RFQ Professional Svc. for Development of Enterprise Data Master Plan

Charleston Water System is soliciting Statements of Qualifications from qualified consulting firms to develop an enterprise-wide Data Master Plan, with the request issued under solicitation number 2158 and a submission deadline of July 10, 2026. The solicitation targets firms with demonstrable experience in data strategy, enterprise systems planning, and related disciplines, requiring applicants to provide evidence of capabilities through detailed submissions. Although the contract is categorized under NAICS code 541690 and classified as a State and Local Government (SLED) action, the procurement follows municipal procedures and does not incorporate standard Federal Acquisition Regulation clauses or numbering systems. The proposal must include completed Exhibits B.1 through B.3, covering intent to bid, exceptions and deviations, and certification of compliance, along with a CSW Development Fee agreement of $35,000, which is non-negotiable and must be included within the total project budget cap of $865,000. All proposals must be submitted as two sealed hard copies to the designated physical address, with no electronic submissions accepted under any circumstances. The evaluation process will consider both technical merit and cost, with no specified weighting, indicating a trade-off approach for award determination rather than a lowest-price technically acceptable model. Key evaluation criteria include completeness and compliance with RFP requirements, project cost and value, design quality, equipment specifications, schedule feasibility, bidder qualifications and experience, familiarity with local regulatory and utility processes, references, and responsiveness to contractual and insurance obligations. Proposals must fully disclose any exceptions or deviations using Exhibit B.2, and failure to acknowledge all addenda or submit the CSW Fee Agreement will result in disqualification. Bidders must also certify accuracy of their submissions, agree to potential public disclosure under FOIA, and comply with prevailing wage requirements through certified payroll submissions. The contract imposes strict liability on the contractor for subcontractor conduct, prohibits circumvention of the procurement process for 12 months, and requires immediate cessation of work and notification upon discovery of hazardous materials. All deliverables must be fully functional and accepted upon commissioning, with warranties for system components extending up to 10 years, and no sales tax should be included in pricing due to the agency’s tax-exempt status.