REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES

RELATING TO THE CREATION OF A GENERAL PLAN FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICE TO A TRI-COUNTY AREA INCLUDING EASTERN WOOD COUNTY, SOUTHERN LUCAS COUNTY AND WESTERN OTTAWA COUNTY

The Northwestern Water and Sewer District (a.k.a. “District”) is seeking qualification statements from professional consulting engineering firms to perform engineering services related to the creation of a General Plan including the planning, preliminary engineering design/layout, preparation of probable cost, financing with potential state and federal funding sources and other related professional services for various water treatment and distribution and wastewater treatment and collection improvement projects.

This letter shall serve as a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from qualified firms to perform the engineering services identified herein.  The engineering firm selected will be responsible for completing the services outlined.

The following entities are involved in this General Plan:

Northwestern Water and Sewer District

Ottawa County Sanitary Engineer

Lucas County Sanitary Engineer

City of Toledo

Responses to this RFQ will be used to select a qualified firm to perform this work for the District.  All engineering work must be completed in a timely fashion over the term of the engineering contract.

Scope of Services

At a minimum, the Study shall address the following items:

Planning

Project Identification

1. Assist in determining scope of plan and determine a planning area.
2. Become knowledgeable of the tri-county/City of Toledo existing water and wastewater systems.
3. Advise the District as to engineering concerns in extending water and wastewater service to the planning area.
4. Assist in developing project priority rankings.
5. Attend interactive informational meetings with the District and the public.

Engineering Analysis

1. Preparation of exhibits based on GIS mapping indicating existing water and wastewater systems and service boundaries. Exhibits shall include known water and wastewater infrastructure within each system.
2. Consultant shall coordinate and meet with each water and sewer utility provider in the study area to obtain current inventory and any studies or master plans that are available.
3. Preliminary route study of best alternatives for water distribution and wastewater collection.
4. Preliminary review of options for water and wastewater treatment, including existing and new regional plants.
5. Coordinate with each local government participant to identify the initial service area within their respective jurisdiction.
6. Review of previous studies and refinement of conceptual plans indicating how the existing systems could be interconnected.
7. Supporting calculations for sizing and phasing of the new water and sewer infrastructure (piping, pumps, meters, storage, etc.).
8. Meet with City of Toledo to coordinate proposed water and wastewater improvements necessary to support the service areas identified in this plan.
9. Analysis to include rates and charges, available capacity and expanding treatment facilities to meet the future growth projections and needs for 10-, 25- and 50-year time frames.
10. Recommended schedule to implement planning, design, permitting and construction of the new water infrastructure.

Financial Analysis

1. Preparation of an Opinion of Probable Construction Cost (OPCC) of the new infrastructure.
2. Preparation of an analysis of the necessary rate and fee structure required to cover all administration, operating and maintenance costs, capital and equipment costs and debt service.
3. Identify and discuss potential funding alternatives to implement the planning, design and construction of the new water infrastructure.
4. Preliminary discussion of forms of governance of the newly create systems.

Qualifications

The local governments participating in this feasibility study will select the engineering   consultant that is deemed to be the most experienced and qualified to perform the required professional services based on organization, structure, resource base and personnel expertise.  Each firm submitting Statement of Qualifications should include the following required information:

1. Firm name, address, telephone number, fax number, e-mail address and primary contact person.
2. History of the firm to include the office locations and any former names under which the firm operated.
3. Capacity to perform the scope of work to include a list of professionals that would perform the work on this project including personal resumes.
4. Experience of the firm in performing feasibility studies for regional water and wastewater systems.
5. Experience of the firm in planning, development, design and permitting of water and wastewater systems in Ohio.
6. Priority will be given to firms that have significant familiarity with northwestern Ohio and area utility systems.
7. Experience with contract negotiations and governance of regional systems.
8. A list of similar projects including a summary of the scope of work and deliverables, the owner of the project and the contact information of a reference for each project.
9. List of other firms, consultants, contractors or individuals that would be subcontracted to assist with the project, if applicable.
10. Statements shall be no more than 12 pages not including resumes and reference information. There is no need to submit general marketing material with your SOQ.  Links to web sites are sufficient.  The material submitted should apply to this request only.
11. Three hard copies and a PDF electronic copy shall be submitted.

Selection Schedule

Issuance of Request for Qualifications:    November 28, 2023

Statement of Qualifications Due:                January 10, 2024; 4:00 p.m. (local time)

Processing of RFQ

The local governments will select and rank the consultants submitting qualifications for the project based on qualifications which represent the best service to the organizations.

All Statements of Qualification will be reviewed by a committee made up of representatives from each local government.  A short list will be developed, and oral interviews may be conducted with any or all of the consultants.

When the recommendation is approved the consultant will be invited to negotiate a final scope of work and compensation.  If negotiations with the highest ranking firm reach an impasse, negotiations will be terminated with the firm and the next highest scoring firm will be invited to negotiate a scope of work and compensation.  If necessary, this process will be repeated until negotiations are successful.

Upon successful conclusion of negotiations, the local governments will recommend approval by their respective governing boards.

SUBMISSION OF STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS:

Firms are invited to submit a Statement of Qualification by no later than 4:00 PM on January 10, 2024.  Qualifications received after this deadline will not be considered.  Firms shall submit one electronic copy to the address below.  Questions should be directed to:

Thomas Stalter, P.E.

Northwestern Water and Sewer District

tstalter@nwwsd.org

419-354-9090, Ext 174