REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

THE FORT WORTH WATER DEPARTMENT

INFLOW AND INFILTRATION MICRO DETECTION SERVICES

GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION

The Fort Worth Water Department (FWWD) is soliciting proposals from qualified vendors to conduct Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) micro detection services for a targeted area of the City’s wastewater collection system. The purpose of this project is to precisely identify, locate, and characterize sources of I&I within a defined study area, and to present a findings report with prioritized, actionable recommendations to the Department. Inflow and Infiltration continue to impose significant costs and operational challenges on the wastewater collection system. Excess surface water and groundwater intrusion elevate treatment volumes, strain aging infrastructure, and increase the risk of sanitary sewer overflows. The selected vendor will deploy an integrated suite of field investigation tools to pinpoint sources of I&I, enabling the City to make targeted, cost-effective repair decisions.

The resulting study shall deliver a complete, data-driven profile of I&I conditions within the study area, along with a formal presentation of findings and prioritized recommendations. The study area and specific assets to be investigated will be defined collaboratively with the selected vendor following issuance of the Notice to Proceed.

STUDY AREA

The specific study area for this project has not yet been defined. The selected vendor will work collaboratively with FWWD staff following issuance of the Notice to Proceed to identify and confirm the target sub-basin for investigation.

The study area will consist of one (1) of 36 sub-basins within the Marine Creek basin in the City of Fort Worth wastewater collection system. Sub-basins within this system average approximately 60,000 linear feet of pipe with an average pipe age of 33 years.

A map showing the location of the Marine Creek basin is provided below for reference.

Vendors are encouraged to use these figures as the basis for their cost proposals.

Final quantities will be confirmed following study area selection and will be reflected in the executed contract.

Figure 1. Marine Creek Basin

SCOPE OF SERVICES

The selected vendor shall provide all labor, equipment, and materials required to complete all services described herein. The scope includes the following components, which shall be executed in coordination with FWWD staff.

A. Study Area and Pre-Field Investigation

Prior to fieldwork, the selected vendor shall:

• Schedule and facilitate a project kick-off meeting with FWWD staff, either in person or via online meeting, to review the project scope, confirm the study area, discuss proposed monitoring point locations, and establish communication protocols.

• Review all GIS data, available CCTV inspection records, flow monitoring data, maintenance history, and any existing I&I-related studies provided by FWWD to inform sensor placement and prioritize investigation.

• Record the GPS location of each monitoring structure. Accuracy must be sub-foot or better.

• Prepare and submit a Field Investigation Plan for FWWD review and approval prior to mobilization. The plan shall identify the proposed monitoring methodology, equipment to be deployed, crew composition, proposed monitoring point locations, installation schedule, and QA/QC procedures.

• Coordinate with FWWD to confirm monitoring point locations and the sequence of field activities prior to mobilization.

B. Ultrasonic Micro detection Metering – Flow Monitoring

The selected vendor shall install and operate an ultrasonic micro detection monitoring network within the study area to characterize flow conditions, detect I&I responses to wet weather events, and generate quantified flow data.

Requirements include:

• Meters shall be installed in adjacent manholes spaced no more than 1,200 linear feet apart on average, providing sufficient density to isolate I&I contributions to within approximately 1,200 linear feet of any monitoring point.

• Meters shall remain installed for a minimum of 60 days. If no significant rain event (defined as continuous rainfall in excess of 1 inch) occurs during the monitoring period, meters shall remain in place for an additional 30 days at no additional cost to FWWD.

• 24/7 continuous monitoring of water levels throughout the data collection period.

• Flow rate (GPM) estimates shall be calculated at each site based on collected on-site velocity values and level readings. Velocity at each site shall be recorded at the time of installation.

• Data shall be collected at intervals not to exceed 15 minutes, with site flow rate (GPM) provided at the same interval frequency.

• Multi-channel cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity to facilitate real-time data transmission with daily data updates where applicable.

• Access to a web-based, cloud-based real-time analytics platform for sensor performance monitoring, alarm setting, level data review, and I&I detection.

The platform shall be accessible online 24/7 with user credentials provided to FWWD at no additional cost.

• Installation of rain gauges is required for the duration of the study period to capture localized precipitation data for correlation with flow response.

• Ongoing maintenance and monitoring of all meters during the data collection period, including retrieval and replacement of any underperforming units.

Monitoring Equipment:

Monitoring equipment shall be capable of continuous non-contact water level measurement and shall produce data meeting all requirements specified herein.

Vendors shall describe their proposed equipment in their submittal.

Software Requirements – Metering Data:

• Analysis software shall estimate flow rates in units of GPM based on level calculations and on-site velocity measurements.

• Software shall automatically remove erroneous data caused by anomalies common in sanitary sewer environments.

• Final data shall not include sewer levels below 0.00 inches.

• Final data shall not include RDII values that are negative, unless sufficient data confirms that exfiltration is occurring.

• Estimated velocity values shall be submitted and included within all final deliverables.

C. Acoustic Pipeline Inspection

The selected vendor shall conduct acoustic pipeline inspections on all sewer segments within the study area using transmissive acoustic technology in accordance with ASTM F3220-17, “Standard Practice for Prioritizing Sewer Pipe Cleaning Operations by Using Transmissive Acoustic Inspection.”

Equipment Requirements – Acoustic Inspection:

Acoustic inspection equipment shall be capable of transmissive acoustic assessment of sewer pipe segments and shall produce data meeting all requirements specified herein. Vendors shall describe their proposed equipment in their submittal.

• Transmitter (TX) and Receiver (RX) configuration

Each assessed segment shall be reported on a 10-point condition scale:

10: Good – No significant obstructions

7–9: Good – Minor impediments (joint offsets, debris, minor roots, minor grease)

4–6: Moderate impediments (joint offsets, sags, protruding laterals, grease, roots)

1–3: Significant impediments (multiple offsets, near-full sags, significant debris, root balls)

0: Full sag or obstruction reaching or nearly reaching pipe capacity

Missing: Pipe connected to a missing or buried manhole; flag for immediate priority

For each segment assessed, the following data shall be recorded:

• Unique measurement identification number

• Date and time of measurement

• GPS coordinates of transmitter and receiver at time of measurement

• Pipe segment length as measured by GPS

• Acoustic condition score

D. Access, Traffic Control, and Right-of-Way

The following requirements apply to all field activities:

• Manholes within the study area may be located in back yards, easements, and right-of-way areas. Proposal pricing must be inclusive to access all structures buried no more than 6 inches below ground. Any structures buried deeper shall be presented to FWWD for approval prior to uncovering; no change orders will be accepted for additional equipment required to access structures unless they are buried in asphalt, concrete, or hardscape.

• FWWD will assist in locating structures and facilitating communication with property owners and residents as needed.

• All traffic control is the responsibility of the Vendor and is considered incidental to this contract.

• All right-of-way permits are the responsibility of the Vendor and are considered incidental to this contract.

• The Vendor shall use the above conditions as the basis for their cost proposal, which shall be inclusive of all costs required to complete the project, including mobilization.

E. I&I Analysis, Diagnosis, and Severity Ranking

The selected vendor shall perform a comprehensive analysis of all collected data to identify, locate, and quantify I&I sources within the study area. Analysis shall include:

• Review of all flow hydrographs and level data to identify patterns consistent with inflow (rapid storm response) and infiltration (sustained elevated flow following wet weather).

• Correlation of flow anomalies with rain gauge data to distinguish inflow, infiltration, blockages, and normal diurnal flow patterns. Flow hydrographs and the weather information shall be used to correlate flow anomalies to storm activity.

• Calculation of the following quantities for each monitored area:

◦ Groundwater Infiltration (GWI) estimate, in GPM

◦ Estimated Average Dry Weather Flow rate, in GPM

◦ Total Rainfall-Derived I&I (RDII) Estimate, in Gallons

◦ RDII per inch-mile of pipe (final unit: RDII/day/inch-mile)

• Integration of acoustic inspection scores with sensor data to prioritize pipe segments and manholes for further investigation or immediate repair.

• Assignment of a Final Severity Ranking for each monitored area using the following four-tier scale: Severe, Moderate, Fair, Good.

• Rating of each sensor site as GOOD, FAIR, or POOR for overall I&I contribution.

• Site-level narratives for each primary observation point describing the diagnosis and recommended corrective action.

FIELD DATA COLLECTION REQUIREMENTS

The Vendor shall comply with the following requirements for all field data collection activities throughout the project:

• All pertinent data collected at each monitoring location, including installation photographs, velocity video, depth of flow, and distance of device from the manhole rim, shall be recorded and made digitally available via a hosted GIS tool at the Vendor's expense

• FWWD must be able to track the Vendor’s installation and field progress on a continual, daily basis using the hosted GIS application, with no licensing fees issued to the City. FWWD will provide manhole GIS layers to the Vendor upon request.

• Any inaccessible, surcharged, or missing manholes and structures must be documented in the GIS platform with photographs and submitted to FWWD on a weekly basis for review and deployment of City staff as needed.

• Rain gauge data shall be recorded and made available in the online data platform throughout the monitoring period.

• The Vendor is responsible for reviewing all collected data for accuracy prior to submission. A documented data quality program shall be in place and available for review upon request.

DELIVERABLES

The selected vendor shall provide all data, reports, and supporting documentation generated during the study in the formats specified below. All deliverables shall be submitted to FWWD upon project completion and shall be organized to support both technical staff and non-technical leadership.

A. Web-Based Online Data Platform

The Vendor shall provide a web-based (not installed software) dynamic online data platform to serve as the primary deliverable interface. The platform shall:

• Be available online 24/7 with username and password provided to FWWD.

The platform is considered incidental and included in the project cost at no additional charge. Systems without a web-based online data viewing platform will not be accepted.

• Include data viewing with interactive charts, GIS maps, and all project data storage.

• Display all of the following data elements:

◦ Rain gauge data throughout the monitoring period

◦ Raw data collected from all micro detection units

◦ Manholes and sewer line shapefiles with condition ratings and hydrograph graphs

◦ Water level readings at each site

◦ Estimated velocity at each site

◦ Calculated estimated flow rate (GPM) at each site

◦ Infiltration estimate

◦ Estimated Average Dry Weather Flow rate (GPM)

◦ Total Rainfall-Derived Inflow and Infiltration (RDII) Estimate, in Gallons

◦ Calculated RDII per inch-mile of pipe

◦ Final Severity Ranking (Severe, Moderate, Fair, Good) for each area

◦ Executive Summary analysis and detailed site reports

• Include a printable final report available within the online platform.

• Upon request, the Vendor shall supply FWWD with a removable hard drive or pre-approved FTP access containing all project data and reports, at the Vendor’s expense.

B. GIS Data Deliverables

All finalized I&I localization data, severity rankings, basin boundaries, and monitoring point locations shall be delivered as standard Esri Shapefiles (.shp) and/or ArcGIS Geodatabases (.gdb), including:

• All manholes and pipeline segments assessed during the project

• Meter installation locations with metadata

• Final I&I analysis reports attached to each feature

• Severity rankings and I&I condition ratings for each segment and monitoring point

GIS deliverables shall be compatible with FWWD’s existing ArcGIS environment.

C. Technical Summary Report

The selected vendor shall prepare a written Technical Summary Report including, at a minimum:

• Executive Summary: A standalone narrative written for non-technical leadership, identifying the most problematic segments responsible for the majority of the system’s I&I, supported by summary charts, tables, and clear action recommendations.

• Summary of Work Completed: Overview of the study area, methodology, equipment deployed, and data collection approach.

• System-Wide Observations: Summary of I&I conditions across the study area, including total GWI, RDII, and overall severity distribution.

• Final Results Table: For each monitored area, including Ground Water Flow Estimate, RDII Estimate, Total I&I calculations, and RDII per inch-mile of pipe.

• Flow Analysis Charts and Hydrographs: Detailing RDII and O&M source locations for each monitored segment.

• Individual Site Summaries: For each primary monitoring location, at a minimum:

◦ Interior photo of the manhole at the monitoring location

◦ Micro-basin map showing the drainage area and pipe segments monitored

◦ Linear footage of pipe within the monitored segment

◦ Narrative summary of major rain events and system responses during the monitoring period

◦ Flow analysis table with cumulative flow volumes and quantified I&I volumes separated by GWI and RDII

◦ Diagnosis and recommended corrective action

• List and photographs of any inaccessible, surcharged, or missing structures encountered during the study.

• Prioritized ranking of all monitored areas: Severe, Moderate, Fair, Good.

GIS-based high-resolution maps of results shall be provided in 11” x 17” or 24” x 36” format as appropriate.

D. Final Deliverables Meeting and Presentation

The selected vendor shall schedule and host a final deliverables review meeting, either in person or online meeting as determined by FWWD, to present all findings, results, and recommendations to City staff and stakeholders. The presentation shall cover:

• Overview of methodology and field activities completed

• System-wide I&I findings and severity distribution

• Site-specific findings and prioritized repair recommendations

• Questions and answers with FWWD staff

VENDOR QUALIFICATIONS

Qualifying vendors shall demonstrate the following minimum experience and capabilities:

A. Sewer Line Condition Assessment

• Must have successfully completed sewer line condition assessments on a minimum of five (5) projects of comparable scope within the past ten years.

Proposers shall describe the technology or methodology used and provide example deliverables.

• Must have fully trained field and data personnel experienced in sewer condition assessments

B. GIS and Data Management

• Must have full GIS capabilities to capture and deliver all data in hosted online GIS dashboards, shapefiles, and geodatabase formats, with the ability to attach data to customer GIS assets as requested.

• Must demonstrate experience with ArcGIS Online Dashboard integration.

C. Flow Monitoring and I&I Analysis

• Must demonstrate prior experience with sensor-dense flow monitoring network deployments for I&I detection.

• Must demonstrate experience generating flow rate estimates from sensor data, including a description of the proposed methodology for converting level or pressure readings to volumetric flow. Example hydrographs or flow analysis reports from prior projects shall be included in the submission.

• Must demonstrate experience correlating flow data with wet weather records to identify and separate inflow and infiltration contributions.

SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS

Proposals submitted in response to this RFP must comply with the requirements outlined herein and should be concise, well-organized, and limited to approximately 20 pages, excluding appendices. Proposals shall be organized with tabs in the following order:

1. Understanding of Project Scope: Provide a clear summary of the vendor’s understanding of the project objectives and requirements. Include your approach to completing a project of this nature, detailing specific work elements from initiation through completion.

2. Project Approach and Implementation Strategy: Present a detailed description of the tasks required and the proposed course of action for successful project delivery. Include the proposed monitoring methodology, meter technology, sensor spacing and density approach, acoustic inspection plan, rain gauge plan, and overall project timeline. Discuss anticipated challenges and strategies for addressing them. Include the vendor’s distance from Fort Worth and a communication and response management plan.

3. Sample Deliverables: Include a complete sample deliverables package from a previously completed I&I micro detection project of similar scope, demonstrating the format and quality of the final work products FWWD can expect. Samples may be redacted for client confidentiality.

4. Project Team and Key Personnel: Include resumes for all key personnel assigned to the project, specifying roles, responsibilities, relevant certifications, and experience on similar projects. Include a statement of current workload and availability throughout the project duration.

5. Experience and References: Provide documentation of at least five (5) projects of similar size and scope completed within the past ten years.

Include client references with contact name, address, and phone number for verification. Identify project staff who worked on the referenced projects.

6. Cost Proposal: Provide a detailed itemized cost proposal. The proposal shall not exceed $150,000 total. Proposers shall provide unit pricing for each service category and identify any optional services with separate pricing.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Proposals will be evaluated and ranked by a selection committee based on the following criteria:

1. Relevant Experience and References – Prior experience with similar projects for water utilities and quality of references (Maximum: 50 points)

2. Project Approach and Schedule – Proposed methodology, work plan, schedule, equipment considerations, and overall value/cost proposition (Maximum: 30 points)

3. Qualifications of Key Personnel – Expertise and availability of staff assigned to the project (Maximum: 20 points)

The contract will be awarded to the vendor receiving the highest evaluation score.

The City reserves the right to consider past performance with other government entities and/or the City, company stability, compliance with legal requirements, and other factors deemed relevant.

SCHEDULE

The City intends to issue the Notice to Proceed in sufficient time to allow mobilization to be completed prior to the onset of the spring wet weather season. The selected vendor shall coordinate with FWWD to confirm the anticipated mobilization window during contract negotiations.

The selected vendor shall mobilize and complete all sensor installation and pre-field activities within 30 days of the Notice to Proceed. The complete study, including the final technical report, GIS deliverables, and formal presentation of findings and recommendations to City staff, shall be delivered within 9 months of the Notice to Proceed, or sooner if sufficient wet weather events have been captured and I&I results can be confirmed to the satisfaction of FWWD.

BUDGET

The estimated budget for this project is $150,000.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

The City may elect to engage the selected vendor for additional related services, either through an amendment to the existing agreement or by entering into a separate contract.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Small Business Program

The project has received a waiver from the Small Business Program goal requirement under Ordinance No. 27832-08-2025.

Deadline for Submission of Questions and Clarification

The deadline for submission of questions or requests for clarification will be identified in the solicitation posting. All interested firms seeking additional information, addenda, or clarifications shall submit questions through the City’s procurement portal.

Support

For technical questions about the Euna Portal, visit Euna’s help forum at https://vendorsupport.gobonfire.com/hc/en-us or contact the Euna support team at Support@GoBonfire.com or by calling 1-800-354-8010. To get started with Euna, watch this five-minute training video: https://vendorsupport.gobonfire.com/hc/en-us/articles/6796500613655-Vendor-Registration-and-Submission-VIDEO-