Professional Design Services for Concrete Pressure Pipe CFRP Rehabilitation

Tucson Water is seeking a professional design services firm to perform comprehensive pipeline design and rehabilitation services through Request for Qualifications (RFQ) No. 250122. The project focuses on concrete pressure pipe rehabilitation, requiring expertise in finite element analysis, thrust restraint analysis, and pipeline renewal methods for various pipe types including PCCP, CCP, DIP, PVC, AC, HDPE, and CI. Specific deliverables include developing infrastructure renewal alternatives, performing pipe segment failure analyses, and designing rehabilitation options such as Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) rehabilitation, steel slip lining, spray-in-place liners, and complete pipeline replacement. The procurement will follow a two-step selection process, with a pre-submittal conference scheduled for April 10, 2025, and qualifications submissions due on May 1, 2025. Evaluation will be conducted using a points-based system across four criteria: team qualifications (35%), firm qualifications (30%), project understanding (20%), and work plan/project schedule (15%), with up to three firms shortlisted for final interview selection.

The contract opportunity includes specific provisions for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) participation, requiring contractors to demonstrate good faith efforts in engaging certified disadvantaged and small businesses. The City of Tucson mandates that only firms certified under Chapter 28, Article XIII of the Tucson Procurement Code can fulfill SBE goals, with prime contractors required to submit a Subcontractors List and Proposed SBE Plan. The contract will have an anticipated first-year budget of $500,000, though no guaranteed work volume is specified, and will be structured on an as-needed basis with work assignments initiated through individual Notices to Proceed. Successful firms must maintain Professional Liability Insurance with $1,000,000 per claim and $2,000,000 annual aggregate, and comply with local wage requirements including the highest of the City of Tucson minimum wage, State of Arizona minimum wage, or Tucson Living Wage. The contract term will commence upon award, with the City reserving the right to request project-specific statements of qualifications for individual projects.