Management, Operation, Maintenance, and Expansion of a Wastewater Franchise in Mossy Head, Florida

The Walton County Board of County Commissioners (hereinafter, “County”) has issued this Request for Proposals (RFP) with the sole purpose and intent of obtaining proposals from interested and qualified Proposers offering to provide Project Title , in accordance with the specifications stated herein. The County intends to award a contract to the best-qualified Proposer that offers a proposal deemed to be in the County’s best interest, both economically and operationally. The selected vendor must meet or exceed the requirements outlined in the Scope of Work. This solicitation aims to select a firm to manage, operate, maintain, and expand/upgrade an existing County-owned wastewater treatment facility and collection system. The arrangement will include the operation of the franchise and the generation of revenues from the service. The wastewater utility authority is expected to provide comprehensive services, including supporting residential and commercial collection and treatment that will include expansion within the defined utility franchise service area, ensuring regulatory compliance, maintaining the facility, planning for future needs, utility billing, customer service and delivering any associated performance and financial reporting. Background Walton County, located in the Florida Panhandle, covers approximately 1,238 square miles. The County’s population is approximately 75,305 permanent residents, with a substantial increase during peak tourist seasons. As the County continues to grow, particularly in the western region near Mossy Head, efficient and effective management of wastewater services is critical to supporting this expansion. Currently, the Walton County Commerce Park at Mossy Head WWTF is permitted to operate up to 0.250 MGD Monthly Average Daily Flow (MADF) in extended aeration mode of the activated sludge process with secondary treatment and basic disinfection. The existing permitted capacity for the absorption field system (reuse land application) is 0.125 MGD. Based upon current flows, the plant can facilitate 0.125 MGD with additional upgrades needed to operate at the permitted capacity of 0.250 MGD. The current FDEP Domestic Wastewater Facility Permit Number is FLA689637 which provides more detailed information regarding the plant processes, operating requirements, and site layout. The existing sewer collection system is located within the County industrial park area with the exception of the Great American RV Superstore, the Red Roof Inn, and the Mossy Head Elementary School. There are (4) major lift stations located on the sewer collection system that the County maintains that would be included in the existing wastewater utility franchise area.