Liberty Regional Water Resources Council Request for Qualifications

The Liberty Regional Water Resources Council (LRWRC), on behalf of Liberty County, Georgia and its constituent jurisdictions (unincorporated Liberty County, the Town of Allenhurst, and the Cities of Flemington, Hinesville, Gum Branch, Midway, Riceboro, and Walthourville, plus the Liberty County Development Authority), is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to procure consulting services for a comprehensive water and wastewater infrastructure assessment and strategic planning initiative. The primary deliverable, Phase I, requires the selected consultant to develop a strategic plan evaluating the feasibility of consolidating existing publicly-owned water and wastewater systems, expanding service to unserved areas, and considering current infrastructure conditions, financial obligations, operational costs, state water planning initiatives, and future governance structures. The consultant must deliver updated service delivery area maps, propose governance and operational frameworks for long-term sustainability, and provide recommendations addressing both 10-year and 20-year planning horizons. Phase II, to follow upon Phase I completion, will develop implementation guidance based on the strategic plan's recommendations. The RFQ submission deadline is May 29, 2026 at 5:00 PM, with questions due by May 15, 2026 and an addendum posted by May 20, 2026. Proposals are limited to 40 pages (excluding cover materials) and a maximum file size of 10 MB. Minimum qualifications require demonstrated experience in similar multi-jurisdictional infrastructure assessments, expertise in water and wastewater systems evaluation, knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local regulations, and experience with multi-government coordination. The evaluation criteria weigh experience and references at 40%, regulatory compliance knowledge at 25%, technical expertise at 25%, and ability to meet deadlines and costs at 10%. Selected consultants will be invited to interview before the wTAC makes a final recommendation to the LRWRC. Required submissions include consultant information, key team leaders with resumes, at least three similar projects completed within the past five years with references, work samples, and an executive summary of the project approach.

The RFQ does not specify any set-aside designations, disadvantaged enterprise requirements, or restrictions on the types of organizations eligible to respond, suggesting the procurement is open to all qualified consultants, vendors, or consortiums. No incumbent vendors, current contractors, or existing technology integration requirements are identified in the procurement documents. The RFQ contains no pricing information, budget allocation, funding sources, or award value ranges, leaving compensation terms to be negotiated with the selected consultant. The LRWRC retains the right to reject any or all submittals and waive any irregularities in the response process. This procurement represents a significant opportunity for consultants with demonstrated expertise in regional water infrastructure planning, multi-jurisdictional governance structures, and comprehensive feasibility analysis for water and wastewater service consolidation.