Project Information

Bid Title

Water-Wastewater RFP

Issuing Agency

McCormick County

Location

South Carolina

Published Date

Jan 28, 2026

Closing Date

Mar 2, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Water-Wastewater RFP

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McCormick County

Request for Proposals for the

Professional Operation, Maintenance & Management Services

For McCormick Water & Wastewater Systems

McCormick County, South Carolina will accept sealed proposals from qualified firms for professional

services related to the Operation, Maintenance, and Management of the water distribution and

wastewater collection systems. Firms proposing to provide such professional services are requested to

submit a statement of their qualifications, experience, and a list of at least five (5) references including their

names, addresses, and telephone numbers and proposed fee. McCormick County has developed this

Request for Proposals for Professional Operations, Maintenance and Management Services to identify

qualified Firms and establish a Public Private Partnership whereby the county will maintain full ownership

of all assets.

All proposals shall be submitted to the attention of Crystal Barnes, Clerk to Council/Assistant to the

Administrator, McCormick County, 610 South Mine Street McCormick, South Carolina 29835 by March 2,

2026, at 2:00 p.m. EST, at which time all proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud and recorded.

All proposals shall be submitted in a sealed envelope marked Request for Proposals Water/Wastewater

Professional Services #20260202, and if any envelope is not so marked, any proposal contained therein

will not be considered. Please submit one (1) original and five (5) copies of the RFP in one envelope. All

proposal envelopes must contain the firm's name and mailing address on the face of the envelope.

Proposal information may be obtained at the County Administrator's Office during office hours or by

contacting Crystal Barnes at (864) 852-2231. No proposal may be withdrawn for a period of sixty days

(60) days after the above proposal opening date. The McCormick County Council reserves the right to

waive any informality in any/all proposals as may appear to be in the best interest of the County.

MCCORMICK COUNTY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE AND REJECT ANY AND/OR ALL PROPOSALS.

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McCormick County

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR THE PROFESSIONAL OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, AND

MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR WATER DISTRIBUTION AND WASTEWATER COLLECTION

SYSTEMS

McCormick County, South Carolina is requesting a proposal from firms capable of entering a minimum

three (3) year contract to provide professional operation, maintenance and management services to

McCormick County consisting of Water and Sewer Utility Administration, Water Distribution Maintenance,

Meter Reading, Utility Billing, Wastewater Collection Maintenance and Wastewater Lift Stations

Maintenance. Facilities to be operated, maintained, and managed are:

• Water Maintenance consisting of 3 water storage tanks, 265± miles water distribution main, 6,216

manual read meters, 6 purchase water master meters

• Wastewater Maintenance including 3.5± miles gravity line; 50+ miles pressure force main, 44 lift

stations, 1,673 residential interceptor septic stations

• Inspections: 81 Manholes

As noted earlier in this RFP, the county is requesting Proposals from qualified firms capable of operating

and maintaining McCormick County Water & Wastewater Collection System. The selected firm will be

required to submit a monthly written report to the County Council describing services provided during

the month such as repairs, installation, taps etc.) The Firm must have the ability to implement a Master

Plan.

The Scope of work includes, but is not limited to, the following general areas:

A. Personnel: Firm shall employ all staff necessary to carry out the functions described in the

RFP and will pay all costs associated with such employment. Employees will be paid fair wages

as appropriate to the McCormick County labor market. The selected firm should employ

trained staff, adhere to labor laws, and ensure personnel are certified as per state

requirements.

B. Water Distribution System: Firm shall employ all distribution system operational staff as

required to operate County's water distribution system in accordance with best management

practices and to ensure compliance with all County, State, and Federal requirements, and

regulations. Staff will be properly trained and certified as required by the State of South

Carolina. Firm will be responsible for repairing water leaks, pipe breaks, meter reading, fire

hydrant repairs and maintenance, flow testing, new service installations, work orders, meter

cut-offs/ons, service restoration, emergency repairs, exercising water valves, as well as other

services necessary to operate the water distribution system. The firm will also be responsible

for sampling and reporting for water system permit compliance and reading water meters.

C. Wastewater Collection System: Firm will employ all collection system operational staff as

required to operate County's wastewater collection system in accordance with the best

management practices and to ensure compliance with all County, State and Federal

requirements and regulations. Staff will be properly trained and certified as required by the

State of South Carolina. Firm will be responsible for sewer backups, installation of sewer taps,

line breaks, manhole locations and repairs, and sewer overflow responses. Personnel shall be

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McCormick County

certified in Pipeline and Manhole Assessment through NASSCO's Pac Program. The firm will

assist the County in the reduction of inflow and infiltration. The firm will have the capability

and the equipment to provide flow monitoring, cleaning and video inspections of lines, and

smoke testing experience and equipment.

D. System Maintenance: Firm will employ maintenance staff as required to properly maintain

the County’s systems in accordance with accepted industry maintenance practices. Staff will

be properly trained and certified as appropriate to perform preventative and corrective

maintenance activities as required. The firm will also maintain a warehouse of spare/repair

parts and materials for use in maintaining the facilities. Maintenance data will be maintained

by a software package presently utilized. All maintenance records will be maintained in

accordance with local, state, and federal requirements.

E.

Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance: Firm will be responsible for performing routine,

preventative, and corrective maintenance on County-owned vehicles and equipment.

F.

Engineering Services: Engineering services are not in this scope of work. The selected firm

shall coordinate with the county’s consulting engineers for significant capital expenditures.

G. Operational Goals: Enhance residents' quality of life, ensure compliance with regulations,

provide 24/7 emergency support, and engage the community.

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McCormick County

OPERATIONS CONTRACT PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE:

The County is seeking to maximize the community's benefit and use of the Water and Wastewater Systems

by contracting with an experienced and/or capable private management company. The goals and

objectives listed below should assist submitting companies in developing their specific proposal and

should be considered to represent minimum standards for managing and operating the departments.

1.

To enhance the quality of life for the residents and customers of McCormick County by

providing a safe and plentiful water supply in an economic and efficient manner

2.

To staff, manage, operate, maintain and when needed, expand the Water Distribution

and Wastewater Collection Systems (collectively, the “Systems”):

a. To the highest Industry standards.

b. In compliance with and pursuant to all manufacturer's warranties

and recommendations with respect to County equipment and assets.

c.

In compliance with all applicable state, federal and local laws.

d. Pursuant to County oversight and approval and consistent with County rates,

rules and policies

3.

To provide emergency and on-call customer and facilities support service 24 hours a day,

seven days a week

4.

To obtain, if applicable, and maintain all necessary licenses, certifications and accreditations

as necessary to operate, maintain and manage the Systems

5.

To protect, repair and maintain in the Systems and the County's facilities and equipment, to

preserve and improve the McCormick County’s assets investments and services

6.

To provide the highest level of friendly, reliable, professional and responsive customer

service utilizing to the extent feasible the County's existing assets, facilities, office and

equipment

7.

To maximize revenues and to operate/maintain the Systems at the lowest possible cost to the

customers and interconnection recipients of the McCormick County

8.

To promote McCormick County, its Systems and services in a manner that enhances the

reputation of the County

9.

To hire local citizens and existing County staff to the extent feasible, and use local merchants

and service providers to the extent possible

10. To include input from the citizens and community leaders, in addition to the County's

customers and interconnection recipients, in developing operations and programming

11. To operate the Systems pursuant to the annual budget and fee schedule adopted by

McCormick County using the County's existing assets, resources, and leases

12. To provide all water, wastewater testing, monitoring, and reporting as required by state,

federal and local law and industry standards

13. To maintain all Systems facilities and/or buildings and grounds owned, leased or utilized by the

County

14. To monitor all related departments’ practices and performances and recommend changes

and/or adoption of innovation or replacement of systems to achieve the highest efficiency

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McCormick County

possible.

15. To document, monthly, all repairs and preventive maintenance work including the date,

location, time, and brief description of the work performed.

16. To provide or utilize County owned computerized systems for the management of

maintenance, work orders, process control, and laboratory testing which the County may

inspect.

17. To provide an inventory of the County’s assets within one hundred twenty (120) days of the

contract’s start date.

18. To provide meetings at agreed intervals with Council members, and County Administrator to

discuss contract performance and progress of project objectives.

19. To partner with McCormick County in a comprehensive and mutually beneficial alliance to

provide for the efficient delivery of services both routine and supplemental as may be

required by emergency and unexpected events.

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS:

Cover Letter

The cover letter should be signed by the principal contact and express the company's interest in

entering into a contractual relationship with McCormick County. The letter should designate the

name and address of the principal contact, telephone number, and email address. The letter

should include the following:

• A brief statement of the Firm’s understanding of the scope of the work to be performed.

• A confirmation that the Firm meets the appropriate State licensing requirements to

perform the necessary services.

• A confirmation that the Firm has been in business for at least five (5) years.

• A confirmation that the Firm has successfully held at least three (3) multiple-year contracts

for systems of comparable size and complexity.

• A confirmation that, if awarded the contract, the Firm acknowledges its complete

responsibility for the entire contract; and,

• Any other information that the Firm feels appropriate.

Legal Form of Company

The Firm should indicate its legal structure if individual, partnership, corporation, joint venture.

Biography of Company Principals/Company Qualifications

The resume should include history of managing operations of a system or similar facility. A list

of biographical information on the staff who will be involved in the negotiation and oversight of

the day-to-day administration of the proposed contract shall be included. This should include

management individuals that will be available to assist the on-site staff. Also, relative expertise,

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Commodity Codes

• NAICS 221310Water Supply and Irrigation Systems
• NAICS 221320Sewage Treatment Facilities
• NAICS 237110Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction

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