RFP #2026-459 Eengineering Services - Oneida County Sewer District - Resiliency Enhancements

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS - QUALIFICATIONS-BASED SELECTION
ENGINEERING SERVICES - ONEIDA COUNTY SEWER DISTRICT - RESILIENCY ENHANCEMENTS
Oneida County Department of Water Quality and Water Pollution Control
RFP No. 2026-459
September 2026
This Request for Proposals (RFP) is being sent to interested engineering firms (Engineer) to provide
Engineering Services to evaluate the ability of the existing wastewater collection, conveyance, and
treatment systems to support additional development throughout the Oneida County Sewer District.
Submissions are to be delivered to the following name and address:
Hard Copy to:
Commissioner
Oneida County Department of Water Quality and Water Pollution Control
772 Sewage Plant Rd.
P.O. Box 442
Utica, NY 13503-0442
The envelope for hard copy submissions must be clearly marked "RFP 2026-459 - Oneida County Sewer
District - Resiliency Enhancements - Oneida County Department of Water Quality and Water Pollution
Control." Submissions shall include five (5) copies of the response.
And, an Electronic Copy as a Single PDF to: wpc@oneidacountyny.gov
The subject line for electronic submissions must state: "RFP 2026-459 - Oneida County Sewer District -
Resiliency Enhancements - Oneida County Department of Water Quality and Water Pollution Control."
Submissions must be received by no later than 3:00 PM on October 15, 2026. Submissions received after
this date and time will not be accepted.
Questions regarding this RFP are to be directed to Dale Lockwood, Chief Operator, by email to
dlockwood@oneidacountyny.gov.
Oneida County reserves the right to reject any or all submissions received.
Oneida County, in order to promote its established Affirmative Action Plan, welcomes submissions from
underrepresented groups. This RFP is open to all persons without regard to age, race, creed, color,
national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, military status, marital status, genetic
predisposition or carrier status or political affiliation or belief.
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1.0 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED SERVICES
1.1 Oneida County (County), through its Department of Water Quality and Water Pollution Control
(Department), administers the functions of the Oneida County Sewer District (District). This
includes the management and operation of the Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP), Sauquoit
Creek Pumping Station (SCPS) and Barnes Avenue Pumping Stations (BAPS), and more than 45
miles of interceptor sewer and force main. The District is composed of 15 municipalities who own
and operate their own sanitary sewer collection systems.
1.2 The purpose of this RFP is to select a qualified engineering firm to evaluate the ability of the
existing wastewater collection, conveyance, and treatment systems to support additional
development throughout the District. The County intends to enter a master agreement with the
selected Engineer with services authorized on a task order basis.
1.3 Work associated with the first task order will include:
* Conduct a detailed technical assessment under multiple development scenarios
of the collection and conveyance systems tributary to the North Utica Interceptor
Sewershed and associated impacts to treatment capacity at the WPCP;
* Evaluate whether the existing wastewater collection, conveyance, and treatment
systems can support the full buildout of the Marcy Nanocenter site - a 400 +/-
acre semiconductor manufacturing site in the Town of Marcy, Oneida County, NY;
* Provide recommendations for infrastructure upgrades that will address both
short- and long-term solutions to capacity limitations;
* The feasibility, location, and sizing of a potential wet-weather equalization tank
and related conveyance improvements that may be required to support full
Marcy Nanocenter site buildout and future industrial users;
* Preliminary engineering concepts;
* Planning-level cost estimates;
* An implementation roadmap;
* A framework for future capital improvements;
* Thirty percent (30%) design of the County's chosen option(s);
* Provide Environmental, Historic, and Smart Growth Review for the chosen
option(s) if requested by the County.
1.4 Future task orders may include the following:
* Final design and development of plans and specifications
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* Regulatory coordination and permitting assistance
* Bid Phase Services
* Construction Phase Services
2.0 SCOPE OF SERVICES
2.1 This RFP is intended to solicit qualified firms for engineering services for Oneida County's
resiliency enhancement projects.
2.2 Services for Task Order No.1 will include the following:
2.2.1 Project Management
Administration
This task allows for the routine management, administration, and coordination of the work efforts
for engineering activities. Included in this task is the appropriate coordination with Oneida County
and engineering team members, management of the project, funding agency coordination,
monitoring of budget and schedule, construction cost control, and administrative assistance to
the Department.
Project Meetings and Workshop
An initial meeting with the Department will be conducted to kick-off the project, review the scope
of work, and review the schedule for conducting the work. A number of subsequent meetings will
be required to meet with the Department, regulators, etc.
Technical Quality Reviews
Technical reviews of the project will be conducted by experienced staff members to review design
concept, hydraulics and equipment sizing, coordination amongst trades and bid documents, and
constructability/biddability.
Meeting Notes From Project Team Meetings
All project meetings and technical quality reviews will be noted, and meeting minutes will be
prepared by the Engineer and distributed to the project team.
2.2.2 Design Development
Site Visits/Condition Assessment
Site visits will be conducted within the project area as needed. Along with these site visits, existing
information and documents will be reviewed to begin the work, including record drawings and
historical reports.
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Survey Base Mapping
Provide survey base mapping as required.
Geotechnical
Soil borings and geotechnical data will be required for all major structures proposed for the
project and incorporated into basis of design.
Hydraulic Analysis
Hydraulic analysis will be required in support of proposed upgrades and improvements to the
interceptor sewers tributary to the North Utica Interceptor Sewershed.
Alternatives Analysis
An Alternatives Analysis in the form of a Preliminary Engineering Report ("PER") will be prepared.
This report will include the results of the technical assessments performed under multiple
development scenarios of the collection and conveyance systems tributary to the North Utica
Interceptor Sewershed, associated impacts to treatment capacity at the WPCP, and potential
impacts to the County's current SPDES permit. This will also include preliminary engineering
concepts, planning level cost estimates, and implementation roadmap.
Environmental Review
Consultant will prepare all State Environmental Quality Review Act, State Historic Preservation,
and Smart Growth Assessment documents and supporting information for the selected
alternative. This will include responses to all questions and preparation of findings statements.
Basis of Design Report/Design Development Documents
A Basis of Design Report will be prepared as the deliverable for the design development phase.
This report will be inclusive of the proposed improvements, list of regulatory and permitting
considerations, equipment features and layouts, site/civil design, hydraulic profile, process and
instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), control descriptions, constructability, cost estimates, and a
draft description of how existing facilities will operate.
Design Development Documents submittal is generally defined as 30-percent level of completion
design drawings and will also include a preliminary list of specifications that will be included within
the construction bid documents.
The design development will be in accordance with the latest edition of the Recommended
Standards for Wastewater Facilities (Ten State Standards). The report must be prepared in a
format that will be approvable and contain content required by regulatory and funding agencies.
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2.3 Engineer's Responsibilities
Engineering Services
The Engineer shall provide all engineering services necessary to develop and produce a complete
deliverable that will satisfy the scope of work negotiated. The Engineer shall work with the
Department's personnel who will indicate system needs and assist in achieving the Department's
desired scope of work. The Engineer shall carefully consider the input by the Department's staff
but based on the Engineer's own experience and ability, shall be solely responsible for providing
a complete and constructable deliverable in accordance with applicable standards/regulations
and the requirements of the scope of work. Use of subcontractors is allowed; it is expected that
the division of work will be properly coordinated and will be seamless when work products are
delivered to Oneida County. Potential for the use of teaming partners and/or subcontractors shall
be clearly identified in the submission.
2.4 Oneida County's Responsibilities
Oneida County will, at the Engineer's request, provide information and material on file that is
pertinent to the project. Staff will also be available to coordinate with the Engineer.
2.5 Authorization of Work
Oneida County will negotiate a master agreement and subsequent task orders with the selected
Engineer.
3.0 SUBMISSION CONTENT AND FORMAT
Each Engineer is invited to respond to this RFP in written and electronic form to the Department.
Submissions must be received by the time and date noted in the advertisement. Late submissions
will be rejected. Submissions must include:
- A cover letter introducing the Engineer, its relevant knowledge and experience, and an
explanation of why it is qualified to perform the tasks required by this RFP;
- The actual legal name of the proposing entity, its corporate form, its state of incorporation, the
legal name of all parent entities, and the address of its principal place of business;
- A listing of the Engineer's primary team personnel and qualifications, including all professional
licenses and certifications. Include only those who will be actively engaged in the project;
- A project listing and description of the Engineer's experience on the design and construction of
wastewater collection and treatment facilities including project experience with wet weather
storage systems;
- A detailed discussion on the Engineer's approach to undertaking the scope of work of this project;
- A discussion on the Engineer's experience and approach to administering funding agency
requirements, including collection and submission of required documents;
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- Three references, including email addresses and phone numbers, of clients previously or currently
served by the Engineer, preferably from municipal or governmental clients; and
- Signed originals of the Required Certifications enclosed as Appendix A.
By responding to this RFP, the Engineer expressly agrees to the terms of the RFP documents,
including the Addendum included herewith, "Standard Oneida County Conditions."
DO NOT SUBMIT PRICE OF FEE PROPOSALS. ANY SUBMITTAL CONTAINING COST OR PRICING
INFORMATION WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
3.1 Qualifications
The Engineer must reserve for this project at least one Professional Engineer licensed by the State
of New York.
The Engineer must demonstrate within its statement of qualifications that they have the staff (in-
house or subcontracted) to meet the intent of the proposed contract and to complete the work
within the timeline listed in Section 4.0 of this RFP.
3.1.1 Team Qualifications
Include a list of your proposed key team members along with a brief statement of their
background and experience. Resumes of only key team members who will be involved in the day-
to-day assignments may be submitted. Limit resumes to one page of relevant experience.
3.1.2 Engineer Qualifications
A list of the Engineer's experience on the design and construction of wastewater collection and
treatment facilities including wet weather storage systems.
3.2 Technical Approach
The scope of work for Task Order No. 1 is generally described in Section 2.0. The Engineers shall
define their technical approach to accomplishing the goals of this RFP based on the Engineers'
knowledge and experience.
3.3 Local Participation
For purposes of this RFP, Oneida County requires that the local office of the selected Engineer be
located no further than 250 miles from the Oneida County Water Pollution Control Plant.
Additionally, no less than 80-percent of the work is to be performed from the local office. Work
performed by subcontractors located within 250 miles of the Oneida County Water Pollution
Control Plant will count toward the 80-percent.
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3.4 M/WBE / SDVOB Participation
Task Order No. 1 will be funded in part by the Economic Development Fund as
administered by Empire State Development (ESD). As such, ESD's Non-Discrimination &
Contractor and Supplier Diversity policy applies to this project. The Engineer shall comply
with 5 NYCRR 142.8 to achieve an overall Minority and Women-owned Business
Enterprise (MWBE) participation goal of thirty percent (30%). Additional information can
be found at: https://esd.ny.gov/participation-requirements-new-york-state-certified-
mwbes. The Engineer shall also comply with 9 NYCRR 252.2(n) to achieve an overall
NYS-Certified Service-Disabled-Veteran-owned Business Enterprises (SDVOB)
participation goal of six percent (6%); the same being in addition to the MWBE goal.
Additional information can be found at: https://esd.ny.gov/participation-requirements-
new-york-state-certified-sdvobs.
4.0 PROJECT SCHEDULE
Selection/Award: December 2026
Alternatives Analysis Report: March 2027
Basis of Design Report/Design Development Documents: May 2027
5.0 ENGINEER SELECTION PROCESS
The Department will review the submissions and will rate them based on the following criteria:
- Engineer/Team Qualifications: 20 points
- Key Personnel Qualifications/Experience/References: 25 points
- Technical Approach: 35 points
- Main Office/Staff Locality: 20 points
Maximum Score: 100 points
The Department will select at least three Engineering Firms considered to be the most highly
qualified to provide the required services. Interviews with those firms may be conducted.
Contract negotiation with the highest ranked Engineering Firm will commence to determine
compensation that is fair and reasonable based on a clear understanding of the project scope,
complexity, professional nature, and the estimated value of the services to be rendered. In the
event that a contract cannot be negotiated with the highest ranked Engineering Firm, negotiations
will then proceed with the next highest rank Engineering Firm, and so on.
The Engineer and any subcontractors agree that should it be awarded a contract it will not
discriminate against any person who performs work under this contract because of age, race,
color, sex, creed, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability.
6.0 The Engineer expressly warrants to Oneida County that it has the ability and expertise to perform
its responsibilities under this contract, and in doing so will use the highest standards of
professional workmanship.
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7.0 By responding to this RFP, the Engineer agrees to accept all the terms and conditions of the RFP
documents. The Engineer agrees to complete all work in a timely manner as specified or indicated
in the documents for the agreed upon scope and price.
8.0 Oneida County reserves the right to reject any or all submissions, to waive any informality or
technical defect in the submissions, or to award the contract in whole or in part if deemed to be
in the best interest of Oneida County to do so. Unsuccessful Engineers may request an
explanation of the reasons why an award was not made to them.
9.0 Oneida County reserves the right to reject any submission if the information submitted by, or
investigation of, such Engineer fails to satisfy the County that such Engineer is properly qualified
to carry out the obligations of the contract, that the Engineer has the experience required to
perform the contract (as determined by the County in its sole discretion), and to complete the
work contemplated therein. Oneida County further reserves the right to reject any submission
where the Engineer's references provide negative, reluctant, or equivocal information concerning
the Engineer's previous performance.
10.0 The County reserves the right to refuse to accept packets from Engineers who have previously
failed to complete contracts within the time frame required or have previously performed work
in an unsatisfactory manner. A submission may be rejected if the Engineer cannot show that it
has the necessary ability to commence the work at the time prescribed and thereafter to perform
and complete the work at the rate or within the time specified. A submission may be rejected if
the Engineer is already obligated for the performance of other work which would delay the
commencement, performance or completion of the work.
11.0 The successful Engineer will be required to enter into and sign an Agreement with Oneida County.
This RFP and the responding submission of the successful Engineer will become part of the
Agreement and will be in effect for the duration of the contract period. The contract language
will control over any language contained within this RFP that conflicts with the signed and fully
executed contract.
12.0 No successful Engineer to whom a contract is awarded shall assign, transfer, convey, sublet or
otherwise dispose of same, or of its right, title and interest therein, including the performance of
the contract or the right to receive monies due or to become due, or of its power to execute the
contract or purchase order without the prior written consent of Oneida County. In the event the
Engineer shall without prior written consent assign, transfer, convey, sublet or otherwise dispose
of the contract or its right, title and interest therein, including the performance of the contract,
or the right to receive monies due or to become due, or its power to execute such contract to any
other person or corporations, or upon receipt by Oneida County of an attachment against the
Engineer, the County of Oneida shall be relieved and discharged from any and all liability and
obligation under or arising from the contract with such Engineer, and the person or corporation
to which such contract or purchase order shall have been assigned, its assignees, transferees or
sub lessees shall forfeit and lose all monies theretofore assigned under the contract to the fullest
extent permitted by law.
13.0 Insurance
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Engineer shall purchase and maintain insurance of the following types of coverage and limits of
liability with an insurance carrier qualified and admitted to do business in the State of New York.
The insurance carrier must have at least an A- (excellent) rating by A. M. Best.
- Commercial General Liability ("CGL") coverage with limits of not less than One Million Dollars
($1,000,000) each occurrence, and Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) annual aggregate. CGL
coverage shall be written on ISO Occurrence form CG 00 01 1001, or a substitute form
providing equivalent coverage and shall cover liability arising from premises, operations,
independent contracts, products, completed operations, personal and advertising injury.
County shall be included as an additional insured, on a primary and non-contributing basis
before any other insurance or self-insurance, including any deductible or self-insured
retention, maintained by or provided to the additional insureds. Engineer shall maintain said
CGL coverage for itself and the additional insureds for the duration of the Agreement and
maintain completed operations coverage for itself and the additional insureds for at least
three (3) years after completion.
- Workers' Compensation and Employer's Liability, pursuant to statutory limits.
- Business Automobile Liability with limits of at least One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) each
accident. Coverage must include liability arising out of all owned, leased, hired and non-
owned automobiles. County shall be included as an additional insured on a primary and non-
contributing basis.
- Excess/Commercial Umbrella coverage with limits of at least Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000)
per occurrence. County shall be included as an additional insured. Excess/Commercial
Umbrella coverage for such additional insureds shall apply as primary and non-contributing
before any other insurance or self-insurance, including any deductible or self-insured
retention, maintained by or provided to the additional insureds.
- Professional Liability insurance covering negligent acts, errors and omissions in the
performance of professional services with policy limits of not less than One Million Dollars
($1,000,000) per claim and at least Two Million ($2,000,000) in the aggregate.
- Waiver of Subrogation: Engineer waives all rights against County and its agents, officers, and
employees for recovery of damages to the extent these damages are covered by insurance
maintained per requirements stated above.
- Engineer shall not perform any services until they have provided to County certificates of
insurance evidencing such coverage. Attached to each certificate of insurance shall be a copy
of the additional insured endorsement that is part of each of the Engineer's policies. The
certificates shall be on forms approved by County and shall contain a provision that coverage
afforded under the policies will not be cancelled or allowed to expire until at least thirty (30)
days prior written notice has been given to County. Acceptance of the certificates shall not
relieve Engineer of any of the insurance requirements, nor decrease the liability of Engineer.
County reserves the right to require Engineer to provide insurance policies for review by
County. Engineer hereby grants County a limited power of attorney to communicate with
Engineer's insurance provider and/or agent for the express purpose of confirming the
coverages required hereunder.
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14.0 Assumption of Risk and Indemnification
- Engineer solely assumes all risks in performing the services.
- Engineer shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend the County, its officers, agents,
employees, and servants, from and against all claims, damages, losses, judgments, and
expenses, including but not limited to reasonable attorney's fees, arising from, or related
to the Engineer's services under the Agreement to the extent caused by any negligent or
culpable act or omission of the Engineer or the Engineer's officers, agents, employees,
servants, or subcontractor(s). In the event the claims, damages, losses, judgments, and
expenses, including but not limited to reasonable attorney's fees, are caused by the
County's negligence, the County shall indemnify and hold harmless the Engineer. In the
event the claims, damages, losses, judgments, and expenses, including but not limited to
reasonable attorney's fees, are the result of the negligence of both the County and the
Engineer, or its subcontractor(s), the County and the Engineer shall be liable to the extent
or degree of their respective negligence, as determined by mutual agreement of the
County and the Engineer or as determined by adjudication of comparative negligence.
- Neither the termination of the Agreement nor the making of the final payment shall
release Engineer from its obligations under this Section. The enumeration elsewhere in
the Agreement of particular risks assumed by Engineer or of particular claims for which it
is responsible shall not be deemed to limit the effect of the provision of this Section or to
imply that it assumes or is responsible for only risks or claims of the type enumerated.
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