Services Associated With The Water Utilities Technical Assistance Program

The Texas Water Development Board is issuing a solicitation to select qualified contractors through RFQ 580-26-RFQ-0007 to provide technical assistance to eligible water and wastewater systems across Texas. The services aim to enhance these systems' financial, managerial, and technical capacities, supporting activities such as operational evaluations, financial system development, rate studies, water conservation planning, assistance with project documentation and financial applications, income surveys, and compliance training. The contract is set to commence on April 1, 2026, and conclude on August 31, 2027, with potential extensions up to August 31, 2029. Respondents must submit their qualifications by December 9, 2025, via electronic mail, adhering to specified formatting and page limits, with responses evaluated based on technical merit and experience across multiple weighted factors, including knowledge of water system operations, financial management, and regulatory compliance. The contract emphasizes compliance with federal and state standards, including the Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Water Act, and Texas administrative codes related to water conservation and financial assistance programs. It incorporates specific contractual clauses, notably the requirement for contractors to utilize the E-Verify system for employment verification throughout the contract duration. The RFQ details the scope of work, deliverables such as water conservation plans, financial forms, and project documentation, and specifies that final acceptance of deliverables will be conducted by TWDB upon review at its offices or electronic platforms. While the solicitation references general contract clauses related to order precedence, confidentiality, taxes, and critical infrastructure, it does not specify detailed packaging, marking, or logistics requirements for physical items. The procurement process is based on a best-value approach, considering technical capabilities and experience, with no explicit mention of fixed pricing or line-item costs, although a maximum project cost of 150,000 dollars per project is noted. Respondents are also required to certify compliance with various federal and state certifications, including prohibitions on employment discrimination, human trafficking, and foreign adversaries, with ongoing obligations to report changes during contract performance. Overall, the RFQ seeks experienced, compliant firms capable of delivering targeted technical assistance to improve water system operations and sustainability across Texas.