2024 WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECTS (RFQ)
Solicitation Number: PS-00170
To Respondent of Record:
ADDENDUM 1
March 8, 2024
CHANGES TO THE RFQ
1. Remove and replace Section V. “Other Required Documents to Submit”, Sub-section
B. “Good Faith Effort Plan (GFEP)” with the following:
B. Exhibit B – Good Faith Effort Plan (GFEP)
Policies on Equal Employment Opportunity and the Small Business Opportunities Program
(SBOP)
1. Equal Employment Opportunity Requirements - SAWS highly encourages Respondents to
implement Affirmative Action practices in their employment programs. This means
Respondents should not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment
because of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, national origin, political
belief or affiliation, age, disability or genetic information.
The SAWS Board of Trustees has adopted the Small Business Opportunities Program
(SBOP)Policy to establish and oversee a program that will support the inclusion of local small,
minority, and woman-owned businesses (SMWBs). It is the policy of SAWS that it will ensure
that local SMWBs have an equal opportunity to compete for and participate in SAWS contracts.
It is our policy to:
• Ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of SAWS contracts;
• Create a level playing field on which SMWBs can compete fairly for SAWS contracts;
• Ensure that only firms that conduct good faith efforts are considered for contract awards..
2. Respondent’s commitment to SAWS SBOP policy will be based on meeting or exceeding the
stated SBOP goal. The SBOP goal is based on the availability of local Minority and Woman-
owned Business Enterprises for the specific scopes of work associated with this contract.
3. Respondent’s commitment to SAWS SBOP policy will be based on meeting or exceeding the
stated SBOP goal. The SBOP goal is based on the availability of local Minority and Woman-
owned Business Enterprises for the specific scopes of work associated with this contract.
Please note that as of 13/15/20243, an updated SBOP Policy and scoring methodology are
being implemented by San Antonio Water System. The maximum number of SBOP points to
be earned is 15 points. Self-performance of the Respondent and Subconsulting may be used
to achieve the aspirational goal and earn points. SMWB Respondents and/or Subconsultants
must be certified by the South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency or the Texas
2024 WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECTS (RFQ)
Solicitation Number: PS-00170
Addendum 1
Page 1 of 3
Historically Underutilized Business “HUB” Program. Eligible firms (including MBEs and WBEs)
must be certified as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE), must perform a commercially-useful
function on the project, and must have an established place of business in the Relevant
Marketplace in order to be counted for SMWB SBOP points. Please see the Good Faith Effort
Plan for definitions of terms. All Respondents, whether SMWB or not, may earn the maximum
number of SBOP points (15) by meeting or exceeding the stated SBOP goal. Respondents
that do not provide proof of Good Faith Outreach Efforts on the solicitation due date and time
may be disqualified. SAWS strongly discourages non-SMWB prime consultants from the
practice of demanding to be on SMWB prime consultants’ teams for a specific percentage of
participation in exchange for including SMWB firms on their own teams. SAWS also strongly
discourages non-SMWB prime consultants from compelling SMWB subconsultants to hire
second or third-tier subconsultants without their consent and without prior approval from
SAWS.
a. SBOP SCORING METHOD: Up to 15 Points (by percentage) for meeting or exceeding
the 26% aspirational SBOP goal. Points will be assessed on a tiered scale:
• SMWBs’ Participation between 1.00% - 12.99%: Three (3) Points
• SMWBs’ Participation between 13.00% – 19.99%: Five (5) Points
• SMWBs’ Participation between 20:00% - 25.99%: Ten (10) Points
• SMWBs’ Participation meeting or exceeding 26.00%: Fifteen (15) Points
b. Optional: Prior Subconsultant utilization and non-compliance with SBOP goals may be
considered when totaling the SBOP score. The decision to deduct SBOP points will be
based upon data for the past 2 years from the Subcontractor Payment & Utilization Reporting
(SPUR) System. This applies to SMWB and Non-SMWB Prime Consultants' utilization of
their SMWB subconsultants. Up to 3 points may be deducted from the SBOP score for
discrepancies between the pledged SBOP goal, and the current/ongoing actual utilization of
SMWB subconsultants on recent SAWS projects. This option does not apply to work
order/unspecified contracts.
• Total SMWB Sub-consultant compliance discrepancy between 3.00% - 4.00%:
Deduct 1 Point
• Total SMWB Sub-consultant compliance discrepancy between 4.00% - 5.00%:
Deduct 2 Points
• Total SMWB Sub-consultant compliance discrepancy greater than 5.00%: Deduct 3
Points
4. The SBOP goal is expressed as a percentage of the total dollar amount of the contract going
to SMWBs for those areas which the Respondent has subconsulted or anticipates to
subconsult, including any future contract amendments. The goal shall also apply to contract
amendments that require work beyond the scope of services originally required to accomplish
the project.
5. The Respondent agrees to employ good faith efforts to carry out this policy through award of
subconsultant contracts to SMWBs to the fullest extent possible.
6. The SAWS GFEP will be used for scoring purposes based upon SMWB participation. However,
all subconsultants and/or suppliers, whether SMWB-certified or not, must be listed in
the GFEP. The information provided in the GFEP will be used to develop the final
contract/agreement. The GFEP format is attached as Exhibit “B.” This form is required and
considered part of the response to the RFQ. Should the Good Faith Effort Plan not be
submitted, the submittal may be considered non-responsive.
2024 WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECTS (RFQ)
Solicitation Number: PS-00170
Addendum 1
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7. Notices to firms contacted by the proposer for specific scopes of work identified for
subconsulting/supply opportunities must be provided to sub-consultant/supplier not less than
five (5) business days prior to the solicitation due date.
8. SOLICITATION METHOD(S) UTILIZED FOR GOOD FAITH OUTREACH:
At least two methods of solicitation are required, and the approved method(s) to be utilized for
the solicitation are listed below. Copies of the actual postings, direct contact email/phone log,
etc. must be attached to this form as supporting documentation for each method used. Failure
to adequately follow these steps will result in the requirement to take additional steps in order
to become compliant.
Newspaper Advertisements
Meetings or Conferences
Trade Association Publications
Minority Media
Internet & Web Postings Other Government Publications
Direct Contact by Phone, Fax, USPS Mail, or Email*
*If using direct contact, entities must solicit to a minimum of 3 SMWB businesses/firms for each
scope of work that Respondent intends to engage a subconsultant for (i.e., construction,
supplies, equipment, or services).
9. The successful Respondent is required to electronically submit actual subcontractor payment
information using the Subcontractor Payment and Utilization Reporting (S.P.U.R.) System,
accessed through a link on SAWS’ “Business Center” web page. Payment reporting will begin
with the first SAWS payment for services under the contract, and with every payment thereafter
(for the duration of the contract). The Contractor and all subcontractors will be provided a
unique log-in credential and password to access the SAWS subcontractor payment reporting
system. The link may be accessed through the following internet address:
https://saws.smwbe.com/
Training on the use of the system will be provided by SAWS upon request. After the prime
receives payment from SAWS, electronic submittals will require data entry of the actual amount
paid to each subcontractor listed on the Contractor’s Good Faith Effort Plan. Any unjustified
failure to comply with the committed SWMB levels may be considered breach of contract.
If there is not an opportunity to subcontract any components of the contract, then use of the
S.P.U.R. System is not applicable.
10. Please contact the SBOP Manager at 210-233-3420 or SMWB@saws.org for any questions
pertaining to the Good Faith Effort Plan, the SBOP, or S.P.U.R. System reporting
END OF ADDENDUM
This Addendum is three (3) pages in its entirety.
2024 WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECTS (RFQ)
Solicitation Number: PS-00170
Addendum 1
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