2020 RFQ Info.docx

PRIVATE LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM (PLSLR)

Request for Qualifications (RFQ) Information

PLSLR Program Background The Fond du Lac Water Utility is seeking qualifications from licensed plumbers/utility contractors who are interested in performing PLSLR work within the City. The last three years the Utility has had grant money through the Safe Drinking Water Loan. This grant money is now gone. State legislature has passed a new law that allows public utilities to use Utility funds to assist property owners to pay for PSLSRs with approval from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. The Utility has applied to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin for approval and expects a final decision in late February or early March.

The previous program using the Safe Drinking Water Loan money had stipulations regarding its use. Such as, an environmental review needed to be done on each property, commercial properties were not eligible, and plumbers/contractors doing work on residential homes owned by a business or LLC needed to pay Davis Bacon Wages (prevailing wages). This program also forced the plumber/contractor to seek payment from property owners. The new program moving forward eliminates those hurdles.

The goal of this program is to reduce or eliminate the health hazards associated with partial lead service line replacements that occur during the City’s annual Capital Improvement Projects and emergency service repairs. On average the Utility replaces around 100 lead services each year. Many of these properties also have private lead services that go untouched. The EPA and WisDNR has highly recommended that this practice be stopped. Because of this the City Council of Fond du Lac has passed an ordinance mandating the private portion of the lead service be replaced whenever the public portion is replaced as part of a planned or unplanned situation. This program is anticipated to continue well into the future.

The PLSLR Program will assist property owners in replacing private lead service lines by providing financial assistance for eligible costs. Financial assistance will consist of a grant portion of 50% (max of $2,000) of the cost to replace the PLSL, and a loan for the remainder of the cost offered through the City’s Special Assessment process. All money will be paid 100% to the licensed plumber/utility contractor.

How the PLSLR Program Works:

1. Licensed plumbers/utility contractors will submit a Request for Qualifications Application to the City on or before February 28th, 2020. Plumbers/utility contractors who submit appropriate answers will be placed on the PLSLR Prequalified Plumbers List and distributed to those homes with PLSLs.

2. Property owners approved by the City for PLSLR will contract directly with licensed plumbers/utility contractors from the PLSLR Prequalified Plumbers List.

3. The licensed plumber/utility contractor will submit the Homeowner-Plumber Supplemental Agreement and a copy of the project’s quote. The Utility must approve quoted work and determine eligible vs. ineligible program costs before work begins. The Utility will not reimburse for work completed under this program unless this step is timely completed.

4. Private lead service replacement work is completed.

5. The plumber/utility contractor submits an Application for Payment of Costs to the City with a final, itemized invoice. The plumber/utility contractor must also provide the invoice to the property owner.

6. The City reviews the Application for Payment of Costs, determines eligible vs. ineligible costs, and pays the plumber/contractor directly 100% for the eligible costs for replacement.

7. The City will then work through the Special Assessment process with the property owner to recoup the loan portion of the assistance if necessary.

Eligible Costs vs. Ineligible Costs

Typical costs that are eligible for reimbursement under this program include:

· Excavation

· Materials

· Labor

· Backfill

· Restoration.

· No-dig methods of pipe installation

· Electrical grounding

Non-typical costs at a property may also be reimbursed as part of the PLSLR Program, pending review and approval by the Utility. A non-typical cost could include the cost of rerouting the private portion of the lead service line to a more acceptable location within a structure when it results in an overall cost saving, or foundation damage resulting from replacing the water service.

Costs that are not eligible for reimbursement include, but are not limited to, unique building materials of a finished basement, re-plumbing inside a home/facility for an elective water meter relocation.

PLSLR Program Funding Requirements The Fond du Lac Water Utility is authorized by the Public Service Commission to reimburse the contractor using Utility dollars for work performed to replace PLSLs when a licensed plumber/utility contractor is contracted directly by the property owner. In order to comply with funding requirements, the City will require that certified licensed plumbers perform all work in accordance with the following:

· Work to be performed by a licensed plumber under section SPS 305.90 Wis. Adm. Code or utility contractor under section SPS305.97 Wis. Adm. Code.

· Work to be performed in accordance with the plumbing code requirements found in Wis. Adm. Code SPS Chapters 381-391.

· Work to be performed as required by all applicable OSHA requirements/standards.

· Adequate financial records shall be established and maintained in accordance with the Utility’s PLSLR financial assistance program.

· The City will determine the submittal requirements necessary for the licensed plumber/utility contractor to document the lead service line replacement at each address where work is performed in order to receive assistance.

· The City of Fond du Lac encourages Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), and Small Business in Rural Areas (SBRAs) to submit bid proposals.

***Failure to abide by any requirements set forth in this document, other City ordinances/policies, and/or state and federal law may result in the City denying a PLSLR Program reimbursement request.

Fond du Lac Water Utility PLSLR Program Dates:

Application Deadline*: February 28, 2020 at 8:00am

License Plumber/Utility Contractor Mandatory Meeting: March 4th, 2020 at 10:00am Location: Meeting Room A/B, City/County Government Building 160 South Macy Street, 1st Floor Fond du Lac, WI

*Applications to become a prequalified plumber/utility contractor for the PLSLR Program will be accepted after the February 28th deadline on a case-by-case basis. If the plumber/utility contractor does not attend the March 4th meeting and still wishes to participate in the PLSLR Program, the plumber/contractor must arrange to meet with a representative from the City’s Water and/or Comptroller Department before beginning lead service line replacement work in order to potentially qualify for reimbursement from the Utility.

Application Submission for 2018 SDWL Program The Utility is hosting a mandatory meeting on March 4th, 2020 at 10:00am. The meeting will be held in Meeting Room A/B, City/County Government Building, 160 South Macy St. Fond du Lac, WI. Utility and City staff will discuss program requirements, answer any questions, and provide all forms required to participate in this program and receive reimbursement from the Utility.

Questions can be directed to:

Travis Kloetzke, Water Utility General Manager 920-322-3683 | tkloetzke@fdl.wi.gov

Eileen Baus, Senior Accountant 920-322-3454 | ebaus@fdl.wi.gov image1.png