BACKFLOW PREVENTION AND CROSS CONNECTION …

1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS BACKFLOW PREVENTION AND CROSS CONNECTION control PROGRAM TRAINING FOR SMALL WATER SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SERVICES CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES OFFICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HOSPITALS RFP # 305 PUR-DHHRFP-BPCCP-OPH Proposal Due Date/Time: March 16, 2012 4:00 CST Release Date: February 13, 2012 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Content Page Glossary 3 I General Information 4 A Background 4 B Purpose of RFP 4 C Invitation to Propose 5 D RFP Coordinator 5 E Proposer Inquiries 6 F Pre-Proposal Conference 6 G Schedule of Events 6 H RFP Addenda 7 II Scope of Work 7 A Project Overview 7 B Deliverables 7 C Liquidated Damages 9 D Fraud and Abuse 9 E Technical Requirements 10 F Subcontracting 10 G Insurance Requirements 10 H Resources Available to Contractor 12 I Contact Personnel 12 J Term of Contract 12 K Payment Terms 12 III Proposals 13 A General Information 13 B Contact After Solicitation Deadlines 13 C Code of Ethics 13 D Rejection and Cancellation 13 E Award Without Discussion 13 F Assignments 13 G Proposal Cost 14 H Errors and Omissions 14 I Ownership of Proposal 14 J Procurement Library/Resources for Proposer 14 K Proposal Submission 14 L Proprietary and/or

2 Confidential Information 15 M Proposal Format 15 N Requested Proposal Outline 15 O Proposal Content 15 P Evaluation Criteria 20 Q On Site Presentation/Demonstration 21 R Announcement of Award 21 IV Contractual Information 21 Attachments I. Veterans/Hudson Initiatives 23-36 3 II. Certification Statement III. DHH Standard Contract Form (CF-1) IV. HIPAA BAA V. Sample Cost Breakdown Template VI. Regional Map . Glossary CEHS: Center for Environmental Health Services DHH: Department of Health and Hospitals EPA: Environmental Protection Agency Must: Denotes a mandatory requirement NTNC: Nontransient noncommunity OPH: Office of Public Heath ORIGINAL: Must be signed in ink pen PWS: Public Water System Redacted Proposal: The removal of confidential and/or proprietary information from one copy of the proposal for public records purposes. RFP: Request for Proposal SDWA: Safe Drinking Water Act Shall: Denotes a mandatory requirement Should, May, Can: Denotes a preference, but not a mandatory requirement Will: Denotes a mandatory requirement 4 I.

3 GENERAL INFORMATION A. Background 1. The mission of the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) is to protect and promote health and to ensure access to medical, preventive, and rehabilitative services for all citizens of the State of Louisiana. The Department of Health and Hospitals is dedicated to fulfilling its mission through direct provision of quality services, the development and stimulation of services of others, and the utilization of available resources in the most effective manner. 2. DHH is comprised of Medical Vendor Administration (Medicaid), Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, Office of Behavioral Health, Office of Aging and Adult Services, and the Office of Public Health. Under the general supervision of the Secretary, these principal offices perform the primary functions and duties assigned to DHH.

4 3. DHH, in addition to encompassing the program offices, has an administrative office known as the Office of the Secretary, a financial office known as the Office of Management and Finance, and various bureaus and boards. The Office of the Secretary is responsible for establishing policy and administering operations, programs, and affairs. 4. DHH, Office of Public Health (OPH), Center for Environmental Health Services (CEHS), Engineering Services, hereinafter referred to as the Issuing Office, regulates 1,410 Public Water Systems (PWS) throughout the State. 1,178 of these systems serve a population of less than 3,300. PWS are required by the State of Louisiana Sanitary Code Chapter XIV (State Plumbing Code) to ensure the protection of the water supply from the potential contamination from certain customers through containment practices.

5 As described in the State Plumbing Code Appendix , containment practices are BACKFLOW PREVENTION methods or devices utilized to isolate specific customers from the water system s main water lines. 40 , requires a formal CROSS CONNECTION control survey be performed to identify the customers that are a potential risk to the water supply. The survey shall be conducted by a qualified individual who has been trained in CROSS CONNECTION identification and control measures. A written CROSS CONNECTION control plan must be developed and maintained. B. Purpose of RFP 1. The purpose of this RFP is to solicit proposals from qualified proposers who provide training on BACKFLOW PREVENTION and the development and implementation of a CROSS CONNECTION control program for small community 5 and Non Transient Non-Community NTNC public water systems serving a population on 3,300 or fewer.

6 2. A contract is necessary to provide education and training to the operators of community and NTNC public water systems serving 3,300 persons or fewer on BACKFLOW PREVENTION and the development and implementation of a CROSS CONNECTION control program. This training is needed to ensure that people served by small community and NTNC PWS are adequately protected from potential contamination caused by BACKFLOW , back pressure or back siphonage. This training will be approved as continuing education for operators. This contract will be 100% federally funded by the Operator Certification Expense Reimbursement Grant. C. Invitation to Propose DHH Office of Public Health/Engineering Services is inviting qualified proposers to submit proposals for services to provide training water operators for small systems serving a population of 3,300 or less on BACKFLOW PREVENTION and training on the development and implementation of a CROSS CONNECTION control program in accordance with the specifications and conditions set forth herein.

7 D. RFP Coordinator 1. Requests for copies of the RFP and written questions or inquiries must be directed to the RFP coordinator listed below: James Mooring Operator Certification Administrator Office of Public Health/Engineering Services Department of Health and Hospitals 628 N. 4th Street Baton Rouge, LA 70802 Phone: 225-342-7512 Facsimile Number: 225-342-7494 Email: 2. This RFP is available in pdf at the following weblinks: and 3. All communications relating to this RFP must be directed to the DHH RFP contact person named above. All communications between Proposers and other DHH staff members concerning this RFP shall be strictly prohibited. Failure to comply with these requirements shall result in proposal disqualification. 6 E. Proposer Inquiries 1. The Department will consider written inquiries regarding the requirements of the RFP or Scope of Services to be provided before the date specified in the Schedule of Events.

8 To be considered, written inquiries and requests for clarification of the content of this RFP must be received at the above address or via the above fax number or email address by the date specified in the Schedule of Events. Any and all questions directed to the RFP coordinator will be deemed to require an official response and a copy of all questions and answers will be posted by the date specified in the Schedule of Events to both of the following web links: and 2. Action taken as a result of verbal discussion shall not be binding on the Department. Only written communication and clarification from the RFP Coordinator shall be considered binding. F. Pre-Proposal Conference A Pre-proposal conference is not needed for this RFP. G. Schedule of Events DHH reserves the right to deviate from this Schedule of Events Schedule of Events Tentative Schedule Public Notice of RFP February 13, 2012 Deadline for Receipt of Written Questions February 24, 2012 Response to Written Questions March 2, 2012 Deadline for Receipt of Written Proposals.

9 March 16, 2012 4:00 CST Proposal Evaluation Begins March 19, 2012 Contract Award Announced March 22, 2012 Contract Negotiations Begin March 23, 2012 Contract Begins June 1, 2012 7 H. RFP Addenda In the event it becomes necessary to revise any portion of the RFP for any reason, the Department shall post addenda, supplements, and/or amendments to all potential proposers known to have received the RFP. Additionally, all such supplements shall be posted at the following web addresses: and It is the responsibility of the proposer to check the websites for addenda to the RFP, if any. II. SCOPE OF WORK A. Project Overview In 2002, the Safe Drinking Water Program received the Operator Certification Reimbursement Training Grant. This grant enables the operators of small community and NTNC public water systems (serving 3,300 or less) to attend training sessions at no cost to the water system or the operator.

10 This grant also provides for training materials. By alleviating the costs of training, more operators will become trained. The contractor selected for this project will provide training on BACKFLOW PREVENTION and training on the development and implementation of a CROSS CONNECTION control program to operators of community PWS and NTNC PWS who serve a population of 3,300 or less. All training must be pre-approved by the Operator Certification Training Officer and must be geographically located throughout the State of Louisiana. B. Deliverables The contractor shall: 1. Develop training material and provide classroom training on BACKFLOW PREVENTION and training on the development and implementation of a CROSS CONNECTION program to accommodate new and experienced operators. 2. Provide nine (9) training sessions to be held throughout the State of Louisiana, one (1) in each DHH region as shown in Attachment VI.