Request for Qualifications for 2026 Sanitary Sewer Basin Evaluation

The City of Arlington, Texas, through the City of Arlington Water Utilities Department, is soliciting qualifications from qualified engineering firms to complete a comprehensive engineering evaluation of approximately three identified sanitary sewer basins exhibiting high inflow and infiltration during rainfall events under RFQ 26-0216. The scope of work encompasses approximately 160,000 linear feet of public sanitary sewer main and 450 public manholes, requiring services including flow and rainfall monitoring and analysis, manhole visual condition assessments, closed-circuit televising of sanitary sewer pipe, condition assessment of sanitary sewer pipe, smoke and dye water testing, and preparation of a comprehensive remediation plan. Responding firms must submit proposals in PDF format by May 14, 2026, organized to include a one-page maximum cover letter, team organization section limited to three pages, up to four recent project examples with two pages each, and a three-page maximum project approach section. The evaluation committee will score submissions using a weighted matrix assessing Team Organization (30 points), Project Experience (45 points), and Project Approach (25 points), for a total of 100 possible points, with the City reserving the right to create a short-list and require oral presentations at the proposer's expense. Responding firms must possess required professional licenses to practice in Texas, certify they are not debarred or suspended from federal, state, or local participation, provide at least three recent customer references for similar services, and comply with the City's standard Engineering Services Contract terms. The City will begin contract negotiations with the highest-scoring respondent within a 21-calendar-day window following selection notice, proceeding sequentially to subsequent ranked respondents if negotiations fail. Submissions must be made electronically through the City's Bonfire Portal at https://arlingtontx.bonfirehub.com/projects, with the City accepting no responsibility for solicitations received through alternative channels.

The RFQ documents do not specify set-aside designations, restrictions on organizational types, disadvantaged enterprise requirements, or incumbent vendor information. However, the City reserves the right to consider the impact on compliance with policies regarding historically underutilized businesses and nonprofit organizations employing persons with disabilities as part of its evaluation process. The solicitation does not identify any existing infrastructure or technology requiring integration, nor does it specify an award value or budget range; pricing proposals are not requested in the RFQ format, with the City to negotiate satisfactory fees with the selected firm following the evaluation and selection process. All costs associated with proposal preparation are the responsibility of the bidder, and the City will not be liable for costs associated with responses, presentations, or negotiations. The City retains the right to terminate the RFQ process at any time, award to multiple vendors, or procure by other means as deemed in its best interest. Responding firms should register for direct deposit prior to providing services, maintain compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, and submit Certificates of Insurance within 14 calendar days of award notification along with completion of Certificate of Interested Parties Form 1295 if required.