PROFESSIONAL_ENGINEERING_SERVICES_FOR_THE_TUCSON_WATER_RESERVOIR.docx

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE TUCSON WATER RESERVOIR & STORAGE TANK 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 Reservoir and Storage Tank Rehabilitation Program. Tucson Water operates 60 potable and reclaimed water storage facilities, including concrete reservoirs and steel tanks, with a total capacity exceeding 335 million gallons. These facilities, valued at over $200 million, are critical assets within the City’s water delivery system.

Most reservoirs and tanks were constructed between 1980 and the mid-1990s, with some concrete facilities dating back 50 to 70 years. While periodic maintenance and diving inspections have been performed in the past, Tucson Water has formalized these efforts through the Reservoir Rehabilitation Program to ensure systematic evaluation, rehabilitation, and preservation of these facilities.

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 water storage facility 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 reservoirs and tanks, 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 Reservoir and Storage Tank Rehabilitation Program, specifically:

1. Extending the life of Tucson Water’s existing reservoir and tank assets.

2. Prioritizing 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

· Diving (underwater inspections)

· Corrosion Testing/Inspection

· Drainage/Floodplain

· Electrical Engineering

· Geotechnical Engineering

· Mechanical Engineering

· Public Relations

· Structural Engineering

· Subsurface 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 interior inspections, leak testing, and cleaning of reservoirs and tanks identified in Tucson Water’s Strategic Plan (approximately 20 facilities annually). Work includes:

· Diving inspections in compliance with AWWA C652 standards, with video and written documentation.

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

· Physical and performance evaluations of facilities, including compliance with applicable codes, safety, drainage, 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 standards (D115-24, D110-13(R18), D100-21, D102-24, D103-19), including cost estimates and recommendations.

Task II – Reservoir Repair and 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 diving and material testing needs.

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

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

· Diving services and third-party coatings inspection (NACE certified).

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

· Annual strategic plans and program-level support services.

Task III – Reservoir Repair 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 rehabilitations and new storage facilities.

· 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 Reservoir and Storage Tank 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.

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.

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 ReliabilityBudgets.

· 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.