2026-SWB-26 Sanitary Sewer Overflow Prevention Technology

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
SANITARY SEWER OVERFLOW
PREVENTION TECHNOLOGY
Solicitation # 2026-SWB-26
Proposal Due Date: May 15, 2026
Proposal Due Time: 11:00 AM CDT

Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans
2026-SWB-26
Request for Information
FOR SANITARY SEWER OVERFLOW PREVENTION TECHNOLOGY
The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) is issuing this Request for Information
(RFI) to gather information from qualified vendors, manufacturers, consultants, research institutions,
and technology providers regarding pilot technology or biotechnology in the sanitary sewer system
in New Orleans East.
This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a
competitive solicitation resulting in an awarded contract.
RFI will be available April 17, 2026, for download at the following websites:
SWBNO: https://www2.swbno.org/business_bidspecifications.asp
LAPAC: https://wwwcfprd.doa.louisiana.gov/OSP/LaPAC/dspBid.cfm?search=department&term=181
Inquiries and/or Requests for Clarification are due to Kevin Smith on April 30, 2026, no later than
5:00 p.m. CDT via in writing or email to ksmith6@swbno.org. All responses will be posted in
addendum on or before May 6, 2026.
Proposals will be received by the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans Procurement
Department by May 15, 2026, by 11:00 a.m. (CDT). For submission instructions, see proposal
documents.
LATE PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
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PART I. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
1.1 Request for Information
The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) is issuing this Request for Information
(RFI) to gather information from qualified vendors, manufacturers, consultants, research institutions,
and technology providers regarding pilot technology or biotechnology in the sanitary sewer system
in New Orleans East.
This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a
competitive solicitation resulting in an awarded contract.
1.2 Proposal Preparation
Proposals submitted for consideration should follow the format provided in the Scope of Information.
1.3 Point of Contact/ Inquiries/ Requests for Information:
All correspondence and other communications regarding this RFI shall be directed to Kevin Smith
Procurement Analyst, Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, 625 St. Joseph Street, Room
133, New Orleans, Louisiana 70165, 504-585-2126, ksmith6@swbno.org.
Inquiries and/or Requests for Information are due to the Board's Procurement Department via email
to ksmith6@swbno.org no later than timeline stated in the Anticipated Proposal Timetable. Any
request received after that time may not be reviewed for inclusion in this RFI. The request shall
contain the requester's name, address, and telephone number.
1.4 Questions and Answers
Inquiries and/or Requests for Clarification are due to Kevin Smith on April 30, 2026, no later than
5:00 pm CDT via in writing or email to ksmith6@swbno.org. All responses will be posted on or
before May 6, 2026. Do not contact other SWBNO program personnel with questions regarding
this RFI.
The Procurement Department will issue a response to any inquiry if it deems it necessary, by written
addendum to the RFI, posted on Board's website, and issued prior to the RFI's Delivery Deadline.
The Respondents shall not rely on any representation, statement or explanation other than those
made in this RFI or in any addenda issued. Where there appears to be a conflict between this RFI
and any addendum issued, the last addendum issued will prevail.
1.5 Submission of Proposals
Proposers who are interested in providing information on the services requested under this RFI can
submit a proposal via email.
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Submitting a response:
Electronic Submission:
(1) Digitally signed technical proposal in searchable PDF format to bids@swbno.org
Subject Line: 2026-SWB-26 - FOR SANITARY SEWER OVERFLOW PREVENTION TECHNOLOGY
- [Proposer Name]". If the file size of the email submission exceeds server requirements, the email
submission may be broken into smaller emails with "Part 1 of #" included at the end of each original
Subject Line (e.g. RFI# marked 2026-SWB-26 - FOR SANITARY SEWER OVERFLOW
PREVENTION TECHNOLOGY - [Proposer Name] - Part 1 of 3)".
Email: If the Proposer intends to submit the response by email, the date and time of the email
received by the Procurement Dept. constitutes the time stamp of receipt. The date and time of the
email sent by Proposer does NOT constitute a proof of receipt. The Procurement Dept. encourages
Proposers to confirm that the response was received timely.
Board assumes no liability for assuring accurate/complete e-mail transmission and receipt. The
responsibility solely lies with each Proposer to ensure their proposal is received at the specified
email address prior to the deadline for submission. Proposals received after the deadline, corrupted
files, and incomplete submissions (e.g. Part 1 and Part 2 of 3 are received, but Part 3 is not) may
not be considered.
Fax submission will not be acceptable. Proposers e-mailing their proposals should allow sufficient
time to ensure receipt of their proposal by the time specified.
Proposals should clearly demonstrate the Proposer's qualifications to perform the needed services
and attend all factors applicable in a professional relationship.
All proposals must be received by Board on or before the Delivery Deadline. Proposals delivered
after the said deadline will not be accepted.
1.6 Ownership
All Responses, including any submitted documents, to this RFI or any resulting solicitation are the
property of the Board for all purposes. Respondents must clearly mark individual documents or
information that the applicant claims are exempt from public record disclosure and specifically justify
the exemption. The Board does not guarantee the confidentiality of submissions.
1.7 Effect
This RFI and any related discussions, evaluations, qualifications, or resulting solicitations by the
Board or any person on its behalf create no rights or obligations whatsoever except as provided in
this RFI. The Board may cancel or modify this RFI or any resulting solicitation at any time at will, with
or without notice. Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, any professional services agreement
executed by the Board will be issued the exclusive statement of rights and obligations extending from
this solicitation.
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1.8 Errors or Omissions
The Board will not be liable for any error in any proposal. Proposers will not be allowed to alter
proposal documents after the deadline for proposal submission, except under the following condition:
The Board reserves the right to make corrections or clarifications due to patent errors identified in
proposals by the Board or the Respondent. The Board, at its option, has the right to require
clarification or additional information from the Respondent.
1.9 Cost of Preparation
The Board is not liable for any costs incurred by prospective Respondents or Contractors prior to
issuance of or entering into a Contract. Costs associated with developing the proposal, preparing for
oral presentations, and any other expenses incurred by the Respondent in responding to the RFI are
entirely the responsibility of the Respondent, and shall not be reimbursed in any manner by the Board.
1.10 RFI Schedule Summary
The events and dates summarized in the table below represent milestones in SWBNO's RFI
process; however, SWBNO reserves the right to deviate from this schedule.
Anticipated RFI Schedule Summary
Event Date Local Time
4/17/2026
RFI Release
4/30/2026 5:00 p.m.
Deadline for Questions
5/06/2026
Responses to Questions
5/15/2026 11:00 a.m.
Proposal due date and time
1.11 Public Records Request
To request a public record for the proposal documents, please submit to the following website:
https://swbno.nextrequest.com/
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I. Scope of Information
The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) is requesting proposals from
qualified vendors to pilot technology or biotechnology in the sanitary sewer system in New
Orleans East. The goal is to prevent and reduce the number of sanitary sewer overflow (SSO)
events, and to reduce odor at the sanitary sewer system facilities. This Request for Information
(RFI) is issued to gather input from vendors on available solutions that align with SWBNO's
goals and operations.
This RFI is for information purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for bids,
proposals, or offers. SWBNO may use responses to this RFI to inform a future procurement
process.
II. Project Background
SWBNO seeks solutions that will help to address blockages in the pipes from fats, oils, and
greases, 'flushable wipes,' or biosolids that can lead to overflows.
The scope of the project will cover New Orleans East, the area bounded by Lake Pontchartrain
to the north, the Intracoastal Waterway to the south, and the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal to
the west. This designated area contains a portion of the SWBNO sanitary sewer system that
includes five (5) sewer lift stations, 30 sewer pump stations, and 5,659 sewer manholes.
Wastewater is pumped from New Orleans East to the East Bank Sewage Treatment Plant in the
Lower Ninth Ward.
III. Requested Features & Capabilities
SWBNO is looking to pilot biotechnology or technology and is not limiting proposals to certain
specifications. Solutions may be implemented systemwide or at specific locations such as sewer
pump/lift stations and can include hardware, additives, and/or
other technology. Some examples of biotechnology or technology can include but are not limited
to:
* Microbiological solutions: Organisms that can be released into the sewer system to
break up blockages to prevent buildup and resulting SSO events.
* Aeration solutions: Devices that can be placed in the sewer system to agitate and
break up blockages to prevent buildup and resulting SSO events.
* Inflow reduction devices: Hardware devices that can be placed in the sewer system to
prevent or reduce the occurrence of inflow during rain events that result in the
surcharging of pipes.
* Blockage monitoring devices: Sensors or devices that can be placed in the sewer
system to monitor wastewater levels within the system and alert SWBNO teams to
potential SSO events prior to their occurrence.
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IV. Information Requested from Respondents
Interested vendors are requested to submit a response that includes:
1) Company Overview
* Name, address, and contact details
* Relevant certifications and compliance standards
2) Proposed Solution
* Description of SSO technology
* Explanation of how the technology prevents or reduces SSO events
* Approach to implementation
* Required ongoing O&M details and costs
3) Implementation & Support
* Estimated timeline for installation
* Training, support, and maintenance offerings
4) Cost Estimates (if available)
* Estimated project total
V. Disclaimer
This RFI is not a formal solicitation and does not commit SWBNO to issue an RFP, award a
contract, or pay any costs incurred in responding to this request. Responses will be used solely for
informational and planning purposes. SWBNO reserves the right to request further information or
clarification from respondents as needed.
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