WRWC staff outlines phased wastewater regionalization study after single RFP response

WRWC staff reported progress on a board-directed study to explore closer collaboration or regionalization of wastewater utilities. Staff said the solicitation (issued as a request for proposals under county procurement rules) received a single responsive proposal, and a working group of member-agency staff recommended moving that firm forward with a revised, phased scope.

Kim Rigdon summarized the process: the Northern Nevada Water Planning Commission held workshops and recommended a solicitation; Washoe County Purchasing advised an RFP be used for anticipated contract amounts over statutory thresholds; the RFP produced one proposal. The working group interviewed the proposer and instructed the team — identified in the transcript as Reptilis Financial Consultants in partnership with a California law firm — to submit an amended proposal with a clearer, phased approach.

Staff said the recommended Phase 1 would be a diagnostic: meet agency staff, document administrative procedures, gather and assess available data, and identify regulatory or operational hurdles that would affect possible regionalization. Phase 2 would follow with detailed financial and operational analysis and recommendations once Phase 1 clarified scope and information needs. A draft budget figure for Phase 1 mentioned in the meeting was approximately $167,000; staff indicated the commission has sufficient contingency funds in the FY26 tentative budget to start Phase 1.

Commissioners asked about the choice to issue an RFP instead of an RFQ, deliverables for Phase 1, and confidence in the proposer’s capability given a single response. Staff said the RFP decision was driven by county purchasing rules and that the working group felt the selected firm had relevant local experience. No formal contract award occurred at the meeting; staff said the refined scope and budget will be returned to the planning commission and WRWC for approval.