RFQ—Irrigation Modernization Program

Energy Trust of Oregon seeks a qualified contractor to provide comprehensive support for its Irrigation Modernization Program (IMP), which aims to modernize agricultural water delivery infrastructure across Oregon's irrigation districts. The program helps irrigation districts and farmers partner with agency and community stakeholders to identify modernization values and goals, quantify potential benefits, and develop funding and implementation strategies. Oregon's 6,500 farms receive water through aging open-air canal systems, many over 100 years old, that transport more than 480 billion gallons of water annually with significant inefficiencies.

The contractor will strengthen and expand the stakeholder network supporting irrigation modernization to facilitate renewable energy generation and energy efficiency projects. Key activities include supporting irrigation districts through assessment, design, and construction phases; identifying and leveraging new federal funding sources (One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Inflation Reduction Act, Bi-partisan Infrastructure Law) and state funding (Oregon Clean Water State Revolving Fund); and conducting outreach to state and federal funders to develop long-term project implementation funding programs with focus on matching federal funds under Public Law 83-566. Modernization benefits include piping of open canals to conserve water, elimination or reduction of pumping through gravity-pressurized delivery, in-conduit hydropower generation, improved drought resilience, river water quality improvements, stream restoration, and support for on-farm irrigation upgrades.

The contractor will conduct strategic outreach and coordination with state and federal agency staff and elected officials to educate on modernization benefits and maintain alignment among funders. The program will facilitate strategic communications highlighting modernization projects and associated economic and local benefits. Coordination with Energy Trust marketing and communications is required for public education opportunities around major milestones and achievements. Through prior contractor efforts over eleven years, Oregon irrigation districts have secured just under $300 million for infrastructure project assessment, design, and implementation, with 31 irrigation districts participating.

Key deliverables include quarterly written reports detailing progress on irrigation district milestones, funding applications and awards, energy projects (solar, hydropower), and spending forecasts; annual reports summarizing progress toward program objectives, stakeholder engagement, and major accomplishments with associated metrics; organization and hosting of two irrigation modernization groundbreaking or celebratory events; support for outreach videos and earned media; and other updates agreed upon by Energy Trust and contractor. The contract term is anticipated to be one year with one potential one-year extension for a maximum two-year term. Services are expected to begin April 1, 2026, and conclude no later than March 31, 2028. The annual budget is approximately $270,000 with a total not-to-exceed of $540,000 over the maximum two-year contract term.