RFQ / RFP 26-037 Potential Sale of the East St. Louis Wastewater Collection System

REQUESTS FOR QUALIFICATIONS
AND
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Charles Powell III, Mayor
Robert Betts, City Manager
SOLICITATION OF QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUEST
FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE POTENTIAL SALE
OF THE EAST ST. LOUIS, ILLINOIS
WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM
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SUBMISSION COVER SHEET
RFQ and RFP: Potential Sale of East St. Louis Wastewater Collection System
SUBMITTAL DUE DATE: November 02, 2026
TIME: 3:00 P.M.
LOCATION: Office of the City Clerk
Attn: Debra Hamilton Tidwell, Clerk
301 Riverpark Dr.
East St. Louis, IL 62201
NOTICE ISSUANCE DATE: September 16, 2026
RESPONDENT QUALIFICATIONS AND BID PROPOSAL INFORMATION FORM
Submit one (1) signed original and five (5) copies of the Qualifications Statement and the Bid Proposal
Respondent Information
Company Name: _________________________________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________________________
State, Zip Code: _________________________________________________________________________
Telephone: _____________________________________________________________________________
Email Address: __________________________________________________________________________
THE SECTION BELOW MUST BE COMPLETED IN FULL AND SIGNED.
The undersigned, on behalf of the Respondent, hereby certifies that he or she has read and understands the contents of the East St.
Louis 's Solicitation of Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and Request for Proposal (RFP) and all background information and supporting
documents, and further certifies that these submittals on behalf of the Respondent are correct, and that the undersigned is the duly
authorized representative of the Respondent to submit these qualification and Bid Proposal.
Authorized Signature: _____________________________________________________________________
Printed Name: ______________________________________ Date: _______________________________
Title: ________________________________________ Telephone Number: _________________________
E-Mail: __________________________________________ Fax Number: __________________________
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Bid Proposal for the Purchase of the
East St. Louis Wastewater Collection System
I, ______________________________________ , the undersigned, being its duly authorized representative, hereby certify the
following bid proposal on behalf of _________________________________________ (Company Name), for the purchase of the assets
of the City of East St. Louis Wastewater Collection System as more fully described in the attached Appendix C:
____________________________________________________ Dollars ($ ________________________)
Authorized Signature: ____________________________________________________________________
Printed Name: _____________________________________________ Date: _______________________
Background Information and Intent
The City of East St. Louis (the "City") has a population of approximately 27,000 residents located in St. Clair County, Illinois. 'The city
is a Home Rule Municipality, operating under the Council-Manager form of government. The City Council consists of four (4)
Councilmen and the Mayor.
The city owns and operates the Wastewater system (the "Utility"), which provides sanitary sewer services to the approximately,
18, 500 residential sewer customers, along with several commercial and industrial users.
The purpose of the Request for Qualifications and Request for Proposal (RFQ & RFP) by the city is to identify and accept bids from
qualified utility companies that are interested in acquiring and operating the City's Wastewater Collection System.
Any sale is contingent upon a final determination by the City Council that an adequate purchase price bid has been submitted by a
qualified utility company, upon additional approved terms and conditions for the sale to be negotiated as well as for the continued
operation and maintenance of
the Utility Systems for the benefit of the customers of the City's Wastewater Collection System.
An RFP Information Booklet describing the City's Wastewater Collection System, containing background information, real estate and
personal property lists, employee and union information, sewer rate information, and current debt information, may be obtained by
calling Mrs. Debra Hamilton-Tidwell at (618) 482-6811.
The City's Article II of the City Code relates to or has some effect on its Wastewater Collection System. Except as required to be
changed pursuant to a sale of the systems, these ordinances shall remain in full force and effect. The city will cooperate with the
successful Respondent to revise any ordinance, as needed, to allow for the continued operation of the system.
The East St. Louis sewer system is defined as the Main Line Sanitary Sewer Collection System with
Riser Laterals.
Building connections 6" in diameter will be provided to all buildings served by the proposed system of sewers. These connections
will be laid from the proposed sewers to the property line adjacent. In summary, the Service Laterals were installed as 6" Clay Riser
sections. The homeowner was responsible for bringing the house service line to the installed house riser connection. In areas of
Easements, these riser sections were installed to the Right-of-Way lines. In roadways these were installed to the curb line or back of
ditch line in open system areas.
It has been the practice of the city to Maintain the Mainline Sewer and 6" Clay Riser sections. The City of East St. Louis Combined
Sewer System consists of Mainline Sewers handled both Storm sewer and Sanitary sewers. This system consists of the mainline
sewers and all apparatus which includes the Service Lines to Catch Basins within the Sewer System as City Maintenance and
responsibility. The city does not maintain house connections within the Separated or Combined Sewer System.
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Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
1.) Statement of Interest/ Executive Summary
The Respondent shall clearly state its interest in the potential purchase and operation of the City's Wastewater
Collection System.
2.) Enterprise Structure
The Respondent shall provide a description of its business and organization including:
a. Organization structure
b. Number of current water and sewer customers
c. List of operating districts or communities served in Illinois
d. Proximity of existing operations to East St. Louis, Illinois
e. Diversity
3.) Qualifications and Experience
The Respondent shall provide information regarding its experience, knowledge, skills and abilities for owning,
operating and managing a Wastewater Collection System including:
a. Experience in other wastewater service areas
b. Customer satisfaction
c. Customer service strategy including billing information
d. Employee relations including any current bargaining agreements
e. Employee enrichment opportunities
f. Acquisition history regarding other public utilities
g. Water Quality and Environmental Compliance and history of coordination with IEPA
h. Community involvement
4.) Operations Approach
The Respondent shall provide information regarding its operations approach:
a. Management team
b. Daily Operations and Maintenance Program
5.) Capital Improvements Approach
The Respondent shall provide information regarding its operations approach:
a. Engineering team
b. Capital Improvement plan
6.) Transition Plan
The Respondent shall provide a description of its plan for transferring the assets including:
The Respondent shall provide information regarding its operations approach:
a. Future employment and salary details for current City employees of the municipal
systems
b. Communications Plan with employees and unions where applicable
7.) Financial Information
The Respondent shall provide the following financial information:
a. Summary of its current financial condition
b. Standard & Poor's, Moody's, Dun & Bradstreet or other credible financial rating service credit ratings
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8.) Wastewater Rates Approach
The Respondent shall provide the following user charge rate information:
a.) Description of user charges
b.) Wastewater rates currently approved by the ICC
c.) Historical wastewater rate increases for the past twenty (20) years
d.) A Sample Bill
9.) References
The Respondent shall provide five (5) references with contact information for systems currently served
10.) Terms and Conditions
The Respondent shall indicate either the acceptance of all the Initial City Terms and Conditions contained in the RFQ / RFP and Appendix
B, as proposed by the city, or the acceptance of some but not all, and which terms or conditions are unacceptable and why.
11.) Respondent Offers
The Respondent can offer other terms which may be of interest to the City.
12.) Additional Offer Features and Concepts
The Respondent may provide additional information as deemed relevant.
13.) Any interested entity may contact City Manager, Robert Betts at rbetts@cesl.us or by phone at (618) 482-6785 to request an
opportunity to inspect any asset of the City Wastewater Collection System. The city will be conducting a pre-bid inspection meeting on
Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the City Council Chambers of City Hall, 2nd Floor, 301 River Park Drive, East St. Louis, IL
62201.
Request for Proposal (RFP)
1.) The Respondent should provide in the Respondent's Proposal the following information:
a. Purchase Price including any contingencies
b. Any financing contingencies
c. Proposed future customer rates after the closing of the sale
All questions or requests for clarification or additional information regarding this RFQ & RFP should be e-mailed to
Ms. Tereyowna Martin, Purchasing Director on or before October 19, 2026, 4:00 p.m. Central Standard Time.
Tereyowna Martin tmartin@cesl.us
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Anticipated Calendar of Events
City Council passage of a Resolution pursuant to 65 ILCS 5/11-76-4, TO PUBLISH NOTICE
September 10, 2026 OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
RFQ & RFP, forms, documents, and information available to potential bidders upon request
September 16, 2026 of the Office of City Clerk
First Publication Notice advertising issuance of RFQ & RFP for bids pursuant to 65 ILCS 5/11-
September 16, 2026 76-4
September 23, 2026 Second Publication Notice advertising issuance
September 30, 2026 Third Publication Notice advertising issuance
October 7, 2026 Pre-bid inspection meeting in City Hall Council Chamber
Deadline for questions and requests for clarifications and additional information, physical
October 19, 2026, 4:00 p.m. CST inspection, or meetings, to satisfy the Respondent's due diligence to facilitate bid filing
Deadline for RFQ & RFP Submittals to the City to be opened on November 2, 2026, at 3:00
November 2, 2026 p.m.
November 5, 2026 Presented at City Council Meeting on November 5, 2026, at 6:00pm.
On or before November 23, 2026 City notification to highest responsible Respondent to request Asset Purchase Agreement
By or before November 30, 2025 Respondent approval and submittal of Asset Purchase Agreement
City approval of Asset Purchase Agreement with the best responsible Respondent at a
By or before December 10, 2026 regular or special meeting of the City Council, subject to final approval of ICC
By or before December 15, 2026 Submission of proposed sale to ICC if documents are finalized with best responsible bidder
Review of Statements of Interest, Qualifications and Bid Proposals
All Respondents must be qualified utility companies and demonstrate the capability to own and operate Wastewater Utility
Collection Systems. The RFQ qualifications submittals will be reviewed and scored based on the criteria listed below and in
Appendix A. The following represent the principal considerations in reviewing the RFQ:
* Submittal Compliance
* Enterprise Structure
* Qualifications and Experience
* Operations Approach
* Capital Improvements
Approach
* Transition Plan
* Financial Information
* Wastewater
Rates
* References
* Acceptance of Initial City Terms and Conditions
* Additional Offer Features and Concepts
The RFQ & RFP submittals will be opened on November 2, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at City Hall. All Respondent submittals will be
reviewed and analyzed by City Staff and Consultants, and a final overall ranking assigned to each Respondent based on each
Respondent's RFQ and RFP. The highest-ranking responsible Respondent will then be contacted on or before November 23,
2026, to begin negotiations and submit a proposed Asset Purchase Agreement and Franchise Agreement.
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General Information
Definition: The "Request for Qualifications and for Request for Proposal" is the method of determining the ranking of
Respondents by the City based on the criteria listed above and in Appendix A as well as the actual Bid purchase price disclosed
in the Proposal.
Examination of Documents: Respondents are advised to examine the RFP Information Booklet, and these RFQ &
RFP documents, and become thoroughly familiar with all terms, conditions, facilities, and relevant information.
Form of Submittal: Information, as requested by the City, shall be submitted in accordance with instructions contained within
these documents.
Execution of RFQ & RFP: Submittals shall be signed by an authorized officer or executive manager of the Respondent. If
the Respondent is a corporation, it shall bear the name of the corporation and be signed by the president of the corporation or
a designated authorized officer. Should the response be signed by an officer other than the president of the corporation, an
explanation should be given and documentation of the officer's authority.
Incurred Costs: The City of East St. Louis will not be liable in any way for any costs incurred by Respondents in replying to this
RFQ& RFP.
Contact with City Personnel
All Respondents are prohibited from making any contact regarding this RFQ & RFP with the City Mayor, City Counsel, or any
other official or employee of the city (Collectively, "City Personnel") after the Notice Issuance Date with regard to this
solicitation, other than in the manner and to the person(s) designated by the city.
Source for Documents Obtained and Clarifications
Ms. Debra-Tidwell, City Clerk, is the only official source for RFQ & RFP packages and supporting materials, as well as additional
information and/or solicitation of clarifications. Should the City determine that additional information needs to be provided to
all potential Respondents who has requested the link to the RFP Information Booklet, this information will be supplied on the
city's website. The city may determine that other city officials or employees should respond to specific requests or inquiries
from Respondents.
Jurisdiction, Venue, Choice of Law
This RFQ & RFP have been made in and shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois.
Property of the City
All documents supplied by the City, and documents and findings produced by the Respondents because of this process shall
remain and/or become the property of the City of East St. Louis, unless specifically identified as confidential based on legitimate
reasons specified at the time the materials are presented to the City.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Respondent shall comply with the Illinois Human Rights Act, 775 ILCS 5/1-101et seq., as amended, and any rules and
regulations promulgated in accordance therewith, including, but not limited to the Equal Employment Opportunity Clause,
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Illinois Administrative Code, Title 44, Part 750. Furthermore, the Respondent shalt comply with the Public Works
Employment Discrimination Act, 775 ILCS 10/0.01 et seq., as amended.
Confidentiality
Based upon the public nature of this RFQ & RFP, a Respondent must inform the City, in writing, of the exact materials in the
submittals, if any, which should not be made a part of the public record in accordance with the Illinois Freedom of Information
Act. Should the City rely upon the representation of a Respondent and assert any such information is exempt from disclosure;
the Respondent shall indemnify and hold harmless City, its officers, officials and employees from any damages or reasonable
costs incurred in defending the position of confidentiality, including any lawful fines imposed.
Responsibility of Respondent
No submittal will be reviewed from any person, firm or corporation that is in whole or in part, in a delinquent or unsatisfactory
state on any contract with the City of East St. Louis, or who is in default upon any obligation to the City of East St. Louis.
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APPENDIX A
Ranking and Points Criteria
Related to Qualification
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Appendix A
Ranking Criteria and Points Related to Qualifications
The criteria and weighting of qualifications categories are shown below:
1. Statement of Interest 0 Points
2. Enterprise Structure 5 Points
3. Qualifications and Experience 15 Points
4. Operations Approach 15 Points
5. Capital Improvements Approach 15 Points
6. Transition Plan 10 Points
7. Financial Information 5 Points
8. Wastewater Rates 15 Points
9. References 5 Points
10. Acceptance of Initial City Terms and Conditions 10 Points
11. Additional Offer Features and Concepts 5 Points
The actual dollar amounts of each bid proposal will also be considered prior to making the final ranking of the bid
proposals.
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