5-B. FY26-RFP-08 On-Call Plumbing Services RFP.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

ON - CA LL P LUMBING S ERVICE

RF P # F Y 26- RF P- 08

CITY OF CH ARLOT TE

N ORTH CAROLIN A

AU GU ST 22 , 2025

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

RFP # FY26-RFP-08

On-Call Plumbing Service

August 22, 2025

Interested Company:

Charlotte Water, a department of the City of Charlotte, North Carolina, is now accepting Proposals for On-Call Plumbing Service. The requirements for submitting a Proposal are stated in the attached Request for Proposals (the “RFP”). Please review them carefully.

Charlotte Water is using the Bonfire City of Charlotte e-Procurement Portal (“Procurement Portal” -https://charlottenc.bonfirehub.com) to accept and evaluate proposals for this RFP. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the Procurement Portal on or before the Due Date in order to be accepted.

Each Company is solely responsible for the timely delivery of their Proposal. Companies accept all risks of late delivery regardless of fault. In addition, Companies accept all risks if file is corrupted, incorrect, incomplete, or not attached. Any Proposal received after the date and time specified, regardless of the mode of delivery, shall not be considered.

A Non-Mandatory Virtual Pre-Proposal Conference for the purpose of reviewing the RFP and answering questions regarding the Services will be held on September 5, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. No onsite meeting will be held, and Companies should not come to the City expecting to attend in person. While attendance at the Pre-Proposal Conference is not mandatory, all interested Companies are encouraged to participate.

Click here to join –Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 276 556 749 130 Passcode: xL6Ep3K8

Dial in by phone +1 872-256-4172,139039730# United States, Chicago Find a local number Phone conference ID: 139 039 730#

Please have a copy of the RFP available for reviewing during the Pre-Proposal Conference. Proposal submissions are due no later than September 19, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.

All times stated in this RFP shall be of the eastern time zone (ET).

The City is an equal opportunity purchaser.

Sincerely, Wendy Raiford Procurement Officer https://charlottenc.bonfirehub.com/ https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZDU2ZTk2NTItMWRjNC00MTRjLWJhMDUtYTQxYjQ5Mjk4NjY0%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%223392a0ee-6ccb-49c5-94b5-f5e6d8a665d6%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22f312740d-c153-4339-9160-e26a104e0ecc%22%7d tel:+18722564172,,139039730 https://dialin.teams.microsoft.com/ca8a1d96-98e9-4511-8c69-d5b3e234b5e8?id=139039730

Checklist for submitting a Proposal:

Step 1 Read the document fully.

Step 2 Review the solicitation timeline and upcoming events in the Procurement Portal and download copies of any documents if you plan to submit a Proposal.

Step 3 Submit any questions via the Procurement Portal by the deadline(s) noted for the solicitation.

Step 4 Conduct a thorough review of the Sample Contract. Any exceptions to the Sample Contract must be uploaded in word format (with redlines/tracked changes).

Step 5 Monitor the Procurement Portal for any addendums and/or responses to questions.

If you plan to submit a Proposal, you must submit all required documents and respond to all questions within the Procurement Portal for the RFP.

If awarded a contract, your company will be required to provide an insurance certificate(s) that meets or exceeds the requirements set forth in the Sample Contract.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. OBJECTIVE

1.2. DEFINITIONS

1.3. ACCURACY OF RFP AND RELATED DOCUMENTS

1.4. CITY’S RIGHTS AND OPTIONS

1.5. EXPENSE OF SUBMITTAL PREPARATION

1.6. PROPOSAL CONDITIONS

2. PROCUREMENT PROCESS

2.1. SCHEDULE AND PROCESS

2.2. INTENT TO BID

2.3. INTERPRETATIONS AND ADDENDA

2.4. PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE

2.5. SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

2.6. CORRECTION OF ERRORS

2.7. EVALUATION

2.8. CONTRACT AWARD BY CITY MANAGER

2.9. VENDOR INCLUSION

3. SCOPE OF ON-CALL PLUMBING SERVICES

4. PROPOSAL CONTENT AND FORMAT

PROPOSAL CONTENT

5. PROPOSAL EVALUATION CRITERIA

5.1. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, AND APPROACH

5.2. COST EFFECTIVENESS AND VALUE

5.3. ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT

Section 1 Introduction and General Information

1. INTRODUCTION.

1.1. Objective.

The objective of this RFP is to solicit Proposals that will enable the City to determine which Company and Proposed Solution will best meet the City’s needs for the Services detailed in the Scope of Work.

1.2. Definitions.

As used in this RFP, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

Acceptance: Refers to receipt and approval by the City of a Deliverable or Service in accordance with the acceptance process and criteria in the Contract.

Affiliates: Refers to all departments or units of the City and all other governmental units, boards, committees or municipalities for which the City processes data or performs services.

Charlotte Business INClusion/CBI: Refers to the Charlotte Business INClusion office of the City of

Charlotte.

Charlotte Business INClusion Policy/ CBI Policy: Refers to the policy adopted by City Council, which seeks to enhance competition in contracting and procurement opportunities for MWSBEs located in the Charlotte Combined Statistical Area.

Charlotte Combined Statistical Area: Refers to the area consisting of the North Carolina counties of Anson, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, and Union, and the South Carolina counties of Chester, Lancaster, and York;

a criterion used by Charlotte Business INClusion to determine eligibility to participate in the program.

City: Refers to the City of Charlotte, North Carolina.

City Project Manager: Refers to a specified City employee representing the City’s best interests in this Project.

Company: During the solicitation process, refers to a company that has interest in providing the Services. After the solicitation process, refers to a company that has been selected by the City to provide the Services.

Company Project Manager: Refers to a specified Company employee representing the best interests of the Company for this Project.

Contract: Refers to a written agreement executed by the City and the Company for all or part of the Services.

Deliverables: Refers to all tasks, reports, information, designs, plans, and other items that the Company is required to deliver to the City in connection with the Contract.

Department: Refers to a department within the City of Charlotte.

Documentation: Refers to all written, electronic, or recorded works that describe the use, functions, features, or purpose of the Deliverables or Services or any component thereof, and which are provided to the City by the Company or its subcontractors, including without limitation all end user manuals, training manuals, guides, program listings, data models, flow charts, and logic diagrams.

Evaluation Committee: Refers to a City-appointed committee that will evaluate Proposals and identify the Company(-ies) best meeting the needs of the City.

Minority-owned Business Enterprise/ MBE: Refers to a business enterprise that: (i) is certified by the State of North

Carolina as a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) within the meaning of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-128.4; (ii) is at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned by one (1) or more persons who are members of one of the following groups: African American or Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American or American Indian; and (iii) has significant business presence in the Charlotte Combined Statistical Area.

MWSBE: Refers to SBEs, MBEs, and WBEs, collectively.

MWSBE Goal: If an RFP or Contract has separate Subcontracting Goals for MBEs, WBEs, and/or SBEs, the term MWSBE is a shorthand way to refer collectively to all MBE, WBE, and SBE Goals set for the RFP. In some instances, the City may set one (1) combined goal for MBEs, WBEs, and/or SBEs, in which event the term MWSBE Goal refers to that one (1) combined goal. In the latter instance, calculated as a percentage, the MWSBE Goal represents the total dollars spent with MBEs, WBEs, and SBEs as a portion of the total Proposal amount, including any contingency.

Project: Refers to the City’s need for a company to provide On-Call Plumbing Service for the City.

Proposal: Refers to the proposal submitted by a Company for the Services as outlined in this RFP.

Services: Refers to the On-Call Plumbing Services as requested in this RFP.

Small Business Enterprise/SBE: Refers to a business enterprise that is certified by the City of Charlotte under

Part E of the CBI Policy as meeting all of the requirements for SBE certification.

Specifications and Requirements: Refers to all definitions, descriptions, requirements, criteria, warranties, and performance standards relating to the Deliverables and Services that are set forth or referenced in: (i) this RFP, including any addenda; (ii) the Documentation; and (iii) any functional and/or technical specifications that are published or provided by the Company or its licensors or suppliers from time to time with respect to all or any part of the Deliverables or Services.

Subcontracting Goal: Refers to a SBE, MBE, WBE, and/or MWSBE Goal established by the City for an RFP and resulting Contract.

Trade Secrets: Information of the City or any of its suppliers, contractors or licensors that:

(i) derives value from being secret; and (ii) the owner has taken reasonable steps to keep confidential. See N.C. Gen. Stat. § 66-152 et seq. Examples of trade secrets include information relating to proprietary software, new technology, new products or services, flow charts or diagrams that show how things work, manuals that tell how things work and business processes and procedures.

Woman-owned Business Enterprise/ WBE: Refers to a business enterprise that: (i) is certified by the State of North

Carolina as a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) within the meaning of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-128.4; (ii) is at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned by one or more persons who are female; and (iii) has significant business presence in the Charlotte Combined Statistical Area.

Work Product: Refers to the Deliverables and all other programs, algorithms, reports, information, designs, plans and other items developed by the Company in connection with this RFP, and all partial, intermediate or preliminary versions of any of the foregoing.

1.3. Accuracy of RFP and Related Documents.

Each Company must independently evaluate all information provided by the City. The City makes no representations or warranties regarding any information presented in this RFP, or otherwise made available during this procurement process, and assumes no responsibility for conclusions or interpretations derived from such information. In addition, the City will not be bound by or be responsible for any explanation or conclusions regarding this RFP or any related documents other than those provided by an addendum issued by the City. Companies may not rely on any oral statement by the City or its agents, advisors, or consultants.

If a Company identifies potential errors or omissions in this RFP or any other related documents, the Company should immediately notify the City of such potential discrepancy in writing. The City may issue a written addendum if the City determines clarification necessary. Each Company requesting an interpretation will be responsible for submitting them per Section 2.3.

1.4. City’s Rights and Options.

The City reserves the right, at the City’s sole discretion, to take any action affecting this RFP, this RFP process, or the Services or facilities subject to this RFP that would be in the best interests of the City, including:

1.4.1. To supplement, amend, substitute, or otherwise modify this RFP, including the schedule, at any time;

1.4.2. To cancel this RFP with or without the substitution of another RFP;

1.4.3. To require one or more Companies to supplement, clarify or provide additional information in order for the City to evaluate the Proposals submitted

1.4.4. To investigate the qualifications, experience, capabilities, and financial standing of each Company submitting a Proposal;

1.4.5. To waive any defect or irregularity in any Proposal received;

1.4.6. To reject any or all Proposals;

1.4.7. To share the Proposals with City employees other than the Evaluation Committee or City advisory committees as deemed necessary;

1.4.8. To award all, none, or any part of the Services and enter into Contracts with one or more of the responding Companies deemed by the City to be in the best interest of the City, which may be done with or without re-solicitation;

1.4.9. To discuss and negotiate with any Company(-ies) their Proposal terms and conditions, including but not limited to financial terms;

1.4.10. To terminate discussions and negotiations with any Company at any time and for any reason;

1.4.11. To issue additional requests for information; and

1.4.12. To take any action affecting this RFP, this RFP process, or the Services or facilities subject to this RFP that would be in the best interest of the City.

1.5. Expense of Submittal Preparation.

The City accepts no liability, and Companies will have no actionable claims, for reimbursement of any costs or expenses incurred in participating in this solicitation process. This includes expenses and costs related to Proposal submission, submission of written questions, attendance at pre-proposal meetings or evaluation interviews, contract negotiations, or activities required for contract execution.

1.6. Proposal Conditions.

1.6.1. The following terms are applicable to this RFP and the Company’s Proposal Not An Offer.

This RFP does not constitute an offer by the City. No binding contract, obligation to negotiate, or any other obligation shall be created on the part of the City unless the City and the Company execute a Contract. No recommendations or conclusions from this RFP process concerning the Company shall constitute a right (property or otherwise) under the Constitution of the United States or under the Constitution, case law, or statutory law of North Carolina.

1.6.2. Right to Terminate Discussions.

The Company’s participation in this process might result in the City selecting the Company to engage in further discussions. The commencement of such discussions, however, does not signify a commitment by the City to execute a Contract or to continue discussions. The City can terminate discussions at any time and for any reason.

1.6.3. Trade Secrets and Personal Identification Information.

Definition.

Upon receipt by the City, all materials submitted by a Company (including the Proposal) are considered public records except for (1) material that qualifies as “trade secret” information under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 66-152 et seq. (“Trade Secrets”) or (2) “personally identifiable information” protected by state or federal law, to include, but not be limited to, Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and driver’s license numbers (“Personally Identifiable Information” or “PII”).

Instructions for Marking and Identifying Trade Secrets.

If any Proposal contains Trade Secrets or PII, such Trade Secrets and PII must specifically and clearly be identified by clearly separating them from the rest of the Proposal and marked either “Personally Identifiable Information – Confidential” or “Trade Secret— Confidential and Proprietary Information.” This confidentiality caption must appear on each page of the Trade Secret or PII materials, and the document(s) must be submitted separately in the Procurement Portal.

Availability of Proposals to City Staff and Contractors.

By submitting a Proposal, each Company agrees that the City may reveal any Trade Secret materials and PII contained therein to all City staff and City officials involved in the selection process, and to any outside consultant or other third parties who serve on the Evaluation Committee or who are hired or appointed by the City to assist in the evaluation process.

Availability of Proposals via Public Records Requests.

Any person or entity (including competitors) may request Proposals submitted in response to an RFP. Only those portions of RFPs properly designated as Trade Secret or PII are not subject to disclosure. The public disclosure of the contents of a Proposal or other materials submitted by a Company is governed by N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 132 and 66-152, et seq.

When determining whether to mark materials as Trade Secret, please note the following:

• Entire Proposals may not be marked as Trade Secret

• Pricing may not be marked as Trade Secret

The City may disqualify and Company that designates its entire Proposal as a trade secret, or any portion thereof that clearly does not qualify under applicable law as a Trade Secret or PII. Each Company agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the City and each of its officers, employees, and agents from all costs, damages, and expenses incurred in connection with refusing to disclose any material that the Company has designated as a Trade Secret or PII. This includes an obligation on the part of the Company to defend any litigation brought by a party that has requested Proposals or other information that the Company has marked Trade Secret or PII.

1.6.4. Statutory Requirements.

Any Contract awarded as a result of this RFP shall be in full conformance with all statutory requirements of North Carolina and all statutory requirements of the Federal Government, to the extent applicable.

1.6.5. Reservation of Right to Change Schedule.

The City shall ultimately determine the timing and sequence of events resulting from this RFP. The City reserves the right to delay the closing date and time for any phase if City staff believe that an extension will be in the best interest of the City.

1.6.6. Reservation of Right to Amend RFP.

The City reserves the right to amend this RFP at any time during the process, if it believes that doing so is in the best interests of the City. Any addenda will be posted to the Procurement Portal. Companies are required to acknowledge receipt of each addendum.

1.6.7. No Collusion or Conflict of Interest.

By responding to this RFP, the Company shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that the Proposal is not made in connection with any competing Company submitting a separate response to this RFP and is in all respects fair and without collusion or fraud.

1.6.8. Proposal Terms Firm and Irreversible.

The signed Proposal shall be considered a firm offer on the part of the Company. The City reserves the right to negotiate price and other terms. All Proposal elements (including all statements, claims, declarations, prices, and specifications) shall be considered firm and irrevocable for purposes of future Contract negotiations unless specifically waived in writing by the City. The Company chosen for award should be prepared to have its Proposal and any relevant correspondence incorporated into the Contract, either in part or in its entirety, at the City's election. Any false or misleading statements found in the Proposal or Contract exceptions not included in the Proposal may be grounds for disqualification.

1.6.9. Charlotte Business INClusion Program.

Pursuant to Charlotte City Council’s adoption of the Charlotte Business INClusion (CBI) Policy, the CBI program promotes diversity, inclusion, and local business opportunities in the City’s contracting and procurement process for Minority-owned, Woman-owned, and Small Business Enterprises (MWSBEs) with a significant business presence in the Charlotte Combined Statistical Area. The CBI Policy is posted at www.charlottebusinessinclusion.com.

The City is committed to promoting opportunities for maximum participation of certified MWSBEs on City-funded contracts at both the prime and subcontract level. For MWSBE participation to count towards a Subcontracting Goal, MWSBEs must meet both the certification and geographic requirements as detailed throughout this solicitation and in the CBI Policy.

1.6.10. Subcontracting. The Company given contract award shall be the prime contractor and shall be solely responsible for contractual performance. In the event of a subcontracting relationship, the Company shall remain the prime contractor and will assume all https://charlottenc.bonfirehub.com/ https://charlottenc.bonfirehub.com/ http://www.charlottebusinessinclusion.com/ responsibility for the performance of the Services that are supplied by all subcontractors.

The City retains the right to approve all subcontractors. Additionally, the City must be named as a third-party beneficiary in all subcontracts.

1.6.11. Equal Opportunity.

The City has an equal opportunity purchasing policy. The City seeks to ensure that all segments of the business community have access to supplying the goods and services needed by City programs. The City provides equal opportunity for all businesses and does not discriminate against any Companies regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, and national origin or disability.

1.6.12. Use of City’s Name.

No advertising, sales promotion, or other materials of the Company or its agents or representatives may identify or reference the City in any manner absent the prior written consent of the City.

1.6.13. Withdrawal for Modification of Proposals.

Companies may change or withdraw a previously submitted Proposal at any time prior to the Proposal due date by editing or removing their submission on the Procurement Portal.

1.6.14. No Bribery.

In submitting a response to this RFP, each Company certifies that neither it, any of its affiliates or subcontractors, nor any employees of any of the foregoing has bribed, or attempted to bribe, an officer or employee of the City in connection with the Contract.

1.6.15. Exceptions to the RFP.

Other than exceptions that are stated in compliance with this Section, each Proposal shall be deemed to agree to comply with all terms, conditions, specifications, and requirements of this RFP including the Sample Contract language. An “exception” is defined as the Company’s inability or unwillingness to meet a term, condition, specification, or requirement in the manner specified in the RFP including in the Sample Contract. All exceptions taken must be identified and explained in writing in your Proposal and must specifically reference the relevant section(s) of this RFP. If the Company provides an alternate solution when taking an exception to a requirement, the benefits of this alternative solution and impact, if any, on any part of the remainder of the Company’s solution, must be described in detail.

Exceptions must be submitted under the Acknowledgement section in the Procurement Portal. If exceptions are not identified in your Proposal, they may not be considered during Contract negotiation and could result in Proposal being rejected from further consideration.

If legal counsel needs to review the Sample Contract prior to signature, reviews must be completed before your Proposal is submitted. The City reserves the right to refuse consideration of any terms not so included. Any proposed changes to the Sample Terms after tentative contract award may constitute a material change to the Company’s Proposal and be grounds for revoking the award.

The City intends to enter into a City-drafted Contract with the successful Company that contains the terms and conditions set forth in the Sample Services Contract. The number and extent of any exceptions and proposed additions to the Sample Terms will be one of the City’s evaluation criteria.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the City reserves the right to modify the Sample Terms prior to or during contract negotiations if it is in the City’s best interest to do so.

1.6.16. Fair Trade Certifications.

By submitting a Proposal, the Company certifies that:

• The prices in its Proposal have been arrived at independently, without consultation, communication, or agreement with anyone, as to any matter relating to such prices for the purpose of restricting competition;

• Unless otherwise required by law, the prices quoted in its Proposal have not been knowingly disclosed by the Company and will not knowingly be so disclosed prior to the Proposal due date; and

• No attempt has been made or will be made by the Company to induce any other person or firm to submit or not to submit a Proposal for the purpose of restricting competition.

1.6.17. Companies’ Obligation to Fully Inform Themselves.

Companies or their authorized representatives must fully inform themselves as to all conditions, requirements, and specifications of this RFP before submitting a Proposal.

Failure to do so will be at the Company’s own risk.

1.6.18. Environmentally Preferable Purchasing.

The City promotes the practice of Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) in acquiring products or services.

1.6.19. Disclaimer

Each Company must perform its own evaluation and due diligence verification of all information and data provided by the City. The City makes no representations or warranties regarding any information or data provided by the City.

Section 2 Procurement Process

2. PROCUREMENT PROCESS.

This Section 2 contains information about the procurement process for this Project.

2.1. Schedule and Process.

The following chart shows the schedule of events for the conduct of this RFP. The key events and deadlines for this process are as follows, some of which are set forth in more detail in the Sections that follow:

DATE EVENT

August 22, 2025 Issuance of RFP. The City issues this RFP.

September 2, 2025 Intent to Bid. Company submits its intent to submit a Proposal via the Procurement Portal for this RFP by 5:00 p.m.

September 5, 2025 Non-Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference to be held via the link indicated in Section 2.4 at 1:00 p.m.

September 8, 2025 Submission of Questions After the Pre-Proposal Conference. Questions are due by 5:00 p.m.

September 19, 2025 Proposal Submission. Proposals are due by 3:00 p.m. via the Procurement Portal.

September 2025

Evaluation. The Evaluation Committee will assess each Proposal and conduct evaluation activities with Companies.

September 2025 Contract Award by City Manager. (anticipated)

October 1, 2025 Services Commence. Company begins providing the Services.

2.2. Intent to Bid.

Please acknowledge receipt of this RFP through the Intent to Bid feature within the Procurement Portal, advising the City of your Company’s intention to submit or not submit a Proposal. The City strongly encourages Companies to submit their Intent to Bid prior to the Pre-Proposal Conference, but Companies shall not be precluded from submitting a Proposal if they fail to submit their Intent to Bid.

2.3. Interpretations and Addenda.

There are two (2) ways to ask questions about this RFP: (1) submit a question through the Vendor Discussion section on the Procurement Portal; or (2) ask a question at the Pre-Proposal Conference, if one is held. Other than these permitted methods, Companies should refrain from contacting City staff prior to the Proposal due date. The City is not bound by any statements, representations or clarifications regarding this RFP other than those provided in writing by the Procurement Officer.

After the Pre-Proposal Conference, questions must be submitted in the Procurement Portal by the deadline stated in Section 2.1. In the case of questions not submitted by the deadline, the City will, based on the availability of time to research and communicate an answer, decide whether an answer can be given before the Proposal deadline. When responding to Company questions or issuing addenda to the RFP, the City will post the answer or information to the Procurement Portal.

2.4. Pre-Proposal Conference.

A Non-Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference will be conducted on September 5, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.

Meeting information is provided below:

Click here to join –Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 276 556 749 130 Passcode: xL6Ep3K8 https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZDU2ZTk2NTItMWRjNC00MTRjLWJhMDUtYTQxYjQ5Mjk4NjY0%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%223392a0ee-6ccb-49c5-94b5-f5e6d8a665d6%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22f312740d-c153-4339-9160-e26a104e0ecc%22%7d

Dial in by phone +1 872-256-4172,139039730# United States, Chicago Find a local number Phone conference ID: 139 039 730#

While attendance at the Pre-Proposal Conference is not mandatory, all interested Companies are encouraged to attend. If special accommodations are required for attendance, please notify the City in advance through the Vendor Discussion section of the Procurement Portal.

2.5. Submission of Proposals.

Proposals must be in the format specified in Section 4 of this RFP by September 19, 2025, on or before but no later than 3:00 p.m.

Refer to the Bonfire Procurement Portal Instructions document in the Procurement Portal for submission instructions.

When received, all Proposals and supporting materials, as well as correspondence relating to this RFP, shall become the property of the City. The Proposals will not be read aloud or made available to inspect or copy until any trade secret issues have been resolved.

2.6. Correction of Errors.

The person signing the Proposal must initial erasures or other corrections in the Proposal. The Company further agrees that in the event of any obvious errors, the City reserves the right to waive such errors in its sole discretion. The City, however, has no obligation under any circumstances to waive such errors.

2.7. Evaluation.

As part of the evaluation process, the Evaluation Committee may engage in discussions with one or more Companies. Discussions might be held with individual Companies to determine in greater detail the Company’s qualifications, to explore with the Company the scope and nature of the required contractual Services, to learn the Company’s proposed method of performance and the relative utility of alternative methods, and to facilitate arriving at a Contract that will be satisfactory to the City.

The City may in its discretion require one (1) or more Companies to make presentations to the Evaluation Committee or appear before the City and/or its representatives for an interview. During such interview, the Company may be required to orally and otherwise present its Proposal and to respond in detail to any questions posed. Additional meetings may be held to clarify issues or to address comments, as the City deems appropriate. Companies will be notified in advance of the time and format of such meetings.

Since the City may choose to award a Contract without engaging in discussions or negotiations, the Proposals submitted shall state the Company's best offer for performing the Services described in this

RFP.

2.8. Contract Award by City Manager.

As soon as practical after opening the Proposals, the name of the apparent successful Company will be submitted to the City Manager for final approval of award and the Procurement Officer will provide Contract documents to the Company. In the event the City Manager approval is not received within one hundred eighty (180) calendar days after opening of the Proposals, the Company may request that it be released from the Proposal.

2.9. Vendor Inclusion.

The City’s vendor management philosophy supports a fair, open, and inclusive process that offers the same access and information to all Companies. Although Companies are not required to be registered in the City’s vendor registration system prior to submitting a Proposal, in order to execute a contract tel:+18722564172,,139039730 https://dialin.teams.microsoft.com/ca8a1d96-98e9-4511-8c69-d5b3e234b5e8?id=139039730 with the City and receive payment from the City, all Companies must register with the City’s vendor registration system.

Your registration provides the City with baseline information for your company including location, contact and demographic information, as well as your areas of expertise with specific commodity and/or service descriptions. You will also have the opportunity to complete any applicable certifications if your company desires to establish itself as an SBE, MBE, or WBE. The link below will provide you with the opportunity to complete your registration on-line with the City.

http://charlottenc.gov/vendors http://charlottenc.gov/vendors

Section 3 Scope of Services

3. SCOPE OF ON-CALL PLUMBING SERVICES.

3.1. General Scope.

The City of Charlotte is soliciting proposals from qualified companies to provide On-call Plumbing Services for more than 180 municipal facilities, structures, and other assets.

The selected company must be capable of furnishing all labor, tools, equipment, transportation, supervision, and effort necessary to provide the required services. The Company shall be available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year to complete any requested services by the City. The Company shall respond to emergency call for service within 2 hours.

The City reserves the right to select more than one company for award and to assign projects based on the capability of the company. The City also reserves the right to solicit a quote for services from one or more companies prior to assigning an individual project.

For the purposes of this RFP, assume a contract term of two (2) years, and three (3) separate, one-year renewals.

Services shall include, but may not be limited to:

• Unclog water service lines from the meter to the facility and make sure they are totally free of debris;

• Unclog various drains and pipes;

• Inspect various types of sewer lines using pipe video equipment;

• Repair leaking water and sewer line to proper working order;

• Repair irrigation systems to original or better condition;

• Repair fixtures, such as faucets, or replace if broken beyond repair;

• If excavation work is required, locate all underground utilities to ensure none will be damaged;

• Install new water and sewer lines from taps to plumbing fixtures.

The City reserves the right to prepare an individual Scope of Work and require a proposal with complete breakdown of material, equipment and labor cost for each project consistent with the prices established per Exhibit A – pricing above. The City may solicit a quote for Services from one or more companies prior to assigning an individual project.

3.2. Change Orders.

Alterations or modifications to the work performed under the contract shall be made only by written Change Order between the company and the City Point of Contact prior to commencement of the altered or modified work. No claims for any extra work or materials will be allowed unless covered by written Change Order.

3.3. Clean Up.

All clean up shall comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations. The Company shall maintain a neat and orderly project site, free from the accumulation of waste materials, debris, or rubbish caused by the work. The Company shall remove from the site all tools, surplus materials, debris, or rubbish and shall leave the site and the work in a neat and orderly fashion at the completion of the work.

Advance arrangements may be made, with the Project Manager approval, for the use of City owned or leased waste containers for required clean up and disposal.

3.4. Emergency Contact.

The Company shall provide at least two (2) telephone numbers that may be used to successfully contact the Company or an authorized representative in the event of an urgent or emergency situation after normal business hours.

3.5. Equipment.

All companies shall have in their possession, or available to them, sufficient equipment, hand tools, materials, and supplies necessary to perform the work as outlined in the Scope of Services.

3.6. Hazardous Materials.

If the Company encounters any materials considered or suspected of being hazardous, company personnel shall immediately secure the area and contact the Charlotte‐Mecklenburg Hazardous Materials Coordinator, telephone 704‐336‐2461 for further instructions.

3.7. Materials and Equipment Storage.

The Company shall be responsible for locating and providing storage areas for construction materials and equipment. The material and equipment storage shall comply with all local and state ordinances.

The Company shall return the storage area to its original condition upon completion of the project or upon such time as directed by the City. Restoration shall be at no additional cost to the City.

The Company shall be responsible for the safeguarding of materials and equipment against fire, theft, and vandalism, and shall not hold the City responsible in any way for the occurrences of same.

Prior to final payment being made, the Company shall obtain a release from the property owner of the storage area utilized for the project.

3.8. Project Location Inspections.

All trades shall be performed by skilled craftsmen. Satisfactory work and housekeeping will be maintained by the Company at all times. The worksite conditions, progress of work, and quality of work at each project location may be inspected by the City on a continual basis. Any condition or situation deemed by the City to be unsatisfactory shall be remedied as soon as logistically possible, but not later than within 24 hours. During its inspection, the City may note whether each project location is satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

3.9. Safety.

The Company shall provide a safe work environment in accordance with all local, state, Federal, and applicable OSHA regulations. Employees must wear OSHA required safety equipment while working.

All personnel must wear high visibility safety vests that meet ANSI (The American National Standards Institute) standards while working in traffic areas.

3.10. Staffing Requirements and Identification of Company Personnel.

The Company shall provide a sufficient work force and supervisory personnel to perform the specified services and to meet the requirements of the City. The City has the right to require any additional personnel that the City deems necessary to complete the project. The City also has the right to require removal and replacement of any personnel deemed unsatisfactory by the City.

Personnel shall maintain a neat and clean appearance, with identification clearly identifying the person and the name of their company. Shirts must be worn at all times, with shirt tails tucked in.

Tank tops are not permitted.

3.11. Subcontracts.

The City shall retain the right of approval of all subcontractors.

3.12. Supervision.

One competent individual, fluent in the English language and authorized to act in a supervisory capacity for the company over the services on the project, shall be available at all times. The individual so authorized shall be a full‐time employee of the company, experienced in the type of work being performed. The individual must be fully capable of managing, directing, and coordinating the services, reading and thoroughly understanding the contract, and receiving and carrying out directions from the City. The competent individual shall be reachable via cell phone (Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM) during the contract period.

3.13. Warranty of Materials and Workmanship.

All materials and equipment provided shall be listed and labeled for the purpose intended and must be in good working order. All work provided shall have at minimum, a one‐year warranty from the date of final acceptance against any latent defects, design, materials, workmanship and installation. All materials used shall be new and work must be performed by skilled technicians.

3.14. Working Hours.

Routine operations shall generally be performed between the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, except for City‐observed holidays. Emergency or non‐routine work shall be performed as necessary with prior approval from the City.

4. PROPOSAL CONTENT AND FORMAT.

The City desires all Proposals to be identical in format in order to facilitate comparison. While the City’s format may represent departure from the Company’s preference, the City requires strict adherence to the format. All Forms and Questionnaires shall be found and submitted in the City’s Procurement Portal. The Proposal shall be submitted in the format described below:

A. Cover letter;

B. Pricing Worksheet for FY26-RFP-08 (Pricing Response);

C. Required Forms;

• The “Proposal Submission” Form;

• The “References” Form;

• The “MWSBE Utilization” Form;

• The “Company Employee’s Licensing and Certifications” Form;

• The “Company’s Background Response” Questionnaire;

• The “Safety Assessment” Form; and

D. Exceptions to the Remainder of the RFP, including the Sample Contract.

Proposal Content.

4.1. Cover Letter.

The Proposal must include a letter of transmittal attesting to its accuracy, signed by an individual authorized to execute binding legal documents. The cover letter shall provide the name, address, telephone and facsimile numbers of the Company along with the name, title, address, email address, and telephone numbers of the executive that has the authority to contract with the City. The cover letter shall present the Company's understanding of the Project and a summary of the approach to perform the Services.

4.2. Required Forms.

To be deemed responsive to this RFP, Companies must complete all Proposal Forms listed in the Requested Information section on the Procurement Portal

4.3. Acknowledgements.

To be deemed responsive to this RFP, Companies must complete all Acknowledgements listed in the Requested Information section on the Procurement Portal.

4.4. Exceptions to the RFP.

Companies must review Section 1.6.15 for an overview of Exceptions to the RFP. If you elect to take Exceptions to the RFP, including the Sample Contract, then you must upload a redlined version under the Acknowledgement Section in the Procurement Portal. If exceptions are not identified by way of an uploaded redline version, then they may not be considered during Contract negotiation and could result in Proposal being rejected from further consideration.

5. PROPOSAL EVALUATION CRITERIA.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the Company's ability to meet the performance requirements of this RFP.

This section provides a description of the evaluation criteria that will be used to evaluate the Proposals. To be deemed responsive, it is important for the Company to provide appropriate detail to demonstrate satisfaction of each criterion and compliance with the performance provisions outlined in this RFP. The Company’s Proposal will be the primary source of information used in the evaluation process. Proposals must contain information specifically related to the proposed Services and requested herein. Failure of any Company to submit information requested may result in the elimination of the Proposal from further evaluation.

Proposals will be assessed to determine the most comprehensive, competitive and best value solution for the City based on, but not limited to, the criteria below. The City reserves the right to modify the evaluation criteria or waive portions thereof. Proposals will be evaluated on the following major categories:

a. Qualifications, Experience, And Approach;

b. Cost Effectiveness and Value; and

c. Acceptance of the Terms of the Contract

5.1. Qualifications, Experience, and Approach.

Companies will be evaluated based upon their understanding, experience and qualifications in performing the same or substantially similar Services, as reflected by its experience in performing such Services. The evaluation will include references regarding work for organizations with needs similar to the City's, and the feasibility of the Company's approach for the provision of the Services.

5.2. Cost Effectiveness and Value.

Under this criterion, Proposals will be compared in terms of the most reasonable and effective pricing options. The Evaluation Committee will also take into consideration any indirect costs associated with the Services and administration of the Contract.

5.3. Acceptance of the Terms of the Contract.

The City will evaluate the Proposals for compliance with the terms, conditions, requirements, and specifications stated in this RFP including the sample contract language provided. Regardless of exceptions taken, Companies shall provide pricing based on the requirements and terms set forth in this RFP. Exceptions shall be identified in accordance with Sections 1.6.15 of this RFP.