WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROGRAM

The City of Phoenix is seeking up to eight qualified engineering consultants to provide on-call engineering services for the Water Main Replacement Program, with contracts spanning from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028, and an option to extend for two additional years. The procurement is a qualifications-based selection process for water engineering and water main replacement design services, which include preparing plans, specifications, asset preparation, cost estimates, field surveys, construction administration, and inspection services. Evaluation criteria will assess design experience, construction administration experience, key personnel qualifications, project management capabilities, and staffing information, with a total possible score of 1,021 points and the most significant weight (29.4%) placed on project management and responsiveness. A pre-submittal meeting is scheduled for October 9, 2025, and statements of qualifications are due by 12:00 pm Phoenix time on October 24, 2025, via the City's Procurement Portal. The City anticipates creating a final list of 10-20 firms, with contract negotiations beginning in November 2025, an on-call kick-off workshop in January 2026, and contracts becoming effective in March 2026. Consultants will be required to use UNIFIER, a web-based project management database, and maintain electronic project records throughout the project.

The procurement appears to have a strong emphasis on Small Business Enterprise (SBE) goals, with the Design-Builder required to develop subcontractor and supplier interest and report progress toward these objectives. The reference check process includes a comprehensive evaluation of firms' past performance, with references rating performance across six key areas and potentially earning up to 7 points per reference. While specific award values are not explicitly stated, the multi-year contract and comprehensive scope suggest a significant infrastructure investment. The City maintains significant oversight capabilities, including the ability to object to nominated subcontractors and require substitutions. Firms will be expected to submit detailed documentation, including a subcontractor selection plan, reference checks, and a Schedule of Values reflecting accepted bid proposals. The procurement process is designed to be transparent, with reference check forms becoming public record and used to evaluate competing firms for contract award.