Water Program Support and Outreach Services

The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) has issued a Request for Qualified Contractor (RFQC) No. 928-WRD26-PRGMSPRT soliciting qualifications from experienced consultants to provide program support and outreach services for the Water Resources Division. The procurement seeks to enhance GEFA's implementation of key water resource programs and initiatives supporting local government entities throughout Georgia. Primary deliverables include planning and conducting WaterFirst Program workshops at multiple Georgia locations, developing stormwater outreach case studies based on Georgia projects, facilitating task force meetings and creating application guidance documents and social media toolkits, conducting stormwater workshops and webinars with best practices and case studies, managing the GEFA Affordability Scoring Tool including potential automation of its flowchart, organizing a Funders Forum with at least one in-person event and maintaining its website, and supporting the statewide Clean Water Needs Survey beginning in 2027. The WaterFirst program currently serves 56 communities with plans to expand service as broadly as possible. Respondents must demonstrate minimum qualifications including experience in water infrastructure financing or general water infrastructure knowledge, group facilitation and stakeholder engagement, event planning, water affordability analysis using census and socioeconomic data, and comprehensive knowledge of water, wastewater, stormwater, and watershed management issues. Evaluation will be conducted using a three-factor scoring system: 15 percent for firm stability and resources, 45 percent for relevant experience and qualifications, and 40 percent for apparent suitability including state and federally-funded water program experience and proximity to service locations. The deadline for written questions is January 12, 2026, at 2:00 PM, with clarifications provided by February 16, 2026. Statements of Qualifications must be submitted by March 2, 2026, at 2:00 PM as a single PDF file limited to 15 printable pages (excluding covers, transmittal letters, tables of contents, exhibits, and resumes), with finalist notification anticipated by March 15, 2026, and an anticipated service period spanning April 2026 through January 2028.

No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or restrictions limiting respondent types are identified in this procurement, though GEFA indicates that evaluation will consider the firm's ability to gather resources within the service area. Respondents must submit signed and notarized certification forms confirming compliance with Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act requirements including E-Verify authorization, along with certifications regarding litigation history, criminal convictions, debarment status, and collusive bidding practices. GEFA currently maintains an existing contract for similar work with a changing scope, indicating the incumbent vendor relationship but not providing specific incumbent details. The agency owns the GEFA Affordability Scoring Tool and associated data, while the Stormwater Rates Dashboard remains under development by the University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute for Government with GEFA funding; selected contractors must be prepared to work with these existing systems and platforms. No specific contract price or funding amount has been allocated at the RFQC stage, with budget discussions deferred to subsequent phases of the procurement process during finalist negotiations. GEFA reserves the right to reject any or all submissions, cancel the procurement at any time, request best and final offers, and negotiate with multiple finalist firms if necessary, with Richard Sawyer designated as the sole point of contact for all communications throughout the procurement period.