ESBD_482241_1768238117980_RFQ 2026-001 Qualification Pkg (ESBD).pdf

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

RFQ 2026-001

Waco Lake Study

For the complete qualification package, please visit the City of Waco's Euna Procurement portal.

https://waco-texas.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities

Issue Date: January 12, 2026 Questions Due: February 19, 2026, 5:00 P.M. CT

Closing Date & Time: March 11, 2026, 2:00 P.M. CT Opening Date & Time: March 11, 2026, 2:01 P.M. CT

For Information Contact:

Melanie Wade, Purchasing Agent, 254-750-8098, or melaniew@wacotx.gov

RFQ Opening Location:

Purchasing Services Office, 1415 N. 4th Street, Waco, Texas via Zoom Video Conferencing Only (Please see Page 3)

Zoom & Dial-In Information:

Please see Page 3

Purchasing Services Post Office Box 2570 Waco, Texas 76702-2570 Telephone 254 / 750-8060

Fax 254 / 750-8063 waco-texas.com

RFQ 2025-001 Page 1 mailto:%20XXX@wacotx.gov mailto:melaniew@wacotx.gov http://www.waco-texas.com/

EUNA / BONFIRE ELECTRONIC BIDDING

The City of Waco is transitioning to Electronic Bidding, Proposals and Qualification (RFB/RFP & RFQ) submissions. These requests will be managed through the new City’s Data base system, EUNA / Bonfire.

We ask vendors to register with EUNA / Bonfire to access and respond to any advertisement for bids and services required by the City. Registration is secure and user friendly. Vendors can register at the link below. Once registered, vendors will be able to:

• Register with the City of Waco.

• Receive notifications for bids and services requests from the City.

• Stay updated on changes, addendums, open solicitations.

• Submit bids and proposals electronically.

• Vendors can inquire about the details and requirements of various bidding opportunities.

The City will still accept bids and proposals by mail or drop off. Notifications of changes, addendums and updates will also be available on the City’s website as well as other media outlets the City uses for solicitations.

The City appreciates your participation. If you have questions during the electronic bid/proposal process, please contact the issuing buyer, whose contact information can be found in the solicitation document. You can also contact EUNA / Bonfire with registration or customer support issues.

Website links to assist you: waco-texas.bonfirehub.com/login

RFQ 2025-001 Page 2 https://waco-texas.bonfirehub.com/login

BID NUMBER:

DATE:

TIME: CENTRAL

QUICK LINK:

MEETING ID:

DIAL IN NUMBER:

PASS CODE:

ADDITONAL

INFORMATION:

BID NUMBER:

DATE:

TIME: CENTRAL

QUICK LINK:

MEETING ID:

DIAL IN NUMBER:

PASS CODE:

ADDITONAL

INFORMATION:

PRE BID/ PROPOSAL

BID/ PROPOSAL OPENING

ZOOM ACCESS INSTRUCTIONS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Rev. 1

RFQ 2025-001 Page 3 https://wacotx.zoomgov.com/j/1612354003?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Register Interest Form I. Schedule for Solicitation II. Contact with City of Waco III. Definitions IV. Requested Services V. Statement of Qualifications VI. Evaluation of Submittals & Award of Contract

Appendices A. Scope of Services

(1) Scope of Services

(2) Additional Background, Information or Requirements

(3) Exhibits

B. Contract Requirements

(1) City of Waco General Terms and Conditions

(2) Additional Terms for Services

(3) Insurance & Indemnification Requirements

(4) Sales Tax Information

(5) House Bill 89 Energy Form

(6) House Bill 89 Firearms Form

(7) House Bill 89 Israel Form

(8) House Bill 1295 Information Sheet

(9) Foreign Terrorist Organization Form

(10) Protest Procedure

(11) Registration with the Texas Secretary of State

(12) W-9 Taxpayer Identification Form

(13) Electronic Funds Transfer Authorization (EFT Form)

C. Forms to Complete and Return

(1) Submission of Proposal and Acknowledgment of Addenda

(2) Business Identification Form

(3) Conflict of Interest Questionnaire (CIQ form)

(4) Disclosure of Relationships with City Council/Officers (City Charter)

(5) HUB Business Certification

(6) Litigation Disclosure

(7) Certification Regarding Debarment

(8) Non-collusion Affidavit

(9) Texas Public Information Act

(10) Drug Free Workplace

RFQ 2025-001 Page 4

RFQ No. 2026-001

Waco Lake Study

Please Register for Notification

REGISTER INTEREST

You have received a copy of the above-described Request document. If you would like to register your interest in this project so that you will receive any future notices or addenda concerning the project, please fill in the information requested below and fax this page to 254-750-8063. You may also scan this page and email to: melaniew@wacotx.gov.

Company/Firm:

Name of Contact Person(s):

Email(s):

Telephone:

Fax:

Mailing Address:

It is your responsibility to complete and return this form to the City. Failure to do so will result in your not receiving notices and addenda related to this project from the City of Waco.

Notices and addenda are posted on the City’s website and can be accessed at: waco-texas.com/bids

City of Waco Purchasing Services Post Office Box 2570

Waco, Texas 76702-2570 Telephone 254 / 750-8060

Fax 254 / 750-8063 waco-texas.com

RFQ 2025-001 Page 5 mailto:melaniew@wacotx.gov.

http://www.waco-texas.com/purchasing-rules.asp http://www.waco-texas.com/purchasing-rules.asp http://www.waco-texas.com/

I. SCHEDULE FOR SOLICITATION

The proposed schedule of events is tentative and may be modified throughout the selection process at the discretion of the City of Waco.

• Issuance of the RFQ January 12, 2026

• Question deadline 5:00 P.M. (CT) February 19, 2026

• Statement of Qualifications (SOQs), 2:00 P.M. (CT) March 11, 2026

• Opening of SOQ Submittals 2:01 P.M. Via Zoom March 11, 2026

• Evaluation of the SOQs / Interviews March/April, 2026

• Establish final ranking of submitters April/May, 2026

• Notify submitters of award recommendation April/May, 2026

Tentatively, the final selection decision will be made, and submitters will be notified of an award recommendation by April/May 2026. This schedule is subject to change by the City.

II. CONTACT WITH CITY OF WACO

The contact person for this solicitation process is: Melanie Wade, Purchasing Agent who can be reached at:

Email: melaniew@wacotx.gov Telephone: (254) 750-8098 Fax: (254) 750-8063

Questions concerning the solicitation can be submitted through the City of Waco’s Bonfire portal at waco-texas.bonfirehub.com/login (preferred) or by email to the contact person listed above.

Official Address (if needed) - City of Waco Purchasing Services

Attn: Melanie Wade, Purchasing Agent 1415 North 4th Street Waco, Texas 76707

Contact someone other than the Purchasing Agent listed above, or his/her designated representative at the City of Waco concerning this solicitation may be grounds for removal from consideration.

Interpretation, modification, corrections, or changes to the solicitation documents will be made by addenda issued by the City of Waco. Addenda will also be made available through the City of Waco’s Bonfire portal at waco-texas.bonfirehub.com/login or the City of Waco Website at waco-texas.com/bids. Interested professional service providers are encouraged to return the Register Interest form on the previous page.

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III. DEFINITIONS

The following definitions apply to this document and the transaction between the City and the selected submitter unless otherwise designated in the context. Terms, which are singular, may include multiple, where applicable and when in the best interests of the City:

(1) “City” means and refers to the City of Waco, Texas.

(2) “Company” or “Firm” means and refers to any submitter, whether such submitter be a sole proprietor, corporation, company, partnership, company, or any other entity legally defined or recognized under the laws of the State of Texas.

(3) “Contract documents” include the RFQ and all of the Appendices attached to the RFQ.

(4) “Day” means a calendar day unless otherwise specified defined.

(5) “Project” means subject matter for which professional services are sought.

(6) “Project Review Committee” means a committee established by the City to review the qualifications. The Committee may be composed of City of Waco staff, City Councilmembers, or their designees, or other individuals selected to serve on the committee by the City.

(7) “RFQ” means and refers to this Request for Qualifications.

(8) “Selected Firm” means the firm who is selected by the City and to whom the City Council/City

Manager awards a contract for the professional services requested in this solicitation.

(9) “Selected submittal” means and refers to the Statement of Qualifications submitted by the

Selected Firm.

(10) “Solicitation” means an RFQ issued by the City Waco seeking services described in the document.

(11) “SOQ” means Statement of Qualifications.

(12) “Submission” or “Submittal” refers to a response to the RFQ which is a Statement of

Qualifications of the submitter.

(13) “Submitter” means a firm submits a Statement of Qualifications in response to this RFQ.

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IV. REQUESTED SERVICES/PRODUCTS

A. Professional Services Requested:

(1) Professional Engineering Services Requested. The City of Waco has issued this Request for Qualifications to select a consulting engineering firm to perform a comprehensive biological/chemical study on Lake Waco and use the results of the study to provide a sealed proposal to the City of Waco for improvements to the city’s water treatment process.

(2) A detailed scope of services is attached in Appendix A.

(3) The selected firm will need to complete the study and reports within 18 months of Notice to Proceed.

(4) The City of Waco needs to get an updated assessment of the water quality and other parameters within Waco Lake to forecast the future of the lake’s health and recommendations to improve the water quality. Using the lake study to provide recommendations to the City of Waco for changes in their water treatment process based on the study.

(5) A digital version of this document can be obtained from the City of Waco’s Bonfire portal at waco-texas.bonfirehub.com/login or the City of Waco Website at waco-texas.com/bids.

B. Terms Conditions & Requirements

In addition to the description of the services, the attached Appendices include the City’s Contract Requirements.

C. Reservations by City:

The City of Waco reserves the right to reject any and all submittals. The issuance of this solicitation does not obligate the City to contract for expressed or implied services. The City of Waco will not reimburse submitters for any costs incurred during the preparation or submittal of qualifications to this solicitation.

(1) Furthermore, the City expressly reserves the right to:

(a) Waive any defect, irregularity, or informality in any submittal or procedure.

(b) Extend the solicitation closing time and date.

(c) Reissue this solicitation in a different form or context.

(d) Procure any item by other allowable means.

(e) Waive minor deviations from specifications, conditions, terms, or provisions of the solicitation, if it is determined that waiver of the minor deviations improves or enhances the City’s business interests under the solicitation; and/or

(f) Extend any contract when most advantageous to the City, as set forth in this solicitation.

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V. STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS (SOQ)

A. Submission of Information:

Submitters are cautioned that it is each submitter’s sole responsibility to submit information related to the evaluation categories, and the City is under no obligation to solicit such information if it is not included with the SOQ. Failure of a submitter to submit such information may cause an adverse impact on the evaluation of the specific SOQ.

B. Submitter Review of RFQ:

Submitters are responsible for examining and being familiar with all terms, conditions, provisions, and instructions of the RFQ and their responses. Failure to do so will be at the submitter’s risk and will not be a determinative factor when awarding the contract for services. Submission of a proposal indicates acceptance by the firm of the conditions contained in the RFQ.

C. Encouraging Competition:

The conditions, terms, provisions, and information of this RFQ are written to encourage maximum response to the RFQ. There is no intent to discriminate against any submitter but rather, to set a definite standard of professional quality and experience desired for this project.

D. Submission Contents:

Qualified firms should submit their qualifications through the City of Waco’s Bonfire portal at waco-texas.bonfirehub.com/login. Paper/ Physical submissions will still be accepted but must include one (1) electronic copy (CD or Flash Drive) and (1) original and four (4) copies of their statements of qualifications on 8 ½ x 11 paper. These must be received by the date set out above in the Schedule of Solicitation for a submitting firm to be considered:

(1) Title Page: Title page showing the RFQ subject, the RFQ number, the firm’s name;

the name, address and telephone number of the contact person, and the date of the

SOQ.

(2) Table of Contents

(3) Transmittal Letter: A signed letter of transmittal briefly stating the submitter’s understanding of the work to be done and a statement as to why the firm believes it to be the best qualified to perform the engagement.

(4) Detailed SOQ: The detailed SOQ should follow the order set out as follows:

(a) General Requirements: The purpose of the SOQ is to demonstrate the qualifications, competence, and capacity of the firm to undertake this project. It must also specify a project approach that will meet the requirements in the RFQ.

(b) License to Practice in the State of Texas: An affirmative statement should be included that the firm and all assigned professional staff are properly licensed or registered to practice in the state of Texas.

(c) Firm Qualifications and Experience: The submitter should state the size of the firm, the location of the office from which the work on this project is to be performed, the number and nature of the professional staff to be employed in this project on a full-time basis, and the number and nature of the staff to be so employed on a part-time basis.

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(d) Joint Venture or Consortium: If the submitter is a joint venture or consortium, the qualifications of each firm comprising the joint venture or consortium should be separately identified and the firm that is to serve as the principal should be noted, if applicable.

(e) Partner, Supervisory and Staff Qualifications and Experience: Identify the principal supervisory and management staff, including partners, managers, other supervisors, and specialists, who would be assigned to the project. If required, indicate whether each such person is registered or licensed to practice in Texas.

Provide information on the experience of each person, including information on relevant continuing professional education for the past three (3) years and membership in professional organizations relevant to the performance of this project. Identify the key personnel proposed for this project.

(f) Consultants and Firm Specialists: Consultants and firm specialists specifically proposed to work on the Waco Lake Study in response to this request for qualifications can only be changed with the express prior written permission of the City of Waco, which retains the right to approve or reject replacements. Partners, managers, other supervisory staff and specialists may be changed if those personnel leave the firm, are promoted or are assigned to another office. Other project personnel may be changed at the discretion of the submitter provided that replacements have substantially the same or better qualifications or experience. If key personnel become unavailable, the submitter shall propose replacements with substantially equal or better qualifications and obtain the City’s written approval. If an acceptable replacement cannot be provided, the City may deem the submittal non-responsive or terminate negotiations.

(g) Organizational Chart: Attach a one-page copy of your business organizational chart for the portion of your business that will be involved with this project, complete with names and titles. On the chart mark the people who will be involved in this project.

(h) Business Operation: If the submitter has operated under any other names within the last ten (10) years, provide those names.

(i) Ownership Changes: If submitter anticipates any mergers, transfer of organization ownership, management reorganization, or departure of key personnel within the next twelve (12) months, provide a description of what is anticipated and how that could impact work on this project if awarded the contract.

(5) Additional background information on no more than 15 pages. The page limit applies to this subsection only and excludes the title, page, table of contents, transmittal letter, and required attachments such as the organizational chart.

(a) Experience with Similar Projects: For the firm's office that will be assigned responsibility for the project, list the most significant projects (maximum - 5) performed in the last five years that are similar to the project described in this request for qualifications. These projects should be ranked on the basis of total staff hours. Indicate the scope of work, date, engagement partners, the original estimate and final cost, whether or not the work was completed within the specified schedule, and the name, email address, and telephone number of the principal client contact.

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(b) Primacy Agency Experience: The SOQ should list the firm’s experience working with the following government agencies as it pertains to a lake study and other aquatic assessments including permitting:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

• United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)

• Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• United States Forest Service (USFS)

• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)

(c) Project Approach: The SOQ should set forth a work plan, including an explanation of the project methodology to be followed, to perform the required services. The work plan should include at a minimum; itemized tasks, resource requirements, specialized skills needed, special considerations, and possible challenges in completing the project. You should also identify the extent to which City of Waco staff will be involved in the project.

(d) Identification of Anticipated Potential Project Problems: The proposal should identify and describe any anticipated potential project problems, the firm's approach to resolving these problems and any special assistance that will be requested from the City of Waco.

(e) Project Schedule: A project schedule should be a part of the SOQ. This schedule should, at a minimum, indicate the amount of time in weeks that each phase and/or activity identified in Appendix A will take to complete. This information should be presented so the Review Committees can see how activities relate to each other as far as timing goes and also how long the project is expected to take, from contract execution to completion.

(f) References: Each response should provide the City with at least five (5) references for the firm (and any consultants) that the City may contact to discuss performance on other similar work. At least one of these references must be someone that the firm has worked with within the last 24 months. For each reference: project name and location; description of work; contract value of work performed by the firm or consultant and project value;

name, address, and telephone number of project owner/representative who oversaw project performance; dates (month/year) contract was issued and actually completed; and contract completion terms. References should be relevant to lake studies, drinking water treatability, reservoir monitoring, or related water quality and engineering work. If the City is unable to reach a reference after reasonable efforts, the City may consider other available performance information.

E. No Price Information The selection of a design firm under this RFQ shall be in accordance with Chapter 2254 of the Texas Government Code. Do not include any price information within the SOQ. SOQs containing any price information will be automatically disqualified.

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F. Completeness of Submission:

(1) Proposers are responsible for examining and being familiar with all specifications, drawings, standard provisions, instructions, and terms and conditions of the solicitation and their responses.

(2) The proposer must attach all required forms with each submission copy. Forms must be signed by a representative of the proposer authorized to bind the proposer contractually.

The proposer must include a statement identifying any exceptions to this RFQ or declaring that there are no exceptions taken to the RFQ.

G. Response Date and Location Responses to this solicitation must be received by 2:00 pm (Central Time) on March 11, 2026. The City prefers that vendors use the new Bonfire portal at waco-texas.bonfirehub.com/login , paper submissions will still be received at the address listed below via Delivery Services or Personal Delivery to:

Attn: Melanie Wade, Purchasing Agent 1415 North 4th Street Waco, Texas 76707

If using U.S. Mail, note that U.S. Mail is initially received at Waco City Hall and then delivered to the office of Purchasing Services by a City courier. That delivery may occur a day or more after being received at Waco City Hall. Allow additional time in advance of the proposal due date for U.S. Mail delivery. If the Purchasing Office has not received the proposal by the stated deadline, the proposal will be returned unopened.

All submissions shall be sent to the attention of the Purchasing Agent in a sealed envelope that is clearly marked on the outside as follows:

RFQ 2026-001

Waco Lake Study

Closing: 2:00pm (Central Time) on March 11, 2026

Submitters accept all risk of late delivery bids submissions regardless of instance or fault. A paper submission received after the submission deadline will not be considered and will be returned unopened to the submitter.

The City will NOT accept a submission by facsimile transmission (fax) or by electronic mail (email).

All submissions and accompanying documentation will become the property of the City.

H. Modifications to or Withdrawal of Submission:

Submissions cannot be modified after the submission deadline.

Submissions (in PAPER ONLY) may be modified prior to the deadline by providing a written notice to the Purchasing contact person at the address previously stated. To modify a submission prior to the submission deadline:

(1) Submit a written notice of the modification.

(2) The written modification may be submitted by electronic transmission (email) or personal delivery to the Purchasing Agent identified earlier in this document. The written modification

RFQ 2025-001 Page 12 must be received by the City prior to the closing time.

A submission may also be withdrawn (Bonfire vendor’s can withdrawal their own submission) by providing the notice in person by a representative of the submitter who can provide proof of his/her authority to act for the submitter. The representative will be required to execute a receipt reflecting the submission is being withdrawn.

I. Authorized Signature:

A SOQ must be manually signed by a person having authority to contractually bind the submitter. Any erasures or other changes must be initialed by the person authorized to sign the SOQ or others who are able to show evidence of authority to execute or sign or behalf of the submitter.

J. SOQ is an Indication of Ability to Perform Requested Services:

The SOQ submitted by a firm is an indication of the ability of the firm to perform the requested services.

K. Agreement; Exceptions:

(1) Submission of an SOQ indicates the submitter agrees to the terms, conditions, and other provisions contained in the RFQ, unless the submitter clearly and specifically presents in its proposal any exceptions to the terms, conditions, and other provisions contained in the RFQ.

(2) Exceptions presented in an SOQ are not to be considered incorporated into the contract between the City and the selected submitter unless and until the City agrees to accept such exceptions.

(3) The selected submitter must acknowledge and agree that the contract resulting from this RFQ includes the terms, conditions, and other provisions contained in the RFQ, the submittal provided in response to this RFQ (including any exceptions accepted by the City) which is acceptable to the City and is not in conflict or contravention of the RFQ, and any other documents mutually agreed upon by the City and the selected submitter.

(4) No oral statement of any person shall modify or otherwise change or affect the terms, conditions, or specifications stated in the RFQ or the resulting contract.

L. Cost to Develop Submission:

Costs for developing and assembling submissions in response to this solicitation are entirely the responsibility and obligation of the submitter and shall not be reimbursed in any manner by the City.

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VI. EVALUATION OF SUBMITTALS & AWARD OF CONTRACT

A. General Procedure:

The submitted SOQs will be initially reviewed and evaluated by a Project Review Committee. Each SOQ should be submitted as completely and accurately as possible.

The City reserves the right to request additional information or clarifications, oral discussions, or presentations in support of the submitted SOQ. The City also reserves the right to allow corrections of errors or omissions.

B. Evaluation Criteria:

Firms meeting the mandatory criteria below will have their SOQs evaluated for technical quality. A point formula will be used during the review and evaluation process by the Project Review Committee to score SOQs. The following represent the principal selection criteria:

(1) Mandatory Elements:

(a) The firm is licensed or registered to practice in the State of Texas (if the professional services involved require licensing or registration).

(b) The firm has no conflict of interest with regard to any other work performed by the firm for the City of Waco.

(c) The firm adheres to the instructions in this RFQ on preparing and submitting the SOQ, including submission of forms in Appendix C.

(2) Technical Quality: (Maximum Points - 100)

(a) Firm’s Expertise and Experience: (Maximum Points – 50)

1. The firm's past experience and performance on comparable projects

2. The quality of the firm's professional personnel to be assigned to the engagement and the quality of the firm's management support personnel to be available for technical consultation. Percent of time that will be spent on this project by key personnel (on a monthly basis).

3. Commitment to schedule and redundancy in staffing to ensure deadlines are met.

(b) Project Approach: (Maximum Points - 40)

1. Quality of the proposed work plan, including method and staff resources planned.

2. Identification of anticipated potential project problems.

3. Project Schedule

(c) Conformance with RFQ requirements: (Maximum Points - 10)

1. This includes, but is not limited to, whether forms listed herein were executed and returned as requested.

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C. Final Selection:

(1) The scoring of the SOQs by the Project Review Committee will be presented to the Director of Infrastructure Services, who will determine whether to schedule oral interviews with the top-rated firms.

(2) Based on all information and review, including oral interviews (if conducted), the Director of

Infrastructure Services shall establish the final ranking of the firms.

(3) The City shall then seek to negotiate a contract with the firm ranked first. If an agreement cannot be reached, efforts to negotiate a contract will then proceed with the firm ranked second. This process will be followed until a satisfactory contract can be negotiated.

D. Contract Award and Execution:

The final contract must be awarded and approved by the Waco City Council if the amount of the contract will exceed $100,000.00. If the contract is for less than that amount, depending on the amount, the contract may be executed by the City Manager, an Assistant City Manager, department head or director.

The Recipient, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. §§2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.

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