Technical assistance for public water systems

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Public Health Division (PHD) has issued Request for Proposals (RFP) #5396 for Technical Assistance for Public Water Systems, seeking qualified vendors to provide services to public water systems serving 10,000 people or fewer and non-profit non-transient non-community systems. The primary objective is to assist these water systems in completing lead service line inventories to meet the requirements of the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. Proposers must possess a registered professional engineer certification, Oregon water operator certification, and demonstrate extensive experience in project coordination and evaluation. The RFP requires contractors to provide on-site technical "trouble-shooting" services, with a maximum of 10 hours per water system, focusing on groundwater and surface water system operations, treatment processes, and financial assistance application support. Proposals were due by September 8, 2022, with the contract period spanning from October 3, 2022, through December 31, 2027. Proposers must submit a comprehensive project implementation plan detailing their approach to managing the project, scheduling resources, and utilizing technical expertise to meet the RFP's objectives.

The RFP includes specific requirements for Certified Disadvantaged Business Outreach, encouraging proposers to solicit and include certified minority-owned, woman-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and emerging small businesses in their subcontracting opportunities. Proposers must indicate if they are an Oregon certified firm and provide lists of Certified Firms and past contractual relationships. The state intends to award contracts to multiple vendors, with HBH Consulting Engineers, Inc., Oregon Association of Water Utilities, and 120 Water Audit, Inc. identified in the Intent to Award Notice. The total contract value is not to exceed $1,488,000, with contractors compensated at an hourly rate of $150 per water system (up to $1,500), with additional hours subject to OHA approval. Funding for the project originates from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Proposers must also comply with various state requirements, including COVID-19 vaccination certification for workers, tax compliance, non-discrimination policies, and prevention of sexual harassment.