Watershed_Based_Plan_for_Little_Allison_Creek.pdf

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

2119-RFQ

WATERSHED BASED PLAN FOR LITTLE ALLISON CREEK

City of Rock Hill

757 S. Anderson Road, Building 103

Rock Hill, SC 29730

RELEASE DATE: July 29, 2026

DEADLINE FOR QUESTIONS: August 19, 2026

RESPONSE DEADLINE: September 1, 2026, 10:00 am

RESPONSES MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY TO:

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/cityofrockhill

City of Rock Hill

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

2119-RFQ

Watershed Based Plan for Little Allison Creek

I. Introduction II. Request for Qualifications

III. Scope of Work IV. Submission Format V. Terms and Conditions

VI. Evaluation Process VII. Evaluation Criteria

VIII. Vendor Questionnaire

Attachments:

A - City of Rock Hill Agreement for Services SAMPLE

B - Federally Required Clauses

C - Lobbying

D - Debarment & Suspension Forms

E - SCDES Guide to Developing Watershed Plans

Request for Qualifications (RFQ) #2119-RFQ Title: Watershed Based Plan for Little Allison Creek

1. Introduction

1.1. Summary

The City of Rock Hill, South Carolina ("City") is seeking proposals from qualified firms to develop a

SCDES-approved Watershed Based Plan for Little Allison Creek.

1.2. Background

The City has received a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the S.C.

Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) to develop a SCDES-approved Watershed-Based Plan that incorporates the EPA Nine Elements. Therefore, the Code of Federal Regulations 2 CFR 200 is applicable. Accordingly, the federal clauses in Attachment A are required to be included to the extent that they are applicable. If any federal clauses are inconsistent with provisions found elsewhere in City documents and are irreconcilable with such provisions, the requirements in Attachment A “Federally

Required Clauses” will prevail to the extent that they are applicable.

1.3. Contact Information

Sarah Kesler

Procurement Analyst

757 S Anderson Road

Purchasing Building 103

Rock Hill, SC 29730

Email: sarah.kesler@cityofrockhill.com

Phone: (803) 329-7070

Department:

Public Works

1.4. Timeline

Solicitation Release Date July 29, 2026

Pre-Qualifications Meeting (Non-

Mandatory)

August 12, 2026, 10:00am

City of Rock Hill Operations Center, 757 South Anderson Road, Building 103, Procurement Conference Room, Rock Hill, SC 29730

Question Submission Deadline August 19, 2026, 4:00pm mailto:sarah.kesler@cityofrockhill.com tel:(803)329-7070

Qualifications Submission Deadline September 1, 2026, 10:00am

The City of Rock Hill's eProcurement Portal only.

NOTE: The qualifications opening is virtual. No in-person meeting will be held.

2. Request for Qualifications

PROJECT: Watershed Based Plan for Little Allison Creek

RFQ Number: 2119-RFQ

Qualifications DUE DATE: Tuesday, September 1, 2026 before 10:00 am

2.1. General Information

Electronic submissions will be received by the Procurement Division of the City of Rock Hill, South

Carolina via the City's eProcurement Portal up to but not later than the published date and time. The eProcurement Portal clock is the official timekeeper for the determination of all deadline dates and times. Without exception, responses will not be accepted after the submission deadline regardless of any technical difficulties such as poor internet connections. The City strongly recommends completing your response well ahead of the deadline.

2.2. Purpose

The purpose of this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is to obtain information about consulting companies interested in providing design services of watershed-based plans for the City of Rock Hill. The

City will utilize the information provided in the response to evaluate each interested company by using the criteria outlined in this RFQ. The Stormwater Department is responsible for this project.

2.3. Non Mandatory Pre-Qualifications Meeting

A non-mandatory pre-qualifications meeting will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at the following location:

City of Rock Hill Operations Center, 757 South Anderson Road, Building 103, Procurement

Conference Room, Rock Hill, SC 29730

After making the final turn onto Cowan Road, continue driving until you pass the gas pumps on the left. Building 103 and a small parking lot will be on the left. The Conference Room is located through the glass door under the "103" sign.

Inspection, questions, and work review will take place at this time. Please RSVP if a representative from your company will be attending the non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting.

2.4. Anticipated Project Schedule

The anticipated start date is September 15, 2026 with a term of eighteen (18) months for completion and approval.

2.5. Selection Consideration

To be considered for selection, the company shall be qualified and capable of delivering the following services for the identified project(s). If sub-consultants are to be used for any portion of the work, the sub-consultant should be identified, and pertinent information related to their aspect of the team should be provided.

3. Scope of Work

3.1. Overview

The City of Rock Hill proposes to develop a SCDES-approved Watershed Based Plan for Little Allision

Creek that incorporates the EPA's Nine Elements. The plan will identify pollution sources, estimate load reductions, and outline management measures, educational components, and resource needs.

Additionally, it will establish an implementation and monitoring schedule, measurable milestones, success criteria, and a comprehensive monitoring plan.

3.2. EPA's Nine Elements

There are a minimum of nine required elements outlined by EPA to be included in a watershed plan.

While there may be several additional elements and sections chosen to include in the watershed plan, these nine elements must be included in a watershed plan to be in accordance with the funding provided.

The EPA's Nine Elements for Watershed Plans are of the following:

A. Identify causes of impairment and pollutant sources

B. Estimate the load reductions expected from management measures

C. Describe management measures to be implemented

D. Estimate technical and financial assistance needed

E. Include informational and educational component

F. Create a schedule for implementation of management measures

G. Develop interim measurable milestones

H. Determine criteria to measure success

I. Create a monitoring plan

Additional guidance can be found in the SCDES Guide to Developing Watershed Plans (Attachment E).

4. Submission Format

4.1. Proposal Format

To facilitate the City's review of your Statement of Qualifications, please ensure your submission complies with the following formatting requirements. The submission must not exceed twenty (20) pages and must use a font size of at least 10 points.

4.2. Coversheet

List the RFQ Statement, the name of the company, and the name, address, e-mail address, and telephone number of a contact person for questions concerning the qualifications submitted.

4.3. Qualifications & Experience of the Company

Brief history and organization of the company, the legal entity that will enter into the contract, location of the office where the work will be performed, and the name and title of the person authorized to enter into a master contract agreement (must be an officer, partner, or member of the company). List any sub-consultant companies that will support your company. Provide a narrative of the company’s prior experience and qualifications pertaining to the Scope of Work and provide a list of projects with similar scopes.

4.4. Project Team

Provide a list of the project team members (including the office location where they currently work) that you propose to use and identify each team member's responsibility, clearly detailing each team member's experience. You do not need to list all the sub-consultant employees who may be on the team, but you should list their supervisors. Provide a brief resume for each person listing specific similar project experience, educational experience, and licensure/certifications.

4.5. Team Specialties

List any of their specialty or roles on the team and their office locations. Provide an hourly rate summary for project team members. Please also provide copies of proof of professional licensure in the State of

South Carolina (Certificate of Authorization) for the staff performing the various tasks.

4.6. Project Management, Approach to the Project, & Quality Control

Demonstrate project management, approach to the project, and quality control methods employed by the company. This section shall also include an organizational chart for each team member (including sub-consultant supervisors) and list their roles with responsibilities.

4.7. Capacity and Response Capability

Provide a statement of the company’s current workload, proposed schedule of action for when the City requests these services, and capacity to meet the project schedules.

4.8. History of City of Rock Hill Projects

Provide a list of projects that the company has completed (or is currently working on) with the City of

Rock Hill over the past 5 years. Be sure to identify the project manager, total construction cost, year completed, or status if it is currently in progress. If you have no experience within the City of Rock Hill, then please provide similar projects located within North/South Carolina.

4.9. References

Provide the name, email, address, and telephone number of at least three (3) references familiar with the quality of work done by the company of a similar nature as contained in the above Scope of Work.

By submission of the references, you are authorizing the City of Rock Hill to contact these references.

This is not required if you have worked for the City of Rock Hill on at least two (2) projects over the past two (2) years.

4.10. Legal, Safety, Insurance, and Financial

The company's submittal shall provide documentation of any history of litigation associated with project performance or professional liability during the past ten years. A short statement of any safety problems that the company may have encountered in projects. A statement or other information to describe the company's general financial standing and current insurance coverage.

4.11. Insurance Capacity

The submitting company (lead company if submitting as a team) shall be able to post the minimum, specified insurance requirements for this project as follows:

1. Professional Liability: $2,000,000.00 per claim, and $2,000,000.00 aggregate

2. Worker's Compensation: $500,000.00

3. Automobile Liability: $1,000,000.00 combined single limit for all vehicles

4. Comprehensive/General Liability: $2,000,000.00 per occurrence, and $2,000,000 aggregate

Coverages must be maintained throughout the life of the contract, including any applicable warranty period.

4.12. Qualifications Submission

Statement of Qualifications must be submitted via the City's eProcurement Portal. It must be submitted before 10:00 am on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Mailed, facsimile, or e-mailed copies will not be accepted. The City assumes no responsibility for late submittals.

The e-Procurement Portal uses an 'electronic lock box' system to receive and protect all Company responses. Only the Company can see that they have submitted a response and the information contained in that response. The Company may withdraw their submission and resubmit anytime until the due date and time. Once the submission phase has ended, the City can view the submissions and begin the evaluation of all received.

4.13. Contract

A master contract will be developed with the selected company, and fees shall be established based upon provided draft plans to be used to determine an agreed upon scope of work by and between the selected company and the City of Rock Hill.

The selected company will be required to use the City of Rock Hill's standard contract (see attached).

The City intends to award a contract within 60 days of receipt of qualifications.

4.14. Submission Requirements

This section provides details for preparing and submitting materials required from responding entities to be considered for selection.

1. Submission Preparation: All RFQ responses shall be submitted electronically through the City's eProcurement Portal. The Statement of Qualifications shall be submitted by an authorized representative of the company. Each submission constitutes an offer and may not be withdrawn except as provided herein.

2. Qualifications Submission:

The response shall be submitted before 10:00 am on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

No submission may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) calendar days after the due date unless approved in writing by the Procurement Office. All submissions must be approved by the Rock Hill City

Manager and the department(s) in charge of the project. Failing an agreement, the City may reject all submissions and resubmit for new submissions or make any other decisions it deems to be in its own best interest.

3. Errors in Submittals: Submitters or their authorized representatives are expected to fully inform themselves as to the conditions, requirements, and specifications before submitting the requested materials. Failure to do so will be at the company's own risk. If an error is made, the submittal may be withdrawn before the submission deadline, edited, and resubmitted before the deadline. The City reserves the right to waive any informalities, technical defects, and minor irregularities in submittals received.

4. Discrepancies and Questions: Companies shall have no contact related to this project with the City of

Rock Hill elected or appointed officials or employees during the solicitation process, other than the contact person specified within this solicitation. Any such contact will subject the Company to immediate disqualification for consideration for this project.

Should the Company have questions, find discrepancies in the plans and/or specifications, or be in doubt as to the meaning or intent of any part thereof, the Company shall request clarification from the City via the eProcurement Portal, not later than 4:00 pm on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

All questions will be answered and any changes will be communicated through an addendum posted on the City’s eProcurement Portal. As a registered Company, you will also receive addenda notifications in your email by clicking “Follow” on this project. It is the Company's responsibility to check the website for this information before submitting. Failure to request such clarification is a waiver of any claim by the

Company for additional expenses because its interpretation was different from the City’s.

5. Compliance with laws: The successful entity shall obtain and maintain all licenses, permits, liability insurance, and worker's compensation insurance, and comply with all other standards or regulations required by federal, state, county, or City statutes, ordinances, and rules during the performance of any purchase between the company and the City. Any such requirement specifically outlined in any purchasing document between the company and the City shall be supplementary to this section and not in substitution thereof.

6. Suspension and Debarment: The Company certifies, by the response to this RFQ, that neither it nor its principals are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any federal, state, or local agency. Where the submitting entity is unable to certify any of the statements in this certification, such Offeror shall attach an explanation to this proposal.

7. Subcontractors: The selected company agrees that they shall not delegate, subcontract, or assign all or any portion of the project to any third party without the express written consent of the City.

8. Brand Name: The use of a brand name, if applicable, is for the sole purpose of describing the standard of quality, performance, and a characteristic desired and is not intended to limit or restrict competition.

9. Local Providers: Companies tendering submissions should keep in mind the City's goal of supporting local businesses and supply houses for materials and labor whenever practicable, so long as pricing and other contract conditions are not adversely affected.

5. Terms and Conditions

5.1. Insurance

The Company agrees that the Company shall provide, in a form acceptable to the City, certificates of all insurance required as specified in this solicitation. Coverages must be maintained throughout the life of the contract, including any applicable warranty period.

5.2. Illegal Immigration Reform Act Compliance

The company certifies that the company will comply with the requirements of Chapter 14, Title 8 of the

South Carolina Code of Laws titled Unauthorized Aliens and Public Employment and agrees to provide to the City of Rock Hill any documentation required to establish either; (a) the applicability of such law to the company, subcontractor, and sub-subcontractor; or (b) the compliance with this law by the company and any subcontractors or sub-subcontractors.

5.3. Indemnification

The Company shall indemnify and hold the City harmless from and against all liability, loss, damages, or injury, and all costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees and costs of any suit related thereto), suffered or incurred by the City, to the extent arising from the company’s or its contractor’s negligent performance of the services under this agreement, intentional misconduct, negligent acts or omissions, or breach of any term, covenant, representation, or warranty of this agreement.

5.4. Freedom of Information Act

All submissions will be public information, per FOIA guidelines.

5.5. Iran Divestment Act

By signing its submission, the Company certifies that it is not identified on the list of persons determined by the Executive Director of the State Fiscal Accountability Authority to engage in investment activities in the country of Iran as described in South Carolina Code of Laws Section 11-57-310 (as amended), or any other list of prohibited investments created by the State legislature; will not take any action causing it to appear on any such list during the term of the Final Contract; and will not utilize any subcontractor that is identified on any such list to provide goods or services thereunder.

5.6. Agreement

The selected company will be required to use the City of Rock Hill’s standard agreement. See attached sample agreement.

5.7. Non-Appropriation of Funds

This agreement shall be subject to the availability and appropriation of funds by Management and City

Council. If the Council does not appropriate the funding needed by the City to make payments under this agreement for a given fiscal year, the City will not be obligated to pay amounts due beyond the end of the last fiscal year for which funds were appropriated. No act or omission by the City, which is attributable to non-appropriation of funds, shall constitute a breach of or default under this agreement.

5.8. Statement on Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE)

(i) The City recognizes that business firms owned and operated by minority persons and women have been historically restricted from full participation in our free enterprise system to a degree disproportionate to other businesses.

(ii) The City believes that it should work to ameliorate past discrimination by facilitating the participation of underrepresented groups in the City’s economic community and that such participation is in its best interests and the best interests of its citizens.

(iii) The City will work to ensure that such underrepresented groups, and the businesses they own and lead, are afforded the maximum practicable opportunity—in balance with financially safe and sound business practices–to compete for and perform contracts when the City is procuring construction services, supplies, equipment contracts, lease agreements, or consultant and other services, within the laws of the State of South Carolina.

(iv) The City endeavors to develop, establish, implement, and administer its policies, programs, and procedures to promote balanced economic growth throughout its community.

Accordingly, the City shall not discriminate and shall prohibit discrimination in its selection and retention of contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers, against any person or business on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, status as a parent, age, disability, genetic information, or military status. The City recognizes that disparate treatment on any such basis in the pursuit of economic opportunities is intolerable discrimination.

5.9. City Business License

The successful Company, prior to execution of the contract, must possess or obtain a City of Rock Hill business license. Such license must be maintained throughout the contract. The fee for such a license is based on the amount of the contract with the City if the company is not currently doing other business inside the City limits. If the company is currently doing other business within the City limits of Rock Hill and does not possess a business license, then the fee for the license is based on the total gross receipts from customers within the City limits. Contact the City Business License Office at 803-329-5590 to determine the exact amount or to ask other pertinent questions regarding doing business in the City of

Rock Hill. Companies do not need to possess a business license to submit their qualifications.

5.10. Excluded Companies

Submissions from companies may be excluded for any of the following reasons:

(i) Reason to believe collusion exists among the companies

(ii) The Company is involved in any litigation against the City

(iii) The Company is in arrears on any existing contract or has defaulted on a previous contract with the

City

(iv) Lack of financial stability

(v) Failure to perform under previous or present contracts with the City

(vi) Is currently debarred by the State of South Carolina Procurement Services

Excluded vendors/contractors can resubmit complete company information with references for City review after a minimum of one (1) year from the last excluded Bid. The City will contact the submitting vendor/contractor with its decision within thirty (30) days of company information submittal. The City reserves the right to include or exclude said vendor/contractor based on findings.

5.11. Customer Service

Please remember, although you are a contracted City service, you each represent the City of Rock Hill during all work performed, face-to-face as well as telephone conversations. These guidelines are to give all contract employees a solid feeling of what the City of Rock Hill expects from any contracted service.

Overview:

• Be friendly, courteous, and helpful

• Company uniforms must be worn at all times

• Employees must look and act professionally at all times

Company's Employees:

Before the company's employees can enter the project site, it shall investigate and determine that its employees working on the project site are not listed on the sexual offender registry. The contractor shall require all subcontractors to make a similar investigation. One such investigation within six (6) months of commencement of the project work, by the employer, fulfills the City’s requirement for the project.

The Rock Hill Police Department along with the City of Rock Hill also reserves the right to cancel any contracts, agreements, purchasing or distribution, etc., if they feel the project, purchasing, vehicle(s), and or property(s) may be in jeopardy due to the company's employee(s) having a criminal history which may lead to ethical issues while dealing with City workings or investigative activities.

6. Evaluation Process

1. All responses are subject to a determination of "responsive" and "responsible" prior to selection. The

Procurement representative is the sole judge as to the submitting entity's "responsiveness" and

"responsibility." The City reserves the right to request additional information.

2. The Evaluation Team will review all submissions and reserves the right to request necessary modifications, waive minor technicalities, reject all submissions, reject any submission that does not meet the mandatory requirement(s), or cancel this RFQ, according to the City's best interests.

3. The Evaluation Team may elect to interview one or more proposing companies before making an award. This committee will review each compliant submittal and may invite, at its sole discretion, up to five (5) companies for interviews, but this is not a required step in the selection process. The City will provide written notification to any companies chosen of their intent to pursue contract negotiations.

The City shall not reimburse the company for the costs associated with the interview process. The City assumes no responsibility for costs incurred in responding to this RFQ.

4. The Evaluation Team may elect to first rank submissions with a simple numeric score and then detail score only the top tier of submissions.

5. The Evaluation Team will evaluate responses on a weighted evaluation system. The categories and points assigned for each category are listed in the Evaluation Section.

The City of Rock Hill will review all qualified Statements of Qualifications received and may select one or more companies for contract consideration.

7. Evaluation Criteria

No. Evaluation Criteria Scoring Method Weight (Points)

1. Qualifications of the Firm Points Based 30 (30% of Total)

2. Overall Qualifications of the Project Manager and Project Team Points Based 20

(20% of Total)

3. Understanding of Roadway, Stormwater, Traffic, Water, Sewer, and Landscaping Design Points Based 20

(20% of Total)

4. Response Capability and Project

Understanding Points Based 20

(20% of Total)

5. Historical Performance of the Firm with the

City of Rock Hill Points Based 10

(10% of Total)

8. Vendor Questionnaire

8.1. Company Information*

Please provide the following information as it should appear in a potential agreement with your company:

• Company (legal entity that will enter into the contract)

• Name and Title (person authorized to enter into contract)

• Address (location of the office where or from which the work will be performed)

• Telephone Number

• Email Address

*Response required

8.2. Company Confirmation*

The company affirms that we have read and understand the enclosed RFQ requirements and specifications and submit this Statement of Qualifications for Watershed Based Plan for Little Allison

Creek.

☐ Please confirm

*Response required

8.3. Submission of Qualifications *

Upload the Statement of Qualifications.

*Response required

8.4. Other Supporting Data*

**All proposals should include the proposer's Federal Employer ID Number (FEIN) / Unique Entity ID

(UEI) or Social Security number as evidenced by a W9. Additionally, Attachments C and D (Lobbying and

Debarment Certifications) must be signed and uploaded. If available, please upload the company's

SAM.gov entity information.

*Response required

8.5. References

Provide the name, email, address, and telephone number of at least three (3) references familiar with the quality of work done by the company of similar nature as contained in the Scope of Work. By submission of the references, you are authorizing the City of Rock Hill to contact these references. This is not required if you have worked for the City of Rock Hill on at least two (2) projects over the past two

(2) years.

8.6. Sub-Consultants

Please provide the following information for each of the sub-consultants to be utilized by the Company for this project: Discipline, Contact Name, Company, Address Line, Phone Number, E-mail Address, and whether the sub-consultant is a certified DBE.

If you are not employing sub-consultants or this information is noted in the Qualifications submitted, no response is required.

8.7. Suspension and Debarment Certification*

The Company certifies, by submission of this RFQ, that neither it nor its principals are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any federal, state, or local agency. Where the submitting entity is unable to certify any of the statements in this certification, such company shall attach an explanation to the submission.

☐ Please confirm

*Response required

8.8. Illegal Immigration Reform Act Compliance *

The Company certifies that it will comply with the requirements of Chapter 14, Title 8 of the South

Carolina Code of Laws titled Unauthorized Aliens and Public Employment and agrees to provide to the

City of Rock Hill any documentation required to establish either; (a) the applicability of such law to the

Company, subcontractor, and sub-subcontractor; or (b) the compliance with this law by the Company and any subcontractors or sub-subcontractors.

☐ Please confirm

*Response required

8.9. Iran Divestment Act *

The Company certifies that it:

1) is not identified on the list of persons determined by the Executive Director of the State Fiscal

Accountability Authority to engage in investment activities in the country of Iran as described in South

Carolina Code of Laws Section 11-57-310 (as amended), or any other list of prohibited investments created by the State legislature;

2) will not take any action causing it to appear on any such list during the term of the Final Contract; and

3) will not utilize any subcontractor that is identified on any such list to provide goods or services thereunder.

☐ Please confirm

*Response required

8.10. Customer Service*

The Company representative has read and agrees to the standards set forth in the City's Customer

Service agreement.

☐ Please confirm

*Response required