EM Johnson WTP Liquid Oxygen and Equipment Lease

Request for Proposals # 274-RW-WTP-FY26-2-LOX-FMH
Title: EM Johnson WTP Liquid Oxygen and Equipment Lease
Issue Date: June 8, 2026
Due Date: July 13, 2026 no later than 3:30PM EST
*LATE PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED*
Issuing Department: Public Utilities
Direct all inquiries concerning this RFP to:
Mike Hughes
Plant Operations Superintendent
Email: frederick.hughes@raleighnc.gov
(v.09/15/25)

Table of Contents
1. Introduction .............................................................................................. 2
1.1 Purpose ............................................................................................. 2
1.2 Background ........................................................................................ 2
1.3 RFP Timeline ..................................................................................... 3
1.4 Pre-Proposal Conference .................................................................. 3
1.5 Proposal Question ............................................................................. 3
1.6 Proposal Submission Requirements & Contact Information .............. 4
1.7 Business Engagement & Opportunities ............................................. 5
1.8 Rights to Submitted Material .............................................................. 5
1.9 Communications ................................................................................ 6
1.10 Lobbying ............................................................................................ 6
1.11 Conflicts of Interest ............................................................................ 6
1.12 Proposer Expenses ........................................................................... 7
1.13 Proposer Acceptance ........................................................................ 7
2. Proposals ................................................................................................. 7
2.1 Request for Proposals Required Document Format .......................... 8
2.2 RFP Documents .............................................................................. 10
3. Proposal Evaluation .............................................................................. 10
3.1 Proposal Evaluation Criteria (Stage 1) ............................................. 10
3.2 Interview/Demonstration (Stage 2) .................................................. 11
3.3 Final Selection ................................................................................. 11
3.4 Notice to Proposers Regarding RFP Terms & Conditions ............... 12
3.5 Contract Term......................................................................12
4. Scope of Services .................................................................................. 12
Appendix I - Proposal Cost Form ................................................................... 13
Appendix II - Proposer Questionnaire ........................................................... 14
Appendix III - Reference Questionnaire (Instructions) ................................. 15
Appendix III - Reference Questionnaire Form ............................................... 16
Appendix IV - Sample Contract ...................................................................... 18

1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose
The City of Raleigh (COR) is solicitating proposals from one or more firm(s) with which
to contract for the following services:
1.2 Background
2 The City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department is requesting proposals for Liquid Oxygen Supply
and Equipment Lease for Ozone Production at the EM Johnson Water Treatment Plant.
The City of Raleigh, the Capital City of North Carolina, remains one of the fastest growing
areas in the country. A great economy, top educational institutions, and exceptional health
care facilities are some of the characteristics that attract people to the triangle area. The mild
climate, diverse work force and proximity to Research Triangle Park combine to make Raleigh
a great place to live.
Raleigh is a 21st Century City of Innovation focusing on environmental, cultural and economic
sustainability. The City conserves and protects our environmental resources through best
practice and cutting-edge conservation and stewardship, land use, infrastructure and building
technologies. The City welcomes growth and diversity through policies and programs that will
protect and enhance Raleigh's existing neighborhoods, natural amenities, history and cultural
and human resources for future generations. The City leads to improve quality of life for
neighborhoods and standard of living for all citizens. The City works with universities, colleges,
citizens and local partners to promote new technology, create new job opportunities and
encourage local businesses and entrepreneurs. The City enlist and prepare 21st Century staff
with the skill sets to carry out the duties of the City, through transparent civic engagement and
providing the very best customer service to our citizens in the most efficient and cost-effective
manner.
The City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department provides water and wastewater services to
approximately 650,000 customers in Raleigh, Garner, Wake Forest, Rolesville, Knightdale,
Wendell, and Zebulon.
A detailed scope of services is provided in Section 4 of this document.
All information related to this solicitation, including any addenda, will be posted to the
North Carolina electronic Vendor Portal (eVP) at https://evp.nc.gov/.
All questions related to this solicitation must be submitted in writing (via email) to the
following individual - questions submitted via telephone will not be answered:
Contact Name Email Address
frederick.hughes@raleighnc.gov
Mike Hughes
2

1.3 Pre-Proposal Conference / Site Visit
Pre-Proposal Conference/Site Visit
A MANDATORY PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE/SITE VISIT for all prospective Proposers is
scheduled for 6/3/26 at 10:00 am at the EM Johnson WTP Training Room. There will be a Teams
option available. Attendance at this conference is a prerequisite for consideration of a Proposer's
proposal. Prospective Proposers are encouraged to submit written questions in advance. A
summary of all questions and answers will be posted on the internet as an addendum, located
under the RFP # being modified.
The Pre-Proposal Conference/Site Visit will take place at:
EM Johnson Water Treatment Plant
10301 Falls of Neuse Rd
Raleigh, NC 27614
Teams Option will be available for contractors unable to travel. Please email
frederick.hughes@raleighnc.gov with the subject line "EMJ LOX" if you plan to join via
Teams.
6/25/26
10:00-10:30-Meeting in Training Room
10:30-11:00-Walkthrough of LOX system
It is the Proposer's responsibility to assure that all addenda have been reviewed and, if
need be, signed and returned.
Proposal Questions
Upon review of the RFP documents, Proposers may have questions to clarify or interpret the
RFP in order to submit the best proposal possible. Proposers shall submit any such questions
to Frederick.Hughes@raleighnc.gov by the above Proposers Written Questions due date. A
summary of all questions and answers will be posted on the internet as an addendum, located
under the RFP # being modified.
It is the Proposer's responsibility to assure that all addenda have been reviewed and, if
need be, signed and returned.
Proposal Submission Requirements and Contact Information
Proposals must follow the format as defined in Section 2 PROPOSAL FORMAT.
Proposers must submit one (1) signed original plus one (1) electronic version and two (2)
copies of the (RFP No. 274-RW-WTP-FY26-2-LOX-FMH) - (EM Johnson WTP Liquid Oxygen
and Equipment Lease) signed proposal. The electronic version of the Proposal must be
submitted as a viewable and printable Adobe Portable Document File (PDF) on a Flash Drive
attached to the proposal. Proposals must be enclosed in a sealed envelope or package and
clearly marked: RFP 274-RW-WTP-FY26-2-LOX-FMH- EM Johnson WTP Liquid Oxygen
and Equipment Lease. Both hard copy and electronic version must be received by the City
on or before 3:30 PM EDT on 7/13/26. Deliver proposals using one of the two options below:
*The EM Johnson WTP does not have a mailbox. Do not send proposals via the USPS*
3

DELIVERED BY FedEx/UPS
RFP NO. 274-RW-WTP-FY26-2-LOX-FMH -EM Johnson Liquid Oxygen and Equipment
Lease
City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department
ATTN: Mike Hughes
EM Johnson Water Treatment Plant
10301 Falls of Neuse Rd
Raleigh, NC 27614
DELIVERED BY HAND
RFP NO. 274-RW-WTP-FY26-2-LOX-FMH -EM Johnson WTP Liquid Oxygen and Equipment
Lease
City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department
ATTN: Mike Hughes
EM Johnson WTP
10301 Falls of Neuse Rd
Raleigh, NC 27614
Proposals received after the "Proposal Due" deadline above will not be considered and will be
returned unopened to the return address on the submission envelope. The outside of the
submittal package Proposals received after the "RFP Due" deadline above will not be
considered and will be returned unopened to the return address on the submission envelope.
The and the Flash Drive must be clearly marked with the RFP number and the Title. The City
reserves the right to reject any or all proposals for any reason and to waive any informality it
deems in its best interest. Any requirements in the RFP that cannot be met must be indicated
in the proposal. Contractors must respond to the entire Request for Proposals (RFP). Any
proposals received by the City that are incomplete in their responses will be immediately
disqualified.
Rights to Submitted Material
All proposals, responses, inquiries, or correspondence relating to or in reference to this RFP,
and all reports, charts, and other documentation submitted by Proposers (other than materials
submitted as and qualifying as trade secrets under North Carolina law) shall become the
property of the City when received and the entire proposal shall be subject to the public
records laws of the State of North Carolina except where a proper trade secrets exception has
been made by the Proposer in accordance with the procedures allowed by North Carolina law.
The City reserves the right to retain all proposals submitted and to use any ideas in a proposal
regardless of whether that proposal is selected. Submission of a proposal indicates
acceptance by the Proposer of the conditions contained in this Request for Proposal.
Communications
All communications of any nature regarding this RFP with any City staff, elected City officials,
evaluation committee members, are strictly forbidden from the time the solicitation is publicly
posted until award. Questions must be submitted in writing to the individual designated in
Section 1.1. prior to the deadline provided in Section 1.3.
Violation of this provision may result in the firm's proposal being removed from consideration.
4

Lobbying
By responding to this solicitation, the firm certifies that is has not and will not pay any person or
firm to influence or attempt to influence an officer or employee of the City or the State of North
Carolina, or any elected official in connection with obtaining a contract as a result of this RFP.
Conflicts of Interest
City of Raleigh contracts are controlled by three conflict of interest provisions.
First, federal procurement standards provide in 2 CFR 200.318 (c)(1),
No employee, officer, or agent may participate in the selection, award, or administration of a
contract supported by a Federal award if he or she has a real or apparent conflict of interest.
Such a conflict of interest would arise when the employee, officer, or agent, any member of his
or her immediate family, his or her partner, or a firm which employs or is about to employ any of
the parties indicated herein, has a financial or other interest in or a tangible personal benefit
from a firm considered for a contract. The officers, employees, and agents of the non-Federal
entity may neither solicit nor accept gratuities, favors, or anything of monetary value from
contractors or parties to subcontracts.
Similarly, the North Carolina General Statutes provides a criminal statute for conflicts of interest
in public contracting. N.C.G.S. 14-234(a):
(1) No public officer or employee who is involved in making or administering a contract on behalf
of a public agency may derive a direct benefit from the contract except as provided in this
section, or as otherwise allowed by law. (2) A public officer or employee who will derive a direct
benefit from a contract with the public agency he or she serves, but who is not involved in
making or administering the contract, shall not attempt to influence any other person who is
involved in making or administering the contract. (3) No public officer or employee may solicit or
receive any gift, favor, reward, service, or promise of reward, including a promise of future
employment, in exchange for recommending, influencing, or attempting to influence the award of
a contract by the public agency he or she serves.
City of Raleigh Charter Section 3.9 regulates private transactions between the City and its
officials and employees. The Charter states:
"No member of the City Council, official, or employee of the City of Raleigh shall be financially
interested, or have any personal beneficial interest, either directly or indirectly, as agent,
representative, or otherwise, in the purchase of, or contract for, or in furnishing any materials,
equipment or supplies to the City of Raleigh, nor shall any official or employee of the City of
Raleigh accept or receive, or agree to accept or receive, directly or indirectly, from any person,
firm or corporation to whom any contract may be awarded or from whom any materials,
equipment or supplies may be purchased by the City of Raleigh, by rebate, gift, or otherwise,
any money or anything of value whatsoever, or any promise, obligation or contract for future
reward or compensation, for recommending or procuring the uses of any such materials,
equipment or supplies by the City of Raleigh; no member of the City Council, official or
employee of the City of Raleigh shall for his own personal benefit operate, directly or indirectly,
any concession in any building or on any lands of the City of Raleigh, nor shall any official or
employee of the City of Raleigh bid for or be awarded any contract granting concessionary rights
of any nature or kind from the City of Raleigh; it shall be unlawful for any member of the City
Council, official or employee of the City of Raleigh to bid for or to purchase or to contract to
purchase from the City of Raleigh any real estate, equipment, materials, or supplies of any
nature or kind whatsoever, either directly or indirectly, at either public or private sale, either
singly, or through or jointly with any other person."
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Proposer Expenses
The City of Raleigh will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by any Proposer in the
development of a response to this Request for Proposal or any other activities associated with
this procurement including but not limited to any onsite (or otherwise) interviews and/or
presentations, and/or supplemental information provided, submitted, or given to City of Raleigh
and/or its representatives. Further, the City of Raleigh shall reserve the right to cancel the work
described herein prior to issuance and acceptance of any contractual agreement/purchase order
by the recommended Proposer even if the awarding authority for each entity has formally
accepted a recommendation.
Proposer Acceptance
Submission of any proposal indicates a Proposer's acceptance of the conditions contained in
this RFP unless clearly and specifically noted otherwise on Appendix V, "Exceptions to RFP"
and submitted with proposal. Furthermore, the City of Raleigh is not bound to accept a proposal
on the basis of lowest price, and further, the City of Raleigh has the sole discretion and reserves
the right to cancel this RFP, and to reject any and all proposals, to waive any and all
informalities and/or irregularities, or to re-advertise with either the identical or revised
specifications, if it is deemed to be in the City of Raleigh's best interests to do so. The City of
Raleigh reserves the right to accept or reject any or all of the items in the proposal, and to award
the contract in whole or in part and/or negotiate any or all items with individual Proposers if it is
deemed in the City of Raleigh's best interest. Moreover, the City of Raleigh reserves the right to
make no selection if proposals are deemed to be outside the fiscal constraint or not in the best
interest of the City of Raleigh.
3 PROPOSALS
Responses must follow the format outlined below. The City may reject as non-responsive at its sole
discretion any proposal that does not provide complete and/or adequate responses or departs in any
substantial way from the required format.
Request for Proposals Required Document Format
Responses should be divided using tabs to separate each section, listed sequentially as follows:
Tab 1: Cover Letter
Provide an introduction letter summarizing the unique proposal of your firm to meet the needs of
this service requirement. This letter should be presented on the firm's official letterhead and
signed by an authorized representative who has the authority to enter into a contract with the
City on behalf of the firm. Additionally, include the name, address, telephone and email address
of the individual who serves as the point of contact for this solicitation.
Tab 2: Corporate Background and Experience
Include background information on the firm and provide detailed information regarding the firm's
experience with similar projects. Provide a list of all similar contracts performed in the past five
(5) number of years, accompanied by at least three (3) references (contact persons, firm,
telephone number and email address).
Include the total amount invoiced for each listed project, the length of the project, and list of
those involved in the project who are also proposed for the subject project named in this
solicitation. Failure to provide a list of all similar contracts in the specified period may result in
the rejection of the firm's proposal. The evaluation team reserves the right to contact any or all
6

listed references, and to contact other public entities regarding past performance on similar
projects.
Tab 3: Financial Information
Recent audited or reviewed financial statements prepared by an independent certified public
accountant (CPA) that shall include, at a minimum, a balance sheet, income statement (i.e.,
profit/loss statement) and cash flow statement and, if the audited or reviewed financial
statements were prepared more than six (6) months prior to the issuance of this RFP, the
Proposer shall submit its most recent internal financial statements (balance sheet, income
statement and cash flow statement or budget with entries reflecting revenues and expenditures
from the date of the audited or reviewed financial statements to the end of the most recent
financial reporting period (i.e., the quarter or month preceding the issuance date of this RFP)).
OR
Recent compiled financial statements prepared by an independent CPA that shall include, at a
minimum, a balance sheet, income statement (i.e., profit/loss statement) and cash flow
statement and, if the compiled financial statements were prepared more than three (3) months
prior to the issuance of this RFP, the Proposer shall submit its most recent internal financial
statements (balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement or budget with entries
reflecting revenues and expenditures to date), and other evidence of financial stability such as
most recently filed income tax return, evidence of a line of credit/loans/other type of financing
with statement of amount in use/outstanding balance (e.g., a complete copy commitment letter,
loan agreement, billing statement reflecting the line of credit or statement from lender
acknowledging the commitment to fund the Proposer's stated financing), personal guaranty with
copies of personal income tax filing and statement of net worth or such other evidence that is
accurate, reliable and trustworthy regarding the Proposer's financial stability.
All financial information, statements and/or documents provided in response to this solicitation
shall be kept confidential provided that EACH PAGE is marked as follows: "CONFIDENTIAL -
DO NOT DISCLOSE EXCEPT FOR THE EXPRESS PURPOSE OF PROPOSAL EVALUATION.
"
"Recent" shall be defined as financial statements that were prepared within the 12 months
preceding the issuance date of this RFP.
Consolidated financial statements of the Proposer's parent or related corporation/business
entity shall not be considered, unless: (1) the Proposer's actual financial performance for the
designated period is separately identified in and/or attached to the consolidated statements, (2)
the parent or related corporation/business entity provides the State with a document wherein the
parent or related corporation/business entity will be financially responsible for the Proposer's
performance of the contract and the consolidated statement demonstrates the parent or related
corporation's/business entity's financial ability to perform the contract, financial stability and/or
such other financial considerations identified in the evaluation criteria; and/or (3) Proposer
provides its own internally prepared financial statements and such other evidence of its own
financial stability identified above.
The firm's failure to provide any of the above-referenced financial statements may result in the
proposal being removed from consideration. Proposers are also encouraged to explain any
negative financial information, and to provide documentation supporting those explanations and
demonstrating the financial strength of the firm.
Tab 4: Project Understanding, Approach and Schedule
7

Provide a comprehensive narrative, outline, and/or graph demonstrating the firm's
understanding and approach to accomplishing the tasks outlined in the Scope of Work section of
this RFP. A description of each task and deliverable and the schedule for accomplishing each
shall be included.
Tab 5: Team Firm, Experience and Certifications
This section must include the proposed staffing, deployment and firm of personnel to be
assigned to this project. The Proposer shall provide information as to the Proposals and
experience of all executives, managerial, legal, and professional personnel to be assigned to
this project, including resumes citing experience with similar projects and the responsibilities to
be assigned to each person. A project-specific firm chart which clearly illustrates the roles,
responsibilities, and the reporting relationships of each team member should be included.
Tab 6: Cost
In a separate sealed envelope provide a minimum of three (3) complete copies of cost schedule.
Hourly rates shall be fully burdened to include all costs, all applicable overhead and profit
(including lodging, meals, and transportation). Attach any additional pricing details.
RFP Documents
This RFP is comprised of the base RFP document, any attachments, and any addenda released
before Contract award. All attachments and addenda released for this RFP in advance of any
Contract award are incorporated herein by reference.
3.1 Request for Proposal (RFP) Timeline
Provided below is a list of the anticipated schedule of events related to this solicitation.
The City of Raleigh reserves the right to modify and/or adjust the following schedule to
meet the needs of the service. All times shown are Eastern Time (EST):
RFP Process Date and Time
RFP Date June 8, 2026
Pre-Proposal Meeting/Site-Visit June 25, 2026 @ 10:00 am
(if required)
Deadline for Written Questions July 6, 2026 @ 5:00 pm
City Response to Questions
July 10, 2026 @ 3:30pm
(anticipated)
Proposal Due Date and Time July 12, 2026 @ 3:30pm
8

Evaluation Meeting July 15, 2026
(anticipated)
Interviews
N/A
(if required)
Selection Announced
(tentative) July 22, 2026
3.2 Pre-Proposal Conference
If the City of Raleigh elects to conduct a Pre-Proposal Conference or Site Visit, attendance
by prospective proposers is strongly encouraged but is not mandatory. Prospective
Proposers are encouraged to submit written questions in advance. Date, time, and
location of pre-proposal conference is shown above in the RFP Timeline (Section 1.3).
3.5 Proposal Questions
Requests for clarification and questions to this RFP must be received by the City not later
than the date shown above in the RFP Timeline (Section 1.3) for the submittal of written
inquires. The firm's failure to request clarification and submit questions by the date in the
RFP Timeline above shall be considered to constitute the firm's acceptance of all City's
terms and conditions and requirements.
The City shall issue addenda reflecting questions and answers to this RFP, if any, and
shall be posted to North Carolina electronic Vendor Portal (eVP). No information,
instruction or advice provided orally or informally by any City personnel, whether made in
response to a question or otherwise in connection with this RFP, shall be considered
authoritative or binding. Proposers can only rely on written material contained in an
Addendum to this RFP.
It is important that all Proposers submitting to this RFP periodically check eVP for
any Addenda. It is the Proposers responsibility to ensure that all addenda have
been reviewed and, if required signed and returned.
All questions related to this solicitation must be submitted in writing (via email) to the
following individual - questions submitted via telephone will not be answered:
Contact Name Email Address
Mike Hughes frederick.hughes@raleighnc.gov
9