RFQ for On-Call Environmental Services (RFQ-25-001)

ORANGE COUNTY WATER DISTRICT
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
RFQ-25-001
FOR
ON-CALL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
ISSUED: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Statement of Qualifications DUE:
Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 12:00PM PT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
1 INTRODUCTION ___________________________________________________ 1
2 SOLICITATION SCHEDULE __________________________________________ 1
2.1 MANDATORY PRE-QUALIFICATION MEETING _______________________ 2
2.2 QUESTIONS CONCERNING REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS _________ 2
2.3 DEADLINE FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS __________________ 2
2.4 PRE-SUBMITTAL ACTIVITIES _____________________________________ 3
3 PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION __________________________ 3
4 SCOPE OF SERVICES ______________________________________________ 3
4.1 WORK ORDER AUTHORIZATIONS ________________________________ 4
5 GENERAL INFORMATION ___________________________________________ 5
5.1 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS ____________________________________ 5
6 ELEMENTS OF STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS ______________________ 5
6.1 TITLE PAGE__________________________________________________ 6
6.2 COVER LETTER ______________________________________________ 6
6.3 TABLE OF CONTENTS _________________________________________ 6
6.4 PROJECT OVERVIEW AND APPROACH __________________________ 6
6.5 PROJECT TEAM AND QUALIFICATIONS __________________________ 7
6.6 EXPERIENCE AND RECORD OF PAST PERFORMANCE. ____________ 8
6.7 ADDITIONAL SERVICES _______________________________________ 8
6.8 RATE SHEET _________________________________________________ 8
6.9 OCWD STANDARD AGREEMENT ________________________________ 9
6.9.1 STATEMENT OF INSURANCE COMPLIANCE ______________________ 9
6.10 BILLING _____________________________________________________ 9
6.11 CONFLICT OF INTEREST _____________________________________ 10
6.12 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
REQUIREMENTS _________________________________________________ 10
7 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS ___________________________ 10
7.1 SOQ FORMAT _______________________________________________ 10
7.2 SOQ PREPARATION COSTS 10
TOC - ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
8 SELECTION PROCESS ___________________________________________110
9 SPECIAL CONDITIONS ____________________________________________ 11
9.1 RESERVATIONS _____________________________________________ 11
9.2 PUBLIC RECORDS ___________________________________________ 11
9.3 RIGHT TO CANCEL __________________________________________ 11
9.4 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ___________________________________ 12
9.5 PUBLIC INFORMATION _______________________________________ 12
List of Exhibits:
Exhibit A: Rate Sheet
Exhibit B: Evaluation Criteria
Exhibit C: Services Agreement
Exhibit D: Sample Work Order Authorization
List of Attachments:
Attachment No.1: RFQ Submittal Checklist
TOC - iii

The Orange County Water District ("OCWD" or District) is seeking statement of
qualifications (SOQ) from qualified firms with experience and expertise in preparing
documents and analyses related to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and
the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). OCWD is seeking SOQs from firms
that are qualified in providing professional services related to the environmental
evaluation of new projects the District may propose. The projects could be of a variety of
different types, including projects to protect water quality and support management of the
Orange County Groundwater Basin. The selected firm(s) could be asked to provide
services to assist the District in the environmental assessment of various projects and
activities. Unless terminated earlier as set forth in this Agreement, the services shall be
for a three-year agreement with an option to renew for two additional years.
This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) describes the anticipated scope of services,
consultant selection process, and the minimum information that must be included in the
SOQs. Respondents are encouraged to carefully review this RFQ in its entirety prior to
submitting their SOQs. Failure to submit information in accordance with these
requirements and procedures may be cause for disqualification.
1 INTRODUCTION
The OCWD is an internationally recognized leader in the water industry that was formed
in 1933 by the California State Legislature which entrusted OCWD to guard and protect
the region's groundwater basin and limited water supply. OCWD's mission is to provide
a reliable supply of high-quality water that is sourced in an environmentally responsible
manner to the more than 2.5 million residents and businesses within the 270 square mile
service area of Orange County, California that OCWD serves. OCWD manages three of
Southern California's greatest water supplies, this includes protecting rights to the Santa
Ana River, managing and replenishing the Orange County Groundwater Basin, and
operating and maintaining the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS), the world's
largest advanced water purification system for potable water reuse. More information
regarding the OCWD can be found at www.ocwd.com.
2 SOLICITATION SCHEDULE
The solicitation schedule is summarized in the table below. OCWD reserves the right to
modify the schedule below at its discretion. Proper notification changes will be made to
interested respondents.
RFQ Issued Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Questions Due Date Wednesday, July 29, 2026 by 12:00PM PT
Statement of Qualifications Due Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 12:00PM PT
Interviews, if necessary Week of September 7, 2026
Agreement Award Date: October 2026
Orange County Water District
ON-CALL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
RFQ-25-001
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
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2.1 MANDATORY PRE-QUALIFICATION MEETING
There will be no mandatory pre-qualification meeting held.
2.2 QUESTIONS CONCERNING REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
All questions regarding the RFQ must be submitted in writing before the deadline due
date of Wednesday, July 29, 2026 by 12:00PM PT. All questions must be titled "Question
- RFQ-25-001 On-Call Environmental Services". Responses to questions received from
prospective respondents will be formally documented in a Question and Answer (Q&A)
table that will be posted on the OCWD website: https://www.ocwd.com/working-with-
us/rfp-contracts/. The Q&A table will be updated regularly as questions are received from
prospective respondents. Questions received after the questions due date will not be
considered.
Attention: Marcus Villalobos, Buyer
Email: procurement@ocwd.com
2.3 DEADLINE FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS
Three (3) hard copies and one (1) electronic flash drive copy of the SOQs must be
received in a sealed envelope by OCWD no later than Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at
12:00PM PT or such later time that OCWD may announce by an addendum at any time
prior to the SOQ deadline. The envelope shall be plainly marked on the exterior "SOQ for
RFQ-25-001 ON-CALL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES" and with the name, company
name, and address of the respondent.
SOQs must be mailed or delivered in person or via courier services at the District office
listed below. FAXED OR E-MAILED SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. To
deliver submittal packages in person or via courier, please notify the guard at the main
gate for qualification drop off. Sealed envelopes will be timestamped upon receipt at the
receptionist desk.
Orange County Water District
Administration Office Building
Attention: Marcus Villalobos, Buyer
Address: 18700 Ward Street
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
It is the Respondent's responsibility to ensure that SOQs are received before the
submittal deadline. SOQ packages should also include all signed Acknowledgment of
Addendum forms that may be issued by OCWD as part of this RFQ process, as further
described below. SOQs received after the deadline will not be considered under any
circumstances. The OCWD will not be responsible for the proper identification and
handling of any SOQs submitted incorrectly. Only responses properly submitted to
Orange County Water District
ON-CALL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
RFQ-25-001
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
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OCWD will be considered. OCWD reserves the right to reject any and/or all responses
received. There will be no formal opening of the SOQs.
2.4 PRE-SUBMITTAL ACTIVITIES
The District reserves the right to revise the RFQ prior to the date the SOQs are due.
Addendums to the RFQ shall be posted on the OCWD website:
https://www.ocwd.com/working-with-us/rfp-contracts/ for all interested Respondents. The
District reserves the right to extend the date by which the SOQs are due.
3 PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION
OCWD owns a large system of recharge basins and necessary conveyance facilities
primarily in the City of Anaheim and the City of Orange to recharge Santa Ana River flows,
water from the Groundwater Replenishment System, and imported water into the
groundwater basin. The District typically undertakes a range of projects that include
improvements to existing recharge facilities and construction of new facilities.
Environmental evaluation of the following types of projects and activities may be needed:
* Groundwater remediation systems;
* Land purchases to support District projects;
* Recharge facilities;
* Improvements to existing recharge facilities;
* Groundwater injection projects
* Well construction;
* Pipeline construction;
* Wetlands construction;
* Other projects and activities related to the District's management of the
groundwater basin.
4 SCOPE OF SERVICES
The District desires to enter into three-year term agreements with up to five environmental
consulting firms possessing the necessary expertise. At the end of the three-year period,
the District's Board of Directors may consider extending the contracts for two additional
one-year extensions. This RFQ allows the District to seek competitive SOQs for individual
work efforts as they arise. When a particular project arises that requires environmental
analysis support, District staff may send a detailed scope of work to each consultant and
receive proposals and proposed fees from each of the firms. This would allow the District
to receive competitive proposals over the period of the proposed agreements.
Orange County Water District
ON-CALL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
RFQ-25-001
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
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The District utilizes in-house expertise to prepare many of the District's environmental
evaluations. The scope of work for this RFQ relates to environmental evaluations that the
District needs assistance with due to workload issues or other factors such as the need
for specialized technical studies on environmental issues like air quality, noise, or traffic.
Moreover, District staff often requires the preparation of various types of cultural resource
evaluations to satisfy grant funding requirements and to support CEQA/NEPA analysis.
The District is seeking consultants who have delivered successful cultural resource
studies for similarly complex projects and can demonstrate proactive and collaborative
approaches throughout the planning process. Actual services may or may not occur
depending upon if and when the projects or activities are ready for analysis.
In general terms, the types of services that could be requested, but are not limited to the
following:
1 Prepare and process negative declarations, mitigated negative declarations,
and/or environmental impact reports (EIRs);
2 Prepare NEPA documents including environmental impact assessments;
3 Provide technical expertise and strategic consultation relating to compliance with
CEQA;
4 Provide Cultural Resource Evaluations that include archeological,
paleontological and/or historic resource assessments to support environmental
review and permitting of water storage, treatment and/or conveyance projects.
These evaluations must meet CEQA/NEPA requirements as well as any specific
requirements to support other agencies such as SHPO, and US Army Corps of
Engineers. The District emphasizes the importance of having a consultant team
that understands regulatory expectations, can provide defensible
documentation, and is skilled in coordinating early with both project engineers
and reviewing agencies to prevent costly project delays. The District seeking
consultants who have delivered successful cultural resource studies for similarly
complex projects and can demonstrate proactive and collaborative approaches
throughout the planning process.
5 Other related technical services and preparation of technical reports, such as air
quality, traffic, and noise evaluations..
4.1 WORK ORDER AUTHORIZATIONS
For each project task that arises a work order request will be solicited by the District
representative indicating the services required for the project task. Each project task will
be initiated by a District work order authorization which shall be itemized to include the
selected firm's proposals, any or all labor rate(s) and service(s) in accordance with the
rates that are provided in Exhibit A, Rate Sheet.
Orange County Water District
ON-CALL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
RFQ-25-001
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
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The proposal for each work order authorization request shall include a description of the
anticipated method of billing for services performed, with provisions for monthly billing
that will include itemized accounting of hours of authorized personnel, hourly rates, and
percent completion for each project task identified. A project schedule shall also be
included to track project costs on a resource loaded schedule.
5 GENERAL INFORMATION
The District expects the selected firm to provide quality service in accordance with
industry standards. The firm must demonstrate experience with the type of anticipated
work and must have the ability to perform all services in a timely manner upon the
request(s) from the District or the District's authorized representative. All work shall
comply with the requirements of federal, state, and local laws, and District requirements.
Acceptable performance standards include, but are not limited to, dependability,
contractor safety, demonstrated experience with anticipated work with the ability to
perform all anticipated services in a timely manner upon receipt of request, expertise in
preparing documents and analyses related to the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) and the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA).
5.1 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The selected firm is required to have at minimum the following qualifications:
* Firm must employ qualified staff with expertise in CEQA and/or NEPA document
preparation.
* Experience with projects involving at least one of the following components:
groundwater recharge, remediation, water distribution, and/or water treatment.
* Firm must have a strong understanding of local, state, and federal environmental
regulations related to environmental compliance documentation requirements;
* Demonstrated experience with delivering successful cultural resource studies for
complex projects
6 ELEMENTS OF STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS
To provide a degree of consistency in the review of the written SOQs, firms are requested
to include the following content in their SOQs. The information requested below will be
used to evaluate each SOQ based on the evaluation criteria outlined in this RFQ. SOQs
may be deemed nonresponsive if they do not respond to all areas specified below.
SOQs shall be prepared simply and economically, providing a straightforward and
concise description of how the SOQ has satisfied all the requirements of this RFQ.
Emphasis shall be on completeness and clarity of content with sufficient detail to allow
Orange County Water District
ON-CALL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
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Tuesday, July 14, 2026
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for accurate evaluation and comparative analysis. Excessive or irrelevant materials will
not be favorably received.
The following subsections describe the contents required in the SOQs. The SOQs shall
be of such scope and depth to sufficiently describe and demonstrate the respondent's
understanding of and approach to the projects.
Please include the following in your SOQs:
6.1 TITLE PAGE
The respondent should identify the RFQ title, name and title of the firm's contact person,
address, telephone number, email address, and date of SOQs submission.
6.2 COVER LETTER
A principal of the firm authorized to commit the firm to the requirements of the RFQ must
sign the cover letter. The letter should identify a contact person (name, e-mail address,
and phone number) for future communication during the selection process. And shall also
discuss the Respondent's commitment to providing high quality services, describe the
firm's understanding and approach to the services, and its ability to perform the
requirements of this RFQ. Include a brief background of the firm including history, types
of services provided, number of employees, number of offices and locations with staff
size and disciplines, and any other relevant information that may be useful in determining
the firm's SOQs to provide the services described in this RFQ.
6.3 TABLE OF CONTENTS
The table of contents should include a clear and complete identification by section and
page number of the submitted materials.
6.4 PROJECT OVERVIEW AND APPROACH
Present a narrative overview of the Respondent's understanding of the RFQ
requirements and the overall approach and technical plan for accomplishing the
work assignments. Also discuss at a minimum the following:
* Ability to successfully complete work assignments within the District's
required time frame and, as necessary, on short notice,
* Approach to assignment of work within the firm and how team members will
conduct tasks and prepare anticipated deliverables,
* Describe the Respondent's project management approach and
communications protocol,
* Describe the Respondent's approach to quality assurance and control, as
well as any performance guarantees,
Orange County Water District
ON-CALL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
RFQ-25-001
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
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* Technical approach to assigned tasks, such as deployment strategies (how
the project will be implemented from mobilization to demobilization), and
* Identify current and reasonably foreseeable actual and possible constraints,
problems, and/or issues that could hinder the execution of services under
the contract, and suggest approaches to resolving or managing these
constraints, problems, and/or issues.
* Capability under current workload to perform the work specified herein.
Factors to be considered include, but may not be limited to, number of
qualified staff allocated to assigned projects, availability of key personnel
and support staff;
* Anticipated response times after notification of work assignments by
OCWD.
6.5 PROJECT TEAM AND QUALIFICATIONS
Provide an organizational chart that describes the structure of the project team,
including any subconsultants. The project team description shall identify the
following:
(i) The Project Manager,
(ii) Project team description (with resumes);
(iii) The names of readily-available key personnel that will be deployed for
each task and their contact information, and the primary office
locations of each project team member,
(iv) The role each team member will play in providing services under the
Agreement, and
(v) A written assurance that the key individuals listed and identified will be
performing the work and will not be substituted with other personnel or
reassigned to another project without the District's prior approval. The
SOQs shall clearly identify who will lead the execution of assigned tasks
and the respective personnel that will be assigned to them.
Provide a description of the experience, SOQs including required licenses and
certifications, area of expertise or specialization, and availability (including current
workload) of the project team members, including subconsultants/subcontractors,
if any. Describe other project commitments by project team members and the
anticipated level of involvement of each team member based on the abilities and
expertise required for the type of work desired.
Provide the resumes of all members of the project team, including subconsultants/
subcontractors, as an appendix. Each resume shall not exceed three (3) pages
Orange County Water District
ON-CALL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
RFQ-25-001
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
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