Arizona Department of Environmental Quality In-Person Onsite Operator Certification Program Training Services

The City of Phoenix Water Services Department, in collaboration with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), is seeking a contractor to provide In-Person Onsite Operator Certification Program Training Services through a Request for Proposal (RFP). The contract will cover certification training for water production, wastewater, water distribution, and wastewater collection operators at Grades 1-4. Proposing contractors must demonstrate a minimum of three years of operational history providing similar services and have instructors certified at least one grade level above the discipline they are teaching, with instructors possessing a minimum of five years of operator experience. The training will be conducted at City of Phoenix water and wastewater treatment facilities, with course lengths ranging from 8 to 32 hours depending on the grade level. The solicitation was released on August 27, 2025, with a pre-offer conference scheduled for September 5, 2025, and proposal responses due by September 19, 2025, at 2:00 pm. The contract will be awarded based on a comprehensive evaluation process: experience and capability (405 points), method of approach (375 points), and cost (220 points). The initial contract term is two years, with options to extend for three additional one-year periods, potentially totaling five years.

The RFP does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations, but the Supplemental Terms and Conditions document indicates compliance requirements for disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) provisions. Contractors will be required to adhere to nondiscrimination and civil rights regulations, including equal employment opportunities and economic nondiscrimination standards. While no incumbent vendors are specified, the contract allows for optional consulting services for course development. Pricing will be firm for the first 12 months, with potential annual adjustments subject to City approval. The contract will be solicited through the City's Procurement Portal, with technical support available via the OpenGov e-Procurement Portal. The agreement can terminate upon reaching the end of its term or through specific provisions outlined in the contract. Though specific budget ranges are not detailed in the documents, the comprehensive evaluation process suggests a focus on quality and comprehensive training services rather than solely on cost.