1301900: Final Design for Far Southside Overflow Tunnel

The City of Chicago Department of Water Management is requesting qualifications for final design consulting services on the Far Southside Overflow Tunnel project (RFQ #67217), with qualifications due July 31, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Central Time and a pre-submittal conference on April 28, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. The procurement carries mandatory participation goals of 26 percent Minority Business Enterprise, 6 percent Women Business Enterprise, and 1 percent Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise.

The scope encompasses comprehensive design consulting for municipal sewer-related infrastructure, including preparation of plans, specifications, and cost estimates for a large-diameter, deep tunnel project. Respondents must demonstrate past performance on comparable deep tunnel projects and possess specialized expertise in geotechnical analysis, hydraulic modeling, and structural design. The City will evaluate qualifications through three phases: preliminary assessment, detailed evaluation by committee using weighted criteria (professional qualifications and experience, technical approach and funding strategy, past performance, key personnel qualifications and local availability, and organizational structure and quality assurance plans), and oral presentations for shortlisted respondents. Respondents must accept the City's Professional Services Agreement terms without exception and comply with insurance requirements, economic disclosure statements, sexual harassment policy attestations, and conflict of interest disclosures.

The base contract term is three years with options for two additional one-year renewal periods. The City will negotiate competitive maximum rates with the selected respondent prior to award; pricing is not evaluated during the submittal phase. The project is funded entirely by City funds. Questions are due May 5, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Central Time. All reports and data prepared by the consultant require prior written City approval for release to outside parties.