Southside Water Reclamation Facility Expansion to 9. 0 MGD

The Tohopekaliga Water Authority (TOHO) has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQu-26-001) for professional engineering consulting services to expand the Southside Water Reclamation Facility in Osceola County, Florida, from 7.6 to 9.0 million gallons per day. The project will require comprehensive services including survey, geotechnical investigation, preliminary design, final design, permitting, and limited construction administration. Anticipated improvements encompass multiple facility systems such as screening, grit removal, aeration, clarification, filtration, odor control, biosolids management, effluent disposal, pumping, site work, stormwater management, electrical systems, and instrumentation and controls. The solicitation will be conducted under Florida's Consultants' Competitive Negotiation Act, with a Selection Committee evaluating submissions based on a 100-point scoring system. Key evaluation criteria include company experience and references (0-30 points), key personnel and project team qualifications (0-25 points), and project understanding and technical approach (0-35 points), with additional bonus points available for DBE/MBE certification and prior work volume with TOHO. Critical dates include a question deadline of January 2, 2025, at 5:00 PM, and a submittal deadline of January 29, 2025, at 2:00 PM, with responses remaining open for negotiation for 90 days.

Respondents must be Professional Services firms certified under Florida law to practice engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, or surveying and mapping, with mandatory demonstration of experience in water reclamation facility expansions of at least 5 MGD, requiring a minimum of four completed projects as the Engineer of Record. The procurement includes specific set-aside opportunities with up to 5 bonus points available for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) or Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification. TOHO plans to utilize a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery method for the project, which will require the selected consultant to integrate with this approach. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the contract includes provisions for compensation through either a Lump Sum Method or Direct Labor Costs Method, with comprehensive insurance requirements including $1,000,000 minimum coverage for Commercial General Liability, Business Automobile Liability, and Professional Liability Insurance. The successful respondent must execute the agreement within 10 business days of award and obtain required insurance certificates prior to commencing work, with all project documents becoming TOHO property and records to be maintained for five years following completion.