) deviations for Small Business Set-Asides (52.219-6) and Limitations on Subcontracting (52.219-14), establishing strict self-performance tracking, semi-annual reporting, and penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, Section H introduces stringent insurance requirements. Contractors must maintain baseline coverages, specialized Contractor's Equipment Floater/Inland Marine policies with waterborne endorsements, and dedicated Contractors Pollution Liability (CPL) to safeguard operations near the Rio Grande waterway. Comprehensive Commercial Umbrella coverage of $5,000,000 and mandatory government-insured endorsements are also required. Lastly, the amendment reinforces contractor accountability for quality control and adherence to environmental and waste-management regulations during debris removal.

This document is a Site Visit Sign-In Sheet for Solicitation No. 191BWC26R0011, a federal project titled "Las Cruces Facility Sediment disposal in the Rio Grande Canalization Project." The site visit took place on Friday, August 14, 2026, at 9:00 AM MST at Our Lady of All Nations in Rincon, New Mexico. The sign-in sheet records the attendance of government representatives and prospective contractors. Registered attendees include representatives from the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC), Morrow Inc., JGF Built, Meridian Contracting, Arrow, and Highland Enterprises. Contact information, including email addresses, was collected for all participants to facilitate official communications regarding the solicitation.

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines a federal solicitation (RFP 191BWC26R0011) issued by the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) for the Rio Grande Canalization Project in Doña Ana County, New Mexico. The contractor must provide all labor, equipment, and materials to load stockpiled sediment material from the Hershey Arroyo and Rincon Syphon locations, transport it to the USIBWC-owned Angostura Gravel Pit, and dispose of and level the material. The period of performance is limited to six months, scheduled primarily during the non-irrigation season (October to February). Key contractor deliverables include a detailed work plan, a baseline schedule, a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), and monthly progress reports. The contractor is responsible for conducting pre- and post-work topographic surveys to determine final quantities, maintaining and restoring access roads, and protecting existing utilities, survey markers, and vegetation. Strict environmental controls are enforced, including dust abatement, noise mitigation, secondary oil containment, and compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the 2017 Biological Opinion protecting endangered species. Work in Waters of the United States (WOTUS) is minimized, and water for dust control cannot be taken from the Rio Grande. Payment is structured via a Schedule of Values (SOV) and unit price Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs), with mobilization capped to ensure full demobilization and site cleanup.

This federal solicitation (191BWC26R0011) is issued by the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) for the "LCF Sediment Removal" project. Set aside 100% for small businesses under NAICS code 562119 (size standard $47 million), the project requires a contractor to perform sediment removal services in New Mexico. Proposals are due by August 31, 2026, at 3:00 PM Mountain Time. The scope of work is structured under two primary firm-fixed-price line items: mobilization/demobilization (including pre- and post-work topographic surveys) and the outcome-based removal, hauling, and spreading of identified sediment stockpiles. Specifically, the contractor must clear stockpiles located at the Hershey Arroyo and Rincon Syphon sites in Dona Ana County, near Las Cruces, New Mexico, and haul the material to the Angostura Gravel Pit. Key performance requirements include implementing traffic control, adhering to environmental protections and permits, restoring right-of-way and access features, and developing a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). Contractors must coordinate site access with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), Yesenia Castro, and restrict on-site operations to standard facility working hours. Invoicing must be processed electronically through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). The solicitation incorporates standard federal commercial product and service clauses, including small business subcontracting goals and Service Contract Labor Standards.

This document is Amendment #2 to a Programmatic Agreement (PA) between the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) and the New Mexico State Historic Preservation Officer (NMSHPO). The agreement establishes a framework to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) during operations, maintenance, and improvement activities along the New Mexico portion of the Rio Grande Canalization Project (RGCP). The PA outlines the roles and responsibilities of USIBWC personnel, including the Commissioner and the Environmental Management Division, in reviewing projects for potential effects on cultural and historic resources. It establishes specific protocols for identifying, evaluating, and treating historic properties within the project's Area of Potential Effects (APE). Additionally, the agreement coordinates consultation procedures with affected Native American Tribes and other state and federal consulting parties. To streamline administrative reviews, the document categorizes project activities into varying levels of environmental impact. It lists specific undertakings exempt from Section 106 consultation, such as routine mowing, minor debris removal, and certain in-kind levee maintenance tasks. Conversely, it defines major activities that carry a high potential for adverse effects—such as significant levee widening, structural modifications to historic irrigation districts, and excavations in unsurveyed areas—which strictly require formal NMSHPO consultation. The amended PA is set for a duration of 10 years, with options for five-year renewals, and includes provisions for dispute resolution, emergency repairs, and the handling of unanticipated archaeological discoveries.

This final report, submitted to the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) under Contract No. IBM09D0006, evaluates channel maintenance alternatives (CMAs) and sediment-transport dynamics for the Rio Grande Canalization Project (RGCP). Extending 105.4 miles from Percha Dam, New Mexico, to American Dam, Texas, the RGCP faces significant operational challenges due to ongoing sediment delivery from tributary arroyos, which causes aggradation, reduces floodway capacity, and hinders irrigation deliveries. The study evaluates five CMAs—categorized into sediment-removal (short, long, and localized excavations) and non-sediment-removal options (such as arroyo sediment traps, low-elevation spur dikes, and island/bar destabilization)—across nine critical problem locations. Utilizing HEC-RAS hydraulic and mobile-bed sediment-transport modeling, the project team analyzed short- and long-term impacts on water-surface elevations, levee freeboard, and sediment conveyance under drought and normal flow regimes. A comprehensive benefit-cost and consequence analysis was conducted to rank the alternatives. The highest-ranking, recommended solutions primarily feature arroyo sediment traps, which block coarse-grained sediment before it enters the main channel, alongside island destabilization/vegetation removal and targeted long excavations. Key recommendations include implementing a 5-year adaptive management plan to monitor channel response, testing sediment trap efficiencies, prioritizing problem locations, and performing 2-D or physical modeling at Mesilla Dam to optimize automated gate and sluiceway operations.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) issued a 15-year Biological Opinion (BO) to the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) regarding the Long-Term River Management of the Rio Grande Canalization Project (RGCP). The project spans a 105.4-mile river corridor through New Mexico and Texas, encompassing levee and channel maintenance, sediment removal, and vegetation management. The USFWS concurred with the USIBWC's determination that the proposed action "may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect" the threatened yellow-billed cuckoo and the endangered interior least tern, provided seasonal restrictions, buffer zones, and habitat protections are maintained. However, the USFWS determined the project is "likely to adversely affect" the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher. The BO details the environmental baseline of the Rio Grande, noting how historical damming, channelization, and agricultural development have reduced the dynamic flows necessary to sustain native riparian nesting habitats. This ecological shift has facilitated the spread of invasive saltcedar, which is currently threatened by the saltcedar leaf beetle, risking further habitat degradation. To mitigate adverse effects on the flycatcher, the USIBWC has committed to conservation measures, including managing 11 dedicated riparian restoration sites, establishing 0.25-mile seasonal construction buffers around active territories, implementing an environmental water transaction program to secure supplemental water, and conducting extensive species monitoring in coordination with federal and state partners.

This Record of Decision outlines the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission’s (USIBWC) selection of the Integrated USIBWC Land Management Alternative for the long-term operation and maintenance of the 105.4-mile Rio Grande Canalization Project (RGCP). Spanning from Sierra County, New Mexico to El Paso County, Texas, the RGCP functions to facilitate water deliveries and provide flood control. The selected alternative establishes an adaptive management framework that balances these core missions with environmental restoration. Key components include raising existing levees to meet FEMA flood standards, modifying grazing lease programs to protect water quality, and restoring 553 acres of native riparian habitat across 30 sites. To support revegetation and channel diversity without compromising agricultural water supplies, the USIBWC and partners will establish a voluntary environmental water transactions program with local irrigation districts (EBID and EPCWID) to lease or acquire water rights from willing sellers. Additionally, the plan addresses Endangered Species Act liability concerns regarding the Southwestern willow flycatcher by securing regulatory assurances for stakeholders. Channel maintenance practices, including dredging and sediment removal, will transition to an adaptive monitoring program guided by an updated River Management Plan. This 10-year implementation strategy incorporates comprehensive mitigation measures to protect water, soil, cultural resources, and air quality during construction and vegetation treatments.

This document outlines the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) for the USIBWC's Lower Colorado River (LCF) Sediment Removal project in the Rio Grande Canalization Project (RGCP). The QASP establishes systematic procedures to monitor, evaluate, and manage contractor performance against the Performance Work Statement (PWS) standards. Key roles include the Contracting Officer (CO), who oversees contract compliance, and the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), who performs technical monitoring, conducts inspections, and completes Quality Assurance Monitoring Forms (QAMFs). The performance management approach focuses on service outcomes rather than execution methods, utilizing surveillance methodologies such as 100% inspection, periodic or random monitoring, and customer complaint investigations. If the contractor's performance fails to meet the Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL), the USIBWC may require re-performance at no additional cost, reduce the contract price, or issue cure/show-cause notices under FAR Part 49, potentially leading to termination for default. The document includes three attachments: - **Attachment I (Performance Requirements Summary):** Outlines specific tasks, including sediment disposal within 365 days, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) submission, and administrative deliverables (schedules, bonds, and progress reports), all requiring a 100% quality level. - **Attachment II (QAMF):** Templates for documenting surveillance results and performance ratings. - **Attachment III (Customer Complaint Investigation Form):** Templates for recording and validating customer feedback.

This document is the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) Form 245(ESD), which outlines the minimum qualification standards required for a contractor to be eligible for a project award. To qualify, both the bidding contractor and their project superintendent must demonstrate a minimum of two successfully completed projects of similar magnitude, scope, and complexity within the last 10 years. Any "No" answer to these criteria immediately disqualifies the contractor from bidding. The form defines "magnitude" as projects priced at 85% or more of the current bid, "scope" as similar work with comparable or greater quantities, and "complexity" as work involving multiple interrelated parts. Contractors must submit supporting documentation using IBWC Form 245B for each qualifying project. If a subcontractor's experience is used to meet these requirements, the subcontractor must also provide Form 245B, and the prime contractor must submit a signed statement certifying the subcontractor's participation without substitution. Bidders must certify that their answers are accurate and agree to provide additional supporting information within 24 hours if requested by the Contracting Officer. Failure to provide sufficient backup documentation will result in the bidder being deemed ineligible for the award.

This document is a standardized form and instruction guide from the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC), titled Form 245B(ESD), "Minimum Qualifications for Award - Backup Information." It is used during the federal solicitation process to evaluate a contractor's past performance and determine if they meet the minimum qualifications required for a project award. The form requires contractors to provide detailed background information on a specific reference project. Key data fields include company and project names, contracting agencies, contract numbers, financial amounts, performance dates, and Contracting Officer contact details. Additionally, contractors must classify the project using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code. To demonstrate that their past experience is similar in scope and complexity to the current solicitation, respondents must provide narrative descriptions in three main areas: * **Brief Description of Work:** An overview of the specific tasks performed. * **Description of Quantities of Work:** A numerical or descriptive list of the quantities handled. * **Description of Project Complexity:** An explanation of challenging project elements, interrelated parts, or obstacles that required advanced skills to overcome. Ultimately, the USIBWC uses these submissions to assess whether the candidate's historical work matches the technical demands and scale of the proposed contract.

This document is a federal wage determination (General Decision Number: NM20260039) for heavy construction projects in Dona Ana County, New Mexico. Published on May 18, 2026, under the Davis-Bacon Act, it establishes the minimum hourly wage and fringe benefit rates required for various labor classifications on covered contracts. Key labor classifications and their respective hourly rates include: - Electricians: $34.50 (plus $10.81 fringe benefits) - Carpenters (Form Work Only): $27.31 (plus $13.18 fringe benefits) - Reinforcing Ironworkers: $27.80 - Heavy equipment operators (including bulldozers, excavators, loaders, and graders) ranging from $18.23 to $21.06 - Cement Masons: $19.44 (plus $8.08 fringe benefits) - Laborers (Common/General and Pipelayers) ranging from $15.68 to $16.67 The determination outlines contractor requirements under Executive Order 13706, which mandates up to 56 hours of paid sick leave annually, and Executive Order 13658 concerning minimum wage rates for federal contractors. Additionally, the document explains how to interpret union and survey rate identifiers and details the multi-step Wage and Hour Division appeals process for disputing or requesting modifications to these wage rates. This determination is a critical compliance component for any federal, state, or local RFPs and contracts executed in the specified region.