RFP 26-VSW-DRG-044 Deering Vacuum Sewer Upgrades

The State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation, Village Safe Water Program is soliciting proposals for engineering design and construction administration services for vacuum sewer system upgrades in Deering, Alaska. This procurement encompasses comprehensive vacuum sewer infrastructure improvements including curtain drains around the sewer building, replacement of damaged doors and windows, upgrades to mechanical components such as vacuum and force main pumps, location and repair of glycol leaks in heat-traced systems, installation of additional sewer main valves and cleanouts, replacement of aging vacuum toilets and residential shut-off valves, replacement of failed gray water tanks and valves, and insulation improvements to sewer service lines with new heat trace controls. The project is divided into two tasks: Task 1 involves engineering design and specification development over approximately eight months beginning June 30, 2026, and Task 2 covers engineering services during construction and closeout over approximately 12 months beginning February 2027, with final project completion by August 31, 2028. The Project Manager must be a licensed professional engineer in Alaska with at least five years of project management experience and five years of design experience as a PE, including prior construction administration experience on completed projects. Offerors must demonstrate prior experience providing engineering design and construction administration services for water and wastewater system projects and experience working in communities served by the Village Safe Water program or ANTHC. Professional Liability Insurance with minimum limits of $500,000 per occurrence and annual aggregate is required. Proposals must be submitted by May 5, 2026, at 2:00 PM Alaska Standard Time via email to april.akers@alaska.gov as separate technical and cost proposal PDF documents, with site visits available by request to Robert Moto, City Administrator, at (907) 363-2136.

This federally funded procurement includes a five-point preference for offerors claiming MBE/WBE status, though no explicit set-asides are designated for disadvantaged enterprises. All proposals must include a completed Part D Proposal Form with certifications regarding Alaska business licensing, professional registrations, insurance coverage, federal aid compliance, cost and pricing data accuracy, trade restrictions, debarment status, foreign contracting limitations, and DBE commitments. No incumbent contractor or existing vendor is identified in the solicitation materials. The estimated contract award value ranges from $250,000 to $500,000, with Phase I (Design and Specification Development) funded on a Firm Fixed Price basis and Phase II (Bidding, Contracting Assistance, and Construction Administration) funded on a Time and Expense basis with fully loaded labor rates to be established in the cost proposal. The Department reserves the right to conduct discussions with selected offerors and request Best and Final Offers (BAFO) before final selection for contract negotiations.