2026-2027 Annual Manhole Inspections

The City of Aurora, Illinois, issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for professional engineering services to conduct the 2026-2027 Annual Manhole Inspections across the city’s approximately 2,500 sanitary and storm manholes. The contract entails two years of inspections, including project management components for each year, with all field data to be collected using ArcGIS Survey123. Licensed NASSCO-certified inspectors must perform Level 1 manhole assessments, applying structural condition severity ratings on a 0 to 3 scale and providing repair recommendations accompanied by detailed budget justifications in Microsoft Excel format. The work covers all wards within Aurora and must be completed by September 30, 2026, for the initial year. Proposers are expected to demonstrate substantial qualifications, relevant experience, a robust technical approach, and sufficient staffing capabilities to handle the workload and meet City specifications and standards. Proposals must be submitted electronically via the City’s OpenGov portal by December 17, 2025, following strict formatting and content requirements, including a single technical proposal PDF limited to 10 pages (excluding NASSCO certification documentation) and a separately submitted pricing table. Evaluation of proposals is a two-phase process weighted 70% on technical factors—including staff qualifications, technical methodology, consultant experience, and schedule—and 30% on pricing. The award basis employs a trade-off analysis, balancing technical merit and cost, rather than lowest price alone. The contract includes standard municipal requirements such as compliance with applicable laws, insurance and indemnification provisions, certifications regarding ethical standards, and a non-appropriation clause. No federal acquisition regulations or military standards apply, and no packaging, labeling, or bar-coding provisions are specified. Contract administration will be managed under local governance procedures, with payments processed via electronic funds transfer, but without detailed invoicing or contracting officer assignments provided upfront. Overall, this solicitation targets engineering firms capable of delivering comprehensive, compliant, and technically superior manhole inspection services to support Aurora’s infrastructure maintenance objectives.