RFQ Phase 1: GHC - Lake Swan Dam Study - Grays Harbor College

The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services, on behalf of Grays Harbor College in Grays Harbor County, is soliciting design consultant services through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Phase 1 final design and bidding services related to remediation of the Lake Swano Dam in Aberdeen, Washington. The 80-year-old earthen dam, currently classified as "high hazard" and in "poor condition" by the Washington State Department of Ecology, requires comprehensive design solutions to address significant public safety risks affecting approximately 190 downstream residences and critical college infrastructure. Deliverables include final design services, bid package development, and a final project design with cost estimate due by May 30, 2027, with a Phase 2 design budget of $950,000. The consultant must demonstrate qualifications in ecological restoration, dam and bridge construction, multi-phased state agency projects, sustainable design achieving minimum LEED Silver certification, and life cycle cost analysis using the Office of Financial Management's Life Cycle Cost Tool. Selection criteria across two phases include qualifications of key personnel (20 points in Phase 1), relevant experience (20 points in Phase 1), past performance (20 points in Phase 1), life cycle cost analysis experience (20 points in Phase 1), sustainable design experience (20 points in Phase 1), with Phase 2 interviews evaluating organization and management plan, project management, project approach, experience, life cycle cost analysis experience, and sustainable design experience totaling 100 points. An informational meeting and mandatory site tour will be held on May 5, 2026, at 10:00 AM PT at Grays Harbor College's lower parking lot near the Bishop Building, with Statements of Qualifications due electronically by May 28, 2026, at 2:00 PM PT. Short-listed firms will be notified the week of June 15, 2026, with interviews scheduled for the week of June 22, 2026, and final firm selection announced the week of July 6, 2026, with agreements expected to be executed in late July 2026.

This procurement includes a mandatory Diverse Business Inclusion Plan requirement at Phase 2, establishing voluntary aspirational participation goals of 10% for minority-owned businesses, 6% for women-owned businesses, 5% for veteran-owned businesses, and 5% for Washington small businesses, with no minimum participation levels or preference given in proposal evaluation. Firms must register in the Department of Enterprise Services' Euna Procurement portal and are encouraged to register in Washington's Electronic Business Solution (WEBS). The project is pursued as a phased implementation with Phase 1 design activities covered under this contract; construction phases are estimated at approximately $10 million and are being pursued through additional state and federal grant funding sources, including potential FEMA and Community Project Funding. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation materials. All submittals become property of the State of Washington and are subject to public disclosure under the Public Records Act, with estimated paperwork burden for Standard Form 330 submission at 29 hours total.