21-036 WTP NOS. 3 and 9 process improvements

Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department issued Request for Qualifications 21-036 for professional consulting engineering services to design and implement process improvements at Water Treatment Plants Nos. 3 and 9. The procurement seeks a single qualified firm to provide comprehensive consulting services including data collection, site visits, geotechnical investigations, field testing, permitting, design development, electrical and instrumentation engineering, cost estimating, value engineering, and construction phase support. Deliverables encompass improvements to degasifier systems, odor control systems, clearwell modifications, process and reliability enhancements, safety and electrical upgrades, and development of a complete master set of drawings for both facilities. The contract term is four years, and the estimated project budget ranges from $15,000,000 to $20,000,000. A non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting was conducted on January 27, 2022, with proposals due by 3:30 p.m. on February 24, 2022, addressed to Krystin Berntsen, P.E., PMP, Deputy Director at 8100 Forest Hill Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33413. Proposers must submit eight originals, one unbound copy, and one PDF on CD, including a Letter of Interest, GSA Form SF 330, Prime and Sub-Consultant Qualification Questionnaires, OEBO schedules, Commercial Non-Discrimination Certification, and Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form. Evaluation and selection processes included short-list meetings projected for April 2022, selection committee meetings in May 2022, and contract award anticipated in October 2022.

The County mandates minimum Small Business Enterprise (SBE) participation of 20 percent, with at least 5 percent of the contract value reserved for certified African American-owned firms, and proposers may earn up to 15 evaluation preference points based on relative dollar participation by certified African American-owned firms. All Prime consultants and sub-consultants must be CCNA certified with the Roadway Production Division and registered in the County's Vendor Self Service system prior to the proposal due date in relevant categories including topography, soils and foundation testing, mechanical and electrical engineering for water supply, structural engineering, environmental engineering, and subsurface utility engineering. Firms unable to comply with required SBE or M/WBE goals must submit a waiver request at least seven days prior to the proposal deadline, and any proposal failing to meet required goals will be deemed non-responsive. The "Cone of Silence" policy prohibits all communication regarding the solicitation between proposers and County officials from the proposal deadline until contract award or solicitation termination, ensuring procurement integrity and equal access to information. No incumbent vendors or existing contractors were identified in the procurement documentation.