RFI USDA WEP Rural Water Circuit Rider Technical Assistance Program

This notice is a REQUES FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR ANY RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE. PLEASE REFERENCE ATTACHED NOTICE OF INTENT.

Information contained herein is based on the most current/accurate information available at the time of publication is subject to revision and is not binding upon the Government.

The United Stated Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Water & Environmental Programs (WEP) intends to award a five (5) year single award fixed price contract. Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Water & Environmental Programs (WEP) has a requirement for contractor support services in carrying out its mission, mandated by statute, to protect the government's investment in rural water systems.

This is a follow-on requirement that is currently satisfied under Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Water & Environmental Programs (WEP) currently satisfied under the statutory directive from the Farm Bill.

We anticipate this will be limited to a non-profit contractor that must provide a nationwide technical assistance program to support the following objectives:

1. State by State Presence: Ability for each state and rural water and wastewater systems to have sufficient and immediate access to qualified, well-experienced, and certified water professionals or Circuit Riders for hands-on and onsite assistance.

2. Onsite System Assistance: Ability for each Circuit Rider to have the equipment and capability to monitor utility status, maintain communication, and provide immediate access to systems that are capable of delivering the requirements especially during emergencies and disasters.

3. Onsite Training and Technical Assistance: Provide technical and professional expertise on utility management, system operations, financial sustainability, and WEP program knowledge. Possess the capability to deliver and share technical and professional expertise via training in order to maintain knowledge, management, and leadership capacity at the utility level including support to succession planning and apprenticeship in partnership with Department of Labor, Community Colleges, and other key local agencies.

4. Rapid Response During Emergencies & Disasters: Ability to minimize disruption to water and wastewater services during emergencies and disasters by facilitating assessments and emergency plans and regional partnerships utilities as may be necessary, such as electric, water, sewer, etc. Development/execution of mutual agreements between systems and/or state rural water associations for continuity of water and wastewater services during emergencies and disasters.

5. Strategic Customer Service: Experience working with a diversity of rural water systems and structures including municipality, water districts, county districts, regional water, private non-profit, private for-profit, cooperative, and tribally owned and operated rural water and wastewater.

It is anticipated that this procurement will be solicited as a full and open competition under North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code 541611.