2026-09-21 RFQ NFWB WWTP Biological Upgrades.pdf

5815 Buffalo Avenue . Niagara Falls, New York 14304 . 716-283-9770 www.nfwb.org

Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) No. 2026-01

Biological Treatment Upgrade

The Niagara Falls Water Board (NFWB) is seeking qualification statements from engineering consultants to accomplish anticipated process upgrades and rehabilitation work at the NFWB’s wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). These improvements are collectively known as the Biological Treatment Upgrade (BTU). Submission of a qualification statement is a prerequisite to be considered for receipt of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for BTU engineering services, expected to be issued at a future date. Submission of a qualification statement does not ensure consideration for future RFP receipt.

Background

The NFWB owns and operates one WWTP, a 48 million gallon per day (mgd) physical-chemical, activated carbon facility that began treatment operations in April 1977. Current annual average flow is half the design capacity; its rated wet weather flow is 85 mgd, owing to a combined sewer collection system. Seven lift stations and one pumping station convey flow to the WWTP.

Major treatment processes include influent screening, grit removal, chemically enhanced primary treatment, granular activated carbon filtration/adsorption, chemical oxidation, and disinfection. Solids are gravity thickened, belt filter press dewatered, lime stabilized, then landfilled.

Since startup, the service population has declined and industrial loadings have significantly diminished. Despite this, biological activity in the carbon filters and oxidation chemistry can produce a final effluent with a visible contrast to the receiving waters in the lower Niagara River. This and other factors have prompted an Order on Consent with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). The Order requires the development and implementation of facility improvements to comply with new effluent requirements, both those referenced in the Order and those in the WWTP State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) discharge permit that took effect September 1st, 2026.

One specific requirement of the Order is the preparation and submission of a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER), detailing the evaluation of treatment

2 | P a g e alternatives and development of specific recommended improvements to the WWTP. Hazen & Sawyer (H&S) has performed the evaluation and prepared the PER, which was submitted to the NYSDEC in late February 2026. As of this date, the NFWB is working with H&S to address NYSDEC comments and questions.

While the review process continues, the NFWB wishes to continue advancing the project. The next step in that process is to issue this Request For Qualifications

(RFQ).

The entire PER is available for interested firms’ review via a OneDrive folder link as follows: NFWB Biological Treatment Upgrade RFQ. Other relevant information available at that link includes NYSDEC comments and questions about the PER and the current SPDES permit.

A formal pre-submission meeting will not be held, but interested firms may arrange for a short tour of the facility if desired. Email the authorized NFWB contact individual below to make visitation arrangements during the weeks of October 5th and October 12th only. Reviewing the PER prior to scheduling a tour is highly recommended.

Qualification Statements

Firms interested in pursuing engineering services for this project will need to submit qualifications. Engineering services are expected to include, but not be limited to, design services, Basis of Design Report preparation, user rate restructuring assistance, Industrial Pretreatment Program revision assistance, construction document preparation, construction services, resident inspection services, and startup/commissioning services, complete. Expertise is sought in these specific areas:

• Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors (MBBR) and support systems

• Disc filtration systems following secondary treatment

• Pumping station reconfiguration and rehabilitation

• Dechlorination facilities

• Maintenance of treatment operations during major construction projects

For each of the above five subject areas, describe in detail a minimum of three

(3) relevant projects that demonstrates the firm’s recent domestic (United States) experience with designing, construction management, and/or operating these https://nfwb-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/scostello_nfwb_org/IgDhwwmb4oiOR4P-vmYcfUbBAa_0ScoFZdHnuAT8XHbM1IA?e=BsYxA2

3 | P a g e facilities. The facilities should be in the approximate flow range of the NFWB WWTP. Each description must include:

• Location and owner of the facility; owner contact information

• Date(s) of when the work was performed

• Detailed description of the work and deliverables

• Current status of principal team members

• Present day status of the resulting system/facility

Include a 1-2 page summary of what differentiates the firm from your competitors in the context of this project that can be used as a standalone document.

Firms that intend to team for this project may submit qualifications as a team but, if selected ro receive the RFP, they must also submit proposals as the same team.

A separate authorization may be considered for firms to provide design value engineering services. Firms interested in serving this role should state so and include relevant experience (including the items listed above) for projects exceeding $100 million.

The project will be funded, in part, through an IIJA grant with financing through NYS EFC. Qualifications statements should describe the firm’s ability to meet the requirements of the applicable EFC Terms and Conditions for Equivalency Projects, including a description of ways the firm integrates DBE firms into similar projects. Reference: https://efc.ny.gov/equivalency-project-mandatory-state-revolving-fund-terms-conditions-pdf

Submissions

Interested firms must provide one digital copy of their qualifications package in a single PDF file via email to the contact person listed below. The size of the PDF may not exceed 20 MB. The NFWB will not accept alternate delivery methods such as hardcopy mail, fax, or courier. The submission deadline is COB October 28th, 2026.

The NFWB assumes no liability for assuring correct and/or complete files and may disregard PDF submissions that do not open using Adobe Acrobat Reader.

The responsibility solely lies with each firm for successfully transmitting their qualifications package prior to the submission deadline.

https://efc.ny.gov/equivalency-project-mandatory-state-revolving-fund-terms-conditions-pdf https://efc.ny.gov/equivalency-project-mandatory-state-revolving-fund-terms-conditions-pdf

4 | P a g e

The NFWB’s designated contact person for all matters concerning this Request for Qualifications is:

Richard R. Roll, P.E., DEE, F.WEF Niagara Falls Water Board 5815 Buffalo Avenue Niagara Falls, New York 14304

(716) 299-7809 rroll@nfwb.org

To receive updates concerning this RFQ, email the authorized NFWB contact for inclusion on the distribution list for this solicitation.

Evaluation and Ranking

NFWB staff will review submissions in November and develop candidate firms/teams to receive the subsequent Request For Proposals. Qualifications will be evaluated based on demonstrated competence and qualification for the professional engineering services required, as follows:

Past Performance on Similar Projects: 30% Specialized Experience in Required Areas: 30% Technical Competence and Project Team: 40%

September 21, 2026 mailto:rroll@nfwb.org