26-03 - RFQ - Design Services for 2026 Water System Improvements

Agency:	City of Mercer Island
State:	Washington
Type of Government:	State & Local
NAICS Category:	221310 - Water Supply and Irrigation Systems 237110 - Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction 541330 - Engineering Services 541512 - Computer Systems Design Services
Posted Date:	Feb 20, 2026
Due Date:	Mar 10, 2026
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Request for Qualifications No. 26-03

2026 Water System Improvements

Released: February 9, 2026

Due: 4 pm (PST), March 10, 2026, to bids@mercerisland.gov

INTRODUCTION

The City of Mercer Island (City) is requesting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from qualified

professional engineering firms interested in providing design and support services for the 2026 Water

System Improvements Project. The firm should have experience with water utility and pressure

reducing valve (PRV) station design in addition to being licensed and lawfully engaged in providing

engineering services in the State of Washington.

BACKGROUND

Three segments of water main along 82nd Ave SE, Forest Ave SE, and West Mercer Pl were installed

roughly 65 years ago and have recently suffered multiple breaks. To prevent further damage, the

water lines in these areas will be replaced. Improving and renewing the water system is necessary to

prevent unexpected system breakdowns and expensive emergency repairs. Taking a proactive

approach to renew critical components such as water mains will strengthen the system’s reliability in

serving its customers. This project furthers goals outlined in the City’s Water System Plan (2015),

ensuring necessary improvements so the City remains at the forefront in providing high-quality water

service to its current and future customers. Our total budget for this project is $633,521.00.

SCOPE OF WORK

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The purpose of this project is to replace roughly 1,000 feet of 4-inch cast iron water main with 6-inch

and 8-inch ductile iron water mains at the following locations: 5200 block of 82nd Ave SE; 5200 block of

Forest Ave SE; and 5212 West Mercer Pl. One PRV station, F3-B, will be replaced. Fire hydrants, water

services, and other components will be upgraded/replaced, and the asphalt roadways will be repaved

following utility work.

General Scope of Services

This preliminary scope of work is presented as a reference. The selected firm will work with the city to

develop the final scope of work.

The scope of work is expected to include, but not be limited to, the following tasks:

1. Conduct site visits and review relevant documents and other background information.

2. Work in close coordination with the City’s project manager throughout the duration of the

project.

a. Hold bi-weekly or monthly meetings to ensure the project remains on schedule and

within budget. During these meetings the scope of work should be refined, recognizing

that all tasks may not be necessary, tasks may be expanded or added, and the

sequencing of tasks may change during the project.

3. Perform a site survey.

a. Survey shall include elevations and locations of all surface and above ground features

within the public right-of-way and within the first 5 feet of private property adjoining

the right-of-way within the project area.

4. Perform hydraulic model development and calibration

a. This project should design the proposed conditions based off the City’s existing water

model from current City Consultant.

b. Deliver a design report which summarizes findings and provides recommendations at

the 90% submittal.

5. Identify staging locations and temporary access options.

a. This project has limited ROW, and we must maintain access to the properties within our

construction limits during work hours.

6. Complete a design for identified improvements.

a. 30% design submittal – plans and preliminary engineer’s estimate.

b. 90% design submittal – plans, specifications, engineer’s estimate, and draft design

report.

c. 100% design package – plans, specifications, engineer’s estimate, and final design

report.

d. Conformed Construction – Plans and Specifications.

7. Provide permitting support as needed for each task.

8. Provide Public outreach support as needed for each task.

a. Assist in fielding questions received, developing exhibits, renderings, or other media.

9. Provide engineering support during the bidding process – pre-bid meeting attendance, respond

to bidder questions, and issue addenda.

10. Provide engineering support during construction – RFI review.

PROJECT TIMEFRAME

The City anticipates using the following general timeline for evaluating proposals and initiating a

contract in response to the solicitation.

Project Milestone

RFQ Issued

Statement of Qualifications Due

Project Awarded

Project Kick-Off

Bid Ready Design Package

Advertise for Construction Bids

Contract award

Construction Period

Date

2/9/2026

3/10/2026

3/24/2026

4/10/2026

September 2026

October 2026

January 2027

February to June 2027

STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS

Interested consultants are requested to submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the work. The

SOQ shall include the following information:

1. Letter of Intent: Indicate interest in this project and working for the City, and any other

information that would assist the City in making its selection, including why your firm is the

best qualified to meet the needs of Mercer Island and this project. A principal or officer of the

firm authorized to execute contracts or other similar documents on the firm’s behalf must

sign the letter.

2. Project Team and Key Personnel: Identify key staff (including sub-consultants as

appropriate) who will be involved in the project, including their assigned roles, a brief

description of their background and relevant experience. Please confirm that assigned staff

have capacity to work within project schedule.

3. Company Profile and Experience: Provide evidence of relevant experience with similar

projects. Include the following information for three relevant projects managed by the

proposed project manager within the last five years:

• Description of project, location, and status;

• Project results and challenges;

• Description of professional services provided by the consultant team;

• Initial project budget, final cost, and end date (if applicable); and

• Primary client contact for the project (name, title, address, phone number, and

email).

4. Project Understanding, Approach, and Schedule: Describe your team’s approach to meeting

the City’s needs and how the proposed team will work with City staff to complete the

project. Qualified firms and/or their subconsultants should also demonstrate knowledge and

understanding of:

• Hydraulic modeling and analysis of water systems

• Temporary bypass design

• Designing utility systems in areas of limited right-of-way

• Effective public communication strategies

• Demonstrated knowledge of constraints impacting cost, feasibility, and

scheduling of construction

Include a timeline that identifies major proposed tasks and products, including how

frequently check-in meetings occur, and when deliverables will be provided. The City

requires at least 2 weeks for document review. The timeline should demonstrate

commitment to completing the design and bid-ready documents per the proposed timeline

outlined in this document. If the proposed target completion is unrealistic, aggressive, or

conservative, please include this in your discussion along with a new target completion date.

5. References: Provide three references (maximum) for whom your firm has performed similar

work within the last five years. Include contact name, current telephone number, and

current email for all references. Include two additional references (maximum) for each sub-

consultant, as appropriate.

6. Disclosure of Conflict of Interest: Disclose any potential conflict of interest due to any other

clients, contracts, or property interests regarding private development of any property

within the City of Mercer Island.

Submittal Format & Deadline

• Submit a PDF of your proposal electronically to bids@mercerisland.gov no later than 4 p.m.

(PST) on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

• All proposals shall be clearly titled: SOQ for 2026 Water System Improvements

• Please limit submittals to 20 pages using at least 11pt font (excluding cover letter, references,

dividers, and resumes).

• All proposals received will become the property of the City and will not be returned.

• All questions on the project are due by Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 4 p.m. (PST). Questions

regarding the project may be emailed to Zechariah Rodino, Utilities Engineer, at

zechariah.rodino@mercerisland.gov. Any oral communication will be considered unofficial and

non-binding. Questions via phone will not be accepted. All questions received will be compiled,

and responses will be posted by Monday, March 9, 2026, at 4 p.m. (PST).

• It is the obligation and responsibility of the submitter to learn of addendums, responses, or

notices issued by the City relative to this RFP. These will be posted on the City website at

www.mercerisland.gov/rfps.

• Rights reserved by the City: The City reserves the right to reject any or all responses received

for this solicitation; extend the submission due date; modify, amend, reissue, or rewrite this

solicitation; and procure any or all services by other means. The city reserves the right to

modify the scope of this solicitation.

• This solicitation does not obligate the City to award a contract to any respondent. The final

selection is the sole decision of the City, and the respondents to this formal request have no

guaranteed appeal rights or procedures. At its option, the City reserves the right to waive as

informality any irregularities in proposals and/or to reject any or all proposals.

Conditions of Submittal

Costs for Development of Submittals: All costs for developing submittals in response to this RFQ are the

obligation of the consultant and are not chargeable to the City. All submittals will become property of

the City and will not be returned. Submittals may be withdrawn at any time prior to the published close

date, provided notification is received in writing to the CIP Project Manager.

Agreement Form: The agreement form to be used will be the City’s standard professional services

agreement (PSA), which is provided as Exhibit 2. Consultants that submit proposals are expected to

meet the terms contained in the PSA, as shown in Exhibit 2, no modifications will be allowed.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information: This material can be made available in an alternate

format by calling 206-275-7833.

Non-Discrimination: The City of Mercer Island, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,

78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of

Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscrimination in Federally-assisted

programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders

that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement,

disadvantaged business enterprises as defined at 49 CFR Part 23 will be afforded full opportunity to

submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race,

color, national origin, or sex in consideration for an award.

Evaluation Criteria

A committee of City personnel will evaluate and rate each submitted SOQ using a qualification-based

process with the following criteria:

Project Understanding and Methodology: The submittal demonstrates thorough understanding of the

project; how the team plans to address the needs of the City; and the team’s unique qualities as they

relate to the project. It demonstrates the ability to produce quality deliverables; and a sound approach

that will meet the proposed timeline. [30 points]

Project Team Qualifications and Experience: The submittal provides a complete and comprehensive

organizational chart or similar explanation of team members’ roles and responsibilities, including a

summary of each firm on the team, office locations, number of staff, and area(s) of expertise. It

demonstrates the team’s strengths and unique qualities as well as the team’s analysis and design meet

the needs of the project. [25 points]

Relevant Project Experience: The submittal demonstrates relevant and successful experience with

similar street-related capital design projects. [20 points]

This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.

Title	Bid/RFP Closing Date	Status	Files	View
26-03 - RFQ - Design Services for 2026 Water System Improvements	03/10/2026 - 4:00pm	Open - accepting bids and proposals		26-03 RFQ 26-03 Q&A	View Details

26-03 - RFQ - Design Services for 2026 Water System Improvements

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