Professional Advisory Services - Evaluation of Utility Service Options

Location:	Illinois
Posted:	Apr 23, 2026
Due:	May 20, 2026
Agency:	Lisle village
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services
Solicitation No:	1428
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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VILLAGE OF LISLE

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (“RFQ”)

#1428

PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY SERVICES

EVALUATION OF UTILITY SERVICE OPTIONS

DUE BY:

MAY 20, 2026 @ 10:00 am CST

AT:

WWW.DEMANDSTAR.COM

Issue Date: April 23, 2026

I. INTRODUCTION

The Village invites qualified individuals, firms, or teams to submit statements of qualifications to

provide professional advisory services related to the evaluation of water and sewer utility service

options within a defined portion of the community.

This effort is intended to help the Village understand a range of potential approaches, including,

but not limited to, potential acquisition of existing infrastructure, along with associated

considerations, costs, and timelines. The Village has not identified a preferred outcome and seeks

objective, experience-based guidance.

The Village is seeking the most qualified firm (“Consultant”) to provide strategic advisory services

for this project without the consideration of fees at the statement of qualifications stage. The

selection of professional consultants will be based on the individual, firm, or team’s professional

qualification experience, and expertise of key personnel to be assigned to the project.

Responses to this RFQ should clearly demonstrate a thorough understanding of the project

specifics, challenges, and discuss the proposed approach to successfully completing the project.

Responses that are generic, nonspecific, or simply reiterate the tasks listed in the RFQ will be

viewed as less desirable. Submittals that reflect thoughtful, innovative, comprehensive, and cost-

effective understanding in developing a proposed approach typically are viewed more favorably

than a generic response.

II. BACKGROUND

Water and sewer service within the Village is primarily provided by a municipal system that also

extends to limited unincorporated areas. A portion of the Village is serviced by a privately-owned

utility system with approximately 600 service connections within municipal limits. The private utility

system extends to serve adjacent unincorporated territory, estimated to be slightly larger than the

incorporated service area.

The privately-owned system is operated by an investor-owned utility regulated by the Illinois

Commerce Commission. Rate structures are established through regulatory processes and may

reflect broader system-wide considerations.

Water quality, water flow, and differences in rates between the private system and the Village’s

municipal system have been a longstanding concern for some residents. Water quality was

improved in the 1990s when the water supply was converted to Lake Michigan water. Water flow

was improved through construction of new water mains. However, recent rate increases have

renewed community interest in system differences. The Village previously evaluated options to

address these differences (circa 2006), including construction of additional infrastructure and

other mechanisms, but those efforts were not advanced.

Following recent community engagement, the Village is seeking to better understand the

feasibility and implications of various potential approaches, including continued service

arrangements, coordination opportunities, and potential acquisition of the privately-owned

system.

III. PROJECT PURPOSE

The purpose of this engagement is to provide the Village with a clear, objective, and experience-

informed understanding of:

1. Potential pathways related to utility service arrangements, including acquisition.

2. Key considerations associated with each pathway.

3. Relative cost and timeline implications.

4. Risks, uncertainties, and decision points.

5. Comparable municipal efforts and outcomes.

6. Benefits to the Village and/or the municipal system.

This is a professional advisory and feasibility-level effort intended to inform future decisions.

IV. SCOPE OF SERVICES

The selected Consultant will be expected to assist developing or refining an appropriate scope of

services, which may include, but are not limited to:

1. Service and Acquisition Pathway Analysis

a. Overview of potential approaches to utility service provision, including:

i. Continued status quo.

ii. System coordination or integration.

iii. Potential acquisition of privately-owned infrastructure.

b. Identification of statutory and regulatory frameworks applicable to each approach.

2. Legal and Regulatory Considerations

a. Overview of applicable legal authorities, including processes available to

municipalities under Illinois law.

b. Discussion of both voluntary transactions and, where applicable, acquisition

through involuntary methods.

c. Identification of regulatory considerations, including interaction with the Illinois

Commerce Commission.

d. Coordination with the Village Attorney.

3. Cost Considerations Framework

a. Identification of common cost components associated with utility acquisition and

related approaches, which may include:

i. System/infrastructure value.

ii. Business or going-concern value.

iii. Potential impacts to remaining operations.

iv. Transactional, legal, and administrative costs.

b. Development of order-of-magnitude and, where feasible, planning-level cost

ranges.

4. Timeline and Process Consideration

a. Identification of major phases and sequencing.

b. Development of generalized timeline ranges.

c. Discussion of factors that may influence duration, including the potential for

extended proceedings depending on circumstances.

5. Risk and Uncertainty Assessment

a. Identification of key uncertainties and variables.

b. Discussion of risks observed in comparable efforts.

c. Consideration of factors that may influence outcomes.

6. Decision Framework

a. Identification of key milestones and decision points.

b. Recommended phased approach for further study, valuation, or otherwise if

warranted.

c. Identification of points at which the Village may reassess continuation.

7. Information Review

a. Review of publicly available regulatory and system information, including materials

associated with the Illinois Commerce Commission.

b. Review of historical Village materials.

8. Meetings and Presentations

a. Coordination with Village staff.

b. Presentation(s) to decision makers.

9. Deliverables

a. Written feasibility and roadmap report.

b. Supporting cost and timeline frameworks.

c. Summary of key risks and uncertainties.

d. Presentation materials.

10. Desired Qualifications

Respondents should demonstrate experience in:

a. Utility acquisition or transaction advisory.

b. Public-sector infrastructure planning.

c. Voluntary / Involuntary acquisition of utility or infrastructure assets.

d. Regulatory processes involving the Illinois Commerce Commission.

e. Complex feasibility or professional advisory engagements.

A lead advisor should be clearly identified.

The Village anticipates that portions of this evaluation may involve legal and regulatory

considerations and may require coordination with the Village Attorney, including in

connection with potential administrative, regulatory, transactional, or court-related

matters. To help the Village Attorney provide legal advice and prepare for potential

proceedings, the selected Consultant may be asked to perform certain services at the

direction of, and in coordination with, the Village Attorney. The Village will structure the

final scope of work and contract terms to appropriately address confidentiality and related

protections.

V. SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS

Interested firms shall upload all submittal requirements electronically at www.demandstar.com

and shall be received no later than 10:00 am CST, May 20, 2026. Submittals received after the

date and time specified above will not be considered. Each respondent is responsible for

monitoring DemandStar and the Village website for addenda and shall acknowledge receipt of all

addenda in its statement of qualifications.

VI. SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS

Firms interested in providing any of the above Scope of Services to the Village shall submit to the

Village the following:

• Letter of Interest; and

• Statement of Qualifications (“SOQ”)

SOQ must include the following information:

1. The name of the firm, corporate office address, closest office address, and a brief history.

2. A statement that the firm can provide the services consistent with the Scope of Services

using in-house staff and/or identified subconsultants, including identification of any

anticipated services not listed or any listed service the firm believes may not be necessary.

3. Narratives for the main point of contact and other key personnel, and an organizational

chart of persons who will be part of the scope of work.

4. Related project experience of the firm during the last five years, including project name

and description, assigned staff for the project, client name, client contact information,

month and year completed. Preference for demonstrated experience serving municipal

clients. The Village recognizes this assignment might be unique and directly related

experience could be limited.

5. Outline and description of the Consultant’s approach to organizing and addressing the

scope of services, along with a preliminary estimate of time anticipated to provide the

deliverables.

6. Any additional information not listed above which you believe may be useful and helpful

to determining the qualifications of your firm, provided however that the total submittal

must not exceed thirty single-sided pages.

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

Bid Number:	1428
Bid Title:	Professional Advisory Services - Evaluation of Utility Service Options
Category:	Bids
Status:	Open

Professional Advisory Services - Evaluation of Utility Service Options

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