RFQ - Richardson Sulfuric Acid Tank Replacement.pdf

Request for Qualifications Professional Engineering Consulting Services

Richardson Water Treatment Plant Sulfuric Acid Tank Replacement

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority

Wilmington, North Carolina August 18, 2025

General Information

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) requests Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) from consulting engineering firms for the design and permitting services of tank replacement, improvements to the Sulfuric Acid Room, and associated equipment at the Richardson Water Treatment Plant. The Richardson Water Treatment Plant (RWTP) was built in 2009 and currently produces about 7 million gallons of drinking water per day (mgd). The Richardson WTP Sulfuric Acid Room and associated equipment (Tanks, Pumps, Chemical Coating System, and Chemical Feed Lines) were installed during the initial plant construction completed in 2009. Each aspect of the system is in the various stages of deterioration up-to and including end-of-life.

The project will generally consist of developing contract drawings, technical specifications, obtaining necessary permits, and assisting in the bidding process. Construction based services may be awarded at the time of the construction contract.

Submission of a Statement of Qualification (SOQ)

Consulting engineering firms are invited to submit a Statement of Qualification to the CFPUA to be received no later than 2:00 PM on September 18, 2025. Submittals received after this deadline will not be considered.

CFPUA will address questions regarding the RFQ until 2:00 PM on September 9, 2025. Questions submitted after this time will not addressed. Questions concerning this advertisement should be directed to Ben Guerrieri, Procurement Manager, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, at bids@cfpua.org.

SOQ’s shall be limited to 25-pages or less, excluding cover page, table of contents, tabs, resumes and appendices.

Firms shall submit their statement of qualifications for consideration in .pdf format to bids@cfpua.org. Maximum file size for .pdf submission is 25MB. A reply will be sent to the email address submitting the statement of qualifications to confirm receipt. It is the submitting firms’ responsibility to confirm that CFPUA has received statement of qualifications via email. If email reply is not received from bids@cfpua.org, please call 910-332-6472 or 910-332-6651 before deadline for submission.

Submitted information shall comply with N.C.G.S. 143-64.31 through 64.34 (aka Mini Brooks Act).

mailto:bids@cfpua.org

All SOQ’s will be evaluated by a CFPUA selection team.

One firm will be selected from this request for qualifications.

Description of Services

The scope of work is expected to include the services described below. No guarantee is expressed or implied by the CFPUA that all services will be performed or that the selected consultant will perform all services associated with the project. The CFPUA may terminate work or pursue other consultant selections at any phase of the project.

CFPUA is looking for an engineer to perform the following scope of work, provide recommendations, and design replacements. The scope of work may include, but not be limited to the following:

1. Replacement of (2) 10,000 gallon double-walled, carbon steel (96%) Sulfuric Acid Tanks, chemical pump suction supply lines, and desiccant breather systems.

a. New tanks to be sufficiently sized to hold a bulk delivery plus necessary buffer product volume added-together and have the capacity of containing a 30 day supply at current plant operating capacity.

b. Tanks should be constructed of sufficient material and quality to prevent chemical exposure risk to Operations Teams and meet manufacturer’s recommended life expectancy.

2. Replacement of failed/failing Sulfuric Acid Chemical Containment coating

a. Recommend a coating system to be applied in conjunction with the new tank installation and to include integration of chemical feed metering pump/piping supports.

b. Evaluate surface preparation needs of the existing substrate to create a mechanical profile ensuring proper bond between the substrate and coating system recommended.

3. Replacement of existing Kynar (PVDF) sulfuric acid chemical feed lines compatible with 96% sulfuric acid and congruent with core chemical system replacement design.

a. Design to include pump discharge to injector quill connection.

Schedule

The CFPUA selection team will place strong emphasis on a firm’s ability to meet the schedule of deliverables outlined below. The selected consultant will be expected to complete final plans and specifications in accordance with the project schedule shown below, or sooner. CFPUA will provide comments on all design submittals generally within 2 weeks from the date received.

o Submit SOQ September 18, 2025 o CFPUA Selects Firm(s) October 20, 2025 o Complete Scope and Contract November 3, 2025 o 60% design documents February 17, 2026 o 90% design documents March 17, 2026 o Final contract documents and permits April 17, 2026

Consultant Selection

CFPUA will follow a qualifications-based selection process. Consultants must demonstrate their level of competence and qualification, and each sub-consultant's level of competence and qualification, with respect to the listed evaluation factors for the services needed.

SOQ’s will be evaluated based on the following four (4) considerations and the level of importance for each consideration. The SOQ shall be formatted consistent with the evaluation consideration. Criteria shown under each of the four (4) considerations are to be addressed in the SOQ. Consultant’s may provide additional information, as necessary.

1. Project understanding and approach (25%)

a. Project understanding

b. Approach to manage rehabilitation and upgrade projects

c. Description of the design team’s quality control program

2. Relevant firm experience (30%)

a. Projects of similar size and scope

b. References and descriptions of similar projects

3. Overall staff experience proposed for this project (30%)

a. Project Manager to lead the design aspect of the project

b. Individual team members for each discipline and relevant experience

4. Record of success by the consultant (15%)

a. Managing design and construction costs within project budgets and design estimates.

b. Record of project success, demonstrated by work previously performed for

CFPUA or similar work performed for others.

A more detailed scope of work and fee schedule will be negotiated with the best qualified firm. If negotiations are not successful with any selected firm, CFPUA will terminate negotiations with that firm and initiate negotiations with the next best qualified firm.

When a fair and reasonable fee is established, a contract award recommendation will be made to the CFPUA Board for its consideration.

Insurance Requirements

The following criteria will be deemed necessary for selection:

• The firm must meet the following insurance requirements. Workers Compensation may be waived if firm has no employees.

• General Liability $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate. Authority must be additional insured and endorsement required.

• Workers Compensation $500,000/$500,000/$500,000. Waiver of Subrogation against the Authority and endorsement required.

• Auto Liability Insurance $1,000,000 per occurrence combined single limits applicable to claims due to bodily injury and/or property damage. Authority must be additional insured and endorsement required.

• Professional Liability not less than $2,000,000 per loss.

• Any firm wishing to be considered must be properly registered with the NC Office of the Secretary of State.

Notification

The selected firms will be notified by telephone and/or email.

The CFPUA reserves the right to reject any and all Proposals.

CFPUA will address questions regarding the RFQ until 2:00PM on September 9, 2025.

Questions submitted after this time will not be addressed. Any questions concerning this advertisement should be directed to Ben Guerrieri, Procurement Manager, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, at bids@cfpua.org by 2:00 PM on September 9, 2025.