Wastewater_System_Rehabilitation_Program.pdf

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION

Solicitation Number 2026-RFQ-035

Wastewater System Rehabilitation Program

1. DEFINITIONS

Contract means the Contract included with this RFQ.

Projects means Wastewater System Rehabilitation Program

RFQ means this Request for Qualifications.

Respondent means the person or entity that submits a Submittal in response to this RFQ.

Submittal means the documents required to be submitted under SUBMITTAL.

2. SUBMITTAL

A. As a part of the Vendor Responses section of the RFQ, the Respondent will need to upload the following documents in OpenGov Procurement:

1. Conflict of Interest Questionnaire (CIQ Form);

2. Certificate Regarding Debarment;

3. House Bill 89 Verification Form;

4. Senate Bill 13 Verification Form; and

5. Senate Bill 19 Verification Form.

B. Submittals will be received on or before 2:00 pm on Friday, August 28, 2026.

C. Submittals received after the submission date and time will not be considered.

3. ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

A. If a Respondent finds a discrepancy in or an omission from, or has a question about this RFQ or other related document, the Respondent should immediately notify the Purchasing Office at the E-mail address listed below or at OpenGov Procurement. Questions regarding this RFQ must be received by the

Purchasing Office on or before 5:00 pm on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. After the Purchasing Office has https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/sugarlandtx/projects/286058/document?section=2757426

CITY OF SUGAR LAND Solicitation Number 2026-RFQ-035 been notified of a discrepancy or omission, or has been asked a question, the Purchasing Office will post an amendment or addendum on OpenGov Procurement for all Respondents to view.

B. A Respondent may withdraw a Submittal by giving the Purchasing Office written notice of the withdrawal before the submittal deadline. If a Respondent submits written notice of the withdrawal after the submittal deadline, a Respondent must receive the City’s written consent to withdraw a

Submittal. To withdraw, please email:Purchasing OfficePurchasing Office contracts@sugarlandtx.gov

C. Submittals received in response to this RFQ will be reviewed and evaluated by City staff.

D. THE SELECTED RESPONDENT WILL BE REQUIRED TO ENTER INTO THE CITY OF

SUGAR LAND STANDARD CONTRACT AND PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN THE MINIMUM

INSURANCE COVERAGES REQUIRED UNDER THE CONTRACT. THE SAMPLE

CONTRACT AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS ARE INCLUDED AS PART OF THIS

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION.

E. Additional documents, amendments, and addenda relating to this RFQ are available at OpenGov

Procurement.

F. If you have any questions, please use the OpenGov Procurement platform.

4. MANDATORY CONTRACT PROVISIONS

The City of Sugar Land is soliciting Submittals for professional services in compliance with Chapter 2254 of the Texas Government Code. Since the City must comply with certain State laws and City policies, the City uses a Standard Form of Agreement that incorporates require contract provisions that cannot be modified.

Submitting a written Submittal in response to the City’s solicitation is your offer to enter into the City’s

Standard Form of Agreement without modification of the required contract provisions.

A. Payment. The City’s payments under the Contract, including the time of payment and the payment of interest on overdue amounts, are subject to Chapter 2251 of the Texas Government Code.

B. Liability and Indemnity. Any provision of the Contract is void and unenforceable if it: (1) limits or releases either party from liability that would exist by law in the absence of the provision; (2) creates liability for either party that would not exist by law in the absence of the provision; or (3) waives or limits either party’s rights, defenses, remedies, or immunities that would exist by law in the absence of the provision. (Section 5, Article XI, Texas Constitution).

C. Confidentiality. Any provision in the Contract that attempts to prevent the City’s disclosure of information subject to public disclosure under federal or Texas law or regulation, or court or administrative decision or ruling, is invalid. (Chapter 552, Texas Government Code).

D. Contractual Limitations Period. Any provision of the Contract that establishes a limitations period that does not run against the City by law or that is shorter than two years is void. (Sections 16.061 and

16.070 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code).

E. Governing Law and Venue. Texas law governs this Contract and any lawsuit on this Contract must be filed in a court that has jurisdiction in Fort Bend County, Texas.

F. Disclosure of Interested Persons for Council-Approved Contracts. Under Section 2252.908 of the

Texas Government Code: The Texas Ethics Commission has prescribed a Certificate of Interested

Persons form, which must be filled out, signed, notarized and submitted to the City at the time of execution of the Contract/Agreement, along with the certification of filing generated from the

Commission’s website. The Certificate of Interested Persons form is available on the Commission’s website at https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/filinginfo/1295/ and the successful Respondent must follow the

Commission’s filing process adopted pursuant to the statute. The successful contractor’s notarized

Certificate of Interested Persons and certification of filing will be attached to the Contract/Agreement.

5. SCOPE OF WORK

5.1. GENERAL

The City of Sugar Land is requesting Statements of Qualifications from Respondents that can demonstrate the resources, experience, and qualifications necessary to provide professional engineering and related services for sanitary sewer collection system rehabilitation, lift station rehabilitation, and other associated wastewater infrastructure improvements.

The City’s ongoing wastewater infrastructure programs have identified collection system and lift station assets that may require evaluation, rehabilitation, replacement, or other improvements. Projects may arise from previous studies, inspections, operational needs, regulatory requirements, capital improvement planning, or conditions identified by the City. The selected Respondent or Respondents may provide services for current and future projects of a similar nature.

Services may include planning, investigation, condition assessment, surveying, engineering analysis, design, permitting, bidding assistance, construction administration, construction-phase services, program support, and other related professional services necessary to evaluate and implement wastewater infrastructure improvements.

Only Respondents submitting a response to this RFQ and meeting the qualifications established through the evaluation process will be considered. Respondents may submit qualifications for one or more types of projects or services described in this RFQ. Only one Statement of Qualifications shall be submitted by each Respondent or Respondent team. Multiple submissions from the same Respondent or Respondent team may be considered non-responsive.

Any questions related to this RFQ shall be posted on OpenGov Procurement, no later than the schedule listed under the SCHEDULE OF KEY EVENTS. Responses to questions will be sent to all firms that provide emails on or before the schedule listed under the SCHEDULE OF KEY EVENTS.

https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/filinginfo/1295/

Except for the submission of written questions or in response to requests/inquiries from the City of Sugar Land staff, Respondents shall not contact members of the Selection Committee, City Council, P&Z

Commissioners, or other City staff with respect to this RFQ or the selection process.

Contact with any personnel of the City other than Jason Poscovsky, Purchasing Manager, regarding this

Request for Qualification may be grounds for elimination from the selection process.

By submitting a response to this RFQ, each Respondent unequivocally acknowledges that they have read and fully understand this RFQ and have asked questions and received satisfactory answers from the City regarding any provisions of this RFQ with regard to which clarification was desired.

All provided Submittals become the property of the City of Sugar Land and are subject to the Public

Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). All documentation shall be open for public inspection, except for trade secrets and confidential information so identified by Respondent as such. All confidential information should be specifically and conspicuously marked as such in red. The City of Sugar Land will follow all requirements and procedures in the Public Information Act when responding to requests for disclosure of documents.

5.2. Scope of Work

The City intends to retain one or more qualified firms to provide professional engineering and related services for sanitary sewer collection system rehabilitation, lift station rehabilitation, and associated wastewater infrastructure projects.

The specific scope, schedule, deliverables, and level of effort for each project will be established by the City based on the needs of the individual assignment. Services may include, but are not limited to:

• Planning and preliminary engineering;

• Review of available studies, records, plans, inspection information, and system data;

• Field investigation, surveying, testing, and condition assessment;

• Engineering analysis and development of recommendations;

• Evaluation of rehabilitation, replacement, repair, or improvement alternatives;

• Preparation of reports, technical memoranda, cost estimates, plans, specifications, and construction documents;

• Permitting, utility coordination, stakeholder coordination, and agency coordination;

• Easement, right-of-way, and property acquisition support;

• Bid-phase and procurement support;

• Construction administration, construction-phase engineering, inspection, and project closeout services;

• Program development, project prioritization, and capital planning support; and

• Other related professional services requested by the City.

Respondents should demonstrate relevant experience with wastewater collection systems, lift stations, rehabilitation and replacement projects, project planning, design, bidding, and construction-phase services.

Respondents should also describe their approach to evaluating project needs, developing recommendations, managing project risks, coordinating with stakeholders, and delivering practical and cost-effective solutions.

The City expects Respondents to use their professional experience and judgment to identify appropriate methods, services, and project approaches based on the requirements and conditions of each assignment.

5.3. SELECTION

This solicitation shall be the only method for submitting Statements of Qualifications for the services described in this RFQ. Respondents will be evaluated and ranked based on their submittals and the evaluation criteria stated herein. When the City determines that a project is ready to proceed, the Selection Committee will determine which Respondent or Respondents are the most qualified to provide the required services.

Some or all of the Respondents under consideration may, at the sole discretion of the City of Sugar Land, be required to participate in oral presentations or interviews. Any presentations or interviews will be conducted to obtain information necessary for the Selection Committee to evaluate the Respondents’ qualifications and capabilities to provide the required services.

The City will notify participating Respondents of the schedule, order, procedures, content requirements, time limits, and permitted use of handouts or visual aids. Oral presentations or interviews, if conducted, may be scored by the Selection Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the City may elect to complete the evaluation and ranking process without conducting oral presentations or interviews.

All submittals shall therefore be comprehensive and clearly written. Respondents should not rely on an opportunity to provide additional or clarifying information at a later time.

Upon completion of the selection process, the City will attempt to negotiate a contract with the most qualified

Respondent for the applicable services. If a satisfactory contract cannot be reached, the City may terminate negotiations with that Respondent and begin negotiations with the next most qualified Respondent, continuing in order of ranking as necessary. Final selections and contracts shall be approved in accordance with the City’s applicable policies and approval requirements.

The City of Sugar Land reserves the right to award multiple contracts or establish an ordered pool of qualified

Respondents resulting from this solicitation. If additional project needs arise within the scope of services described herein, the City, at its sole discretion, may elect to negotiate and award contracts directly to any qualified Respondents from the final evaluation ranking, without issuing a new RFQ. This multi-award authority shall remain active for a period of 24 months from the date of the initial RFQ award.

5.4. SCHEDULE OF KEY EVENTS

RFQ Advertised in local paper: August 5, 2026

RFQ Posted to OpenGov Procurement: August 5, 2026

Questions Deadline: August 18, 2026, 5:00pm

Questions Answered and Addenda posted: August 21, 2026, 5:00pm

Submissions Due: August 28, 2026, 2:00pm

Select consultants to interview: September 7, 2026

Consultant interviews: September 14, 2026, 9:00am

6. EVALUATION

The RFQs will be evaluated using a point system (out of 100) on the following categories. The Respondents with the highest total scores will be recommended for interviews or contract negotiations. The following items are requested to be placed in order to allow easier review:

It is understood that the City reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all Submittals to this RFQ as it shall deem to be in the best interest of the City. Projects will be awarded based on City of Sugar Land funding to fund the respective projects.

All provided Submittals become the property of the City of Sugar Land and are subject to the Public

Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). All documentation shall be open for public inspection, except for trade secrets and confidential information so identified by Respondent as such. All confidential information should be specifically and conspicuously marked as such in red. The City of Sugar Land will follow all requirements and procedures in the Public Information Act when responding to requests for disclosure of documents.

No. Evaluation Criteria Scoring Method Weight (Points)

1. Executive Summary and References

Provide a background of the firm submitting the proposal, including name, address, and telephone number, a summary of the firm’s interest in this service, and the name of one or more individuals authorized to represent the firm in its dealings on a contractual basis.

Provide references for similarly scoped infrastructure projects or related projects, including contact person, affiliation, address, email address, phone number, name of project, and year. The reference should be someone with direct knowledge of the firm's role on the project. A minimum of three (3) references shall be provided.

Points Based 10 (10% of Total)

2. Firm's Availability

Availability and dedication to the City projects to provide support and deliver the project on time. You may describe your current workload and how this project will be prioritized.

Points Based 5 (5% of Total)

3. Qualification of Key Personnel

Provide qualifications of key personnel with a focus on their direct roles and contributions in similar projects (e.g., as project principal, design lead, project architect, etc.). Include details on responsibilities and decision-making roles in addition to general resumes.

Points Based 10 (10% of Total)

4. Key Projects and Relevant Experience

Provide verifiable and relevant project experience, with emphasis on assignments of comparable scale and budget (preferably within the past 7 years). Submissions should include:

• A brief summary of each project, highlighting its scope, size, and relevance

• Specific challenges encountered and how they were resolved o Describe both team collaboration strategies and technical/creative/innovative solutions

• Roles and responsibilities of your team, especially in relation to the proposed scope

Submissions should emphasize how insights and lessons learned from prior engagements will inform successful delivery on this project.

Points Based 20 (20% of Total)

5. Understanding of the Project

This section requires proposers to clearly articulate their understanding of the project's goals, the City of Sugar Land's strategic vision for this initiative, and the unique factors influencing its successful delivery.

Points Based 15 (15% of Total)

6. Technical Approach

Proposed technical approach showing creativity and thoroughness of methodology in the project design.

Points Based 20 (20% of Total)

7. Quality Control / Quality Assurance

Program

Provide a detailed overview of your firm’s

QA/QC program and how it is applied to ensure:

• Design accuracy and compliance with the City of Sugar Land’s standards

• Mitigation of errors through all phases of the project, from planning through construction administration

• Effective internal communication, review protocols, and documentation procedures

In addition:

• Include at least one verifiable project that demonstrates the tangible benefits of your QA/QC practices

• Clearly connect your QA/QC history to your approach for this project, showing how it will ensure timely, compliant, and high-quality delivery

Points Based 15 (15% of Total)

8. Clear & Concise Response

Beyond clear and concise, your RFQ response must be visually engaging and within page limits. Strategic incorporation of white space and visual elements are encouraged.

Points Based 5 (5% of Total)

7. VENDOR RESPONSES

1. Contract and Insurance Requirements

1.1. Sample - Contract for Engineering Design Services

Please download the documents below, and review.

• Contract_Over_1M_SAMPLE.pdf

• Contract_Under_1M_SAMPLE.pdf

1.2. Acknowledgement of City of Sugar Land - Sample Engineering Design Services Contract*

By selecting "Please confirm" below, Respondent acknowledges that they have reviewed the Sample

Engineering Design Services Contract.

☐ Please confirm

*Response required https://government-project.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/286058/b0ca21d0-a11b-4215-94e1-fae55e370de6_Contract_Over_1M_SAMPLE.pdf https://government-project.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/286058/fb8139fb-5b40-4b58-905e-8ab85218b9d6_Contract_Under_1M_SAMPLE.pdf

1.3. Acknowledgement of City of Sugar Land - Insurance Requirements*

By selecting "Please confirm" below, Respondent acknowledges they understand the Insurance Requirements of these specifications and will comply in full if awarded this contract

☐ Please confirm

*Response required

1.4. Primary Contact for this RFQ*

Please include the following information:

Name Phone Number Email Address

*Response required

2. Evaluation Response

Responses to this RFQ must be submitted in PDF format and adhere to the following requirements to facilitate consistent and efficient evaluation:

Page Limit:

• Total page count is limited to 7 sheets, not including the exempted items listed above

Page Size and Layout:

• All pages must be single-sided, sized 8½”×11”, except:

o Up to two (2) 11”×17” sheets may be used for maps, each counting as one (1) page

• The following items are excluded from the 7-page limit:

o Title page o Cover letter o Section dividers o Required forms o Resumes (to be included as an appendix at the end)

Formatting Requirements:

• Minimum font size for text: 12 point

• Minimum font size for charts/graphics: 10 point

• Each section must be clearly titled and follow the RFQ’s order and terminology

Failure to comply with page limitations will result in a deduction of evaluation points under the relevant criteria.

2.1. Vendor Response*

Please upload a complete vendor response in one PDF file. Responses must include:

Evaluation Criteria

1. Executive Summary and References

2. Firm's Availability

3. Qualifications of Key Personnel

4. Key Projects and Relevant Experience

5. Understanding and Technical Approach

6. Quality Control / Quality Assurance Program

7. Clear & Concise Response

*Response required

2.2. Required Forms*

Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• CIQ_FORM_RFQ.docx

• Certification_by_Contractor...

• HOUSE_BILL_89_VERIFICATION_...

• SENATE_BILL_13_VERIFICATION...

• SENATE_BILL_19_VERIFICATION...

• Respondent_Certification_&_...

*Response required

8. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

REQUIREMENTS FOR GENERAL SERVICES CONTRACT

The Contractor shall comply with each and every condition contained herein. The Contractor shall provide and maintain the minimum insurance coverage set forth below during the term of its agreement with the City. Any

Subcontractor(s) hired by the Contractor shall maintain insurance coverage equal to that required of the

Contractor. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to assure compliance with this provision. The City of

Sugar Land accepts no responsibility arising from the conduct, or lack of conduct, of the Subcontractor.

NOTE: The nature/size of a contract/agreement may necessitate higher limits than shown above. These requirements are only meant as a guide, but in any event, should cover most situations. Check with Purchasing

& Risk Management if you need assistance or need additional information.

8.1. INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETION OF INSURANCE DOCUMENT

With reference to the foregoing insurance requirements, Contractor shall specifically endorse applicable insurance policies as follows:

https://government-project.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/111913/2e8baed1-d124-486a-89a3-3771f0072c8f_CIQ_FORM_RFQ.docx https://government-project.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/111913/c66cb575-1624-4883-905b-f40edc24fed6_Certification_by_Contractor_Regarding_Debarment_RFQ.docx https://government-project.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/111913/0287df42-f798-43c0-88b9-24696a55d799_HOUSE_BILL_89_VERIFICATION_RFQ.docx https://government-project.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/111913/404918fd-3a31-4f37-9d6e-968ad75e805b_SENATE_BILL_13_VERIFICATION_RFQ.docx https://government-project.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/111913/6fe0f0d9-c1e8-4185-b7e6-43acc8f42b33_SENATE_BILL_19_VERIFICATION_RFQ.docx https://government-project.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/111913/d072df50-1fee-4b09-ac89-330db61a7838_Respondent_Certification_%26_Reference_Form.docx

A. The City of Sugar Land shall be named as an additional insured with respect to General Liability and

Automobile Liability on a separate endorsement

B. A waiver of subrogation in favor of The City of Sugar Land shall be contained in the Workers

Compensation and all liability policies and must be provided on a separate endorsement.

C. All insurance policies shall be endorsed to the effect that The City of Sugar Land will receive at least thirty (30) days' written notice prior to cancellation or non-renewal of the insurance.

D. All insurance policies, which name The City of Sugar Land as an additional insured, must be endorsed to read as primary and non-contributory coverage regardless of the application of other insurance.

E. Chapter 1811 of the Texas Insurance Code, Senate Bill 425 82(R) of 2011, states that the above endorsements cannot be on the certificate of insurance. Separate endorsements must be provided for each of the above.

F. All insurance policies shall be endorsed to require the insurer to immediately notify The City of Sugar

Land of any material change in the insurance coverage.

G. All liability policies shall contain no cross liability exclusions or insured versus insured restrictions.

H. Required limits may be satisfied by any combination of primary and umbrella liability insurances.

I. Contractor may maintain reasonable and customary deductibles, subject to approval by The City of

Sugar Land.

J. Insurance must be purchased from insurers having a minimum AmBest rating of B+.

K. All insurance must be written on forms filed with and approved by the Texas Department of Insurance.

(ACORD 25 2016/03) Coverage must be written on an occurrence form.

L. Contractual Liability must be maintained covering the Contractors obligations contained in the contract. Certificates of Insurance shall be prepared and executed by the insurance company or its authorized agent and shall contain provisions representing and warranting all endorsements and insurance coverages according to requirements and instructions contained herein.

M. Upon request, Contractor shall furnish The City of Sugar Land with certified copies of all insurance policies.

N. A valid certificate of insurance verifying each of the coverages required above shall be issued directly to the City of Sugar Land within ten (10) business days after contract award and prior to starting any work by the successful contractor’s insurance agent of record or insurance company. Also, prior to the start of any work and at the same time that the Certificate of Insurance is issued and sent to the City of Sugar

Land, all required endorsements identified in sections A, B, C and D, above shall be sent to the City of

Sugar Land. The certificate of insurance and endorsements shall be sent to:

City of Sugar Land Emailed to: purchasing@sugarlandtx.gov Purchasing Office Faxed to: 281 275-2741 mailto:purchasing@sugarlandtx.gov

P. O. Box 110 Sugar Land, TX 77487-0110

8.2. Worker's Compensation

Statutory limits, State of TX.

8.3. Employers' Liability

$500,000 per employee per disease / $500,000 per employee per accident / $500,000 by disease aggregate.

8.4. Commercial General Liability

Very High/High Risk

Each Occurrence $1,000,000

Fire Damage $300,000

Personal & ADV Injury $1,000,000

General Aggregate $2,000,000

Products/Compl Op $2,000,000

XCU $2,000,000

8.5. Automobile Liability: (Owned, Non-Owned, Hired and Injury & Property coverage for all)

Very High/ High Risk

Combined Single Limits

$1,000,000 Bodily

8.6. Umbrella each-occurrence with respect to primary Commercial General Liability, Automobile

Liability, and Employers Liability policies at minimum limits as follows:

Contract value less than $1,000,000: not required

Contract value between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000: $4,000,000 is required

Contract value between $5,000,000 and $10,000,000: $9,000,000 is required

Contract value between $10,000,000 and $15,000,000: $15,000,000 is required

Contract value above $15,000,000: $20,000,000 is required

Excess coverage over $10,000,000 can be provided on “following form” type to the underlying coverages to the extent of liability coverage as determined by the City.

8.7. Professional Liability

Including, but not limited to services for Accountant, Appraiser, Architecture, Consultant, Engineering, Insurance Broker, Legal, Medical, Surveying, construction/renovation contracts for engineers, architects, constructions managers, including design/build Contractors.

Minimum limits of $1,000,000 per claim/aggregate This coverage must be maintained for at least two (2) years after the project is completed.