L/T Reach Project
Arcadis Portal
Professional engineering and related services for the Lafourche/Terrebonne (L/T) Reach of the HNC.
Maximum limitation of payment for all services requested under this contract as per Article IV.
Contract duration is for a period of five years (60 months) from the date of the first task order.
Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity retainer contract for project-specific Task Orders.
Minimum Personnel Requirements (MPR)
The technical assessment of the consultant is based on strict adherence to Minimum Personnel Requirements. These ensure that the project is led by professionals with verified experience in complex coastal infrastructure.
Core Personnel Assessment
- Principal-in-Charge: Must be a Professional Engineer (PE) registered in Louisiana with 10+ years experience in civil engineering.
- Project Manager: Must be a PE in Louisiana with 10+ years in water resources/civil engineering and 5+ years in project management.
- Design Lead: Requires 10+ years experience in the design of sector gates or hydraulic structures.
- Professional Land Surveyor: One (1) PLS registered in Louisiana for all surveying and mapping oversight.
The "Technical Assessment" in this contract context refers to the DOTD's evaluation of the consultant's ability to provide these specific high-level experts.
Standard Fee Percentages
Direct Labor Costs
Payments based on actual hours worked by staff at their established hourly rates.
Overhead Rate
The overhead rate is limited to a maximum of 163% as per the DOTD audit guidelines.
Term: Overhead Rate
The cost of doing business not directly related to the project (e.g., rent, insurance, office staff).
Fixed Fee
The "profit" component is calculated at 12% of the sum of direct labor and overhead.
Scope of Services
A rigorous breakdown of engineering and professional services mandated for the Houma Navigation Canal (HNC) corridor and critical water management structures.
A Technical Analysis & Data Acquisition
- Hydrologic & Hydraulic (H&H) Modeling: Comprehensive basin-wide modeling to simulate water levels and salinity fluctuations. This includes ADH (Adaptive Hydraulics) and ADCIRC modeling to predict surge velocities during catastrophic storm events.
- Advanced Geotechnical Investigation: Detailed subsurface exploration including Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) and boring logs. Stability analysis covers global stability, seepage through embankments, and deep foundation capacities for floodwalls.
- Topographic & Hydrographic Surveys: Implementation of Multi-beam Echo Sounding (MBES) for canal bathymetry and high-accuracy terrestrial LiDAR for levee footprint mapping.
- Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE): Locating and designating existing underwater infrastructure to prevent conflicts with new sector gate foundations.
Acronym: H&H Studies
Hydrologic and Hydraulic studies use mathematical models to predict how much water will flow (hydrology) and how it will move through channels and over structures (hydraulics).
Term: Geotechnical Investigation
The scientific study of soil and rock properties at a site to ensure the ground can support the weight of heavy structures like levees and floodgates without sinking or failing.
B Engineering Design & Plan Development
- Structural Design of Coastal Assets: Detailed engineering of Sector Gates, Sluice Gates, and Environmental Structures. Includes structural steel fatigue analysis and corrosion protection strategies.
- Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) Systems: Design of hydraulic power units (HPUs), standby power generators, and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems for remote operation.
- Earthen Levee & Shoreline Design: Engineering of levee geometry including berms, stability blankets, and coastal armoring (rip-rap) to prevent erosion from high-velocity currents.
- Plan Preparation (RFC): Development of 30%, 60%, 95%, and 100% Final Ready-for-Construction plans in compliance with DOTD and CPRA standards.
- Quantities & Estimates: Development of Engineer’s Opinion of Probable Construction Cost (EOPCC) and detailed bid item lists.
Acronym: SCADA
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition: A system of software and hardware elements that allows engineers to control gates and monitor sensors remotely.
C Environmental Compliance & Permitting
- Environmental Impact Assessments: Preparation of documents required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This includes Environmental Assessments (EA) or Impact Statements (EIS).
- Wetland Delineation & Mitigation: Identification of jurisdictional wetlands and development of mitigation bank credits or on-site restoration plans to satisfy Clean Water Act Section 404 requirements.
- Section 10/404 & 408 Permitting: Coordination with the USACE for permissions to modify existing federal projects and for work in navigable waters of the United States.
- Endangered Species Consultation: Conducting biological surveys and coordinating with USFWS and NMFS regarding potential impacts to threatened or endangered species like the sturgeon or manatee.
Regulation: NEPA
National Environmental Policy Act: A fundamental federal law that requires agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making decisions.
Acronym: USACE
United States Army Corps of Engineers: The federal authority that oversees all civil engineering projects involving the nation's waterways and flood protection.
D Construction Phase & Operational Support
- Title II Engineering Support: Direct oversight of construction activities to ensure compliance with technical specifications and quality assurance standards.
- Shop Drawing & Submittal Review: Rigorous technical review of contractor-provided materials (steel grades, concrete mixes, mechanical components) for design consistency.
- Resident Project Representative (RPR): On-site presence to monitor construction progress, safety, and environmental mitigation measures.
- Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Manuals: Development of comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the 50-year maintenance lifecycle of the complex structural assets.
- Public Outreach Support: Assistance with public meetings, stakeholder presentations, and the development of informational graphics for the Terrebonne Parish community.
Acronym: O&M Manuals
Operations and Maintenance: These are the "user manuals" for the floodgates, detailing how often they must be greased, inspected, and tested to ensure they work during a storm.