March 3, 2003 -- The North American Development Bank (NADB) has signed an agreement with the cities of San Luis, Somerton, and Yuma; the Cocopah Indian Reservation; and Yuma County to carry out a water and wastewater regionalization feasibility study.
This technical assistance project will be financed by a US$250,000 grant from the NADB's Institutional Development Cooperation Program (IDP). The cities will function as sponsors of the study.
The IDP was established in 1997 to assist municipal public utilities in the U.S./Mexican border region achieve effective and efficient operation of their water, wastewater, municipal solid waste, and related services by reinforcing their institutional capacities, and thus creating a stronger financial foundation that will support the development of future infrastructure.
The NADB intends to engage the services of a consultant to carry out this study which will provide a decision making tool for the sponsors to determine the best course of action on considerations for a regional utility system/s (or at minimum regionalization of operative functions) to provide water and wastewater services.
Interested firms are hereby invited to submit expressions of interest in submitting proposals for this study. Participation in contracts to be financed by the NADB is open to companies from any country. A short list of qualified firms will be drawn up and formally invited to submit proposals following this invitation. Bid documentation and terms of reference will be issued in English only.
The city of San Luis is located approximately 25 miles southwest of Yuma, and is adjacent to the U.S.-Mexico Border. During a 2000 census, the city's population was estimated to be 15,326. The City provides drinking water and sewage services to all the residences and businesses within the city limits. The City of San Luis operates, maintains, and finances a water treatment and distribution system and a wastewater collection and treatment system. Financially, the systems are operated as separate utilities.
The City of Somerton is located 10 miles southwest of Yuma, and approximately 10 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. Currently, the population of Somerton is estimated to be 7,520. The City provides drinking water and sewage services to all the residences and businesses within the city limits. Like the City of San Luis, the City operates and maintains a water treatment and distribution system and a wastewater treatment and collection system. These systems are operated as separate utilities and are financed solely by user fees.
The City of Yuma covers approximately 108 square miles and has a population of approximately 88,000 in the City limits (2000) and 103,000 (2002) in its water service area. The City of Yuma Department of Public Works (YDPW) provides water and wastewater service via service areas.
There are three separate reservations on the Cocopah Indian Reservation with three water and sewer systems: 1) The North Reservation is located 2 miles north of 8th Street on Calle Agua Salada past the Desalting Plant and north of the Levee with a population of approximately 63 individuals. 2) The West Reservation is located near Somerton, Arizona between County 14th and County 15th about three miles west of Avenue "G". The population consists of approximately 400 individuals.
3) The East Reservation is located east of the town of Somerton on County 18th, just 1 mile east of Avenue "D" with a population of approximately 300 individuals.
Consulting firms interested in bidding on this study must have at least five years experience in conducting and have completed similar studies, in any cities of a similar or larger size than areas mentioned above. Direct experience in performing regional feasibility studies is required. In order to determine the capability and experience of consulting firms seeking to be short-listed, the following information should be submitted:
* A company profile, organization and services.
* Details concerning experience or similar assignments undertaken in the last five years, including a brief description of the activities performed, place, contract amount, duration of the job and staff who participated, as well as contact name and phone number for at least three of these projects, which have been completed.
* Curriculum Vitae of staff with direct experience in the areas indicated and available to work on this project, signed by the person described therein and by the legal representative of the company., using the forms available on NADB's web site at http//wwwnadb.org/english/procurement/bios/form.htm.
The study is expected to begin in May 2003 and take about seven months to complete. Any firms currently providing consulting services to the NADB under another contract or bidding for similar NADB contracts must demonstrate their capacity to perform the work with sufficient staff within the project period and without prejudice to other services.
Four copies of the above information should be submitted to the NADB at the address below in an envelope marked "Expression of Interest for IDP 10-05/02 Yuma County, AZ - Regional Feasibility Study and received by NADB no later than 5:00 PM, local time, on March 17, 2003. Information received after that time and date will not be considered.
For more information, contact:
Les Coffey, Procurement Officer North American Development Bank 203 South. St. Mary's, Suite 300 San Antonio, Texas, 78205, USA Tel. (210) 231-8000 Fax. (210) 231-6232
