Add No.1 QA ITB 2026001.pdf

DEP Solicitation No. 2026001 Addendum No. 1 Page 1 of 6

ADDENDUM No. 1

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

DEP Procurement Section

3800 Commonwealth Boulevard, MS#93 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000

March 23, 2026

Addendum To: DEP Solicitation No. 2026001, entitled “Operations and Maintenance Services for Wastewater Treatment Plants”

The Department hereby answers questions posed by prospective Vendors. This addendum does not need to be returned with the response.

Question Number

Solicitation Section

Solicitation Page

Number Question / Answer

1.

Requests that the Department revise the scope of ITB 2026001 to allow two separate lots:

• Lot 1 – Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations

• Lot 2 – Lift Station Inspection and Maintenance

The current bundled structure combines fundamentally different service types and materially restricts competition. Allowing separate lots would expand vendor participation and likely reduce overall cost to the State.

Additionally, we request that the licensing requirement for Deliverable 2 (Lift Station Maintenance and Operation) be revised to remove the requirement for a Class C Certified Plant Operator for routine lift station inspections and minor maintenance activities.

Lift stations are not wastewater treatment plants and do not independently require certified plant operator licensure under F.A.C. 62-602. Requiring a Class C license for lift station-only work unnecessarily increases labor cost and limits qualified participation.

We request that the Department issue an addendum revising the solicitation accordingly.

We will not be changing the scope of work for this solicitation to allow two separate lots or to revise the licensing requirement for Deliverable 2.

2.

Please provide a copy of the previous bid tabulation for the most recent contract covering these services.

Additionally, please provide the total annual budgeted and actual spend for the past three (3) fiscal years for wastewater treatment plant operations, lift station maintenance, sludge hauling, emergency services, and major repairs associated with these facilities.

Addendum No. 1 Page 2 of 6

Question Number

Solicitation Section

Solicitation Page

Number Question / Answer

This information is necessary for accurate cost modeling and responsible pricing.

Information about the previous Contract #RP897 can be found on the Florida Accountability Contract Tracking System at the following link:

https://facts.fldfs.com/Search/ContractDetail.aspx?AgencyId=3700 00&ContractId=RP897

3.

1.2 Background

and Program Information

Who is the current contractor or entity operating the wastewater treatment plants and lift stations under the existing contract?

Biometric Utility Consultants, Inc.

4.

2.3.1.2

Question & Answer Period

Can the Department provide the pricing tabulation or bid results from the previous contract for these wastewater treatment plants?

See answer to Question #2.

5.

3.4.1.1

Executive Summary

The Executive Summary requests respondents to identify their CBE status. Is this solicitation associated with any specific Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) participation goals or requirements, and if so, what CBE categories are recognized for this contract?

Refer to ITB sections 2.20 Diversity and Section 5 Award.

6.

4.3 Contractor

Responsibilities 17

The Scope states the Contractor shall provide all necessary permits and licenses to perform the work. Is the Contractor responsible for renewing the WWTP operating permits during the contract term, or will the Department handle permit renewals and associated fees?

The cost and the renewal of the WWTP Operating Permit is the responsibility of the Department.

7.

4.3 Contractor

Responsibilities 18

Will the digesters at the wastewater treatment plants be empty at the start of the new contract term, or will sludge management from existing conditions be the responsibility of the incoming Contractor?

The digesters are scheduled to be emptied before the current contract ends.

8.

3.4.2 Price

Sheet / Form D 15, 27

Are price adjustments or CPI escalations allowed during the contract term or renewal periods, or are the submitted prices fixed for the entire contract duration?

There are no price adjustments or CPI escalations if CPI means “Contract Price Increase” allowed during the initial or renewal contract terms.

9. 4.1 Scope of Work 17 At Blue Spring State Park, is there a service entrance or another designated access point that allows contractor personnel to bypass https://facts.fldfs.com/Search/ContractDetail.aspx?AgencyId=370000&ContractId=RP897 https://facts.fldfs.com/Search/ContractDetail.aspx?AgencyId=370000&ContractId=RP897

Addendum No. 1 Page 3 of 6

Question Number

Solicitation Section

Solicitation Page

Number Question / Answer public entrance lines when accessing the wastewater treatment facility for routine service visits?

There is no alternate entrance. The Contractor will be merged into the front of the line and allowed access with minimal wait time.

10.

4.3 Contractor

Responsibilities 18

The Scope requires the Contractor to monitor and record daily flows in gallons per minute and gallons per day. Is there a specific regulatory or permit requirement driving the gallons-per-minute reporting requirement?

Yes. This is based on the requirements set forth by the Operating Permits. Refer to the Draft Contract, Exhibit J – Operating Permits Blue Spring & Hontoon Island State Park.

11.

4.3 Contractor

Responsibilities 18

Can the Department provide historical chemical usage for the previous 12 months for each facility?

Approximately a five (5) gallon bucket of chlorine tabs is used for each plant. Other chemicals are only used on an as needed basis.

12.

4.3 Contractor

Responsibilities 18

The Scope requires operation, maintenance, and annual calibration of the flow meters. How many total flow meters will the Contractor be responsible for maintaining and calibrating under this contract, and at which facilities are they located?

There is one (1) at Hontoon Island State Park and one (1) at Blue Spring State Park.

13.

4.3 Contractor

Responsibilities 19

The Scope mentions maintaining good housekeeping of the facility area. Does the contract require any ground or landscape maintenance (e.g., mowing, vegetation trimming, etc.), or is the Contractor only responsible for housekeeping within the plant facility areas?

Please refer to Section 4.3, Contractor Responsibilities, (a) Deliverables, Deliverables 1: (x) Maintain good housekeeping of the facility and remove all unsightly debris and materials from the facility area(s) within the park on a regular basis.

14.

4.3 Contractor

Responsibilities 19

For planning and pricing purposes, how many sludge hauling events were performed during the previous year at the Blue Spring and Hontoon Island wastewater treatment plants?

Hontoon Island State Park was closed and there was limited visitation. Therefore, no sludge removal was needed. Blue Spring State Park had one (1) sludge removal service, which is not typical for the park. There is work being done on the ponds, which will require additional sludge removals once the work has been completed.

15. 4.3 Contractor Responsibilities 19

Can the Department provide an inventory and approximate age of major equipment at each wastewater treatment plant (blowers, pumps, aeration equipment, control panels, etc.)?

Addendum No. 1 Page 4 of 6

Question Number

Solicitation Section

Solicitation Page

Number Question / Answer

No. The Department cannot provide an inventory list. Based on historical data, Hontoon Island State Park’s WWTP was constructed in 1995 and Blue Spring State Park’s WWTP was constructed in 2002. The age of the equipment is unknown.

16.

4.3 Contractor

Responsibilities 19

The Scope includes sludge removal services for the wastewater treatment plants. Due to the location of Hontoon Island State Park, can the Department clarify how sludge hauling is currently conducted at this facility (e.g., barge transport, ferry access, or other method), and whether the Department provides any assistance with transportation logistics?

The sludge is dried in the designated area in the plant, bagged, and removed. The Contractor can use the ferry to remove the sludge.

The amount is typically minimal.

17.

4.3 Contractor

Responsibilities 19

Are spare parts or critical replacement equipment currently available onsite for major components such as pumps, blowers, or motors?

Typically, the Department keeps a minimal supply of replacement components. Pumps are normally on hand. We can work with the Contractor to have more replacement equipment on hand.

18.

4.3 Contractor

Responsibilities 19

Are there any known operational deficiencies, compliance issues, or pending regulatory actions associated with the facilities?

There are no operational deficiencies or compliance issues. In regard to pending regulatory actions, Hontoon Island and Blue Spring State Parks WWTP’s are within the boundaries of the Volusia Blue Spring Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP). We are working on strategies to reach compliance, and this will continue with the new Contract.

19.

4.3 Contractor

Responsibilities 19

Does the Department provide any on-site storage or workspace for the Contractor’s tools, spare parts, and operational materials?

Currently we do not have on-site storage for any tools/equipment.

The Department is open to requests from the Contractor.

20.

4.3 Contractor

Responsibilities 19

Are utilities such as electricity, water, and internet/communications provided by the Department or must they be provided by the Contractor?

There is access to water at Blue Spring State Park’s WWTP. There is access to water and electricity at Hontoon Island State Park’s WWTP. There is no access to the internet at any of the WWTP’s.

There is no access to utilities (water, electricity, or internet) at the lift stations.

21.

4.3 Contractor

Responsibilities 20

Are there any SCADA or remote monitoring systems installed at the facilities or lift stations, and if so, will the Contractor be responsible for maintaining them?

No.

Addendum No. 1 Page 5 of 6

Question Number

Solicitation Section

Solicitation Page

Number Question / Answer

22.

4.3 Contractor

Responsibilities 20

What is the expected response protocol for lift station alarms or failures outside normal service hours, besides simply the 4 hour response requirement?

The response expectation is the same.

23.

4.3 Contractor

Responsibilities 17–20

Are there any major capital repairs, equipment replacements, or facility upgrades currently planned or anticipated during the contract term that may affect plant operations?

The Department is currently working to standardize the control panels, and we will continue to work on that as funding becomes available. There are no major capital repairs/upgrades scheduled at this time. That could change if we are not able to meet the new BMAP standards.

24.

4.3 Contractor

Responsibilities 18–20

If equipment fails due to age or normal wear and tear (not negligence), will the replacement be considered a Major Repair reimbursable by the Department or the responsibility of the Contractor?

Refer to Section 4.3 Contractor Responsibilities, Deliverable 3: Major Repairs.

25.

4.3 Contractor

Responsibilities 33

The Additional Price Schedule includes a line item for “Backflow Test as Required.” Are any backflow prevention devices currently installed at the facilities, and if so, how many devices will the Contractor be responsible for testing when requested?

There is one (1) at Blue Spring State Park, two (2) at Hontoon Island State Park, and three (3) at Wekiwa Springs State Park.

– Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank –

Addendum No. 1 Page 6 of 6

In accordance with Section 2.6, Addenda/Amendments to the RFP, the Department hereby formally amends the Solicitation. The amendments are indicated in blue with strikethrough for deletions and underlines for additions.

1.8 Timeline of Events

The following schedule will be strictly adhered to in all actions relative to this Solicitation. The Department reserves the right to modify this schedule and will notify participants in the Solicitation by posting an addendum to this Solicitation on VIP. It is the responsibility of the Respondent to check VIP on a regular basis for such updates.

Event Date Time* Location/Method

ITB Advertised 2/9/26 N/A Vendor Information Portal

Optional Pre-Response Site Visit - 1 2/24/26 9:00 AM

Hontoon Island State Park, 2309 River Ridge Road, DeLand FL 32720;

Optional Pre-Response Site Visit - 2 2/24/26 TBD Blue Spring State Park, 2100 W.

French Ave., Orange City FL 32763;

Optional Pre-Response Site Visit - 3 02/25/26 9:00 AM Wekiwa Springs State Park, 1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka FL 32712

Questions Due 3/9/26 5:00 PM Email to Procurement Officer

Answers Posted (Anticipated) On or about:

03/23/26 3/16/26

Vendor Information Portal

Responses Due 04/06/26

3/30/26 3:00 PM

Department of Environmental Protection DEP Procurement Section, Room 215 3800 Commonwealth Blvd, MS93 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000

Public Opening 04/07/26

3/31/26 10:00 AM

Teleconference by calling 1-850-629-

Phone Conference ID: 490 403 149# The number will be active 5 minutes before the meeting

Award Date (Anticipated) On or about:

04/21/26 4/15/26

Vendor Information Portal

*All times are Eastern Time Zone.

– Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank –