RFI_26002_-_Paseo_Real_Wastewater_Treatment_Design_and_Construction.docx

The City of Santa Fe (City), Central Purchasing Division (CPD)

AND

Public Utilities Department

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Paseo Real Wastewater Treatment Design and Construction

RFI# 26002

RFI Release Date: June 26, 2025

On-site Introductory Meeting Date: July 24, 2025

Responses Due By: July 29, 2025

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I. INTRODUCTION

A. PURPOSE OF THIS RFI

The City of Santa Fe’s Public Utilities Department, in coordination with the Central Purchasing Division, is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to gather input from qualified firms with experience in Progressive Design-Build (PDB) project delivery for the design and construction of a new (either partially or fully replacing the existing facility) 7.0 Million Gallons per Day (MGD) Wastewater Reclamation Facility (WRF). This RFI is a non-binding step intended to help the City better understand industry capabilities, approaches, and considerations that could benefit a future procurement, as described in the Scope of Procurement below. No cost information shall be included. This RFI is for the sole purpose of acquiring information.

B. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The City operates the Paseo Real Wastewater Treatment Plant (PRWWTP), originally constructed in 1961 and now under regulatory compliance orders. The 64-year-old activated sludge facility features primary clarification, tertiary filtration, ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection, and Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF). It receives an average influent flow of 4.8 MGD from a residential population of approximately 90,000.

The PRWWTP has a permitted capacity of 13 MGD based on the Average Daily Maximum Month Flow (ADMMF).

The facility’s discharge into the Santa Fe River is regulated by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit NM002292, issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which expires in August 2026. In addition, the facility operates under the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Groundwater Quality Bureau (GWQB) Discharge Permit (DP-289) for reuse purposes, which expires in August 2027.

The City intends to construct a new WRF—either partially or fully replacing the existing facility—to meet future regulatory, environmental, and reuse demands. The new facility will be designed to handle:

· 7.0 MGD average monthly flow

· 18.3 MGD peak hourly flow

· Enhanced nutrient removal

· Future discharge to the Rio Grande The City seeks the most resource-efficient solution to meet water quality standards over the next 30 to 50 years. Whether the new WRF involves complete replacement or incorporates existing components, uninterrupted operation of the current facility must be maintained throughout the project.

Where existing components are determined to be in excellent condition, capable of effective integration into the new process design, and provide a cost-effective alternative, their reuse is encouraged (but not required) to reduce the overall lifecycle cost of the new WRF. Upgrades to existing structures will be considered only if those structures are deemed suitable for repurposing in a manner that maintains continuous treatment operations and ensures compliance with both current and anticipated future effluent requirements. Specific existing components may be incorporated into the proposed WRF design where practical.

The Maximum Allowable Construction Cost (MACC) is $220 million, excluding tax.

FEDERAL FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:

This project will be funded in part by federal funds administered through the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), including but not limited to funding from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and/or other federal sources. As such, the selected Design-Build Team must comply with all applicable federal and state requirements.

Existing Facilities and Property Boundaries:

The figure above illustrates the current site layout and identifies each major treatment component.

C. SCOPE OF PROCUREMENT

The following is the scope of work the City has developed. Please review and correct or update the information as needed taking into account the background information and the federal and state current requirements:

Utilizing a Progressive Design-Build project delivery method, the City is seeking to plan, design, and construct an updated WRF.

· The project will include the design and construction of a new 7.0 MGD ADMMF WRF integrating components of the existing WRF where feasible. The Design-Build Team (DBT) is encouraged—but not required—to evaluate and propose opportunities to reuse or renovate the existing infrastructure as a potential cost-savings measure. The existing WRF must remain in operation throughout the construction and commissioning phase of the new WRF. The new facility will need to be designed to meet a hydraulic design flow of 7.0

This project will also include a minimum of 6 months of O&M Support services post-commissioning:

· On-Site Operational Support - Provide two site visits per month for:

· Hands-on troubleshooting and performance optimization

· Assistance with process modifications and seasonal adjustments

· Operator coaching and review of data trends

· Remote Monitoring and Consultation

· Provide remote process oversight and support via phone, email, and data review

· Monthly review of operational data with performance memos and recommendations

· Preventive Maintenance & Vendor Coordination

· Review O&M schedules with plant staff

· Assist with warranty issues and vendor follow-up for performance-related concerns

· Validate Preventative Maintenance (PM) procedures for all major equipment (blowers, pumps, UV, membranes, HVAC etc.)

· System Optimization Report -At the end of the 6-month support period, submit a summary report detailing:

· Operational performance

· Issues encountered and resolved

· Long-term optimization recommendations

· Training gaps or additional resource needs

Program Statements The project will include all utility and infrastructure requirements including but not limited to electrical, gas, telecommunications, SCADA, sanitary sewer, potable water, permitting, and fire protection/suppression. It also includes all required studies and reports including but not limited to boundary/topographic surveying, and soils and hydrological testing are included in the project as is project commissioning.

Elements and considerations for the project shall include but are not limited to the following:

· New Raw wastewater lift station

· New headworks that will include coarse and fine screening, and enhanced grit removal

· Wastewater treatment process with advanced biological nutrient removal process and disinfection

· Connection to existing/planned effluent reuse storage and discharge pumping system

· New operations/administration building

· Emergency standby electrical power

· New utility connections including electrical, potable water, and gas

· Septage receiving station

· Bulk water (standpipe) station relocation if needed

· Sludge drying area relocation if needed

Project Requirements:

The new facility must meet all applicable NMED and NPDES permit requirements including:

· Total Nitrogen (TN) less than 6.9 mg/L

· Total Phosphorus (TP) less than 3.1 mg/L

· Total Suspended Solids less than 30 mg/L, monthly average

· Carbonaceous Biological Demand (CBOD) less than 10 mg/L

· E. Coli less than 126 cfu maximum and 63 cfu 30-day arithmetic average

Discharge from the facility by effluent reuse shall meet GWQB and NMED Class 1A permit requirements.

Additionally, the City will also consider as part of the project the following additive alternatives:

· Advanced treatment of constituents not mentioned in current DP

· Chloride

· Sulfate

· Additional nutrient removal to meet the following limits

· 3 mg/L for TN,

· 0.15 mg/L TP

Project Completion Timeline: The intent of the City is to have the project completed and in full service by December 31, 2030.

D. WHO SHOULD RESPOND TO THIS RFI

Design-build teams with experience in:

· Progressive Design-Build or CMAR wastewater treatment projects

· Advanced nutrient removal and membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems

· Public-sector projects exceeding $100 million

· Operation under federal funding and procurement regulations

E. HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS RFI

Firms shall include the following information when submitting a response to this RFI.

· Firm name and primary contact

· Summary of relevant project experience (1 page)

· Anticipated team structure (design/construction partners)

· Interest in receiving future RFQ materials

· Any initial questions or insights regarding the upcoming procurement

· Any notes that reference the Scope of Procurement

· Any changes needed to the scope of work must benefit all proposers without being proprietary information. The scope of work must be drafted to ensure maximum practicable competition

Interested firms are invited to attend the non-mandatory on-site introductory (industry) meeting to be held on:

Date & Time: July 24, 2025 at 8:00 AM MST/MDT Address: 73 Paseo Real Santa Fe NM, 87507 Bring your questions, notes referencing the scope of work, and any changes to the scope of work.

Responses to this RFI should be submitted to the Procurement Manager and CPD as identified below, no later than the date and time referenced on the cover page.

F. FUTURE PROCUREMENT PROCESS

A formal RFQ will be issued as part of a two-step Progressive Design Build (PDB) process as outlined below:

The Two-Step Selection process consists of a qualifications phase followed by a request for technical and price proposals phase. The RFQ will serve as the basis for shortlisting qualified design-build teams. Shortlisted teams will then be invited to respond to a separate Request for Proposals (RFP) document, which will solicit detailed technical and price proposals.

The primary elements of the Two-Step Selection process are as follows:

First phase - In Phase One of the procurement process, the City will issue an RFQ in accordance with Qualification-Based Selection (QBS) principles. Interested firms will be required to submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) demonstrating their ability to complete the proposed scope. Here is a sample of some of those qualifications:

Minimum qualifications include a design-build team that includes a New Mexico-registered engineer and a contractor properly licensed in New Mexico for the type of work required, as well as successful completion of at least three (3) Design-Build or Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) wastewater treatment plant projects of similar scope—defined as facilities with a design capacity between 3 and 15 MGD — within the last seven years. Based on the evaluation of these submissions, the City will shortlist three to five (3–5) qualified design-build teams to proceed to the next phase.

Second phase - In the second phase of the procurement process, shortlisted firms will be invited to submit comprehensive Technical and Price Proposals in response to a forthcoming Request for Proposals (RFP), which will outline detailed submittal requirements and evaluation criteria. Proposals may include components such as conceptual design and project scope documents, value-added alternatives and innovation options, detailed cost breakdowns, project schedules, and construction management and execution plans. The City may conduct interviews and enter negotiations with shortlisted firms based on their proposals. Unsuccessful firms may be paid a stipend to cover proposal expenses. Following evaluation and negotiation, the City will select one firm for award of the progressive design-build contract, which will be based on the EJCDC D-512 Progressive Design-Build agreement.

G. PROCUREMENT MANAGER

Public Utilities Department has assigned a Procurement Manager who is responsible for the conduct of this RFI whose name, telephone number, and email address are listed below:

Any inquiries or requests regarding this RFI should be submitted, in writing, to the Procurement Manager AND the City’s Central Purchasing Division (CPD) at the emails listed above.

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