RFQ: PAC Improvements

Location:	North Carolina
Posted:	May 6, 2026
Due:	Jun 3, 2026
Agency:	Carrboro OWASA (Water and Sewer Authority)
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	80 - Brushes, Paints, Sealers, and Adhesives
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Orange Water and Sewer Authority

Our community’s trusted partner for clean water and environmental

protection.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Orange Water and Sewer Authority

PAC Improvements

CIP Project No. 272-74

Issue Date: May 6, 2026

Submittal Deadline: June 3, 2026 at 2PM

1. INTRODUCTION

Your firm is hereby invited to submit a written statement of qualifications to provide professional

engineering services for a new Powder Activated Carbon (PAC) silo and PAC dosing equipment

project at the Jones Ferry Rd Water Treatment Plant (WTP) at 400 Jones Ferry Rd. OWASA will

conduct a Qualification-Based Selection process to identify the best qualified firm with which to

negotiate a contract. All firms submitting qualifications must have demonstrated experience and

expertise in design and construction services for WTP chemical storage and dosing systems.

To be considered by OWASA, responses to this RFQ must be received by 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time

on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Refer to Section 5 – Submittal Requirements for details.

2. OBJECTIVES

The primary objectives of the project are to:

a) Install a new PAC storage silo and associated dosing equipment, designed to match

performance and integrate with the existing system, in advance of the WTP’s Clearwell

project (construction estimated to begin in late 2028);

b) To provide technical expertise to optimize PAC application for both PFAS removal and

taste and odor control, including development of specifications, standard operating

procedures, and training materials;

c) To support coordination with the Town of Carrboro to obtain all necessary approvals.

3. BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION

OWASA operates a 20 million gallon per day (MGD) WTP at 400 Jones Ferry Rd in Carrboro,

NC. Historically, the plant has utilized PAC, dosed at the rapid mix chambers, to control taste and

order compounds and meet customer expectations for water quality and aesthetics.

In recent years, OWASA’s use of PAC has expanded beyond taste and odor control to include

removing PFAS compounds originating from Cane Creek Reservoir. OWASA voluntarily

committed to meeting maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) established by the PFAS National

Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR). OWASA elected to voluntarily meet these MCLs

using PAC in advance of the original compliance deadline of April 2029. To meet PFAS removal

Request for Qualifications

PAC Silo

May 6, 2026

targets, PAC dosing rates have increased significantly, and the PAC Silo no longer provides 30-

days of storage at design flows.

OWASA utilizes a single 4,000 cubic feet bulk storage silo to store dry PAC. The silo dimensions

are 14 feet O.D. by 50’-8” high and it is fitted with two bin activators, two slurry feeders, and two

eductors as well as a single pressure relief valve and pneumatic dust collector. During normal

operation, one carbon feeder with one of two booster pumps feeds each rapid mix tank, and dose

is controlled via flow pacing.

The PAC silo is a single point of failure for a process required to maintain future regulatory

compliance and is subject to significant public interest. The project will be implemented within an

active WTP that must remain fully operational during construction. The project must also be

completed in advance of the WTP’s Clearwell project (construction estimated to begin in late

2028) due to space constraints associated with that project.

4. SCOPE OF SERVICES

The engineering services required for this project are expected to be completed to meet the

objective 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 engineering firm and may include modified and/or additional tasks.

1. Design services may include:

a. Design and permitting including procuring necessary entitlements from the Town

of Carrboro and Public Water Supply

b. Maintenance of plant operations planning

c. Development of construction contract documents and technical specifications

d. Cost estimation

e. Bid assistance

f. Optimization of PAC dosing and system performance and development of standard

operating procedures and training materials for plant staff

g. Coordination of design with SCADA integrator

2. Construction services may include:

a. Construction inspection

b. Construction administration

c. Assistance with stakeholder engagement and communications

d. Preparation of Record Drawings and other closeout information including updating

OWASA’s O&M manual

The draft and final plans, reports, etc. 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.

5. SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS

Request for Qualifications

PAC Silo

May 6, 2026

Responses to this RFQ must be received by OWASA no later than 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time

on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. To be considered, please submit one (1) electronic copy in PDF

format of the required qualifications to:

Mo Rasheed, P.E.

mrasheed@owasa.org

Utilities Engineer – Capital Projects

Orange Water and Sewer Authority

400 Jones Ferry Road

Carrboro, North Carolina 27510

PDF submittals shall be letter-size format and limited to a maximum of 8 pages for the

Statement of Qualifications. The total page count excludes the cover, cover letter, title sheets,

dividers, resumes, contract objections, and completed procurement forms.

Statement of Qualifications will be assessed on the following:

a) Project Team (30%): list the proposed project team members, including sub-consultants (if

any), identifying their respective roles on the project. Each proposal shall identify the

primary contact and include resumes or relevant experience summaries of key team

members. The firm must have relevant experience with installation of chemical storage and

dosing equipment, PFAS treatment in drinking water applications, and permitting of work

associated with this project.

b) Team Experience (30%): provide examples of previous, similar projects that the project

teams have completed or have in progress.

c) Project Approach (20%): describe your proposed approach to accomplish the work outlined

in the Scope of Services above.

d) Project Schedule (20%): provide schedule information, assuming a Notice to Proceed is

issued July 29, 2026

e) Contract Objections: It is OWASA’s intention to use a contract similar to the one included

as Attachment 2. If your firm objects to any element of the contract, please state the

objections in the submittal.

f) Completed Attachment 1 forms

6. TIMELINE AND SELECTION PROCESS

The timeline for this solicitation is as follows:

Questions Close

Statement of Qualifications Due

Anticipated Notice of Selection

Anticipated Completion of Final Scoping

and Contracting

May 6, 2026

May 20, 2026

June 3, 2026

June 24, 2026 (tentative)

July 29, 2026 (tentative)

All dates in the above table are subject to change.

Request for Qualifications

PAC Silo

May 6, 2026

OWASA reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to waive any minor formalities, 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 firm, OWASA will then proceed

to negotiate with the next best qualified firm 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.

7. OWASA POINT OF CONTACT

Mo Rasheed will be OWASA’s primary point of contact for all consultant selection matters

relating to this project. All questions regarding this Request for Qualifications must be

emailed on or before Wednesday, May 20, 2026 to Mr. Rasheed at mrasheed@owasa.org

8. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Attachment 1: Procurement Forms

Attachment 2 OWASA Standard Design Services Agreement

Attachment 1: Procurement Forms

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF ADDENDA

The undersigned hereby acknowledges that their submission is reflective of any

addenda posted for this solicitation by checking the appropriate box(es) below:

☐ N/A – no Addenda issued

☐ Addendum 1

☐ Addendum 2

☐ Addendum 3

☐ Addendum 4

☐ Addendum 5

Signature

Date

Printed Name

Title

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Bid Opportunity:	RFQ: PAC Improvements
Pre-Bid Meeting:	None
Closing Date/Time:	Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
Contact:	Mo Rasheed, P.E.
Download:	PAC Silo RFQ
Award Information:

RFQ: PAC Improvements

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