RSS

No addendum(s) have been issued at this time.

Questions and/or answers as of January 14, 2026 (PDF version attached)

Q1:       Is the SMC looking for a single firm, or are they planning to establish a "bench" of experts that they can refer to?
A1:       Multiple contracts.

Q2:       What sort of work volume to they anticipate?
A2:       Work volume will be based on available budget and project needs. We are seeking general engineering services to support various tasks and needs for SMC’s projects and program.

Q3:       How will you go about "scoring" the candidates?
A3:       Please refer to the “selection criteria” in the RFP.

Q4:       Are subconsultants required to fill out the Vendor Certification Form?
A4:       No

Q5:         Do we need to provide a fee schedule for subconsultants?
A5:       Please include hourly rates for subconsultants and any markup service charges your firm applies for its subconsultants rates, if any.

Q6:       On Page 4 9.c, there is request for potential conflicts of interest be disclosed that includes all private client work. Can you clarify what is being requested? We have several ongoing projects within Lake County but are unsure if there are any current connections Lake County staff.  Any additional guidance would be appreciated.
A6:       Identify if any scope of services would result in any conflict of interest that if contracted by the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission would conflict with representing SMC interests and goals. 

Q7:       The RFQ Submission Requirements item 7, requests a Fee Schedule that lists the 2026 hourly rates. Item 12 of the Submission Requirements regarding Pricing and Cost Estimates, also requests the firms cost for services, as well as fully loaded rates, and a General Fee Schedule.  Can you please clarify if there is a difference between what is being requested in item 7 and item 12, or if a fee schedule with personnel billing rates will satisfy both items?
A7:       There is no difference. The introduction requests the submittal will require a comprehensive list of current billing rate ranges and costs.

Q8:       Item 7 in the “Submission Requirements” section states that the fee schedule per staff position should list the 2026 range of rates. Given the intent of SMC is to hire firms for a two-year period, are anticipated rate increases also required for submission?
A8:       The firm can include all relevant information it deems relevant. 

Q9:       Regarding submission requirement 12 – Pricing and Cost Estimates. Please clarify that a cost for services/tasks is required with submission of a proposal for this project. There is no specific scope or work item identified that we could put a fee together for in the RFQ.
A9:       The introduction requests that the submittal will require a comprehensive list of current billing rate ranges and costs.

Q10:    Item 12, sub-bullet (a) in “Submission Requirements” states that a “cost for services as identified in the introduction section” should be included in the submission. Sub-bullet (b) requests hourly rates for personnel for “tasks that lack a definable work product”. Can you please clarify whether anything beyond the hourly rates and expenses required in Item 7 should be included in the submission? Although something like “Plan and specifications development and review” is a task that contains a definable work product, it would be difficult to provide SMC a cost for this service without a project scope.
A10:     The introduction requests that the submittal will require a comprehensive list of current billing rate ranges and costs.

Q11:    Page 5, under "Submission of Qualifications & Proposals,” item 12a, requests the firm's cost for services "as identified in the Introduction section." The Introduction section (page 2) does not explicitly identify specific services with associated costs but rather describes the general nature of the RFP. Could you clarify which specific services from the Introduction section require a cost breakdown?
A11:     The introduction requests that the submittal will require a comprehensive list of current billing rate ranges and costs.

Q12:    I'm reaching out with a question for RFP# SMC-2026001 for General Engineering Services. Under the submission requirements,  there are two sections regarding fees. Is there different content that you are looking for with each of these? Or since there is no particular cost associated with the RFP, could we address both of these requirements by just providing our Staff Rates and a Rate Sheet of Ancillary Expenses?
A12:     Yes. There is no difference. The introduction requests the submittal will require a comprehensive list of current billing rate ranges and costs.

Q13:    Regarding the Submission Requirements section on page 4 of the RFP: 1.Are items 7. Fee Schedule and 12. Pricing and Cost Estimates bullet a) referring to the same topic and can they be combined into one section?
A13:     Yes         

Q14:    Regarding the Submission Requirements section on page 4 of the RFP: 2.Can items 4. Service provided by subconsultants and 11. Identify any subconsultants be combined into one section?
A14:     No

Q15:    Regarding the Submission Requirements section on page 4 of the RFP: 3.Will this contract require the firm to provide staff dedicated to SMC through a staff augmentation arrangement?
A15:     This is not anticipated.