Engineering Services for Middle Basin Wastewater Treatment Facility Digester & Solids Improvement Project

Johnson County, Kansas is requesting proposals for engineering services on the Middle Basin Wastewater Treatment Facility Digester & Solids Improvement Project, with proposals due October 1, 2026 and a mandatory virtual pre-proposal meeting on September 2, 2026 at 9:00 AM Central Time via Zoom. A firm must demonstrate significant experience with at least three municipal wastewater treatment infrastructure projects valued at $25 million or more completed within the past ten years, with specific expertise in solids treatment improvements, phasing plans, and collaborative delivery processes including Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR).

The scope encompasses digester rehabilitation and improvements, conversion of a secondary digester to a primary digester, construction of a new Digested Sludge Storage Tank, rehabilitation of existing digesters and dewatering building, and construction of a new dewatering building with associated equipment. The initial contract covers the Basis of Design Report phase (approximately 12 months) and detailed design services (approximately 15 months), with a two-to-two-and-a-half-year term. The contract includes options for future construction phase services, process commissioning, and off-ramp services if a Guaranteed Maximum Price cannot be negotiated with the Construction Manager. Selected firms must establish a field office in the Kansas City Metro area if one does not already exist and are prohibited from pursuing the CMAR portion of the project to maintain separation between the owner, engineer, and construction manager.

The evaluation process is two-tiered. Initial technical scoring covers project approach and understanding (30 points), firm personnel (30 points), quality of similar work (20 points), overall responsiveness (10 points), and applicable resources (10 points). Finalists advance to interviews where cost proposals will be evaluated. Billing rates established in the proposal remain firm for the initial contract period; future renewal pricing is subject to negotiation. Interviews are anticipated for the week of November 9, 2026, with Board approval expected February 25, 2027, and project start March 15, 2027. Questions must be submitted through the IonWave portal at https://jocogov.ionwave.net with a clarification deadline of September 21, 2026. The Purchasing Administrator is Nicole Averell, CPPO, CPPB.