Services associated with the asset management program for small systems

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for services associated with the Asset Management Program for Small Systems, seeking to award multiple services contracts to assist small water and wastewater systems. The primary objective is to create comprehensive plans for managing systems in a financially and technically sustainable manner, with contractors responsible for evaluating systems, developing asset management plans, and creating tools and strategies for infrastructure replacement, operations and maintenance, and financial planning. Evaluation criteria will focus on contractors' experience in asset management planning, water and wastewater systems engineering, system operations, financial management, and knowledge of federal and state funding laws. Contractors must demonstrate at least five years of experience and provide comprehensive documentation including company profiles, resumes, and a HUB Subcontracting Plan. The solicitation was released on July 24, 2025, with a submission deadline of August 26, 2025, and the contract term will run from execution to January 1, 2028, with potential extensions to April 1, 2028.

The RFQ allows for multiple contractors to be selected, with each limited to up to four projects and a maximum of $100,000 per project, for a total project budget of $2,000,000. The TWDB intends to create a pool of qualified contractors from which participant systems can select their preferred contractor, suggesting some flexibility in vendor selection. While specific set-aside designations are not explicitly detailed, the requirement for a HUB (Historically Underutilized Business) Subcontracting Plan indicates a preference for diverse contractor participation. Contractors must meet various state requirements regarding business practices, ethics, and compliance. The program aims to support small water and wastewater systems by providing targeted technical assistance and planning resources to improve their operational and financial sustainability, with a focus on creating strategic asset management approaches that can be customized to individual system needs.