Potomac WFP Water Quality/PFAS Pilot Project

The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, MD is soliciting sealed proposals for progressive design-build services on the Potomac Water Filtration Plant Water Quality/PFAS Pilot Project, with proposals due December 1, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. via WSSC's eProcurement Portal. The procurement carries a 37% Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) subcontracting goal, with certified African American and Women-Owned firms counting fully toward the goal.

The scope encompasses design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a pilot plant with multiple process trains at the Potomac Water Filtration Plant (12200 River Road, Potomac, Maryland) to evaluate advanced treatment technologies addressing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), disinfection byproducts, manganese, taste and odor compounds, harmful algal bloom toxins, opportunistic pathogens, and lead and copper. Work is divided into two stages: a Preliminary Stage requiring 30% design submittal within 60 days of Notice to Proceed and 70% design submittal within 90 days thereafter, and a Completion Stage encompassing final design, construction, 12 to 18 months of operation, data collection, reporting, maintenance, and site restoration. Four pilot treatment trains are proposed, incorporating technologies such as granular activated carbon, ion exchange, nanofiltration, ozonation, and ceramic ultrafiltration.

Preliminary stage compensation totals $285,000 (including $60,000 for hazmat and geotechnical work, $175,000 for additional engineering services, $20,000 for specialty process equipment coordination, and $30,000 for equipment acquisition). Completion Stage Price will be negotiated after preliminary design completion and is binding for 90 days. Liquidated damages are $3,000 per day for delays to Substantial Completion and $2,000 per day for final completion delays.

Minimum qualifications require the Engineer of Record and Prime Contractor to have completed two collaborative delivery projects, with at least one pilot project at a water or wastewater treatment facility completed after January 2020. Evaluation criteria weight progressive design-build team experience (15%), key project team member experience (30%), technical experience (20%), project approach (30%), and pricing (5%); a minimum score of 90 out of 125 points is required. Insurance includes Commercial General Liability of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, Umbrella Liability of $10 million, and Errors or Omissions Liability of $5 million for the Preliminary Stage. A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting and site visit are scheduled October 21, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Questions are due October 26, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Vendor discussions are anticipated January 5–6, 2027. MBE/SLBE subcontractor payment compliance must be reported monthly through WSSC's web-based system.