Olympic Gravity Water System Transmission Project (OGWS) - Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
Bid/RFP Status:
Closed - no longer accepting bids and proposals
Bid/RFP Due Date:
Thursday, January 23, 2025 - 5:00pm
1. Introduction & Overview
The City of Port Townsend, Washington (“City”) is soliciting Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) from qualified engineering consulting firms to provide professional services for three distinct projects related to the City’s Olympic Gravity Water System (OGWS) Pipeline.
The OGWS is a critical lifeline of the City’s water supply, conveying water approximately 30 miles from the Big Quilcene River to the City. Ensuring its reliability, understanding its hydraulic behavior, and planning for its financial sustainability are top priorities for the City.
Information regarding the background of the OGWS may be found on the City’s website here: https://cityofpt.us/engagept/page/water-supply-mill-agreement
The Water Supply Agreement of 2021 with the Port Townsend Paper Corporation can be
found here:
2. Scope of Services
Each project will be stand-alone and contracted separately; projects may be awarded to a single consultant team or multiple teams.
Project A: OGWS Hydraulic Model The selected firm will develop a comprehensive, calibrated hydraulic model of the OGWS Pipeline.
- Objective: To simulate flow dynamics and capacity under various scenarios (river flows, flow to Lord’s Lake Reservoir and City Lake Reservoir). To verify the model with direct measurements. To evaluate and recommend improvements to the existing combination air valves to improve system resilience, safety & capacity.
- Deliverables: A functional, calibrated hydraulic model and a technical memo summarizing calibration results. A technical memo with detailed recommendations for needed improvements/upgrades to the combination air valves.
Project B: Engineering Planning Level Cost Estimates (Rate Study Support). The selected firm will provide engineering support to inform the City’s upcoming utility rate study.
- Objective: To provide planning level cost estimates for identified projects to inform the upcoming rate study.
- Scope: Development of schematic design drawings for identified high-priority
improvements and planning level cost estimates - Deliverables: Planning level design documentation, detailed cost estimation
reports, and a summary presentation for the City Council.
Project C: Pipeline Condition Assessment – Phase II
The selected firm will perform a physical and/or non-destructive condition assessment of over 20 miles of the OGWS to determine the remaining useful life of the asset
- Objective: To identify areas of corrosion, structural weakness, or vulnerability along the pipeline route.
- Scope: Review of historical failure data, field inspections, and recommendation of rehabilitation vs. replacement strategies
- Deliverables: A comprehensive Condition Assessment Report including risk analysis for pipeline segments and a prioritized Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) schedule.
Project D: On-call Services
The selected firm will perform engineering design and permitting support. Services may include but are not limited to:
- Engineering Details
- Project Support
- Operations & Maintenance Support
- Construction Oversight Support
- QA/QC Support
3. City of Port Townsend Contact
Tyler Johnson, tjphnson@cityofpt.us Date Range: 12/14/25 to 12/23/25 & 1/5/26 to 1/23/26
Steve King, P.E., sking@cityofpt.us Date Range: Week of 12/29/25
4. Submission Requirements
To ease the review process, the City requests a concise submission. Proposals must not exceed ten (10) single-sided pages (excluding cover letter, dividers, and resumes).
The SOQ shall include:
a. Cover Letter: Signed by an authorized representative of the firm.
b. Project Understanding: A brief narrative demonstrating the firm’s understanding of the OGWS and the unique challenges of the Port Townsend
terrain and infrastructure.
c. Project Team: Organizational chart and qualifications of the Project Manager and key technical staff.
d. Relevant Experience: Examples of similar hydraulic modeling, condition assessment, and rate study support projects performed for municipalities in the Pacific Northwest for planning level capital project estimates.
5. Selection Process
The City will evaluate SOQs based on experience, technical competence, and understanding of the project scope.
Evaluation & Award
a. Review: City staff will review the written proposals
b. Interviews: The highest-ranked firms will be invited for in-person interviews at City facilities in Port Townsend
c. Selection Flexibility: The City reserves the right to award all three projects to a single prime consultant OR to award individual projects to different firms based on the specific strengths and qualifications presented. The City also reserves the right to reject any and all proposals.
6. Estimated Timeline
RFQ Issued: December 12, 2025
Deadline for Questions:
SOQ Due Date: January 23, 2026, at 5:00 pm
Interviews: Week of January/February
Selection and Contract Negotiations: Week of January / February
7. Submission Instructions
Please submit a pdf Statement of Qualifications to the Project Manager, Tyler Johnson, at frontdesk@cityofpt.us with the subject line, “Proposal for OGWS Projects – Attn: Tyler Johnson”.
8. Title VI Statement
The City of Port Townsend, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement,disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will
not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.
9. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information
The City of Port Townsend, in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), commits to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability, in all of its programs and activities. This material can be made available in an alternate format by emailing the City of Port Townsend ADA Coordinator, Alyssa Rodrigues at arodrigues@cityofpt.us or by calling 360-379-5083.
10.Engineering Firm Requirements
- Licensed and Bonded
- Insurance Certificate - Requirements: http://cityofpt.us/rfps/insurance
- 9 Shall be Provided Prior to Issuance of Check
- City of Port Townsend Business License Endorsement
