PROFESSIONAL_ENGINEERING_SERVICES_FOR_THE_TUCSON_WATER_HYDRO-PNUEMATIC.docx

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE TUCSON WATER HYDRO-PNUEMATIC TANK ASSESSMENT & REHABILITATION PROGRAM

I. INTRODUCTION

The City of Tucson (COT) Water Department (Tucson Water) is soliciting proposals from qualified engineering consulting firms to provide professional services for its Hydro-Pneumatic Tank Assessment & Rehabilitation Program. Tucson Water operates and maintains close to 400 potable and reclaimed hydro-pneumatic tanks, all of which are critical assets within the City’s water delivery system. While periodic inspections, maintenance, repairs, replacements and rehabilitations have been performed in the past, Tucson Water is seeking to formalize the specific efforts on these assets under its own program heading to ensure systematic evaluation, rehabilitation, and preservation.

This contract will supplement and continue the work performed under the preceding contract agreements, supporting Tucson Water’s long-term strategy to maintain reliable water storage infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted service to the community.

The purpose of this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is to identify and select one qualified engineering consulting firm with demonstrated expertise in hydro-pneumatic tank evaluation, inspection, rehabilitation, and design. The selected firm will provide professional services that may include condition assessments, structural and coatings evaluations, rehabilitation design, construction documents, cost estimating, and construction support.

Through this procurement, Tucson Water seeks a consulting partner that can deliver comprehensive, cost-effective, and technically sound solutions to extend the service life of its hydrotanks, optimize operational performance, and protect the City’s long-term investment in critical water infrastructure.

II. SCOPE OF SERVICES

This contract will provide Tucson Water with professional engineering and technical services to support the short- and long-term objectives of the Hydro-Pneumatic Tank Assessment & Rehabilitation Program, specifically:

1. Extending the life of Tucson Water’s existing hydro-tank assets.

2. Prioritizing repair, replacement and/or rehabilitation activities in a programmatic manner.

3. Protecting water quality and public health.

The work will require expertise across multiple disciplines, including but not limited to:

· Civil Engineering

· Coating Inspection/Testing

· Corrosion Testing/Inspection

· Electrical Engineering

· Mechanical Engineering

· Public Relations

· Structural Engineering

· Water Quality

The program will be delivered through four primary tasks, as outlined below:

Task I – Continuation of Data Collection & Condition Assessment

The selected firm will conduct and coordinate ongoing condition assessment activities, including non-destructive testing, field inspections, and dry tank inspections & cleanings. Work includes: (approximately 75 hydro-tanks annually)

· Support services during inspection, cleaning, and leak testing.

· Physical and performance evaluations of facilities, including compliance with applicable codes, safety, access, security, and aesthetics.

· Review of outstanding repairs from prior assessments and updates to 5- and 10-year inspection schedules.

· Preparation of detailed Condition Assessment Technical Reports based on applicable AWWA, ANSI, ASTM and ASME standards, including cost estimates and recommendations.

Task II – Hydro-Tank Assessment & Rehabilitation Prioritization Recommendations

The selected firm will support the development of a prioritized and budgeted rehabilitation strategy. Work includes:

· Preparation of annual strategic program reports identifying inspection, design, and construction activities.

· Development of budget and scheduling requirements, including supplemental dry inspections and material testing needs.

· Recommendations for procurement methods and repairs suitable for expedited advancement.

· Provision of RFI responses, work change directives, and technical support.

· Preparation of inspection reports, photos, and technical documentation.

· Annual strategic plans and program-level supp ort services.

Task III – Hydro-Tank Assessment & and Rehabilitation Implementation

As facilities are prioritized for repair or replacement, the Consultant may be assigned implementation tasks, including:

· Preparation of design reports, construction documents, and cost estimates.

· Design services for replacements, rehabilitations and new hydro-tanks.

· Recommendations for procurement methods (design-bid-build, CMAR, or design-build).

· Bidding phase support, including responses to contractor inquiries.

· Construction-phase services, including:

· Part-time inspections.

· Project management support.

· Review of contractor submittals, shop drawings, and invoices.

· Preparation of work change directives and field orders.

Task IV - Supplemental Engineering Services

As needed, the Consultant may be tasked with additional services, including utility coordination, geotechnical investigations, corrosion control analysis, environmental review and permitting, remediation, post-design support, and other technical tasks in support of the Program.

Contract Administration

The selected Consultant will be required to coordinate closely with Tucson Water staff to ensure effective delivery of the Hydro-Pneumatic Tank Assessment & Rehabilitation Program. Clear communication, schedule adherence, and proactive problem-solving will be essential to the success of this contract.

I. Time of Performance

Work shall begin in Calendar Year 2026 (April). Tasks I, II, and III are expected to overlap, depending on program needs and priorities. The Consultant will provide a project schedule and technical memorandum within three (3) weeks of Notice to Proceed and will update the schedule as required. Regular progress meetings will be held with Tucson Water.

II. Project Management and Communication

· The Consultant shall designate a Project Manager who will serve as the primary point of contact with Tucson Water. The Project Manager will be responsible for overall contract performance, team coordination, and day-to-day communication.

· Tucson Water will assign a Program Manager to provide direction, oversight, and review of deliverables.

· Regular progress meetings shall be scheduled (at least monthly, or more frequently as required), with agendas, meeting notes, and updated schedules prepared by the Consultant.

· The Consultant will provide status updates on budget, schedule, task progress, and anticipated issues at each meeting.

III. Deliverables and Reporting

Deliverables shall include condition assessment reports, design documents, cost estimates, construction support documentation, and other technical memoranda as specified in the Scope of Services.

Building and maintaining an interactive dashboard housing all of Tucson Water’s hydro-tank inventory including, but not limited to tank specifications, certifications, pressures, location, configuration and application (well, booster, flow-through etc.)

All reports and documents must meet professional standards, reference applicable codes and standards, and be provided in both electronic and hard copy formats as requested by Tucson Water.

Importable templates containing critical asset attribute information to Tucson Water’s EAM system

Draft reports shall be submitted for review prior to finalization. Tucson Water will provide comments, and the Consultant shall revise and resubmit within the timeframe specified by the Program Manager.

IV. Quality Assurance and Control

The Consultant shall maintain a documented Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) process to ensure technical accuracy, consistency, and completeness of all deliverables.

Tucson Water reserves the right to request evidence of QA/QC procedures and to require revisions if deliverables do not meet contractual expectations.

V. Financial Considerations

· Funding will be provided by Tucson Water’s Capital Improvement and Operational Reliability Budgets.

· Compensation will be based on a negotiated fee schedule; invoices will be submitted monthly, released upon project completion and acceptance.

· Direct expenses will be reimbursed at cost with no markup.

· Travel, per diem, and specialized costs (e.g., numerical modeling, graphics, or dedicated field equipment) must be identified in the Consultant’s cost proposal and pre-approved.

· Normal business expenses (e.g., local mileage, general computer use) are considered overhead and are not reimbursable.