ADVANCED WATER PURIFICATION PROGRAM - TRES RIOS

The City of Tucson Water Department is seeking a Progressive Design-Build (PDB) contract for the Advanced Water Purification Program at the Tres Rios site, located in Pima County, Arizona. The project aims to design and construct an Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF) capable of producing 2.5 million gallons per day (MGD) of potable water through advanced treatment of secondary effluent from the Tres Rios Water Reclamation Facility. Key deliverables include multiple design packages (Preliminary Design Report, 30%, 60%, and 100%), comprehensive cost models, procurement plans, and risk registers, with a collaborative approach to project execution. The procurement will be conducted through a two-step process, with an initial evaluation of Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) followed by interviews with shortlisted firms. Evaluation criteria will be weighted as follows: 45% Project Approach, 25% Relevant Project Experience, 20% Project Team Structure and Key Personnel, 5% Design-Builder Profile, and 5% Subcontractor Selection Plan. The RFQ was published on October 15, 2025, with a pre-submittal meeting scheduled for November 3, 2025, and SOQs due on December 17, 2025. The project is anticipated to be completed by June 1, 2031.

The procurement includes Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) provisions and is subject to Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) labor standards. Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program provisions apply to this contract, which requires contractors to demonstrate good faith efforts to include small businesses as prime contractors, subcontractors, joint venture partners, or suppliers. The project has a substantial funding commitment from the Bureau of Reclamation, with a total project budget of $86.7 million. Contractors must comply with specific requirements, including prevailing wage rates, overtime regulations, and certified payroll submissions. The project emphasizes collaborative delivery, with the Design-Builder expected to work closely with Tucson Water, HDR Engineering Inc. (Owner's Advisor), and an Operations Manager at Risk (OMAR). Subcontractors must be carefully selected and documented, with potential consequences for non-compliance including withholding payments, contract termination, and disqualification from future bidding. The project is part of Tucson's broader One Water 2100 Plan, aimed at diversifying water resources and addressing water supply challenges, including PFAS-related well shutdowns.