Phased Critical Water System Seismic Engineering & Planning Services

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is seeking qualified consultants for Phased Critical Water System Seismic Engineering & Planning Services through Request for Qualifications (RFQ) No. 25-092-S. The procurement focuses on conducting detailed seismic assessments and structural evaluations of water system assets identified as vulnerable in SPU's 2018 Water System Seismic Study. Key deliverables include assessments of the Cedar Control Works Building, Cedar Control Works Surge Tanks, Cedar River Pipelines at MLK, and a distribution system seismic isolation study. The consulting team must include professional engineers licensed in Washington State with expertise in seismic assessments, non-destructive analyses, and critical infrastructure evaluations. Evaluation criteria will assess submissions across five key areas: qualifications (30 points), similar projects/experience (30 points), approach to work (20 points), organization structure and capacity (10 points), and Women and Minority Business Enterprise (WMBE) Inclusion Plan (10 points). The solicitation was released on October 1, 2025, with a pre-submittal conference held on October 8, 2025. Questions are due by October 14, 2025, and final proposal submissions are due on November 4, 2025, at 1:00 pm.

The City of Seattle strongly emphasizes Women and Minority Business Enterprise (WMBE) participation, requiring consultants to demonstrate good faith efforts to include firms that are at least 51% women and/or minority-owned. Resources such as Tabor 100 and Business Impact Northwest are available to assist companies in meeting these objectives. The contract is estimated to have a value ranging from $3,000,000 to $5,000,000, with an anticipated 5-year duration and potential future phases including design and construction support services. The procurement will be conducted through the OpenGov procurement portal, with the City reserving the right to negotiate contract elements and potentially conduct interviews with top-ranked firms. Insurance requirements are comprehensive, including Commercial General Liability, Professional Liability, and other specialized coverages with specific minimum liability limits. The ultimate goal of this procurement is to ensure water system assets can withstand major earthquakes while maintaining operational reliability for SPU's direct service area and wholesale customers.