NEW BID DATE - Wells and Storage Study Re-Bid

The City of Wheaton, Illinois is soliciting proposals for a comprehensive wells and storage study via RFP, with proposals due October 22, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time. The engagement follows a 2026 Risk-Based Water System Analysis that identified critical vulnerabilities in the municipality's dependence on the DuPage Water Commission.

The scope spans three primary tasks. Task 1 includes Level 2 constant-rate pump testing on each of six municipal groundwater wells to evaluate drawdown, production capacity, aquifer health, and equipment stress; water quality desktop analysis comparing well samples against well supply and evaluating disinfection and corrosion control needs as well as secondary standards (Iron, Manganese, Zinc); blending and lead service line analysis addressing impacts of shifting from surface water to groundwater and potential public health issues; rehabilitation versus replacement costing to meet modern IEPA standards; and optional high-level feasibility and cost review of wells as a redundant treated supply source. Task 2 requires high-level infrastructure alternatives to increase total system storage, land acquisition or siting evaluation for storage assets including potential use of existing municipal sites, and conceptual feasibility review. Task 3 covers upfront construction costs for additional storage and pumping stations, annual operations and maintenance cost estimates for groundwater testing and chemical system maintenance, and storage asset maintenance budgets including mixers, cathodic protection, and recoating.

Compensation is cost-plus-not-to-exceed using unit pricing per well tested or hourly rates for engineering analysis, with direct laboratory costs charged at actual cost without markup. Evaluation is weighted: Firm Qualifications and Staff Availability (30%), Project Team Technical Expertise (30%), Technical and Management Approach (20%), and Fees (10%). The City reserves the right to make primary and secondary awards.

The successful vendor must provide certificates of insurance with minimum coverage of $1 million Commercial General Liability, $1 million Commercial Automobile Liability, $1 million Umbrella/Excess Liability, and $1 million Professional Liability. The contract uses the City's standard Professional Services Agreement with termination without cause upon 15 days' written notice. All deliverables become the exclusive property of the City. Award is anticipated November 2, 2026, with work commencing in Fall 2026 and project completion targeted for Fall 2027. Seven planholders have accessed documents distributed through DemandStar.