City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE
ISSUANCE OF A REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
(RFQ NO. 02.26) FOR LARGE-SCALE INFRASTRUCTURE
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND MAINTENANCE FOR
MUNICIPAL WATER, STORMWATER, AND
WASTEWATER SYSTEMS
Whereas, in correspondence dated January 21, 2026, the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works formally requested authorization for the advertisement and solicitation of Request for Qualifications (RFQ No. 02.26) for Large-Scale Infrastructure Capital Improvements and Maintenance related to the City’s municipal water, stormwater, and wastewater systems; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon owns, operates, and maintains extensive municipal water, stormwater, and wastewater infrastructure, including approximately 105 miles of sanitary sewer, 84 miles of storm sewer, thousands of associated collection system structures, and a citywide potable water distribution network essential to public health, environmental protection, and the continued delivery of municipal services; and
Whereas, the City is currently operating under a Consent Decree with the United States Department of Justice, the State of New York, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, which imposes ongoing obligations related to inspection, maintenance, rehabilitation, and regulatory compliance of its water and wastewater systems; and
Whereas, the City is also advancing significant infrastructure initiatives in response to the New York Clean Water Infrastructure Act, Lead Service Line Replacement requirements, and evolving federal regulatory standards, including revisions to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule; and
Whereas, the Department of Public Works (“DPW”) has identified the need for a streamlined and flexible procurement mechanism to support large-scale, field-executed preventative and corrective maintenance, emergency response, and capital rehabilitation work across municipal water, stormwater, and wastewater systems; and
Whereas, RFQ No. 02.26 is intended to establish a Pre-Qualified Contractors List (“PQL”) of firms with demonstrated experience, capacity, personnel, and equipment to perform construction-oriented and operational infrastructure work, including physical system maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, and replacement activities performed in the field; and
Whereas, RFQ No. 02.26 is separate and distinct from RFQ No. 01.26, which was issued to establish an on-call pool of professional engineering and technical advisory firms for planning, design, and consultative services, and maintaining separate procurement vehicles ensures appropriate separation of professional oversight from construction execution, supports regulatory and funding compliance, and promotes best practices in project delivery; and
Whereas, inclusion on the PQL resulting from RFQ No. 02.26 will not guarantee the award of work or obligate the City to issue a minimum number or dollar value of assignments, and any work assignments will be subject to available funding and City Council approval where required by law and City policy; and
Whereas, the Commissioner of Public Works has recommended that the City Council authorize the advertisement and solicitation of RFQ No. 02.26 and the establishment of a Pre-Qualified Contractors List in order to efficiently advance critical infrastructure maintenance and capital improvement initiatives;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON:
Section 1. Authorization to Issue RFQ. The City Council hereby authorizes the advertisement and solicitation of Request for Qualifications (RFQ No. 02.26) for Large-Scale Infrastructure Capital Improvements and Maintenance related to the City’s municipal water, stormwater, and wastewater systems.
Section 2. Scope and Purpose of RFQ. RFQ No. 02.26 shall be used to pre-qualify contractors capable of performing, including but not limited to, the following categories of work:
• Preventative and corrective maintenance of sanitary sewer and stormwater systems, including cleaning, CCTV inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, and rehabilitation;
• Pipeline rehabilitation utilizing trenchless technologies, including cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining;
• Pump station repairs and associated mechanical, electrical, and control systems;
• Pavement restoration associated with underground infrastructure work;
• Municipal water system maintenance, including valve and hydrant work, service line replacement, leak response, and emergency repairs;
• Lead and non-lead water service line identification and replacement;
• Traffic control, permitting coordination, and full site restoration; and
• Compliance documentation and reporting required for regulatory and grant-funded projects.
All work shall be performed in accordance with City standards, applicable federal and state laws and regulations, and funding-source requirements.
Section 3. Evaluation and Establishment of Pre-Qualified Contractors List. The City Council hereby authorizes the Commissioner of Public Works, in coordination with the Purchasing Department, to review and evaluate Statements of Qualifications submitted in response to RFQ No. 02.26 and to establish a Pre-Qualified Contractors List for a fixed term, as set forth in the RFQ.
Section 4. Task Orders and Council Approval. Any work assignments issued to contractors on the Pre-Qualified Contractors List shall be authorized through City-approved task orders and shall be subject to the availability of funds and further approval by the City Council where required by law, the City Charter, or City policy.
Section 5. No Obligation to Award Work. Establishment of the Pre-Qualified Contractors List shall not obligate the City to award any contract or issue any task order, nor shall it guarantee any contractor a minimum quantity or value of work.
Section 6. Severability. If any section, subsection, clause, or provision of this Ordinance shall be adjudged invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance.
Section 7. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the City Council.