Engineering Services for Dam Support for High Hazard Dams

The City of Ann Arbor is requesting proposals for professional engineering services to support four high hazard dams under RFP #26-45, with proposals due November 10, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. and a pre-proposal meeting on October 13, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. via Teams. The city intends to select up to two firms on a task-based, as-needed basis with no minimum guaranteed value.

The scope spans multiple engineering disciplines—geotechnical, civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, security, and electrical—to provide administrative, technical, and managerial support for regulatory compliance and day-to-day operations at Barton and Superior Dams (federally regulated by FERC) and Argo and Geddes Dams (state regulated by Michigan EGLE Dam Safety Division). Services include permit preparation, design, construction administration, inspections, and specialized studies.

The total available budget across the three-year contract term (July 2027 through June 30, 2030) is approximately $250,000 to $1,000,000, divided among selected firms based on assigned tasks and city discretion. The city retains options to extend for up to two additional one-year periods. Compensation is structured on hourly rates with overhead factors; travel expenses must be included in hourly rates with no separate billing. Contractors must submit estimated annual level of effort.

Evaluation uses a point system: Professional Qualifications (30 points), Past Project Experience (30 points), Proposed Work Plan (20 points), and Fee Proposal (20 points). Contractors must comply with Ann Arbor's Living Wage requirement ($17.42 per hour with health benefits or $19.42 without), maintain professional liability insurance of $1,000,000 and commercial general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence, and comply with Michigan debarment regulations. The city's standard Professional Services Agreement must be executed without modification. Written questions are due October 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for late November or early December 2026.