TRES RIOS WRF Recycled Water System

The City of Tucson is seeking architectural and engineering professional services for the Tres Rios Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) Recycled Water System project. The procurement is a qualifications-based selection process targeting the design of a high lift booster pump station, disinfection system, and 24-inch pipeline to deliver treated water effluent to an existing reclaimed water pipeline in Ina Road. Key deliverables include comprehensive design services encompassing pump sizing, geotechnical evaluation, electrical and communication building design, permit acquisition, SCADA system design, and construction management oversight. The project aims to reduce water loss by supplying additional reclaimed water to the Northwest Area instead of allowing flow to pass the Lower Santa Cruz River Managed Recharge Project. Evaluation criteria include qualifications and experience (35 points), work plan and project schedule (30 points), project approach and subconsultant selection (25 points), and federal, state, and local requirements compliance (10 points). The RFQ was published on January 30, 2024, with a submittal due date of February 20, 2024, at 2:00 pm local time. A pre-submittal conference is scheduled for February 9, 2024, at 10:00 am via Microsoft Teams, with a target design work completion date of August 2, 2024, and a target construction completion date of June 17, 2025.

The contract opportunity includes specific provisions for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) participation. Contractors must make good faith efforts to engage certified DBE and SBE firms, with detailed requirements for documenting outreach, soliciting quotes, and reporting subcontractor utilization. The SBE program applies to contracts valued at $100,000 or more, allowing participation through prime contractor involvement, subcontractor engagement, supplier participation, or joint ventures. Non-compliance can result in significant consequences, including payment withholding, contract termination, and future bidding disqualification. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the project suggests a substantial investment in infrastructure improvement. The project will require integration with existing reclaimed water infrastructure, specifically the pipeline in Ina Road, and will involve coordination with Tucson Water and Pima County jurisdictional entities. Contractors must adhere to federal, state, and local requirements, with a focus on promoting opportunities for small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.