Utilities Engineer Continuing Services

The City of Tarpon Springs is seeking licensed professional engineering firms to provide continuing utilities engineering services through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process. The procurement targets comprehensive engineering services across multiple utility infrastructure domains, including potable water systems, wastewater systems, reclaimed water systems, and related technical disciplines such as reverse osmosis treatment, sanitary sewer collection, hydrogeological systems, power systems, controls, mechanical, chemical, drainage, environmental, and civil engineering. The contract will be awarded for a five-year period, with potential for multiple firms to be selected. Evaluation of submissions will follow a 100-point scoring system with key criteria including: Ability of Firm and Professional Personnel (35 points), Firms Experience with Similar Projects (25 points), Willingness to Meet Schedule and Budget Requirements (10 points), Recent and Projected Workload (10 points), Volume of Work Recently Awarded by City (5 points), Minority Business Status (5 points), and Project Team Location (10 points). The RFQ was issued on October 5, 2025, with responses due on November 4, 2025, at 3:00 P.M. local time, and the City will shortlist a minimum of three highest-ranked firms, potentially conducting oral presentations to determine final rankings.

The procurement follows the Consultants' Competitive Negotiation Act (CCNA), which allows selection based on qualifications rather than price, with a specific focus on minority business enterprise considerations. The contract includes provisions for both Lump Sum and Time Charges payment methods, with compensation subject to an upset limit for each Additional Services Authorization. Firms must maintain specific insurance coverage, including cyber liability insurance, and comply with Florida Public Records Law. Consultants are required to use the E-Verify system for new employee verification and adhere to labor and immigration laws. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the contract structure suggests flexibility in project scope and compensation. The procurement appears to be open to various professional engineering firms, with a slight preference for minority-owned businesses, as indicated by the 5-point allocation for Minority Business Status in the evaluation criteria. The selected firm(s) will be expected to provide ongoing, as-needed engineering services through Task Work Orders, with the potential for multiple contracts to be awarded to different firms based on their qualifications and evaluation scores.