This is a service / maintenance or supply contract in Carrboro, North Carolina. Contact the soliciting agency for additional information.

The overall goal of this project is to prepare for organizational impacts of climate change, and we anticipate doing that through a phased approach. This RFQ is to complete the first phase of the Climate Action Plan (CAP) and identify the next steps to complete the CAP and meet the overall goal. SCOPE OF SERVICES The professional services required for this project are expected to be completed to meet the objectives outlined above and in general accordance with a scope of services as needed to accomplish the tasks listed below. However, the final scope of services will be negotiated with the selected firm and may include modified and/or additional tasks. 1. Task 1- Information and Data Collection and Review - During this task, the selected firm will collect and evaluate various sources of information, including those listed in Section 3, to help identify OWASA's climate change vulnerabilities. 2. Task 2 - Climate Impacts - Based on the information collected during Task 1, the selected firm should describe the impacts of climate change. The firm should identify assets that are already at risk based on OWASA staff experience and existing flood maps. In addition, the firm should use tools to quantitatively estimate the potential variability in climate change impacts. 3. Task 3 - Identify and Prioritize Vulnerabilities and Risks - OWASA has taken steps to reduce its vulnerabilities to certain potential impacts from climate change. This Task should evaluate OWASA's risk and resilience of its infrastructure and identify infrastructure at highest risk from climate change. The selected firm should also note whether there is any infrastructure at risk from climate change that would disproportionately impact disadvantaged communities. The Task should also evaluate the potential impacts from climate change to staff and other resources that are not associated with infrastructure. 4. Task 4 - Develop CAP - Based on the information collected in the prior Tasks, the selected firm should develop a CAP. Infrastructure that needs further evaluation or mitigative measures should be ranked in priority order. Other recommendations could include practices to increase staff safety, plans and partnerships to increase resilience, and other practices that will help OWASA prepare for and adapt to climate variability and uncertainty. The CAP should include an implementation schedule for the recommendations that balances risk and budget impacts. 5. Task 5 - Develop a planning level budget to complete the Year 1-5 tasks for OWASA's use in budget planning. All technical memoranda, reports, models, and other deliverables will be provided in electronic and hard copy formats in a manner acceptable to and usable by OWASA. The actual list and format of deliverables will be negotiated with the selected firm. Kim Nimmer is OWASA's primary point of contact for all consultant selection matters relating to this project. All questions regarding this RFQ must be emailed on or before Friday, September 6, 2024 to Ms. Nimmer at knimmer@owasa.org. Anticipated Notice of Selection October 18, 2024 (tentative) Anticipated Interviews (if applicable) Week of Oct 21, 2024 (tentative) Anticipated Completion of Final Scoping and Contracting December 2024 (tentative) All dates in the above table are subject to change. OWASA reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to waive any minor informalities, and to disregard all nonconforming or conditional submittals. OWASA may elect to conduct face-to-face interviews with two or more firms being evaluated prior to making a final selection. If OWASA cannot reach an agreement with the initially selected most qualified firm, OWASA will then proceed to negotiate with the next most qualified firm that submitted qualifications or will reissue the RFQ. In accordance with North Carolina State law (NC GS 143-128.2(g)) regarding Minority/Women Business Enterprises (M/WBE), it is the policy of OWASA to encourage and promote the use of minority-owned businesses in the procurement of goods and services. Proposers are strongly encouraged to include minority and women-owned businesses to the fullest extent possible when assembling their teams. The method of Contractor Selection has not been Determined at this time.