Request for Qualifications for SCADA System Modernization and Oversight Services

VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
SCADA System Modernization and Oversight Services
September 15, 2026
Introduction:
The Village of Northbrook ("Village") is requesting qualifications from professional engineering,
automation, or consulting firms to provide project management, design review, and construction
oversight for its upcoming SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) System upgrade at the
Villages Water Production Plant.
The firm selected will act as an extension of Village staff ("Owner's Engineer"), ensuring that the
SCADA Integrator adheres to strict operational standards, budgetary requirements, project
deliverables and deadlines. Respondents must be able to demonstrate previous experience with
similar projects described herein. The submitted Statement of Qualifications ("SOQ") should include
the firm's qualifications, project team, resumes, detailed scope of services/tasks and schedule for
project deliverables as further set forth in this RFQ.
Project Background:
The Village's current infrastructure relies on aging, fragmented, or legacy SCADA configurations that
have exceeded their intended service life. To address modern cybersecurity protocols, improve
operational visibility, and guarantee system scalability, we are initiating a total overhaul of the SCADA
System. This oversight contract is designed to protect our investment and ensure a seamless, non-
disruptive cutover process.
System Type: Water Treatment
Key Software/Hardware Environment: Allen-Bradley/Rockwell PLCs, Inductive Automation-
Ignition HMI- Latest, VMware, Windows Server 2022 VMs
Approximate Scale: Remote sites 4, lift stations 13, Water Towers 2, Approx. 1000 I/O points
After the Village Board approval's and under the broad supervision and direction of the Village
Manager and Public Works Director or their designees, the selected Respondent will perform the
Village's Representative/Construction Management Services. A successful contract approval will not
state, convey, imply, or infer a specific, minimum or expected amount of work or compensation. The
firm(s) is/are and shall remain a wholly independent contractor and not an officer, employee or agent
of the Village and shall have no authority to bind the Village in any manner, nor to incur any obligation,
debt, or liability.
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VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
SCADA System Modernization and Oversight Services
September 15, 2026
Scope of Services:
The selected consultant will be responsible for providing third-party technical oversight across all
project phases:
Phase A: Design Review & Risk Mitigation
Evaluate the primary SCADA integrator's architecture design, network topographies, and
instrument specifications.
Enforce compliance with industry standards (e.g., ISA-112 SCADA systems, ISA-101 HMI, NIST
SP 800-82 for OT cybersecurity).
Review and optimize alarm rationalization, prioritization, and reporting-by-exception
strategies.
Phase B: Construction, Integration & Loop Testing Oversight
Provide regular on-site monitoring of control panel construction, electrical field installations,
and communication network deployments.
Maintain comprehensive decision logs, review submittals, track change orders, and evaluate
contractor payout requests.
Audit the primary integrator's PLC logic and HMI databases against organization standards.
Phase C: Commissioning, Cutover & Acceptance Testing
Oversee critical hot cutovers to ensure continuous utility or plant operations without
unexpected downtime.
Witness and sign off on Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT).
Verify final "as-built" documentation, loop sheets, termination lists, and O&M manuals.
Key Items to include in the Statement of Qualifications:
1. Cover letter: to include an executive summary of your qualifications, including name, phone
number, and email address of the person authorized to represent the company regarding all
matters related to this Request for Qualifications.
2. Firm Profile & History: to include brief history, services, location of local office, and years in
business and contact information.
3. Technical Approach: Narrative demonstrating understanding of specific SCADA system
constraints and oversight strategy.
4. An organizational chart: accompanied by resumes of key personnel highlighting specific SCADA
project history. that would be assigned to the Project.
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VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
SCADA System Modernization and Oversight Services
September 15, 2026
5. Information on the firm's current and projected workload and its ability to meet the flexible and
time sensitive needs of the Village.
6. Experience: Listing of all local public or private clients Respondent has partnered with in a SCADA
system modernizing and oversight services along with installation and dates of service. List any
current public or private projects being carried out in the surrounding communities.
7. Include a description of three (3) to six (6) examples of similar projects that best represent the
proposing firm's experience with public sector clients. Include client reference information,
preferably municipal clients.
Minimum Qualifications:
Responding firms must demonstrate the following baseline expertise within their submittal:
Minimum of five (5) years of verifiable experience providing independent project oversight
or owner's engineering for complex SCADA projects.
At least three (3) successfully completed reference projects of a similar scope and
technology stack.
Key personnel must hold relevant industry credentials (e.g., Licensed Electrical Professional
Engineer (P.E.), ISA Certified Automation Professional (CAP), or vendor-specific expert
certifications like Ignition Gold or Rockwell Solution Provider status).
Preparation of Statements of Qualifications:
All proposals must be signed by an authorized official/representative of Respondent. SOQs that
contain omissions, erasures, alterations, or additions not called for, conditional or alternate bids
unless called for, or that contain irregularities of any kind may be rejected.
The RFQ does not ask for a price or cost from the Respondent. Village staff will review the SOQs
received and interview selected Respondent. After interviews are completed, a preferred Respondent
will be selected and negotiate final contract terms and Project cost.
Clarifications:
The Village reserves the right to make clarifications, corrections, or changes to this RFQ at any
time prior to the time proposals are due. Questions and requests for information must be
submitted in writing via email before 3:00 p.m. local time on October 6, 2026, to Joseph Rizzo,
Public Works Superintendent (joseph.rizzo@northbrook.il.us). All email communications must
include the subject line "SCADA System Modernization and Oversight Services RFQ." The Village will
issue addendums to the RFQ and responses to questions on the Village's website at
http://www.northbrook.il.us/bids.aspx. Any other information of any kind from any other source shall
not be considered official, and Respondents relying on other information do so at their own risk. It is
the Respondent's responsibility to check the website for addendum/response to RFQ prior to
submitting a proposal. All proposals submitted must acknowledge receipt of all addenda issued by
the Village.
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VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
SCADA System Modernization and Oversight Services
September 15, 2026
Delivery of Statement of Qualifications:
Responses to this RFQ including all documents and information requested in this document must be
submitted in a single PDF file via email to joseph.rizzo@northbrook.il.us no later than 3:00 p.m. local
time on October 20, 2026. The email must contain the subject line: SCADA System Modernization
and Oversight Services RFQ. Proposals must be submitted in the manner described in this RFQ. SOQs
received after the time specified above will not be opened. The Village of Northbrook appreciates
your consideration of this request.
Cost Proposals:
Cost proposals are not requested at this time. SOQs that are submitted with cost proposals are subject
to rejection. Following a review of the SOQs and interviews with select Respondents, the Village will
shortlist 1-3 Respondents to negotiate pricing and select the Respondent and solution most beneficial
to the Village. The Village will be the sole determiner of which response and Respondent represent
the best interests of the Village.
Freedom of Information Act:
All information submitted to the Village in response to this Request for Qualifications shall be
deemed a public record and will be subject to disclosure under the Illinois Freedom of Information
Act (5 ILCS 140 et seq.) subsequent to the award of the contract. Respondents are advised that
Section 7(1)(g) of that Act exempts the following from disclosure:
Trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained from a
person or business where the trade secrets or commercial or financial
information are furnished under a claim that they are proprietary,
privileged or confidential, and that disclosure of the trade secrets or
commercial or financial information would cause competitive harm to the
person or business, and only insofar as the claim directly applies to the
records requested.
Respondents desiring to have portions of their proposals considered exempt from FOIA are
advised to mark these portions accordingly.
Withdrawal of SOQs:
No proposal shall be withdrawn for a period of 60 days after the opening of any proposal.
Rejection of SOQs:
Proposals that are not prepared in accordance with these Instructions to Respondents may be
rejected. If not rejected, the Village may request correction of any deficiency and accept the
deficiently prepared proposal upon compliance with these Instructions to Respondents.
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VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
SCADA System Modernization and Oversight Services
September 15, 2026
Acceptance of SOQs:
Proposals submitted are offers only and the decision to accept or reject is a function of quality,
reliability, capability, reputation, and expertise of the Respondents. The final award of a contract for
the Project is in the sole discretion of the Village Board of Trustees. Issuance of this RFQ does not
obligate the Village to pay any costs incurred by a Respondent in its submission of a proposal or
making any necessary studies or designs for the preparation of that proposal, or for procuring or
contracting for the services to be furnished under this RFQ.
The Village reserves the right to accept the proposal that is, in its judgment, the best and most favorable
to the interests of Village and to the public based on the evaluation factors in this RFQ; to reject the low
price proposal; to accept any item of any proposal; to reject any and all proposals; and to waive
irregularities and informalities in any proposal submitted or in the request for proposal process;
provided, however, the waiver of any prior defect or informality shall not be considered a waiver of
any future or similar defect or informality. Respondents should not rely upon, or anticipate, such
waivers in submitting their proposal.
The process for selecting the Respondent will include a review of the SOQ, interviews with qualified
firms submitting SOQs, and a review of references. Following these steps, the Village will shortlist
a number of Respondents to negotiate a contract that best meets the needs of the Village for the
Project. The contract will represent a guaranteed maximum price with the Respondent at risk for
any overages.
Final acceptance and approval of the contract for the Project will be at the discretion of the Village
Board of Trustees.
Evaluation of SOQs:
The Respondents must be qualified contractors and demonstrate the capability to provide services
required in accordance with the Project specifications. A selection committee established by the
Village will review the SOQ responses based upon factors in this RFQ including, but not limited to
the following:
1. Project approach and demonstration of understanding of the project.
2. Familiarization with site and demonstration of knowledge of site constraints. Site plan is
available upon request. (Site visits will be conducted as part of the interviews)
3. Experience with similar municipal projects (provide specific examples of recent project
experience)
4. Company/firm information (size, location, history, resources, etc.)
5. Schedule and demonstration of ability to complete work in a timely fashion.
6. Qualifications (resumes) of personnel assigned to work on the project (project team)
7. Compliance with scope of work
8. Submittal compliance
9. Verification of references
10. Demonstration an understanding of applicable Village and State codes.
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VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
SCADA System Modernization and Oversight Services
September 15, 2026
The Village, at its discretion, may choose to conduct interviews with Respondents to clarify any points
in the SOQ to gain a better understanding of how the Respondent can provide the best value to the
Village for the Project.
Submission of a SOQ indicates the Respondent's acceptance of the evaluation technique and
methodology in this RFQ as well as the Respondent's recognition that some subjective judgments
must be made by the Village during the evaluation and selection process.
Based on the evaluation of the SOQs, the Village will rank Respondents and invite the most highly
ranked Respondent to submit price/cost information and participate in negotiations necessary to
finalize the contract.
The Village reserves the right to choose the overall best Respondent according to the Village's criteria.
The Village, and its designated representatives, shall be the sole judge of its own best interest, the
proposal, and the resulting negotiated contract. The Village's decision will be final.
The above factors, along with other factors that the Village may deem appropriate, will be used to
identify the proposal that represents the best interests of the Village and its residents.
Contract:
The Village uses a standard Contract (with appropriate project description inserts/details) for
professional and construction services, which the selected Respondent must execute.
As noted in this RFQ, the selection process for the Respondent will be a two-phase process. Following
the first round of review, the Village will short-list a select number of respondents who will receive
the standard Contract. Respondents will be asked to provide any requested modifications that the
Respondent plans to request to be made to the standard Contract and the Village will take these
requests into consideration in the review process. The Village will engage in negotiations with the
selected Respondent regarding Project costs and pricing and contract terms.
Timeline & Selection Process
RFQ Distributed: September 15, 2026
Deadline for Questions: October 6, 2026
SOQ Submission Due Date: October 20, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.
Evaluation & Shortlist Interviews: November 2026 - December 2026
Contract Award: January 2027
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