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Infrastructure panel appoints evaluation committee for Keating‑funded water projects; consultant outlines grants and RFQ
Summary
The committee appointed a three‑member evaluation committee to score RFQ submissions for construction administration tied to Keating‑earmarked water projects. Consultant Roger Fernandez reported EPA has accepted the project work plan and a NEPA Categorical Exclusion is under review; CPF/Keating #2 funds require a 20% match.
The Westport Infrastructure Oversight Committee on April 29 appointed a three‑member evaluation committee to review qualifications and select a consultant to administer construction work funded by a Keating earmark and related CPF money.
By motion and unanimous voice vote the committee named Bob Dailor, Chris Vitali (town administrator) and Jake McWiggin (select board member) as the evaluation committee, with Roger Fernandez serving as the alternate during procurement. The committee will score RFQ submittals and negotiate with the highest‑ranked firm before returning a contract recommendation.
Roger Fernandez, the town’s consultant and project manager, told the committee that the work plan for the Briggs Road fire station link was submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and that the EPA has accepted the work plan; a consultant review of a NEPA categorical exclusion (CATEX) is underway. Fernandez said those steps keep the project on its anticipated schedule and allow the town to proceed with federal procurement rules tied to the earmark.
Fernandez described the town’s procurement approach: an RFQ was advertised to comply with federal regulations; a three‑member evaluation panel will score candidates on qualifications (without fee proposals) and the town will then negotiate with the top‑ranked firm. The RFQ also covers additional CPF/Keating‑2 work so the town does not need to repeat the federal procurement process later.
Fernandez said Westport has received roughly $1.192 million in CPF/Keating‑2 funds that require a 20% match (about $273,000). He recommended preparing the town’s administrative steps (sam.gov registration, documentation for EPA) and assembling an evaluation committee promptly to keep spending timelines intact.
Why it matters: Federal grant rules and NEPA review shape project schedules and procurement. The evaluation committee will be responsible for selecting the construction administration consultant that will oversee contract execution for the Briggs Road link and related projects.
What’s next: Staff will finalize administrative requirements and support the evaluation committee as it reviews RFQ responses; the committee’s appointment was recorded by unanimous vote at the meeting.
