Solicitation No. 121580, Business Case Development

WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION

SOLICITATION NO. 121580

BUSINESS CASE DEVELOPMENT

Due Date and Time: Thursday, December 17, 2026, 2:00 pm

Table Of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

2. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

3. INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS/OFFERORS

4. ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

5. GENERAL CONDITIONS - PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

6. SPECIAL CONDITIONS

7. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

8. SCOPE OF WORK

9. EVALUATION FACTORS

10. MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (MBE) AND SMALL LOCAL BUSINESS

ENTERPRISE (SLBE) PROGRAMS

11. PRICING PROPOSAL

12. VENDOR QUESTIONNAIRE

13. ATTACHMENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Summary

The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, MD (the "WSSC Water"), is soliciting sealed responses for

Business Case Development. Responses are to be submitted via WSSC's eProcurement Portal via https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/wsscwater PRIOR TO 2:00 pm on Thursday, December 17, 2026.

Late responses will not be accepted.

WSSC Water seeks to establish Multiple Award Basic Ordering Agreements (BOAs) with qualified consulting firms to provide on-call professional services to develop Business Case Evaluations (BCEs). Work will be authorized through individual Task Orders. The BCE will cover the following areas.

• Architecture and Engineering

• Facilities/Real Property Management

• Capital Improvement Program Controls

• Software Evaluation Services

• Non-asset solutions

• Public / Community outreach and/or Mandatory Referral Process

• Economic Analysis

• Software

The Commission does not guarantee any minimum quantity of work under this BOA.

1.2. Timeline

Release Project Date: October 30, 2026 https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/wsscwater

Pre-Bid Meeting (Non-Mandatory): November 10, 2026, 10:00am

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join:

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/26022147

6381378?p=6s0pjqHhddaBRUWEGr

Meeting ID: 260 221 476 381 378

Passcode: g9bv9pM2

Dial in by phone

+1 240-800-7929,,915015984# United

States, Bethesda

Find a local number

Phone conference ID: 915 015 984#

For organizers: Meeting options | Reset dial-in PIN

Question Submission Deadline: November 16, 2026, 12:00pm

Response Submission Deadline: December 17, 2026, 2:00pm

Vendor Discussions (Anticipated Date #1): January 26, 2027

Vendor Discussions (Anticipated Date #2): January 27, 2027 https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/260221476381378?p=6s0pjqHhddaBRUWEGr https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/260221476381378?p=6s0pjqHhddaBRUWEGr

2. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Each Offeror shall meet the following minimum qualifications to be considered for the Award:

A. The Offeror shall demonstrate successful performance of services comparable in size, scope, complexity, and nature to those listed in the scope of work.1. Provide references from three (3) of the Offeror’s customers for the past five (5) years for services that are similar in scope, size, and complexity to the services described in this RFP and provide the following information:

o Customer name and address, o Contract name with email address and phone number, o Time period in which work was performed, and o Short description of work performed.

B.

3. INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS/OFFERORS

3.1. COMPLIANCE WITH COMMISSION PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS

The Commission's Procurement Regulations, WSSC Code of Regulations, Title 6, Chapter 6.15, are incorporated into this Solicitation and made a part of this Solicitation by reference. The Procurement

Regulations can be viewed online at https://wssc.district.codes/Code/6.15.

3.2. DEFINITIONS

Whenever the following words occur in these Instructions to Bidders/Offerors, they shall have the following meanings.

A. "Bidder" means any person submitting a bid in response to an invitation for bids ("IFB") or a request for quotations ("RFQ").

B. "Contract Documents" means all documents that are included, attached, or referenced in a Solicitation.

C. "Invitation for bids" ("IFB") means all documents, whether attached or incorporated by reference, utilized for soliciting bids.

D. "Invitation for prequalification" ("IFP") means all documents, whether attached or incorporated by reference, utilized for prequalifying potential bidders.

E. "Offeror" means any person submitting a proposal to a request for proposals ("RFP") or invitation for prequalification ("IFP").

F. "Request for proposals" ("RFP") means all documents, whether attached or incorporated by reference, utilized for soliciting proposals.

G. "Responsible" means a person who has the capability in all respects to perform fully the requirements stated in the invitation for bids and request for proposals, respectively, and the integrity and reliability that will assure good faith performance.

H. "Responsive" means a person who has submitted a bid or a proposal that fully conforms to the invitation for bids or request for proposals.

I. "Solicitation" means an invitation for bids, a request for proposals, a request for quotations, an invitation for pre-qualification, or any other document issued by WSSC for the purpose of soliciting bids or proposals to perform a WSSC contract.

https://wssc.district.codes/Code/6.15

3.3. WSSC’S SUPPLIER PORTAL SYSTEM

Bidders/Offerors are required to register in WSSC's Supplier Portal System in accordance with WSSC Code of

Regulations, Title 6, Chapter 6.25, at the time of bid opening or proposal submission due dates. Failure to have an active supplier profile prior to this time may render the bid or proposal non-responsive. Information regarding the Supplier Portal System can be found online at https://wssc.district.codes/Code/6.25 and www.wsscwater.com.

3.4. EXPLANATION OF CONTRACT DOCUMENTS TO PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS/OFFERORS

Any prospective Bidder/Offeror must carefully examine the Solicitation. If a prospective Bidder/Offeror is unclear as to the meaning or intent of any of the Contract Documents included in the Solicitation, the prospective Bidder/Offeror shall request a clarification from the Procurement Office before its bid/proposal is submitted.

All questions pertaining to the Solicitation or Contract Documents shall only be submitted by a Bidder/Offeror to the Procurement Officer identified in the Solicitation via the Online Discussion feature in the Supplier Portal.

Questions submitted via email shall not be answered. Replies, where warranted, will be by addenda issued electronically to all parties who have downloaded the Solicitation. Questions received less than ten (10) days prior to the date for opening of bids or due date for receipt of proposals may not be answered. Only questions answered by formal written addenda will be binding. Questions received after this deadline may be addressed at the discretion of the Commission. Oral and other interpretations or clarifications will be without legal effect.

Any information given to a prospective Bidder/Offeror by the Commission will be furnished to all prospective

Bidders/Offerors via Online Discussion in the Supplier Portal.

Any information given to a prospective Bidder/Offeror by the Commission will be furnished to all prospective

Bidders/Offerors.

3.5. SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR ACCESS TO PLANS AND DRAWINGS

In order to receive plans and drawings related to the Solicitation, a prospective Bidder's/Offeror's representative must first be approved through a security background investigation. The Bidder's/Offeror's representative can obtain an application for a security clearance by contacting WSSC''s Procurement Office by phone, (301) 206-8288. Requests for plans and drawings can only be fulfilled for representatives having successfully completed the security investigation. Multiple representatives may gain security clearance to request plans and drawings.

Additionally, plans and drawings may be accessed through E-Builder® ASP software. A user name and password is issued by the Procurement Officer upon request. To obtain a user name and password for access, a

Bidder's/Offeror's representative must first obtain a security clearance.

3.6. SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS (COMPETITIVE SEALED PROPOSALS)

A. Form And Content Of A Proposal The Solicitation will identify the required form and contents of a proposal. Failure to submit a proposal that meets the requirements of the Solicitation may lead to the proposal being deemed non-responsive or non-responsible.

https://wssc.district.codes/Code/6.25 https://www.wsscwater.com/

B. Proposal Delivery The Solicitation will identify the time and manner in which a proposal shall be delivered to the Commission. Any proposal received after the exact time for receipt will be deemed non-responsive. The proposal will not be considered for award and will be returned to the Offeror unopened.

However, an exception may be made when a late proposal would have been timely but for the action or inaction of the Commission. An Offeror assumes all risks for timely delivery of a bid.

3.7. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS TO THE SOLICITATION

Each Bidder/Offeror shall acknowledge receipt of any amendment to the Solicitation in accordance with the instructions stated in the amendment or otherwise stated in the Solicitation. If a Bidder/Offeror fails to acknowledge the amendment prior to the deadline for submitting a bid or proposal, the bid or proposal may be deemed nonresponsive.

3.8. WITHDRAWAL OF A PROPOSAL (COMPETITIVE SEALED PROPOSALS)

An Offeror may withdraw a proposal by "Unsubmitting" their response in the eProcurement Portal. The established due date for the written notice is either the time and date stated in the Solicitation for receipt of proposals or receipt of modifications to proposals, if any; or if discussions have begun, it is the time and date by which best and final offers must be submitted.

3.9. MISTAKES IN PROPOSALS (COMPETITIVE SEALED PROPOSALS)

A. Mistakes in Proposals Discovered Before Proposal Opening A Offeror may correct mistakes discovered before the time and date set for proposal opening by withdrawing or correcting the proposal.

B. Mistakes Discovered After Receipt of Proposals But Before Award

i. During Discussions - Prior to Best and Final Offers. Once discussions are commenced with any offeror or after best and final offers are requested, any offeror may freely correct any mistake by modifying or withdrawing the proposal until the time and date set for receipt of best and final offers.

ii. After Best and Final Offers. If discussions are not held or if the best and final offers upon which award will be made have been received, mistakes may be corrected, and the intended correct offer considered only if:

1. The mistake and the intended correct offer are clearly evident on the face of the proposal, in which event the proposal may not be withdrawn; or

2. The mistake is not clearly evident on the face of the proposal, but the offeror submits objective evidence which clearly and convincingly demonstrates both the existence of a mistake and the intended correct offer, and such correction would not be contrary to the fair and equal treatment of other offerors.

iii. Withdrawal of Proposals. If discussions are not held, or if the best and final offers upon which award will be made have been received, the offeror may be permitted to withdraw the proposal if:

1. The mistake is clearly evident on the face of the proposal and the intended correct offer is not;

2. The offeror submits objective evidence which clearly and convincingly demonstrates that a mistake was made but does not demonstrate the intended correct offer; or

3. The offeror submits objective evidence which clearly and convincingly demonstrates the intended correct offer, but to allow correction would be contrary to the fair and equal treatment of the other offerors.

3.10. BIDDER/OFFEROR QUALIFICATIONS

A. Performance Capability A Bidder/Offeror shall be responsible and have the capability to properly perform the work described in the Contract Documents, and shall have the necessary expertise, manpower, equipment, capacity and sufficient financial resources to execute the work described in the Contract

Documents properly within the time specified.

The Commission, at its discretion, may make such investigations it deems necessary to determine the ability of a

Bidder/Offeror to perform the work described in the Contract Documents, and the Bidder/Offeror shall furnish to the

Commission such information and data for this purpose as the Commission may request. The Commission may visit any prospective Contractor's place of business, contracts in progress, or contact persons knowledgeable of the

Bidder/Offeror's background to determine its ability, capacity, reliability, financial stability, or other factors necessary to perform the work described in the Contract Documents in a manner satisfactory to the Commission.

The Commission may determine a Bidder/Offeror non-responsible if the Commission determines the Bidder/Offeror does not have the capability, integrity, or reliability to perform the work described in the Contract Documents.

3.11. BONDS AND INSURANCE

The Bidder/Offer to whom a contract is recommended for award shall submit any required bonds and insurance documents to the Procurement Office in accordance with the Procurement Office's instructions. Failure to submit the required documentation within the time period specified may be cause for deeming the bid or proposal non-responsible.

3.12. PROTESTS

Any protest concerning the Solicitation shall be decided by the Chief Procurement Officer in accordance with Procurement

Regulations, WSSC Code of Regulations, Title 6, Chapter 6.15.550.

A. Right To Protest Any actual or prospective Bidder or Offeror who is aggrieved in connection with a Solicitation or an award of a Contract may protest to the Chief Procurement Officer. The protest shall be in writing and filed with the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer within seven (7) days after such aggrieved person knows or should have known of the facts giving rise to the protest. A protest shall be considered untimely if it is not received by the Office of the Chief

Procurement Officer within the time period stated above. A Bidder or Offeror is aggrieved only if the Bidder or Offeror can demonstrate that, should the protest be sustained, the Bidder or Offeror may be eligible for the award.

B. Form Of Protest The written protest shall include, at a minimum, the following: (a) name and address of the protestor,

(2) Solicitation or Contract number, (3) statement of reasons for the protest, and (4) supporting exhibits, evidence, or documents to substantiate any claims.

C. Filing Fee The filing fee for a protest is ONE THOUSAND AND EIGHTY DOLLARS ($1,080.00). The filing fee shall be paid in the form of a check payable to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. If the protest is sustained by the Chief Procurement Officer, the protester will be entitled to a refund of the filing fee. A PROTEST

SHALL BE CONSIDERED UNTIMELY IF THE FILING FEE IS NOT RECEIVED BY THE PROCUREMENT

OFFICE WITHIN THE TIME LIMITATIONS TO FILE A PROTEST.

D. Authority To Resolve Protests The Chief Procurement Officer, after consultation with the General Counsel's Office, shall have the authority, before the commencement of an action in court concerning the controversy, to settle and resolve a protest of an aggrieved Bidder or Offeror concerning the Solicitation or award of a contract.

E. Award Of A Contract During A Protest In the event of a timely protest, the Commission shall not proceed further with a Solicitation or with the award of a contract until after a written decision on the protest has been issued by the

Chief Procurement Officer, unless the Chief Procurement Officer, after consultation with the General Counsel's Office and the appropriate using department, determines in writing that awarding a contract without delay is necessary to protect the interests of the Commission.

F. Final Decision If the protest is not resolved by mutual agreement, the Chief Procurement Officer must adjudicate the protest on the record and issue a final written decision within twenty-one (21) days of receiving the protest. The decision must: (a) state the reasons for the action taken and (2) inform the Bidder or Offeror of its right to appeal the written decision.

G. Appeal To Court The aggrieved Bidder or Offeror may appeal the written decision of the Chief Procurement Officer to the Circuit Court for Montgomery County or the Circuit Court for Prince George's County under the Maryland Rules governing administrative mandamus actions.

H. Entitlement To Bid Preparation Costs If a protest is sustained by the Chief Procurement Officer and the protesting

Bidder or Offeror should have been, but was not, awarded the contract under the Solicitation, the aggrieved Bidder or

Offeror shall be entitled to the reasonable costs incurred in connection with the Solicitation, including bid preparation costs. The aggrieved Bidder or Offeror shall not be entitled to recover any attorneys' fees incurred in connection with the Solicitation or protest.

3.13. SOLICITATION CANCELLATION

A Solicitation may be canceled, or any or all bids or proposals may be rejected in whole or in part when the Chief Procurement

Officer deems it to be in the best interests of WSSC. Notice of such a decision must be made in writing and provided to all bidders or offerors.

3.14. CONTRACT AWARD

A. Construction Contracts or Design/Build Contracts (Competitive Sealed Bidding) Contracts for construction or design/build using a competitive sealed bidding procurement will be awarded in accordance with MD. Code Ann., Pub. Util. § 20-105(b).

B. Construction Contracts or Design/Build Contracts (Competitive Sealed Proposals) Contracts for construction or design/build using a competitive sealed proposals procurement will be awarded in accordance with MD. Code Ann., Pub. Util. § 20-105(c).

C. Other Contracts (Competitive Sealed Bidding) Contracts that are not for construction or design/build using a competitive sealed bidding procurement will be awarded in accordance with Procurement

Regulations, WSSC Code of Regulations, Title 6, Chapter 6.15.310.

D. Other Contracts (Competitive Sealed Proposals) Contracts that are not for construction or design/build using a competitive sealed proposals procurement will be awarded in accordance with

Procurement Regulations, WSSC Code of Regulations, Title 6, Chapter 6.15.320.

3.15. EXECUTION AND ACCEPTANCE OF A CONTRACT

A contract shall not be considered accepted by the Commission and binding upon the Commission until (1) a contract has been executed by the Chief Procurement Officer or an authorized designee acting within the scope of his/her authority and (2) a Notice to Proceed has been issued.

The Commission reserves the right to cancel a recommended award of a contract without liability to the Commission at any time prior to (1) a Contract being executed by the Chief Procurement Officer or an authorized designee acting within the scope of his/her authority or (2) a Notice to Proceed being issued. Upon cancelling a recommended award, a recommended award may then be made to the next ranked responsive and responsible Bidder/Offeror or the Solicitation may be cancelled and re-advertised.

Failure by a Bidder/Offeror to execute a contract, submit such other documents as required by the

Contract Documents, or file acceptable insurance and bonds within the time directed shall be just cause for canceling the recommended award. Upon cancelling a recommended award, a recommended award may then be made to the next ranked responsive and responsible Bidder/Offeror or the Solicitation may be cancelled and re-advertised.

Subcontract plans must be entered and approved in the web-based compliance system in accordance with the Commission's directives. Failure by a Bidder/Offeror to comply with such directives shall be just cause for canceling a recommended award. Upon cancelling a recommended award, a recommended award may then be made to the next ranked responsive and responsible Bidder/Offeror or the Solicitation may be cancelled and readvertised.

A Notice to Proceed will be issued after (1) a contract has been executed by the Chief Procurement Officer or an authorized designee acting within the scope of his/her authority, (2) upon receipt and acceptance by the

Commission of a Bidder's/Offeror's insurance, bonds, any other designated documents, (3) upon verification of entry and acceptance of subcontracting plans in the web-based compliance system, and (4) upon approval of background investigations of employees to work on Commission property. The Notice to Proceed represents the final document required before a contract shall be considered accepted by the Commission and binding upon the

Commission.

3.16. MARYLAND PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT NOTICE

The Commission is subject to the Maryland Public Information Act. Bidders and Offerors are strongly encouraged to specifically identify those portions of their bids or proposals, if any, which they deem to contain protected trade secrets, confidential commercial information, confidential financial information, or confidential geological or geophysical information pursuant to Md. Code Ann., General Provisions, §§ 4-335 and 4-336.

4. ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

This Solicitation shall be conducted in accordance with the Commission’s or WSSC Water Procurement

Regulations: WSSC Water Code of Regulations, Title 6 Ch. 6.15. The following instructions are in addition to those contained in the Instructions to Bidders/Offerors included in the Solicitation.

4.1. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

This solicitation is being advertised through the Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Each proposal shall be evaluated to determine which proposal will be deemed the most advantageous offeror. The solicitation will be awarded in accordance with the guidelines outlined through WSSC’s Procurement Regulations (§ 6.15.320) for

Competitive Sealed Proposals.

4.2. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

A. Submission

1. Only one Proposal may be submitted by an Offeror.

2. The Technical and Price Proposal shall be submitted via the eProcurement Portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/wsscwater.

3. Proposals submitted in any form other than as specified herein may be deemed non-responsive and will not be considered for award. Oral and telegraphic proposals, including e-mail submissions, are considered invalid and will not be accepted or considered for award.

4. Proposals shall be concise, yet sufficiently comprehensive to set forth the Offeror’s understanding of the required services. Proposals must be organized to the structure described in these instructions to

Offerors.

4.3. EVALUATION FACTORS

All Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with WSSC Procurement Regulation 6.15.320, Competitive Sealed

Proposals. Accordingly, Offerors must note that a number of factors will be considered by WSSC in making an award. Price will not be the sole determining criterion.

Evaluation Factors

Firm/'s Experience 25%

Qualifications and Experience of Key

Personnel

30%

Technical Approach and Methodology 40%

Pricing 05% https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/wsscwater

4.4. PROPOSAL EVALUATION

A. Technical Proposals received will be evaluated by the Evaluation Committee based on the Offeror’s qualifications as described in the proposal.

B. Proposals that do not meet the minimum requirements as stated in the Solicitation, or which are deemed non-responsive or non-responsible, will not be evaluated.

C. Shortlisting / Competitive Range – WSSC reserves the right, after the initial technical evaluation, to establish a competitive range and shortlist the highest-rated offerors for further consideration. Only shortlisted offerors’ price proposals will be opened and evaluated.

1. WSSC may conduct discussions and request Best and Final Offers (BAFOs) from shortlisted offerors and may make an award without discussions. Inclusion on a shortlist does not guarantee an award. WSSC may adjust the competitive range, reject any or all proposals, or cancel the solicitation at its sole discretion.

D. Price Proposals selected to proceed to the next phase will be opened and evaluated. Price proposals that are not selected to advance to the next phase will be unopened.

E. Once the Evaluation Committee has completed its review, the results of the Technical Proposals and the

Price Proposals will be combined for a final evaluation.

F. Offerors may be required to give an Oral Presentation to further address their Technical Proposal.

G. The proposal(s) deemed most advantageous to WSSC, taking into consideration the evaluation outlined in the Request for Proposal, will be recommended for award.

H. If two (2) or more proposals are equally ranked, WSSC reserves the right to select the proposal deemed most advantageous to WSSC by the Evaluation team.

I. The WSSC reserves the right to award this Contract based on Proposals received with or without further discussion or negotiation.

J. Offerors may be asked to submit Best and Final Offers (BAFO) after the price proposals have been opened.

K. All Offerors will be notified by the WSSC of the final awardee(s).

4.5. TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

The Technical Proposal must demonstrate the Minimum Qualifications of the Solicitation.

The Technical Proposal shall be no more than 80 single-sided pages in length, using standard 8.5 x11-inch page size, inclusive of resumes, exhibits, appendices, and attachments required to be submitted with the Proposal.

Electronic copies shall be bookmarked to enable easy navigation of the pdf documents.

The Technical Proposal must clearly demonstrate the minimum qualifications. Proposals shall be page numbered, tabbed into the specified sections. The evaluation will be based on the following criteria:

TAB 1: Firm's Experience

The Offeror shall demonstrate successful performance of services comparable in size, scope, complexity, and nature to those listed in the scope of work. The narrative must include the following:

a. Relevant Experience: Business case development, with an emphasis on IT-related business, financial and operational analyses, alternatives evaluations, and strategic recommendations for public utilities, government agencies, or similarly complex organizations.

b. Lessons Learned from Comparable engagements and Continuous Improvement: Specific challenges, corrective actions, lessons learned, and improvements adopted in subsequent assignments.

c. Organizational Capacity: Experience managing simultaneous projects, mobilizing resources, and supplying specialized expertise for fluctuating workloads.

d. Subcontractor Management: Experience overseeing subcontractor staffing, performance, schedules, deliverables, integration, and accountability.

e. Coordination with Other Firms: Experience working with independent consultants and contractors under separate contracts on larger programs; coordinating interdependencies and deliverables and resolving competing priorities.

f. Executive-Level Engagement: Experience preparing reports and presenting findings, financial implications, risks, alternatives, and recommendations to senior leadership.

TAB 2: Qualifications and Experience of Key Personnel

The Offeror shall demonstrate that proposed key personnel possess the qualifications, expertise, experience, and availability necessary to perform the business case development services, including assignments involving strategic planning, financial and operation analyses, risk assessments, alternatives evaluation, and consideration of interdependencies across business functions, systems, or larger organizational initiatives.

Provide a detailed narrative that details the following:

a. Qualifications and Relevant Experience: Education, professional credentials, and demonstrated experience in business case development, strategic planning, financial analysis, alternatives evaluation, risk assessment, and executive-level reporting.

b. Roles, Responsibilities, and Team Structure: Clearly defined responsibilities, organizational structure, reporting relationships, and the proposed team’s ability to work effectively and collaboratively.

c. Personnel Capacity and Availability: Availability of key personnel and ability to support multiple simultaneous task orders of varying complexity and duration.

d. Recruitment, Retention, and Continuity: Strategies for recruiting and retaining qualified personnel, minimizing turnover, maintaining continuity, providing qualified replacements, and how performance issues are handled.

e. Leadership and Communication: Experience engaging stakeholders, facilitating complex discussions, and presenting financial and technical information to executive leadership and governing bodies.

TAB 3: Technical Approach and Methodology

The Offeror shall demonstrate an understanding of the Scope of Work and explain its approach to performing business case development services, including methodology for evaluation business needs, alternatives, financial considerations, risks, and potential organizational impacts. The approach should demonstrate an understanding of holistic, systems-thinking principles and how they may be applied to support our Smart One

Water Utility vision, enterprise-wide integration, and future-state operational objectives.

Provide a detailed narrative that details the following, at minimum:

a. Business Case Development: Methods for evaluating alternatives and producing evidence-based recommendations that move beyond evaluating linear and vertical assets in isolation.

b. Financial Analysis: Methods for cost estimates, cost-benefit analyses, return on investment, net present value, lifecycle costs, sensitivity analyses, and validation of financial assumptions.

c. Risk Assessment: Identification, evaluation, quantification, communication, and mitigation of financial, operational, technical, organizational, and implementation risks.

d. Task Order Management and Capacity: Procedures for responding to task orders, planning staffing and milestones, prioritizing resources, and meeting concurrent deadlines.

e. Subcontractor Management and Team Integration: Processes for aligning prime and subcontractor roles, overseeing performance, and ensuring consistent deliverable quality. Include subcontractor management and recruitment process.

f. Collaboration with Other Commission Contractors: Approach to coordinating with consultants under separate contracts on larger initiatives, including communications, interdependencies, information sharing, deliverable integration, and conflicting recommendations.

g. Stakeholder Engagement: Methods for gathering and validating information, facilitating discussions, incorporating feedback, and resolving issues.

h. Quality Assurance and Quality Control: Internal review procedures for analyses, models, assumptions, findings, and deliverables.

i. Executive-Level Reporting and Presentations: Approach to decision-ready reports, executive summaries, dashboards, and presentations communicating alternatives, financial implications, risks, and recommendations.

j. Continuous Improvement: Procedures for capturing lessons learned, incorporating WSSC Water feedback, and improving delivery across task orders.

TAB 4: Exceptions to Contract Documents

The Contract Documents attached to this Solicitation are not subject to negotiation after award. Offerors shall carefully review all Contract Documents, including all terms, conditions, exhibits, and attachments.

Any objection to, exception to, or requested deviation from the Contract Documents must be clearly identified in the Offeror’s proposal at the time of submission. Such objections or requested deviations shall be set forth in a separate section of the proposal titled “Exceptions to Contract Documents” and shall specifically reference the applicable section number, page, and provision to which the exception is taken, along with the Offeror’s proposed alternative language.

Failure to expressly identify an objection, exception, or requested deviation in the proposal shall be deemed a waiver of such objection, exception, or deviation. By submitting a proposal without identified exceptions, the

Offeror represents that it accepts the Contract Documents in their entirety and agrees to execute the Contract in the form attached to the Solicitation.

The Owner reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any proposal containing exceptions to the Contract

Documents, to deem such exceptions material, or to evaluate the impact of any identified exceptions in its proposal evaluation and award determination.

No exceptions, clarifications, or modifications to the Contract Documents will be considered after the proposal due date, and the successful Offeror will not be permitted to condition execution of the Contract on the negotiation of additional or different terms.

Appendix C forms (please refer to the vendor questionnaire).

The following forms are located in Appendix C.

• Certified Insurance Confirmation

• Consent to Use of Electronic Signature

• Contract Certification Affidavit

• Consultant Conflict of Interest Affidavit

• Iran Investment Certification

• Statement of Offeror’s Qualification Form

OSDI Participation (please refer to the vendor questionnaire).

Provide all forms required in Appendix A of the Solicitation.

1. OSDI Subcontracting and Supplier Certification for Professional Services, Goods and Services and

Construction. Ensure that each subcontracting participation certificate includes a percentage of work to be completed by the subcontractor.

2. Non-Discrimination Declaration.

3. Good Faith Efforts Affidavit.

4.6. Scoring Scale

5 – Excellent: Exceeds requirements; comprehensive, detailed, and well-documented; very low risk.

4 – Good: Meets requirements; minor weaknesses; low risk.

3 – Satisfactory: Generally meets requirements; moderate risk.

2 – Marginal: Partially meets requirements; significant weaknesses; high risk.

1 – Poor: Does not adequately meet requirements; major weaknesses; very high risk.

0 – Unacceptable: Fails to meet requirements; insufficient information; not eligible for award.

4.7. PRICE PROPOSAL

Price proposal will be evaluated for best value

A. Offeror shall provide a price for proposed labor rates in the PRICING PROPOSAL section and submit separately form the Technical Proposal. The labor rates shall remain firm for the duration of the contract.

4.8. BASIS OF AWARD

A. Award shall be made to responsible Offeror submitting the proposal that has been determined to be the most advantages to the WSSC, considering evaluation factors set forth in this RFP.

B. The Contract has the option to award multiple contracts. The WSSC reserves the right to award to additional firms, in order to meet the needs of WSSC.

4.9. OFFEROR INQUIRIES

Offerors shall submit inquiries in writing through OpenGov, with each question submitted separately, to facilitate timely and accurate responses. Each submission shall include no more than one question.

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/wsscwater/projects/313790/document?section=2978701

5. GENERAL CONDITIONS - PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

5.1. CONTRACT DOCUMENTS

A. The Contract Documents include WSSC's Procurement Regulations (WSSC Code of Regulations, Title

6, Chapter 6.15), the Solicitation, Bonds, Notice of Award, Notice to Proceed, Change Orders, Drawings

(when applicable), Certificate of Substantial Completion, Specifications, these General Conditions, Special Conditions, Standard Details, Amendments, Addenda, Contract Execution Page, Appendix A from the Solicitation, Appendix B from the Solicitation, Appendix C forms completed by the

CONSULTANT, and Federal Contract Provisions when required.

B. The intent of the Contract Documents is that the CONSULTANT shall furnish all labor, materials, tools, equipment, and transportation necessary for the proper execution of the Work in accordance with the

Contract Documents and all incidental work necessary to complete the Project acceptable manner, ready for use, occupancy, or operation by the COMMISSION.

C. In resolving conflicts, errors, and discrepancies within the Contract Documents, the Documents shall be given precedence in the following order:

Federal Contract Provisions (only if identified and incorporated in the Contract Documents)

WSSC Procurement Regulations

Change Orders

Amendments

Addenda

Special Conditions

General Conditions

Contract Execution Page

Notice to Proceed

Notice of Award

Specifications/Statement of Work

Drawings (when applicable)

Appendix B to the Solicitation (Insurance & Bonding Requirements)

Appendix A to the Solicitation (MBE and/or SLBE requirements)

Appendix C to the Solicitation (Commission Forms completed by CONSULTANT)

5.2. ACCESS TO INFORMATION, PERSONNEL, COMMISSION FACILITIES

A. The COMMISSION shall furnish to the CONSULTANT all information and personnel that the

CONSULTANT shall deem pertinent in the execution of the Work under this Contract.

B. The COMMISSION shall assist and make provisions for the CONSULTANT to enter upon

COMMISSION facilities as required for the CONSULTANT to perform work under this Contract.

5.3. WORKING HOURS

A. The CONSULTANT will only be permitted access to the COMMISSION's facilities only during the working hours indicated in the scope of work.

B. If it becomes necessary for the CONSULTANT to perform work during COMMISSION non-working hours, permission to work must be granted by the Project/Contract Manager. The CONSULTANT will be required to furnish to the Project/Contract Manager a list of the CONSULTANT's employees who will be working. No additional compensation shall be paid for hours worked during non-working hours.

5.4. HOLIDAYS

A. Access to Commission facilities will be denied on holidays. It is the responsibility of the CONSULTANT to determine on which specific dates these holidays are observed by the Commission.

B. The Commission observes the following holidays: New Year's Day (Observed), Martin Luther King Jr.'s

Birthday, President's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth (Observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day

(Observed), General Election Day (even numbered years) and Inauguration Day.

5.5. TIME EXTENSION

A. All time extensions approved by the COMMISSION will be issued in writing as a formal change to the

Contract and as described in "Changes" herein. Failure to perform all work in accordance with the schedule, except where approved extensions exist, will be taken into consideration when evaluating the

CONSULTANT for future work with the COMMISSION.

5.6. COMPENSATION

A. Any costs incurred by the CONSULTANT in excess of the agreed upon compensation and without the issuance of a formal written change order shall not be paid by the COMMISSION.

B. The CONSULTANT will submit periodic invoices for payment, but not more frequently than monthly, for work and services performed under this Contract. Such invoices shall be prepared by the

CONSULTANT supplemented and accompanied by supporting data, which is satisfactory to the

COMMISSION. A list of employees employed by the CONSULTANT on each invoice to perform the direct services and their respective hourly rates shall be included on each invoice along with a brief description of the work performed and the day it was done. Each invoice shall also include a running total of all funds billed under this Contract to date.

C. It is understood and agreed that the compensation herein provided to be paid by the COMMISSION is for the services of the CONSULTANT on the project as described herein and does not include any assistance in preparation for or during the progress of litigation to which the COMMISSION is a party The

CONSULTANT agrees to assist the COMMISSION in matters of litigation upon request and upon reasonable compensation to be negotiated for such services requested. The CONSULTANT shall not be entitled to any compensation for any assistance or services requested or rendered in any matter involving claims by third parties against the COMMISSION arising out of the fault or negligence on the part of the

CONSULTANT or his agents.

D. For services performed by the CONSULTANT under this Contract, and as full and complete compensation therefore, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the COMMISSION will pay to the CONSULTANT allowable costs and fees as set forth in the pricing sheet.

E. The Contract value shall not be exceeded without a formal change order being issued to this Contract.

Any costs incurred by the CONSULTANT in excess of the Contract value without a formal change order to this Contract shall not be paid by the COMMISSION.

5.7. CHANGES

A. The COMMISSION may, at any time, by written order, make changes within the general scope of this

Contract in the services or Work to be performed. If such changes cause an increase or decrease in the

CONSULTANT's cost of, or time required for, performance of any services under this Contract, whether or not changed by any written order, the CONSULTANT may submit a claim in accordance with WSSC

Code of Regulations, Title 6, Chapter 6.15.580(b).

B. No services for which additional compensation will be charged by the CONSULTANT shall be accepted without the written authorization of the COMMISSION.

5.8. PROPERTY DAMAGE

A. Should any damage to COMMISSION property be caused by the CONSULTANT, employees or agents of the CONSULTANT, the CONSULTANT will be required to report them to the COMMISSION's

Project/Contract Manager and make repairs immediately, to the satisfaction of the COMMISSION's

Project/Contract Manager and at no cost to the COMMISSION. The COMMISSION may, however, elect to make repairs or replace the damaged property and deduct the cost of repairs or replacement from monies due, or to become due, the CONSULTANT.

5.9. PROJECT MANAGEMENT

A. The COMMISSION and the CONSULTANT shall each designate a Project/Contract Manager within fourteen (14) days from date of this Contract to represent each party respectively and be responsible as the individual in charge of administering and carrying out provisions of this Contract. Once so designated by the CONSULTANT this Project/Contract Manager shall not be changed unless specifically allowed or requested by the COMMISSION.

B. The CONSULTANT shall advise the COMMISSION of the Project/Contract Manager's qualifications and the COMMISSION shall have the right of approval or rejection of the CONSULTANT's designated

Project/Contract manager

5.10. FAILURE TO PERFORM

A. Failure of the CONSULTANT to (a) deliver or perform the required goods or services within the time specified or within a reasonable time as interpreted by the Chief Procurement Officer or (b) to make replacements of rejected articles immediately or as directed by the Chief Procurement Officer shall constitute authority for the Chief Procurement Officer purchase in the open market goods or services of comparable grade to replace the goods or services not delivered or rejected. On all such purchases, the

CONSULTANT shall reimburse the COMMISSION within a reasonable time as specified by the Chief

Procurement Officer for any expense incurred in excess of Contract prices, including any administrative costs.

B. Should public necessity demand it, the COMMISSION reserves the right to use or consume articles delivered or services performed which are substandard in quality, subject to an adjustment in price to be determined by the Chief Procurement Officer. The CONSULTANT shall not be liable for any excess costs if acceptable evidence has been submitted to the Chief Procurement Officer that failure to perform this

Contract was due to causes beyond the control and without the failure or negligence of the

CONSULTANT.

C. The remedies provided in this General Condition are in addition to any other rights and remedies provided by law or under any other provisions of this Contract.

5.11. TERMINATION

A. In accordance with WSSC Code of Regulations, Title 6, Chapter 6.15.590, the COMMISSION may, by written notice to the CONSULTANT, terminate this Contract in whole or in part at any time, either for the COMMISSION's convenience or default because of the failure of the CONSULTANT to perform services timely, failure to meet standards required, or fulfill the CONSULTANT's obligation under this

Contract. Upon receipt of such notice, the CONSULTANT shall:

1. Immediately discontinue all services affected upon receipt of termination notice, and

2. Deliver to the COMMISSION any work product, including but not limited to all designs, surveys, data, drawings, specifications, reports, computations, estimates, summaries, computer programs, and such other information and materials as may have been provided by the COMMISSION or accumulated by the CONSULTANT in performing this Contract, whether completed or in progress.

5.12. RIGHT TO AUDIT

A. In accordance with Procurement Regulation §4-602, the CONSULTANT agrees to maintain books, accounts, records, documents and other evidence directly pertinent to the performance of this Contract in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and practices consistently applied. (The foregoing constitutes "records" for purposes of this Contract).

B. In accordance with Procurement Regulation §4-603, the CONSULTANT'S facilities and plants, or such part thereof as may be engaged in the performance of this Contract, and records shall be subject at all reasonable times to audit, examination, inspection or reproduction by the COMMISSION, the State of

Maryland, or any of their authorized representatives.

C. The CONSULTANT shall preserve and make available its records until the expiration of five (5) years after the Contract expiration date or after the acceptance of Work, whichever is last, or by other provisions of this Contract, or by (1) or (2) as follows:

1. If the Contract is completely or partially terminated, the records relating to the work terminated shall be preserved and made available for a period of five (5) years from the date of any resulting final settlement.

2. Records which relate to appeals or disputes, litigation, or settlement of claims arising out of the performance of this Contract shall be retained until final disposition of such appeals, litigation, or claims. The CONSULTANT shall insert the substance of this section in each subcontract issued as a result of this Contract.

5.13. SUSPENSION OF SERVICES

A. The COMMISSION may at any time, suspend, delay, interrupt, or stop the performance of any or all of the services by written notice to the CONSULTANT. At the Commission's discretion, in the event of such suspension of services, all allowable costs which are deemed by the parties hereto as reasonably and necessarily incurred by the CONSULTANT in suspending the services shall be paid by the

COMMISSION, including all costs incurred during the period of suspension and additional costs incurred in reactivating the services. Such payment shall not duplicate costs included under any prior progress payments. The CONSULTANT must itemize the costs involved, provide satisfactory documentation as required by the COMMISSION, and must demonstrate that such services as were provided during the suspension were in direct support of overall services to be performed. Both parties also recognize that the

COMMISSION may impliedly suspend the services by delays in its review, comment and action on the submitted data, plans, reports, and other documents transmitted to the COMMISSION and for which there shall be no additional compensation.

B. The COMMISSION's right to suspend this Contract is in addition to and not in substitution for the

COMMISSION's right to terminate as stated herein.

5.14. INTERPRETATION

A. In the interest of brevity, this Contract frequently omits modifying words such as "all" and "any" and articles such as "the" and "an," but the fact that a modifier or an article is absent from one statement and appears in another is not intended to affect the interpretation of either statement. The term "days" as used in this Contract shall mean calendar days as defined by with WSSC Code of Regulations, Title 6, Chapter 6.15.050(s). The headings contained in this Contract are inserted only for ease of reference and are not meant to and shall not define, limit, or in any way affect the terms and provisions set forth therein.

Each of the parties acknowledges that this is a fair Contract and is not the result of fraud, duress or undue influence exercised upon it by any person or entity. Each party acknowledges that it has read this Contract, has participated in its negotiation, understands its contents, and has had the opportunity to obtain the assistance of legal counsel of its choice.

5.15. ASSIGNMENT

A. This Agreement is binding on the heirs, successors, and assigns of the parties hereto. In accordance with

WSSC Code of Regulations, Title 6, Chapter 6.15.240(a) this Agreement is not assignable without the written consent of the Chief Procurement Officer.

5.16. SEVERABILITY

A. If any term or provision of this Contract, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, shall be invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Contract or the application of this Contract to persons or circumstances other than those against whom or which such term or provision is invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby; and each term and provision of this Contract shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws.

5.17. NO THIRD PARTY RIGHTS

A. Nothing in this Contract shall be deemed to create a joint venture or partnership between the

COMMISSION and the CONSULTANT; nor shall anything contained in this be deemed to give any third party any claim or right of action against the COMMISSION or the CONSULTANT; nor shall anything contained in this Contract be deemed to cause the CONSULTANT to become the agent of the

COMMISSION or to otherwise alter the CONSULTANT'S independent CONSULTANT relationship with the COMMISSION.

5.18. FORCE MAJEURE

A. Neither party shall be considered in default in the performance of its obligations hereunder to the extent that performance of such obligations is delayed, hindered or prevented by any cause which is beyond the reasonable control of such party (hereinafter called "Force Majeure").