Water Treatment Plant Expansion: Design & Bidding Services WTP Capacity Expansion (1.6 MGD to 2.7 MGD)

REQUEST FOR QUOTE (RFQ)
City of Chelsea, Michigan
Water Treatment Plant Expansion: Design & Bidding Services
Date of Issue: April 23, 2026
Project Title: WTP Capacity Expansion (1.6 MGD to 2.7 MGD)
1. PROJECT SUMMARY
The City of Chelsea, Michigan (City) is soliciting Request for Quotations (RFQ) from
qualified engineering consultants to conduct Design Engineering and Bidding
Services to expand the City of Chelsea Water Treatment Plant (WTP) from 1.6 Million
Gallons per Day (MGD) to 2.7 MGD.
Important Scope Clarification: This RFQ is strictly for engineering design and bidding-
phase professional services (including permitting support). No construction-phase
engineering/administration services (including resident inspection, construction
observation, pay application review, change order review, submittal review, or RFI
response) are included in this RFQ. The City may, at its sole discretion and subject to
City Council authorization, procure construction-phase engineering services under a
separate agreement or separate authorization after award of this RFQ.
2. PROJECT BACKGROUND & EXISTING ASSETS
The Chelsea WTP, operational since 2001, utilizes iron filtration followed by membrane
softening.
Component Current Specification
Groundwater 3 Wells; Firm Capacity: 2,100 GPM
Wells
Iron Filtration 2 Gravity Filters; Total Capacity: 1,400 GPM
Reverse Osmosis 2 Skids; Total Softened Water Flow: 1,120 GPM
Storage 200,000 Gallon Ground Tank; 400,000 Gallon
Elevated Tower

Component Current Specification
High Service 3 Pumps; Firm Capacity: 1,600 GPM
Pumps
Current Limitations: Restrictions in the blend water system currently lower actual
treatment capacity to approximately 1.4 MGD.
3. PROPOSED SCOPE OF WORK
The City intends to increase finished water capacity to 2.7 MGD and modernize aging
components. While the City has a preliminary framework, the City is open to all
innovative design alternatives that meet capacity, regulatory, and budgetary
requirements.
The anticipated improvements include, but are not limited to:
* Filtration: Replacement of existing gravity filters with high-capacity pressure
filters (approx. 1,200 GPM each).
* RO Expansion: Addition of a third RO skid within a proposed 2,000 sq. ft.
building expansion.
* System Retrofits: Retrofitting pressure pumps and replacing all instrumentation
on existing skids.
* Piping & Blending: Modification to provide finished water hardness up to 160
mg/l without capacity loss.
* Infrastructure: Increasing well capacity, replacing/adding high-service pumps,
and installing a dedicated concentrate pump station and force main.
* Conceptual Schematic

Deliverables Required:
* Topographic Survey & Site Analysis.
* Full Design Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Structural).
* EGLE Part 399 Permitting Support.
* Biddable Construction Document Package.
4. PROCUREMENT BOUNDARIES & COMPLIANCE
To ensure a fair and transparent procurement process, the following boundaries apply:
* No Construction Work: The Consultant shall not perform construction work,
shall not provide construction labor/materials/equipment as a contractor, and
shall not act as a construction manager at risk or design-builder. Construction of
the WTP expansion will be procured separately.
* Bidding Services: Bidding-phase services are limited to preparing bid
documents, responding to bidder questions in writing, and issuing addenda as
authorized by the City. The City will conduct the construction procurement and
award decision in accordance with City policy.

* Funding: This project is currently self-funded by the City (estimated cost $7M).
However, all design work must remain eligible for future State Revolving Fund
(SRF) or federal grant requirements.
5. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS & SCHEDULE
Milestone Date/Requirement
RFQ Issue Date April 23, 2026
Question May 14, 2026
Deadline
Proposal Due May 14, 2026, by 10:00 a.m., bid opening
Date to follow at 10:00 a.m.
Format PDF via Email and Three (3) Physical Copies
Submission Chelsea City Offices
Address Attn: Elle Cole, City Manager
305 S. Main Street, Suite 100
Chelsea, MI 48118
Proposal Content:
1. Project Approach: Detailed methodology, including any proposed design
alternatives.
2. Qualifications: Experience with Michigan WTP expansions and EGLE Part 399.
3. Project Team: Resumes of key personnel and sub-consultants.
4. Timeline: Detailed schedule from award to biddable documents.
6. RESERVATION OF RIGHTS
The City of Chelsea reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive
informalities or irregularities in the selection process, and to select the consultant that
best meets the City's long-term strategic and financial goals.