Construction Manager At Risk (CMAR) Services for the South County Drinking Water Facility Project

Hillsborough County Water Resources Department is requesting qualification proposals from Construction Manager At-Risk (CMAR) firms for pre-construction and construction services on the South County Drinking Water Facility Project, a new $145 million drinking water treatment facility, with proposals due August 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Questions are due within 14 calendar days of solicitation issuance, site visit, or pre-bid conference, whichever is later.

The scope encompasses comprehensive preconstruction services including design coordination, constructability reviews, value engineering, cost estimating, risk analysis, and schedule development; followed by construction management and delivery of a 60–100 mgd water treatment facility located in Balm, Florida that will receive water from Tampa Bay Water's South Hillsborough Pipeline and future South Hillsborough Wellfield, treat the blended supply, and deliver finished water to Hillsborough County's distribution system. The facility includes ground storage tanks, high-service pump stations, backup generators, chemical storage and feed systems, and associated raw water and finished water pipelines (16–30 inches diameter). Design is by Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. Operational capability is required by Q4 2028, with substantial completion by April 6, 2029 and final completion by July 6, 2029.

Evaluation is qualifications-based on four criteria: ability and professional personnel (40 points), experience with similar projects (35 points), approach to project delivery methodology (20 points), and current and projected workload (5 points). Proposers must submit resumes for five required key staff positions—CMAR Project Manager, Preconstruction Manager, Construction Manager, Superintendent, and Construction QA/QC Manager—plus up to seven additional key staff resumes (twelve maximum total). Minimum experience thresholds include one completed water or wastewater treatment plant of at least 10 million gallons per day; two completed water or reclaimed water pump station projects with peak firm capacity of at least 20 mgd; and two completed collaborative delivery method projects (CMAR or design-build). Proposers must describe up to eight recent projects demonstrating similar scope and complexity within the last ten years and detail current and projected workload for 24–36 months in Florida.

Small Business Enterprise participation goals will be established when project design reaches 60–90% completion. The CMAR fee is eight percent of allowable construction cost and is included within the guaranteed maximum price. Total maximum markup, including CMAR fee and all subcontractor markups of all tiers, shall not exceed 15 percent. The CMAR must meet E-Verify requirements and insurance thresholds including Commercial General Liability ($1–5 million per occurrence), Professional Liability ($1–5 million per claim), Builders Risk at 100% of completed value, and additional specialized coverages. Addendum No. 1 (July 20, 2026) clarified experience requirements and added the CMAR Agreement attachment. The Construction Apprenticeship Incentive Program applies, offering a 30 percent incentive on apprentice costs. Proposers must execute a Cone of Silence agreement, affidavit of compliance with foreign-country-of-concern restrictions, drug-free workplace certification, and notarized SBE compliance affidavit. The County will select no fewer than three highly qualified respondents for potential oral interviews, then negotiate with the top-ranked firm.