The following is a basic description of how consultants and contractors participate in the District’s Capital Improvement Program.

1. Every fall, the purchasing group requests that all previously pre-qualified construction contractors re-qualify. Existing and new contractors may also pre-qualify anytime during the year. Attached is a copy of the 2004 Experience Questionnaire used last year. The contractor requests certification in one of seven areas listed on page four of the package: sewer construction, deep sewer construction, building construction, excavating, pipe and manhole rehab, concrete, or MEP.
2. The information submitted is reviewed by the Engineering Department. The contractor is informed of the areas in which they have been pre-qualified, whether they can bid on projects over $500,000, and whether or not they are limited to the successful completion of their first project before they are allowed to bid on another project due to lack of experience. Poor performance in the previous year can result in contractors being denied pre-qualification for one year.
3. The District does not pre-qualify sub-contractors, only prime contractors. The selection of subcontractors is the responsibility of the prime contractor.
4. Pre-qualified contractors receive Notice to Contractors directly if any project is advertised for which they are pre-qualified. They may then obtain plans at the District's main office.
5. Bids are submitted with the lowest responsive, responsible bidder being brought to the Board for approval.

1. Each winter, the Engineering Department requests that all previously pre-qualified consultants re-qualify. Existing and new consultants may also pre-qualify anytime during the year. Attached is a copy of the 2004 Experience Questionnaire used last year. The consultant requests certification in one of 10 areas listed on page three of the package: architectural, construction management, electrical, environmental, geotechnical, mechanical, sanitary, storm, structural, or surveying.
2. The information submitted is reviewed by the Engineering Department. The consultant is informed of the areas in which they have been pre-qualified.
3. The District does not pre-qualify sub-consultants.
4. The District uses a quality based selection (QBS) process in compliance with State regulations per the attached Consultant Selection Policy/Procedure. For projects over $500,000 in fee, all pre-qualified consultants are asked to submit a general qualifications package (Request for Qualifications, or RFQs) describing the qualifications and experience of their team. A Short List Committee consisting of representatives from Engineering, Operations, and Human Resources (Diversity) usually short-list three consultants for each project. For projects less than $500,000 in fee, the same Short List Committee uses the information in the pre-qualification package to short-list three firms to submit on two similar projects.
5. The short-listed consultants are asked to then submit detail proposals (Requests for Proposals, RFP’s) for each project. The RFP must address the consultant’s understanding of the project, project team, schedule, staff workload, past experience, and MWBE participation. A Selection Committee consisting of different representatives from Engineering and Operations selects the best proposals with concurrence from Human Resources (Diversity). The Executive Director approves these selections.
6. The staff enters into contract negotiations. If a reasonable contract cannot be negotiated, the staff will go to the second place consultant and start contract negotiations.
7. The selected consultant and the negotiated contract value are brought to the Board for approval.

1. The District holds regular networking, informational, and organizational meetings to inform the contracting community of our processes and procedures.
2. Variations to these procedures are used when a particular project requires a more intensive pre-qualification and selection process.

This is a general description of our pre-qualification and selection procedures. Detailed information is contained in the attached packages.

Contact for construction contractors is Norma Roy at (314) 768-6269, and contact for professional consultants is Sharon Holt at (314) 768-6285.