Qualifications for Water Treatment Plant Construction

Auburn Water District is soliciting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) to prequalify general contractors and filed subcontractors for construction of a 1.3 million gallon per day PFAS removal water treatment facility at 76 Church Street, Auburn, Massachusetts, with SOQs due November 18, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Only prequalified general contractors may bid the subsequent phase, and subcontractors must separately prequalify to bid trade work.

The facility is a concrete masonry unit building with pressure filtration units using granular activated carbon media, chemical feed systems, a backwash residuals holding tank, restroom, HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, and electrical systems. Site work includes below-grade utilities, stormwater treatment, and selective demolition and equipment replacement at existing well pump buildings. Nine filed sub-bidder categories carry estimated costs: electrical ($1,200,000), masonry ($750,000), HVAC ($250,000), roofing and flashing ($250,000), plumbing ($200,000), waterproofing, damp proofing and caulking ($200,000), miscellaneous and ornamental iron ($150,000), painting ($150,000), and fire protection ($75,000).

Mandatory requirements include a commitment letter for payment and performance bonds equal to or greater than 100 percent of the estimated construction cost from a Massachusetts-licensed surety, a currently valid DCAMM Certificate of Eligibility for Sewage and Water Treatment Plants with sufficient single and aggregate capacity ratings, and a completed Update Statement. Subcontractor SOQs require an original and two copies, including Schedules A through K.

Evaluation is scored in Phase One: management experience (50 points, 25 minimum), references (30 points, 15 minimum), and capacity to complete projects (20 points, 10 minimum). Mandatory requirements carry no points. A minimum total score of 70 points is required for prequalification.

The estimated construction cost is $12.5 million, with 570 consecutive calendar days of performance from the Notice to Proceed. The project is funded in part through Massachusetts Clean Water Trust loans via the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Resource Protection, and is subject to 310 CMR 44.00, the Massachusetts Diesel Retrofit Program, prevailing wage requirements under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 149, Sections 26–27D, Davis-Bacon federal minimum wage rates, and American Iron and Steel and Build America Buy America requirements.

The RFQ is available from Tata & Howard, Inc. beginning October 28, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. No informational meeting or site visit is scheduled. General contractor SOQs must be submitted in three copies, mailed or hand-delivered to 75 Church Street, Auburn, MA 01501, Attention: Gregory Woods, Superintendent. The Prequalification Committee expects to complete evaluations in January 2027, with RFPs issued to prequalified bidders that month and a Notice to Proceed anticipated in June 2027.