The City of Archdale (Archdale) has been awarded grant funding from the NCDEQ to assist in the completion of a Water System Asset Inventory and Assessment (AIA) and a Utility Rate Study (Project No. AIA-D-ARP-0080). Archdale invites submittal of responses to this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from firms qualified in the State of North Carolina to perform engineering and related services. Background Archdale owns and operates a public water distribution system (PWS 02-76-030) with treated water primarily being purchased from the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority (PTRWA). Archdale owns a ~5% stake in the PTRWA with an ultimate allocation of over 2.5 MGD. Currently, the city purchases approximately 910,000 GPD. In addition to distribution lines, valves, hydrants, and fittings, Archdales water system has one elevated tank and five emergency interconnections: 4 with Davidson Water, Inc. and 1 with the City of High Point. The system has about 5,000 service connections and serves a population of nearly 13,000 people. The water system was established in the 1970s and has grown to approximately 50 miles of mains. Archdale had numerous goals when applying for AIA funding. Institutional knowledge will be lost to future retirements and succession planning necessitates mapping and evaluating the current system. As the system ages, preventative maintenance priorities must be developed to minimize line breaks and ongoing water loss. An Asset Management Plan (AMP) needs to be developed for effective management of the system in the future. And finally, Archdale wishes to have a rate study completed to ensure sustainability of the utility going forward. Archdale was awarded $242,000 in State Fiscal Recovery Fund monies for an AIA of the water system and a utility rate study. These funds were established in S.L. 2021-180/S.L. 2022-74. Accordingly, this project must meet federal law and guidance regarding ARP funding expenditures. A panel of staff members will review and evaluate statements of qualifications received. Archdale reserves the right to hold interviews with a selected shortlist of qualified firms. It is expected that this project will take approximately 15-16 months to complete once a contract is awarded. An anticipated schedule is shown below: RFQ addendum release (if nec.) 1/18/24 City staff reviews submissions received 2/2/24 - 2/8/24 Interviews with selected firms (if nec.) 2/12/24 - 2/15/24 Negotiation and contract execution ASAP after firm selection Water system AIA followed by Utility Rate Study March 2024 - May 2025 Project completion June 2025 Scope of Services A) Complete inventory of water distribution system. Assess current mapping and system data. Design database for GIS data collection and ongoing management. Complete thorough survey and assessment of system and components. Create GIS mapping and files for the entire system. B) Asset Management Plan (AMP) development. Utilizing assessment data from mapping and DWI guidance, create a risk analysis. Determine the condition of critical system components. Create a recommended Capital Improvement Plan and priorities/needs list to include in anticipated costs for infrastructure and ongoing operations and maintenance. Examine possibilities for system expansion with general recommendations for increasing water sales. C) Water and Sewer Rate Study. Utilizing system data, examine appropriate rates and fee structures to maintain financial sustainability of the utility. Offer general recommendations for increasing revenue and efficiency and decreasing water loss. D) Final reporting for City Council and staff. Document efforts, findings, and methods. Compile results of work into a draft report and associated files. Present to staff for review, comments, and updates. Educate/train staff in best practices for AMP and Plan implementation. Present final report and findings to City Council. E) DEQ/ARP grant funding administration. Compliance with federal, state, and local regulations for ARP funding. Submissions should reference DWIs Water and Wastewater Utility Evaluation Guidance Document: Asset Inventory and Assessment, Capital Cost, and Operating Cost Analyses, updated in February 2022. Submittal Requirements A) Cover Letter. B) Location of firms office(s) and address, email, and telephone number of office(s) where work will be performed. C) Brief history of firm and credentials. D) List of key personnel to be directly involved in the project with a short bio. Also include a brief description of their responsibilities and relevant project experience. E) List of 3 recent Water System AIA projects with contact information for local officials involved with the projects. F) Projected availability for personnel needed for this effort over the coming 16- month period. G) A proposed work plan/schedule for activities to be performed. H) Hourly rate schedule for personnel to be utilized on the project. In accordance with NCGS 143-64.31, DO NOT INCLUDE Lump Sum or Not-to-Exceed pricing for services. Selection Process Qualifications received by the deadline and prepared in general accordance with RFQ instructions will be reviewed using a qualifications-based selection process (QBS). Evaluation of firms will utilize the following criteria and points system, with a maximum total of 100 points: Qualifications, technical competence, and project understanding 20 points Related experience on similar, recent projects 20 points Ability to meet time/schedule requirements 30 points Familiarity with locality and work with Piedmont Triad communities 20 points Demonstrated familiarity NCDEQ and ARP Grant management 10 points RFQ questions should be addressed to Zeb Holden, City Manager, at (336) 434-7346 or zholden@archdale-nc.gov. If an addendum to the original RFQ is needed, it will be posted to the city by 1/18/24. A panel of staff members will evaluate all received responses. The response determined to be the most qualified and advantageous to Archdale will be chosen. Once a selection is made, Archdale will negotiate with the chosen firm on project fee and contract terms and conditions. If, in the sole opinion of Archdale, an agreement cannot be reached with the first respondent of choice, negotiations will proceed with the second or subsequent choice respondents until a mutually agreed upon contract can be negotiated Archdale reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to waive any irregularities in the proposals. This request for qualifications does not commit Archdale to enter into agreement, to pay any costs incurred in the preparation and submittal of a proposal in response to this request or in subsequent interviews and negotiations, or to procure a contract for the project. Archdale reserves the right to perform all or some of the services described in this document with its own work force. Archdale also reserves the right to issue future RFQs, as needed, and solicit responses from firms not selected as part of this process. Archdale is an Equal Opportunity Employer and invites the submission of proposals from minority and women-owned firms, and other Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) The method of Contractor Selection has not been Determined at this time.