This is a service / maintenance or supply contract in Essex Junction, Vermont. Contact the soliciting agency for additional information.

The Town of Essex is requesting statements of qualifications (SOQ)s from engineering firms to provide a comprehensive engineering safety assessment of Indian Brook Dam. The Dam was recently rated as being in "Poor" condition by the State of Vermont, and the Town would like to move ahead with a qualified firm to complete this assessment along with other. RFQ Questions Due: 4:30PM, September 15, 2025 via email to Kadams@essex.org Responses Provided: 4:30PM, September 19, 2025 via email Primary Contact Person: Karen Adams, Deputy Manager, kadams@essex.org The Town of Essex is requesting Statements of Qualifications (SOQ)s from engineering firms eligible to provide a comprehensive engineering safety assessment of Indian Brook Dam. The procurement process for selection of the Consulting Firm will be a Qualifications Based Selection (QBS) described in further detail below. We are not seeking a detailed scope of work or cost proposal at this time. The Consulting Firm will be selected based upon their demonstrated ability to provide the highest qualified team to achieve the goals of the projects through their SOQ and possible interview with the selection committee. Indian Brook Dam in Essex, VT, was constructed in 1957 to address increasing water demand, and became the main water source for the Village of Essex Junction until 1973 when it was sold to private developers. After the use of the reservoir as a water supply was discontinued, the Town purchased the land in 1986 and the site has functioned as a community recreation area since that time. The reservoir is approximately 60 acres and is the focal point of the 740 acre community park that surrounds the Dam. The contributing drainage area to the dam is approx.. 787 acres (1.23 sq mi). The Dam is classified as a "High Hazard" Dam due to the potential for downstream losses, and received a "Poor" condition rating during the State's last dam safety inspection in August of 2024. GZA Geo Environmental completed a "Failure Mode Analysis and Risk Assessment Report" in 2023, with a main recommendation being that an all-encompassing list of short and long term dam safety, rehabilitation, and maintenance activities should be developed. The Town is interested in identifying a firm to perform the necessary survey and engineering work needed to identify these activities and develop a recommended implementation schedule along with cost estimates for all work, to be completed by June 30, 2026. Both the State's 2024 dam inspection report and the GZA Geo Environmental Assessment are available on the Town's website here online. Interested firms shall be qualified to complete the tasks listed below, which are expected to be necessary to address the dam's deficiencies. The Town reserves the right to expand or amend this task list at any time prior to execution of a contract with a selected firm. Perform topographic survey to verify geometry and key elevations as it relates to subsequent analyses noted below. Perform bathymetric survey upstream of the dam to establish depth of water, sediment, and rock. Perform additional investigation and analysis to determine the source and potential risks of the uncontrolled seepage and leakage. Perform subsurface investigation and testing to determine foundation conditions at the dam as it relates to the stability of the dam, and the ability of the dam to safely withstand overtopping. Refine the GZA 2023 H&H analysis using updated survey information. Verify the dam has adequate freeboard during the inflow design flood. Evaluate the erodibility of the rock at the downstream toe as it relates to the stability of the dam. Identify alternatives as required to make the dam hydraulically adequate or capable of safely being overtopped during the Inflow Design Flood. Evaluate the hydraulic capacity of the low-level-outlet and its suitability to drawdown the pond in an emergency. Perform a structural inspection of the concrete elements of the dam and identify repair or replacement alternatives. Inspection of the submerged upstream face will likely require a dive inspection unless the water level can be lowered sufficiently. Collect concrete cores and perform testing to establish compressive strength and density of concrete in support of structural analyses. Evaluate the stability of the dam in refence to design loading events (normal, flood, normal + ice, normal + earthquake). Identify alternatives to address any inadequate factors of safety. Evaluate the strength of the swim/boat barrier in reference to design loads. Make recommendations regarding a more robust system if deemed necessary. Perform a confined space entry inspection of the gate chamber, evaluate the condition of the low-level-outlet and other components. Perform video/camera inspection of pipes. Based on collected information, propose recommended edits to the Emergency Action Plan. Identify repair, replacement, or decommissioning alternatives to restore functionality or reduce potential risks as required. Developed a recommended implementation schedule for needed activities to address the dam's deficiencies, along with cost estimates. It is expected that all Consulting Firms will make good faith efforts to solicit DBE sub-contractors. Prior to beginning any work, the Consulting Firm will be required to obtain all necessary Insurance Coverage in accordance with the State of Vermont and name the Town of Essex within the Certificate of Insurance. The certificate of insurance coverage shall be documented on forms acceptable to the Town. We are not seeking a detailed scope of work or cost proposal at this time. All Statements of Qualification will become the property of the Town of Essex upon submission. The cost of preparing, submitting and presenting is the sole expense of the firm. The Town reserves the right to reject any and all Statements of Qualification received as a result of this solicitation, to waive any formality and any technicalities or to cancel this RFQ in part or in its entirety if it is in the best interests of the Town. This Request for Qualifications in no way obligates the Town to award a contract.