Specifications include, but are not limited to: The objective of this RFQC is to select a qualified technical assistance manager to solicit, select and manage companies providing technical assistance to small water systems as a result of the water loss audit process. This RFQC process will be conducted to gather and evaluate responses from technical assistance managers for potential award. All qualified technical assistance managers are invited to participate by submitting responses, as further defined below. After evaluating all technical assistance managers' responses received prior to the closing date of this RFQC, GEFA will begin the negotiation process with the highest qualified technical assistance manager. Final contract award(s) will be publicly announced thereafter. According to the Georgia Water Stewardship Act (GWSA) of 2010 (SB 370/HB 1094), water systems serving over 3,300 in population must conduct an annual water system audit. For public water systems serving greater than 3,300 individuals (population served) and up to 10,000 individuals (population served), the GWSA requires audits be submitted to EPD by March 2013. GEFA has identified funds to provide technical assistance for those items that will be identified from the small system water loss audits submitted to EPD in March 2013. GEFA will hire a technical assistance manager to oversee the procurement, coordination, delivery and general management of technical assistance provided to small water systems in Georgia who submitted a water loss audit to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) in March 2013. The technical program management service will include, but may not be limited to, the creation of Request for Proposals (RFP) to select companies which will provide water loss abatement services to these small water systems, the coordination of the interaction between the selected companies and the small water systems, the verification of services provided and the review of invoices for those services provided. Task 1: 1. Work with GEFA and EPD to review the small water system water loss audits that have been submitted to EPD in March 2013. 2. Work with GEFA and EPD to design the structure of the technical assistance program. Items include, but may not be limited to: a. Determining which small water systems are eligible to receive technical assistance b. Determine which "areas of improvement" identified within the water loss audits will be addressed by the Phase II water loss abatement technical assistance program c. Identify the process for small water systems to access the water loss abatement technical assistance program and, d. Determine the number of contractors which will be selected to perform each technical assistance service. Task 2: 1. Develop Request for Proposals (RFP) for the "areas of improvement" identified in Task 1. RFPs should be drafted and issued, with the help of GEFA and EPD, in order to competitively procure contractors to perform the technical assistance identified. RFPs should include applicable requirements when utilizing federal funds. 2. Review contractor proposals and select the most highly qualified contractors to perform the technical assistance identified in Task 1
