Site work and new construction of a water / sewer project in Tucson, Arizona. Completed plans call for the construction of a water / sewer project; and for site work for a water / sewer project.

The City of Tucson, Tucson Water Department has the right to obtain Class A+ secondary treated effluent from Pima County's Tres Rios Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) and intends to implement further advanced treatment for potable distribution, in compliance with Arizona Administrative Code, Title 18, Chapter 9, Article 8. The City intends to use a portion of land currently owned by Pima County, located immediately southeast of Tres Rios WRF, for the design and construction of a new Advanced Water Purification Facility capable of producing 2.5 million gallons per day (MGD). The purpose of the Project is to utilize a portion of the City's local water resources, including its effluent entitlement, to diversify the City's water resource portfolio. By purifying and reusing up to 2.5 MGD annually, the Project aims to improve water quality, water supply reliability, address distribution system capacity issues due to PFAS-related well shutdowns, and provide long-term conservation benefits for both the local community and the Colorado River system. A draft Progressive Design-Build (PDB) contract will be attached to this RFQ via a formal solicitation addendum. Background In October 2023, City's Mayor and Council adopted the One Water 2100 Plan (Plan). The Plan is Tucson's comprehensive, long-range plan that aims to protect the reliability and quality of Tucson's water supply through 2100. It recognizes the interconnectedness of our surface water, groundwater, recycled water, and stormwater supplies and plans for a future where the region's water supply portfolio is increasingly diversified, and water demands are well managed. One of the strategies identified by stakeholders was to begin purifying recycled water to drinking water standards. The City has an agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation to build an advanced water purification facility in return for foregoing some of its Colorado River allocation that will help Tucson Water reduce reliance on surface and groundwater and maximize the use of local water resources. By selecting the PDB delivery method for this Project, the City is committed to working in close collaboration with the selected Design-Builder during Phase 1 to develop a design that achieves the City's objectives at a mutually agreeable guaranteed maximum price (GMP), schedule, and scope for the Phase 2 delivery of the Project. The City expects the Design-Builder to construct the Project, as designed, within the agreed-upon price and schedule, through commissioning, startup, performance testing and Project closeout. Commencing in the Phase 1 services period and continuing throughout Phase 2 of the Project, the City further expects the Design-Builder to work with the Operator to help ensure a seamless transition and efficient operations of the AWPF moving forward. The following Project-specific objectives are provided to give Offerors a better understanding of the Project and the work to be performed. Complete the design-build of an AWPF capable of producing 2.5 MGD of potable water with direct conveyance to the potable distribution system. Integrate the facility to receive effluent from the WRF as influent to the AWPF with product water from the AWPF in direct conveyance to the potable distribution system. Efficient use of the provided Bureau of Reclamation funding. Integration of the Project team (Designer, Builder, Operator, Owner) in a collaborative method to optimize Project delivery and make informed cost and risk decisions with a life-cycle cost focus. Establish a baseline model for future implementation of AWPFs in the Tucson Water network. The below schedule is intended to be an estimate only. All dates are subject to change. Shortlist January 2026 Interview Criteria/Instructions January 2026 Interviews January - February 2026 Selection Notification February 2026 Phase 1 Negotiations March 2026 Anticipated Contract Award Spring 2026 Kickoff Meeting Spring 2026 Question Submission Deadline:December 3, 2025, 4:00pm QUESTIONS SHALL BE DIRECTED TO: Vanessa Guzman (520) 837-4375 vanessa.guzman@tucsonaz.gov The City of Tucson (City), pursuant to ARS Title 34, is issuing a competitive, TWO-STEP Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to select a qualified design-build firm (Design-Builder) to provide design and construction services for an Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF or Project). The Project will be delivered using the Progressive Design-Build (PDB) delivery method. The estimated cost for the Project is $86,700,000. The Project is to be designed and constructed in two phases pursuant to a contract between the City and the Design-Builder (PDB Contract). Phase 1 (design and preconstruction services): Prepare design and perform preconstruction services to a level sufficient to prepare a Phase 2 Proposal (60% design completion anticipated). Phase 1 is completed when there is agreement on the Project schedule, price, and scope of the Phase 2 services. Phase 2 (final design, construction, commissioning and performance testing services): Complete design, procurement and management of subcontractors and vendors, selfperformance of certain elements of the construction (as determined per the PDB Contract), and responsibility for full construction, startup, commissioning, and performance testing. Anticipated Contract Award Spring 2026 Kickoff Meeting Spring 2026 Any question related to the Request for Qualifications shall be directed to the Contract Officer whose name appears above. Offerors are encouraged to submit written questions, via electronic mail, to the Contract Officer before the deadline for inquiries set forth above. An Offeror shall not contact or ask questions regarding this Request for Qualifications or the Project of any representative of the department for whom the requirement is being procured other than the Contract Officer Scope of Work and negotiate associated fees for the time allotted in the procurement schedule set forth above in this Article D. In the event that the City is not able to negotiate successfully with the top ranked Offeror, the City shall cease negotiations with that Offeror and either begin negotiations with the next ranked Offeror or may choose to cancel the solicitation in its entirety. In the event that the City is not able to negotiate successfully with the next ranked Offeror, the City shall cease negotiations with that Offeror and either begin negotiations with the third ranked Offeror or may choose to cancel the solicitation in its entirety. The City intends to award the PDB Contract to the Offeror whose SOQ, interview and subsequent negotiation is most advantageous to the City. Provide a letter issued by the DesignBuilder's surety company to verify the availability of a bond of at least $120,000,000 million for this Project.