Flushing Assistance Program

The City of Tempe, in collaboration with the City of Mesa, is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Flushing Assistance Program designed to address water quality concerns in municipal water distribution systems. The procurement seeks a contractor to perform water main flushing for pipes measuring 6" to 12" in diameter, initially focusing on the Neighborhood Distribution System NW14S4 located at the southeast corner of Elliot Road and Rural Road, with potential citywide expansion. Key deliverables include comprehensive water quality testing, detailed reports, and implementation of zero-discharge flushing solutions that comply with AWWA, ADEQ, and MCESD standards for sediment, scale, and biofilm removal. The RFP was issued on January 9, 2026, with proposal inquiries due by January 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. local time, and final proposals due on February 5, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. via the City's Bonfire procurement portal. Proposals will be evaluated using a cumulative point system across five criteria: Cost (25 points), Method of Approach (25 points), Qualifications and Experience (25 points), Timeline for Completion (15 points), and Overall Response to RFP including Heat Safety Plan compliance (10 points), with potential bonus interview points up to 200 additional points.

Contractor qualifications include maintaining a valid Arizona Registrar of Contractors license, possessing a minimum of two years of similar business experience, and maintaining a physical presence in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Insurance requirements include Commercial General Liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence with $2,000,000 aggregate, Worker's Compensation, and Commercial Auto Liability of $1,000,000. The contract will be awarded on a non-exclusive basis for an initial one-year term with options to renew for four additional one-year periods. Contractors must submit a comprehensive Heat Safety Plan addressing all elements of City of Tempe Ordinance No. O2025.19 for outdoor workers. The City reserves the right to utilize the contract under its cooperative purchasing agreement with eligible public and nonprofit agencies, as well as the Strategic Alliance for Volume Expenditures (SAVE) cooperative. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the RFP indicates that contractors must provide firm-fixed hourly labor rates for project managers, technicians, and labor support, along with itemized equipment costs and miscellaneous expenses for the defined project scope.