PERMANENT PFAS WATER TREATMENT FACILITY, University of Rhode Island

The University of Rhode Island is soliciting proposals for design, build, and construction of a permanent PFAS water treatment facility, with proposals due November 19, 2026. This is a design-build delivery with fixed-price stipulated sum contracting.

The scope encompasses design of a permanent treatment system to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination in the university's water supply, full construction, and associated infrastructure including sanitary sewer connections. Bidders must review technical bridging documents prepared by Weston and Sampson that establish design parameters and treatment processes, along with pilot-study water quality data from a Blueleaf Pilot Study covering treatment train performance including post-oxidation, sand filtration, granular activated carbon, and distribution. The sanitary sewer system plan (prepared by PARE Engineering) specifies wastewater infrastructure requirements for the facility's operations and serves as a binding reference for design and construction.

The bid form requires fixed-price proposals broken into five components: Total Design Fee (capped at 10 percent of total project cost), Hard Construction Costs (percentage-of-completion payment), Design-Builder Fee for overhead and profit (percentage-of-completion payment), General Conditions (stipulated sum for direct administrative and site supervision), and General Requirements (stipulated sum for operational and logistical support). All components sum to the Total Stipulated Sum. A Design-Build Compensation Matrix establishes payment schedules and milestone-based compensation framework.

The RFP provides site-visit access for prospective bidders to assess existing conditions. Evaluation will be based on proposal quality, technical qualifications, and pricing as outlined in the solicitation document. Award is contingent on satisfactory completion of the bidding process and institutional and regulatory approvals.