On-Call Stormwater Architectural and Engineering Services

Dorchester County is seeking Statements of Qualifications from qualified architectural and engineering firms to provide on-call stormwater services under solicitation number 2026-21. The contract is structured as a task-order vehicle to support various stormwater management initiatives within the County, with services including regulatory compliance, technical studies, GIS mapping, design, funding support, and emergency response. This on-call contract, anticipated to run for one year with the option to renew for up to four additional one-year periods, will facilitate projects related to NPDES MS4 permit compliance, stormwater infrastructure design, asset management, and water quality improvement efforts. Firms must demonstrate relevant experience through submission of detailed project examples and demonstrate understanding of stormwater requirements under local and state regulations, including adherence to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control standards and the County's BMP Manual. The procurement follows a municipal template rather than federal contracting formats, with proposal evaluation focused primarily on firm qualifications and relevant experience (25%), project approach and innovation (20%), key personnel location and responsiveness (15%), and current and potential workload capacity (15%), with an emphasis on best value over lowest price. Proposal submissions must strictly follow the prescribed format and be delivered electronically by January 7, 2026. Key contract provisions address insurance, drug-free workplace compliance, confidentiality, and intellectual property, although standardized federal acquisition clauses are notably absent. The contractor is responsible for providing a range of deliverables such as stormwater management plans, capital project designs, biannual NPDES reports, and grant applications, with the County retaining inspection and acceptance authority at work sites. Insurance certificates and notarized non-collusion affidavits are required post-award, and once key personnel are identified in the SOQ, substitutions require formal amendments. Payment processes include monthly or milestone invoicing with applicable tax compliance, but no specific electronic payment or invoicing systems are mandated. The contract administration emphasizes clear communication through designated County contacts and restricts unauthorized communications to ensure fairness in the competitive process.