24_150_ADD1.pdf

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TO: All Vendors Tywanna Scott, Procurement Assurance Analyst Wes Byne, Util~"tie De artment

Geri A. Sams Z Procurement Direc or

FROM:

DATE: February 8, 2024

SUBJ:

RFP ITEM:

Clarification to the Specifications and Responses to Vendor's Questions

RFP Item #24-150 Lead and Copper Rule Revision Water Service Line Inventory Development for Augusta, GA- Utilities Department

RFP OPENING DATE: Tuesday, February 20, 2024@ 1 :00 p.m.

ADDENDUM NO. 1

This Addendum shall form a part of the referenced RFP Item #24-150 Lead and Copper Rule Revision Water Service Line Inventory Development for Augusta, GA and any agreement entered into in connection therewith equally as if bound into the original document. Acknowledge receipt of all Addendums on Attachment "B" within the Specifications package.

Clarifications to the Specifications:

• Please replace pages 19-21 from the specifications with the revised pages 19-21 attached to this Addendum 1.

Responses to Vendor's Questions:

1. Question: Is there a notice to proceed (NTP) date that we should utilize when preparing the project schedule? Or can we provide an assumed start date?

Response: A notice to proceed cannot be issued until the Engineering Services contract is signed and fully executed.

2. Question: How does the zero-to-five-point rating system work for 'Proximity to Area' criterion? Will each subcategory (e.g., 'Within Georgia') have its points multiplied by 5?

Response: This project contains federal funding, and the evaluation sheet will be revised NOT to include Proximity to Area section. The Criteria for Evaluation pages have been revised. Revisions are on pages 19 through 21. Please see attachments attached to this Addendum 1.

3. Are resumes and financial statements included in the page count?

Response:Yes

4. Should resumes be included in Section 2, or would short resumes in Section 2 with full, one page resumes in the Appendix suffice?

Response: Full resumes within Appendix only will be acceptable.

5. For the field investigation tasks, is the Proposer expected to conduct potholing for field investigations in full (e.g., providing equipment to pothole and restoring the surface after inspection), or will the Proposer accompany an AUD staff/Contractor to verify the exposed pipe material and record findings?

Response: This line item's cost is intended to be a field investigation performed by

Room 605 - 535 Telfair Street, Augusta Georgia 3090 l I!] r;,

(706) 821-2422 _ Fax (706) 821-281 l _.,~L:J'tl: Scan this QR code with your smartphone or camera equipped tablet to visit the Augusta, Georgia www.aug:ustmrn.gov Register at www.demandstar.com/supplier for automatic bid notification

Addendum 1 RFP 24-150 Lead and Copper Rule Revision Water Service Line Inventory Development the Proposer and/or their subcontractor. AUD is relying on the Proposer (and/or subcontractors) to verify material and record findings in accordance with the RFP.

AUD is averse to the idea of potholing during this project. We feel inspecting the service materials within the meter box is adequate in determining both the system side and customer-side materials.

6. How much, if any, physical verification has already been completed on either side of the line?

Response: Very little physical identification has been completed to date.

7. Has the City deployed/begun the Esri LSLI Solution v3.0 in AGOL?

Response: Yes, early stages of deployment

8. Have all available records/data already been incorporated into the preliminary inventory?

Response: No, to date about 15% of the total number of service lines have been identified. We expect another 5,000 -10,000 service lines to be identified through further "desktop" effort.

9. Do you foresee any challenges with providing the selected vendor a temporary creator license in Esri and read/write permissions to the inventory data layer?

Response: Yes, there are security issues with that approach. However, I've been in touch with our IT GIS Manager and she feels there is a solution that is agreeable to both IT, Augusta Utilities, and the Proposer.

10. Has selection criteria been approved by Funding Agency for use of funds?

Response: No, a funding agency has not reviewed this selection criteria.

11. The proposal asks for a price per inspection. If for some reason the material on either side of the meter is not able to be determined in the box will that inspection be paid for at inspection rate or a discounted rate?

Response: AUD will only be compensating for a complete field assessment to include both water-system and customer service line materials. However, we will review and consider partial payments on a case-by-case basis due to extenuating field conditions.

12. When will Notice to Proceed be authorized?

Response: Please see response to Question #1 above.

13. Is there a specific digital format for deliverables?

Response: Regarding GIS data/deliverables, data must be compliant with the ArcGIS Lead Service Line Inventory application. AUD is still deciding on the format of the photographs, but the format will be industry standard.

14. The RFP Scope of Services specifically references a machine-learning based predictive model. Are you open to other forms of predictive or statistical methods such as Geospatial Analysis?

Response: Yes, we are open to other forms but remind proposers that EPD must approve the methodology.

15. Do you have an estimated date when the ERSI Lead Service Line Solution will be active?

Response: Anticipated date of 2/29/2024.

16. Are there any records of any lead service lines being found or replaced within Augusta Richmond County?

Response: AUD is not aware of any lead service lines, to date.

ATTACHMENTS:

Please acknowledge addendum in your submittal

END ADDENDUM

REVISED PAGES 19-21 (3 PAGES)

Addendum 1 RFP 24-150 Lead and Copper Rule Revision Water Service Line Inventory Development

The Evaluation Criteria Summary and their respective weights are as follows:

1. Completeness of Response (Pass/Fall)

a. Responses to this RFP must be complete. Responses that do not include the proposal content requirements identified within this RFP and subsequent addenda and do not address each of the items listed below will be considered incomplete, be rated a Fail in the Evaluation Criteria and will receive no further consideration. Responses that are rated a Fail and are not considered may be picked up at the delivery location or returned to the vendor (at vendor's expense}. Please provide shipping instructions and/or fees upon the completion of the competitive process.

Conflict of Interest Statement (Pass/Fail)

b. Discloses any financial, business or other relationship with the Augusta, Georgia that may have an impact upon the outcome of the contract or the construction project/service.

c. Lists current clients who may have a financial interest in the outcome of this contract or the construction project/service that will follow.

d. Discloses any financial interest or relationship with any construction company that might submit a bid on the construction project/ service.

2. Qualifications & Experience (25 points)

a. Relevant experience, specific qualifications, and technical expertise of the firm and sub consultants/proposers to conduct the required services as listed in this RFP and adhering to all required license requirement for federal, state and local services.

3. Organization & Approach (15 points)

a. Describes familiarity of project/service and demonstrates understanding of work completed to date and project/service objectives moving forward.

b. Roles and Organization of Proposed Team

i. Proposes adequate and appropriate disciplines of project/service team.

ii. Some or all of team members have previously worked together on similar projects/service(s}.

iii. Overall organization of the team is relevant to Augusta, Georgia needs.

c. Project and Management Approach

i. Team is managed by an individual with appropriate experience in similar projects/services. This person's time is appropriately committed to the project/service.

ii. Team successfully addresses all requirements of this RFP.

iii. The team and management approach responds to project/service issues. Team structure provides adequate capability to perform both volume and quality of needed work within project/service schedule milestones.

d. Roles of Key Individuals on the Team

i. Proposed team members, as demonstrated by enclosed resumes, have relevant experience for their role in the project/service.

ii. Key positions required to execute the project/service team's responsibilities are appropriately staffed.

e. Working Relationship with Augusta, Georgia

i. Team and its leaders have experience working in the public sector and knowledge of public sector procurement process.

ii. Team leadership understands the nature of public sector work and its decision-making process.

iii. Proposal responds to need to assist Augusta, Georgia during the /service.

4. Scope of Services (20 points)

Provide details on your approach to the Scope of Services (Section II} to include your organizations experience and ability to provide the following item:

Provide experience and approach to the following as requested in the RFP specifications:

a. Ability to provide predictive modeling efforts in accordance with EPA Lead/Copper Rule Revision guidelines for water service line inventory work.

b. Provide concurrence plan and submit to GA EPD, coordinate with GA EPD and AUD on concurrence plan

Addendum 1 RFP Item #24-150 Lead and Copper Rule Revision Water Service Line Inventory Development RFP Due: Tuesday,.February 20, 2024@ 1:00 p.m.

Page19of26

c. Service Line Inventory via Predictive Modeling, using machine learning to gain satisfactory confidence level (according to GA EPD & concurrence plan) to determine system and customer service line material.

d. Field inspections necessary in the pursuit of service material validation per the parameters of the predictive modeling effort.

e. Photo and Photo Index to reflect findings of field investigations. Photos to be annotated with both System and Customer-side materials. Delivered in digital format with index based on unique identification number.

5. Financial Stability (5 points)

Provide financial information that would allow proposal evaluators to ascertain the financial stability of the Proposer.

a. If a public company, include a recap of the most recent audited financial report.

b. If a private company, provide a recap of the most recent internal financial statement; and a letter, on the financial institution's letterhead, stating financial stability.

c. Any apparatus manufacturer or their parent company who has had a performance bond called in the last 10 years, shall not be eligible to bid. Any bids from these manufacturers shall be immediately rejected (no exception).

NOTE: Will NOT be disclosed in any part of the RFP. Failure to include the above listed financial stability requirements will affect your scoring on the evaluation sheet.

6. Schedule of Work (5 points)

Schedule of work and availability to fulfill requirements requested in the specifications. Provide a Time-Logic Scale Critical Path Method (CPM) schedule with start and finish dates to ensure completion ahead of the compliance deadline of October 16th, 2024.

7. References (5 points)

Past performance on contracts with Government agencies, private agencies, private industry in terms of cost control, quality work, and compliance with performance schedules. Document by references and other means. List five (S) reference to include the name, address, e-mail, fax and telephone numbers. Please include current contact information for the references listed.

8. Presentation by Team (10 points)

Team presentation conveying project/service understanding, communication skills, innovative ideas, critical issues and solutions.

9. Q&A Response to Panel Questions (5 points)

Proposer provides responses to various interview panel questions.

10. Cost/Fee Proposal (10 points) Enclosed in a separate sealed envelope.

(Will NOT be disclosed in phase I evaluation of the RFP).

a. Lowest Fee

b. Second

c. Third

d. Fourth

a. Fifth

Fee Proposal shall be submitted in a separate sealed envelope with the following information on the outside of it:

RFP 24-150 Lead and Copper Rule Revision Water Service Une Inventory Development - Fee Proposal

Addendum 1 RFP Item #24-150 Lead and Copper Rule Revision Water Service Line Inventory Development RFP Due: Tuesday, February 20, 2024@ 1:00 p.m.

Page20of26

Weighted scores for each Proposal will be assigned utilizing the table below:

Phase 1

Rating Score

No. Evaluation Criteria Weight (Rating* (0-5) Weight)

Completeness of Response

• Package submitted by the deadline

1 • Package is complete (includes requested information as required per this N/A Pass/Fail Pass/Fail solicitation)

• Attachment B is complete, signed and notarized

2 Qualifications & Experience 25

3 Organization & Approach 15

Scope of Services {30 points) - Provide details on your approach to the Scope of Services (Section II) to include your organizations experience and ability to provide the following item:

Provide experience and approach to the following as requested in the RFP specifications:

a) Ability to provide predictive modeling efforts in accordance with EPA Lead/Copper Rule Revision guidelines for water service line inventory work.

b) Provide concurrence plan and submit to GA EPD, coordinate with GA EPD and AUD on concurrence plan

4 c) Service Line Inventory via Predictive Modeling, using machine learning to gain 20 satisfactory confidence level (according to GA EPD & concurrence plan) to determine system and customer service line material.

d) Field inspections necessary in the pursuit of service material validation per the parameters of the predictive modeling effort.

e) Photo and Photo Index to reflect findings of field investigations. Photos to be annotated with both System and Customer-side materials. Delivered in digital format with index based on unique identification number.

5 Financial Stability 5

6 Schedule of Work 5

7 References (include specific individuals with addresses and telephone numbers). 5

Phase 2 (Optional - Numbers 8 and 9) Any Vendors that Receive Less Than a 3 Rating Score

Ranking in Any Category will not be considered for Phase II) (0-5) Weight (Rating* Weight)

8 Presentation by Team 10

9 Q&A Response to Panel Questions 5

Cost/Fee Proposal Consideration A. Lowest Fee 10

B. Second 6

C. Third 4 D. Fourth 2 E. Fifth 1

Total:

Proposals will be evaluated according to each Evaluation Criteria and scored on a zero-to-five-point rating. The scores for all the Evaluation Criteria will then be multiplied according to their assigned weight to arrive at a weighted score for each proposal. A proposal with a high weighted total will be deemed of higher quality than a proposal with a lesser-weighted total. The final maximum score for any project/service is five hundred (500) points.

Addendum 1 RFP Item #24-150 Lead and Copper Rule Revision Water Service Line Inventory Development RFP Due: Tuesday, February 20, 2024@ 1:00 p.m.