13-REQ-0007862 Solicitation Cover - Instructions to Vendors.pdf

GLWA Procurement Solicitation

Advertisement Date:

Friday, January 23, 2026

Requisition/Contract No.:

REQ-0007862

Issuing Buyer and E-Mail Address:

Gladys Cannon Gladys.Cannon@glwater.org

Project/Contract Title: Third-Party Design Review of Screened Final Effluent Project Solicitation Cover/Instructions to Vendors

Solicitation Cover/Instruction to Vendors (FSA_PRO_TPL_0003) Rev. #5 07.21.2025 Page 1 of 11

Solicitation Detail

This solicitation issued by the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) is seeking submittals from experienced and qualified vendors for the project entitled, “Third-Party Design Review of the Screened Final Effluent Rehabilitation”.

The scope of services and fees from the successful proposal, as may be negotiated, shall be included in the Contract executed by the parties. The Contract can be found in Attachment No. 1. Capitalized terms used in this solicitation, if not otherwise defined herein, shall have the meaning ascribed in the Contract.

Solicitation Meeting

Attendance: Optional Date: Friday, January 30, 2026 Time: 1:00 PM EST Location: Virtual Site Tour: Not Applicable

RSVP: By Thursday, January 29, 2026, 2:00 PM EST on Euna Procurement or by emailing Gladys.Cannon@glwater.org.

Questions

All questions must be sent through https://glwater.bonfirehub.com/portal

Question Due Date/Time: Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 12:00 PM EST

Note: For construction projects only, addendums will be included in the final contract document.

Due Date

Date: Friday, February 13, 2026 Time: 12 AM EST

Late submittals will not be accepted.

Contract Details The terms and conditions of the Contract, including insurance requirements, are set forth in Attachment No. 1. The estimated start Services date is February 20, 2026, pending vendor availability.

Specialized Funding N/A

Business Inclusion and Diversity (B.I.D.)

The B.I.D. Requirement does not apply The GLWA B.I.D. requirements can be found at:

www.glwater.org/vendors/doing-business-with-glwa/

Required Bonds

☒ N/A

☐ Bid Bond – 5% of Bid Price

☐ Performance Bond – 100% of Contract Price

☐ Payment Bond – 100% of Contract Price mailto:Gladys.Cannon@glwater.org https://glwater.bonfirehub.com/portal http://www.glwater.org/vendors/doing-business-with-glwa/

Friday, January 23, 2026

Requisition/Contract No.:

REQ-0007862

Issuing Buyer and E-Mail Address:

Solicitation Cover/Instruction to Vendors (FSA_PRO_TPL_0003) Rev. #5 07.21.2025 Page 2 of 11

Section 1. Project Overview/Background

GLWA has identified significant concerns in the design of its ongoing screened final effluent rehabilitation project being constructed under a progressive design-build contract. GLWA seeks an independent, third-party evaluation of the design produced by the design-builder’s engineer to assess the quality, completeness, and technical soundness of the design documents. Metallurgy and corrosion risk are the top concerns, but the review should cover the full design. As of December 2025, the design-builder has submitted for permit review only a 100% design to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and is preparing the site for construction.

GLWA seeks concise proposals that describe the review approach and specify available expertise. We do not want any design suggestions or modifications, so responses should be a fraction of the size of a typical design proposal. While this is a time and material contract and qualifications-based selection, GLWA is asking for vendors to estimate the time required to understand the scale of team the vendor considers appropriate. GLWA needs this review completed as soon as possible, so the procurement timeline is accelerated.

Vendors are required to submit a conflict of interest statement with their proposal. Conflicts, actual or potential, shall be disclosed relative to the following entities, their parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates: (a) NORESCO, LLC, (b) Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., and (c) F.H. Paschen, S.N. Nielsen & Associates, LLC.

The full scope of Services is described in Exhibit A of Attachment No. 1.

Section 2. Minimum Qualifications

1. Minimum Qualifications

(a) The vendor must be a licensed engineering firm authorized to practice in at least one (1) U.S.

jurisdiction. Michigan licensure is not required, but the firm must be eligible to perform work in Michigan through reciprocity or subcontracting.

(b) The vendor must demonstrate a minimum of seven (7) years of experience in wastewater engineering design, including work on municipal or industrial water resource recovery facilities or related infrastructure.

(c) The vendor must demonstrate experience in reviewing complex engineering documents, such as specifications, reports, or drawings, for accuracy, completeness, and constructability.

(d) Within the past five (5) years, the vendor must demonstrate it has provided technical evaluations, expert opinions or advisory services—such as peer reviews, forensic assessments, or expert witness support—on comparable engineering projects.

2. GLWA Vendor Performance Score – Vendors with a validated one (1) year aggregate score of less than 70% will be deemed non-responsible pursuant to the GLWA Procurement Policy.

Friday, January 23, 2026

Requisition/Contract No.:

REQ-0007862

Issuing Buyer and E-Mail Address:

Solicitation Cover/Instruction to Vendors (FSA_PRO_TPL_0003) Rev. #5 07.21.2025 Page 3 of 11

Section 3. Attachments

All documents are found in Euna Procurement and should be reviewed to aid in responding to this solicitation. Failure to complete and submit required documents may result in the vendor’s response being deemed non-responsive.

Attachment Description Required Submittal Attachment No. 1 GLWA Contract/Agreement Attachment No. 2 Vendor Certifications (FSA_PRO_SUP_0002) X Attachment No. 3 Conflict-of-interest statement X Attachment No. 4 Minimum Qualifications X Attachment No. 5 Labor Effort Table X Attachment No. 6 Drawings Attachment No. 7 Specifications (Volume I) Attachment No. 8 Specifications (Volume II) Attachment No. 9 Standard Details Attachment No. 10 Basis of Design Report Attachment No. 11 Alternatives Evaluation Attachment No. 12 Supporting Documentation

Section 4. QBS Requirements and Evaluation Criteria

It is the vendor’s responsibility to ensure the accuracy and completeness of its response and that response is submitted in the order below. Omissions and ambiguous or equivocal statements will be viewed unfavorably and will be considered in the evaluation of the responses to this solicitation. Since all or a portion of the successful responses may be incorporated into an ensuing contract, vendor is cautioned not to make any claim or statement that cannot subsequently be included in a legally binding agreement.

(a) Collectively, the “Technical Ability” and “Availability and Responsiveness” sections of the evaluation criteria shall not exceed a maximum of 10 pages, excluding the effort table and project schedule document, and shall be submitted in 11-point font.

(b) Submit proposal as a single PDF file with continuous page numbering throughout the entire document. Page numbers must not restart in different sections or omit any components, including attachments such as resumes. Create a PDF bookmark for each numbered section and

RFP Evaluation Criteria Weight Technical Ability 25% Availability and Responsiveness 30% Key Personnel 25% Relevant Experience 20%

TOTAL 100%

Friday, January 23, 2026

Requisition/Contract No.:

REQ-0007862

Issuing Buyer and E-Mail Address:

Solicitation Cover/Instruction to Vendors (FSA_PRO_TPL_0003) Rev. #5 07.21.2025 Page 4 of 11 lettered subsection. Submit the effort table within the main PDF and as a separate editable spreadsheet file.

(c) Oral interviews – GLWA may elect to interview the top 2 vendors. A formal presentation is not required.

(d) Cost Proposals – For this solicitation, the cost component is not scored in the evaluation;

however, it may be considered in the final recommendation for award. Cost proposals must be submitted in the Euna Procurement bid table only. Any technical proposal that contains or references cost information is subject to immediate disqualification. For clarity, the level of effort (number of hours) is required to be shown in the technical proposal.

Evaluation Criteria Description Weight

Technical Ability

• Technical Strategy – Provide a concept narrative explaining the approach to the third-party design review. Describe your approach to rapidly understanding and evaluating the design documents, including strategies for prioritization and processes for managing a large volume of drawings and specifications. Include required engagement with GLWA, the design-builder, and the design-builder’s engineer.

• Work Plan – Submit a work plan with an overview of how you will evaluate each design element, e.g., water quality, metallurgy, structural/geotechnical, and M/E/C/A systems.

• Effort Required – Estimate the total hours required to perform the Services, listed by task and project team role. Please do not indicate hourly rates or total cost information in this section.

• Project Schedule – Provide a preliminary timeline. A simple graphic is acceptable if dates and key details are clear. If using project scheduling software, also. submit as a pdf and in the original file format.

• Assumptions, Risk and Value-Added Assessment – Identify assumptions used in developing the proposal.

Availability and Responsiveness

• Availability of Key Personnel – Provide a schedule of availability for key team members throughout the duration of the project. Include any known conflicts or limitations.

• Designated Points of Contact – Identify primary and secondary contacts for project coordination, including roles and contact information.

• Flexibility and Adaptability – Describe the team’s ability to adjust to changing project needs, timelines, or scope.

• Project Start Timeline – Indicate how soon the firm can mobilize and begin work upon contract award. Include any onboarding or ramp-up requirements and confirm readiness to meet the proposed project start date.

Friday, January 23, 2026

Requisition/Contract No.:

REQ-0007862

Issuing Buyer and E-Mail Address:

Solicitation Cover/Instruction to Vendors (FSA_PRO_TPL_0003) Rev. #5 07.21.2025 Page 5 of 11

Key Personnel

• Organizational Chart – Submit an organizational chart for the proposed project team, indicating reporting relationships and contractual roles.

• Roles and Responsibilities – Define specific responsibilities for each key team member, including their role in reviewing the design documents and contributing to the technical report and stakeholder engagement.

• Key Individuals – Identify key personnel assigned to the project.

(1) Staff name

(2) Employer name

(3) Discipline

(4) Total years of related experience

(5) Relevant water/wastewater infrastructure projects

(6) Relevant review/audit roles

(7) Project role

(8) Estimated time commitment (hours/week and percentage of total project time)

• Staff Resumes – Provide resumes for all individuals assigned to this project, highlighting relevant experience and qualifications.

Note: GLWA is particularly interested in expertise from materials science and corrosion engineering professionals with experience in stress corrosion cracking analysis and mitigation in water treatment environments. Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP, formerly NACE) certification a plus.

Relevant Experience

• General Scope of Work – Describe the general character of work performed by your organization, with emphasis on third-party design reviews and water/wastewater infrastructure projects.

• Years of Experience – Indicate years of experience in work similar in character and scope to this project:

___________ as a Vendor (Contractor/Consultant) ___________ as a Sub-Contractor

• Project References – Provide three (3) references for similar projects. Include:

(1) Project name

(2) Client name/project owner

(3) Contact person

(4) Telephone number

(5) Email address

(6) Project description

(7) Role (prime or subcontractor)

(8) Start date

(9) End date

• Past Performance – Summarize outcomes, metrics, and client satisfaction from previous projects.

Friday, January 23, 2026

Requisition/Contract No.:

REQ-0007862

Issuing Buyer and E-Mail Address:

Solicitation Cover/Instruction to Vendors (FSA_PRO_TPL_0003) Rev. #5 07.21.2025 Page 6 of 11

• Lessons Learned – Describe key takeaways from past projects and how they will inform your approach to this engagement.

• Industry Experience – List industries served and how that experience aligns with the scope of this project.

• Awards and Recognition – Provide any relevant awards, certifications, or recognitions received for past work.

Cost – Separate from Level of Effort Estimate ☒ Cost

N/A

Total (must equal 100%) 100%

(End Solicitation Cover - Instructions to Vendors begin on next page)

Friday, January 23, 2026

Requisition/Contract No.:

REQ-0007862

Issuing Buyer and E-Mail Address:

Solicitation Cover/Instruction to Vendors (FSA_PRO_TPL_0003) Rev. #5 – 07.21.2025 Page 7 of 11

Instructions to Vendors

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1. Any vendor interested in submitting a response to this solicitation is required to be registered with Euna Procurement at https://glwater.bonfirehub.com. Registration is FREE. By responding to this solicitation, vendor is agreeing to comply with GLWA’s Procurement Policy, available on the GLWA website at https://www.glwater.org/vendors/doing-business-with-glwa/.

1.2. All communications pertaining to this solicitation are to be directed solely to the GLWA procurement staff designated in “Solicitation Cover”.

2. ADDENDA

2.1. It is the responsibility of Vendor’s to check for any addenda posted on Euna Procurement and to make inquiry as to any changes issued thereby. Vendors are advised that no oral interpretation, information, or instruction by any officer, employee, or representative of GLWA shall be binding upon GLWA.

2.2. Any interpretations, corrections, and additional provisions that GLWA may make to this solicitation shall be made only by addendum. Should a Vendor (i) be in doubt as to the true meaning of any portion of this solicitation, (ii) find any ambiguity, inconsistency, or omission herein, or (iii) intend to take exception to any requirement of the solicitation, the Vendor must make a written request for an official interpretation or correction on or before the close of the question-and-answer period established in the Solicitation Cover.

2.3. Any addenda issued by GLWA shall become part of this solicitation and shall be reflected by vendor in its response to this solicitation. Vendors shall submit the latest revision of any form or attachment issued by an addendum with its response.

2.4. If this solicitation is a Request for Bid resulting in a construction agreement, then all addenda issued by GLWA shall be fully incorporated by reference as a part of the contract documents.

3. PREPARATION OF RESPONSE

3.1. GLWA shall have no responsibility and shall not reimburse any Vendor for any costs incurred, however caused, in the process of responding to this solicitation including, without limitation

(i) preparing and submitting its response, (ii) attending solicitation meetings, site tours or oral interviews, (iii) withdrawing its response, (iv) objecting to an award, (v) receiving a “Non-Award Determination”, or (vi) negotiating a contract resulting from this solicitation.

3.2. Vendors are advised that the scope of work is intended to define the minimum standard of quality necessary to complete the work. By submitting a response to this solicitation, vendor affirms that except for assumptions and exceptions explicitly stated, vendor considers its response accurate and sufficient to complete the work.

3.3. Documents included with this solicitation are for vendor’s information and convenience only. If a vendor requires any information beyond what is contained in this solicitation, vendor may be required, in GLWA’s sole discretion, to first provide evidence of a security clearance from the https://glwater.bonfirehub.com/ https://www.glwater.org/vendors/doing-business-with-glwa/

Friday, January 23, 2026

Requisition/Contract No.:

REQ-0007862

Issuing Buyer and E-Mail Address:

Solicitation Cover/Instruction to Vendors (FSA_PRO_TPL_0003) Rev. #5 – 07.21.2025 Page 8 of 11

U.S. Department of Homeland Security for each person that may have access to the requested information. Providing evidence of the security clearance does not guarantee the vendor access to the requested information.

4. PREVAILING WAGES ON FEDERALLY FUNDED CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

If the work under this solicitation is for a federally funded construction project the vendor shall be required to pay prevailing wage rates in compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act.

5. SECURITY FOR SOLICITATION

5.1. If security is required for this solicitation, the security shall be in the form of a bid bond. The bid bond shall (i) be submitted on GLWA’s bid bond form, (ii) name the vendor as principal, (iii) be executed by a surety, either licensed to do business in the State of Michigan or which has an A.M. Best’s rating of A-/VIII or greater and (iv) be properly executed and accompanied by a certified power of attorney. Vendor’s bid security shall be retained by GLWA until the latter of

(i) the end of the period during which bids shall remain open or (ii) seven (7) business days after contract award.

5.2. The bid security of the vendor that is awarded the contract shall be retained until that vendor has (i) submitted all required information, (ii) delivered evidence of insurance, (iii) furnished the required performance and payment bonds, and (iv) executed the contract.

5.3. If the awarded vendor fails to execute the contract as requested, GLWA may annul the award notification and, if so, the bid bond shall be forfeited to GLWA. If GLWA incurs any costs in the forfeiture of the bid bond, vendor and vendor's surety jointly and severally agree to reimburse all of GLWA's costs of collection thereon, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs incurred, with or without suit and interest.

6. SUBCONTRACTORS

6.1. Vendors shall be prepared to retain specific subcontractors and/or suppliers for the performance of the work if required by the solicitation documents to do so. If vendor objects to retaining any specified subcontractor and/or supplier and the concern is not addressed by an addendum, then vendor should refrain from submitting a response to this solicitation.

6.2. GLWA may request the removal and/or replacement of any subcontractor nominated by a vendor prior to awarding the contract. In such event, the vendor shall promptly nominate a qualified substitute or state that it shall self-perform the work involved, if qualified to do so. If a vendor declines to act on either option or otherwise fails to act by the date specified by GLWA, GLWA may, in its sole discretion, elect not to recommend vendor for the award.

6.3. Subsequent to the vendor’s submission of its response to this solicitation, the vendor shall not add or replace any designated subcontractor unless vendor (i) gives written notice to GLWA within ten (10) business days of receipt of an “Award Determination Letter” and (ii) provides all information requested by GLWA. If vendor fails to abide by these terms, GLWA may, in its sole discretion, elect not to recommend vendor for the award.

Friday, January 23, 2026

Requisition/Contract No.:

REQ-0007862

Issuing Buyer and E-Mail Address:

Solicitation Cover/Instruction to Vendors (FSA_PRO_TPL_0003) Rev. #5 – 07.21.2025 Page 9 of 11

7. MATERIAL/EQUIPMENT SUBSTITUTES AND “OR-EQUAL” ITEMS

7.1. Contracts shall be awarded on the basis of materials and equipment specified or described in the solicitation documents and any “or-equal” or substitute materials and equipment subsequently approved by GLWA. Requests by vendor for “or-equal” or substitute materials and/or equipment shall be submitted on or before the close of the question-and-answer period.

The request shall provide a detailed description of the “or-equal” or substitute material and/or equipment and its impact on the work, including time. The burden of proof of the merit of the proposed “or-equal” or substitute item shall be on the vendor. GLWA’s decision to accept or reject any “or-equal” or substitute materials and/or equipment shall be final and set forth in an addendum. Vendor shall not rely upon approvals made in any other manner.

7.2. All prices that a vendor sets forth in its response shall be based on the presumption that vendor will furnish the materials and equipment specified or described in the solicitation documents.

Any assumptions regarding the possibility of post-response approvals of “or-equal” or substitution requests shall be made at vendor’s sole risk.

7.3. This section shall not create or impose any express or implied duty on GLWA to exercise the authority granted herein.

8. OPENING OF RESPONSE

Responses to this solicitation shall be downloaded and opened by GLWA within one (1) business day of the advertised due date and time.

9. MODIFICATION OF RESPONSE

No modification, alteration or revision to vendor's response will be accepted after the solicitation closing time and date.

10. WITHDRAWAL OF RESPONSE

A Vendor’s response may be withdrawn subject to and in accordance with the following rules:

10.1. A Vendor’s response shall not be withdrawn unless the vendor, within one (1) business day after the solicitation response opening, files a written claim with GLWA substantiating a mathematical or clerical error in its response. The claim shall include a signed affidavit stating the facts of the error and a request that vendor’s response be withdrawn. The claim shall be e-mailed to Procurement@glwater.org with a subject line that states, “Response Withdrawal Request” and includes the solicitation number and title.

10.2. If a claim to withdraw a response due to an alleged mathematical or clerical error is timely filed, GLWA shall review the claim within ten (10) business days after its receipt.

10.3. GLWA shall review the claim for evidence as to whether:

10.3.1. A Vendor’s response contains an obvious mathematical or clerical error that does not involve a lack of good faith or fair dealing; and

10.3.2. The error is subject to objective certification and is of such grave consequences that to enforce the response by way of a contract would be unconscionable; and mailto:Procurement@glwater.org

Friday, January 23, 2026

Requisition/Contract No.:

REQ-0007862

Issuing Buyer and E-Mail Address:

Solicitation Cover/Instruction to Vendors (FSA_PRO_TPL_0003) Rev. #5 – 07.21.2025 Page 10 of 11

10.3.3. The error is of a material nature; and

10.3.4. The error was not caused in any way by a vendor's violation of an affirmative legal duty or culpable negligence.

10.4. Upon completion of the review, GLWA shall notify the vendor within five (5) business days of its decision to allow or not allow vendor to withdraw its response.

10.5. If GLWA suffers no serious prejudice, except loss of bargain, then GLWA shall allow a vendor to withdraw its response and, if applicable, GLWA shall return vendor's bid security within a reasonable time. Upon withdrawal of its response, vendor shall not be allowed to submit another response to the solicitation. The decision of GLWA shall be final and binding on vendor.

11. EVALUATION OF RESPONSE

11.1. For “Requests for Bids” and “Invitations to Quote”, the award shall be made to the responsible vendor submitting the lowest responsive response. GLWA shall review and validate responses for responsibility and responsiveness and prepare a bid tabulation. Bid tabulation information shall not be made available to vendor until GLWA has validated all responses for responsibility and responsiveness.

11.2. For “Requests for Proposals”, “Requests for Qualifications” and “Requests for Information”, the award shall be made to the responsible vendor with the highest ranked score pending successful negotiations. GLWA shall review and validate responses for responsiveness prior to evaluating and scoring the response. Vendors are advised that an award for “Requests for Information” and “Requests for Qualifications” will not be made unless explicitly stated in the solicitation.

11.3. GLWA reserves the right to waive any minor deviations, irregularities and informalities in the response.

11.4. GLWA reserves the right to reject any and all responses to this solicitation for reasons including, without limitation, responses that GLWA determines are nonconforming, nonresponsive, or unbalanced; responses where vendor purports to add terms or conditions, take exception to any provision of the solicitation documents, alter any template provided by GLWA for vendor’s response, or be otherwise conditional in nature; and/or a finding of vendor non-responsibility as set forth in the GLWA Procurement Policy located at GLWA-Procurement-Policy- 10.26.22.pdf.

11.5. If any grounds for the rejection of a response from the vendor under consideration for award are found, a “Non-Award Determination” shall be made by GLWA, and no further consideration shall be given to that vendor’s response. GLWA shall give written notice thereof to such vendor, including the reasons therefor.

12. CONDITIONS TO FINAL AWARD

Vendor’s response shall not be considered responsible in accordance with the requirements of the solicitation unless vendor, within ten (10) business days after receiving an “Award Determination Letter”, submits all documents that GLWA, in its sole discretion, considers necessary to complete the execution of the contract including, without limitation, the contract and certificates of insurance https://glwa.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/GLWA-Procurement-Policy-10.26.22.pdf https://glwa.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/GLWA-Procurement-Policy-10.26.22.pdf

Friday, January 23, 2026

Requisition/Contract No.:

REQ-0007862

Issuing Buyer and E-Mail Address:

Solicitation Cover/Instruction to Vendors (FSA_PRO_TPL_0003) Rev. #5 – 07.21.2025 Page 11 of 11 meeting the contract requirements and any required bonds.

13. POST-AWARD

13.1. Vendor shall be e-mailed a fully executed copy of the contract once completed. For some solicitations, a purchase order will constitute the fully executed contract.

13.2. GLWA may periodically evaluate the performance of vendor under any contract resulting from this solicitation. Information gained during this evaluation process may be used by GLWA to evaluate vendor's capabilities to perform future work for GLWA. The criteria by which vendor will be evaluated can be found at https://www.glwater.org/vendors/doing-business-with-glwa/.

(End Instructions to Vendors)

(End Solicitation Cover/Instructions to Vendors)