RFQ - Engineering Services

Request for Qualifications

Professional Engineering and

Comprehensive Land Use Planning Services

Town of Ponder, Texas

102 W. Bailey Street
Ponder, Texas 76259

Section 1.        Introduction
The Town of Ponder, Texas (the “Town”), a general-law municipality located in Denton County, Texas, hereby solicits Statements of Qualifications (“SOQs”) from qualified professional firms or teams of firms to provide on-call professional civil engineering and comprehensive land use planning services.

This procurement is conducted in strict accordance with Chapter 2254, Texas Government Code otherwise known as the Texas Professional Services Procurement Act. Selection shall be based solely on demonstrated competence and qualifications.

Pricing or fee information shall not be submitted or considered during this RFQ phase.
 

Section 2.        Procurement Authority
This Request for Qualifications is issued pursuant to Section 2254.004, Texas Government Code. The Town shall rank respondents and attempt to negotiate a fair and reasonable contract with the most highly qualified firm. If negotiations are unsuccessful, the Town may formally terminate negotiations and proceed to the next most qualified firm.
 

Section 3.        Town Background
Ponder is a rapidly growing community experiencing increased residential and commercial development. As Ponder grows, it is imperative that the Town retain a qualified engineering firm to assist with the Town’s civil engineering needs, development review needs and long range growth management. In addition, the Town has determined that it needs a utility master plan and comprehensive land use plan to best manage the growth it is experiencing.

The Town seeks the services of an integrated professional engineering and land use planning firm to support infrastructure development, regulatory compliance, capital improvement planning, and long-range growth management, including ETJ coordination.
 

Section 4.        Scope of Services

General Municipal Engineering Services

1. Serve as Town Engineer and Engineer of Record for all public works.
2. Review plats, site plans, construction plans, and development agreements as directed by the Town Administrator.
3. Assist the Town with drainage, floodplain administration, and stormwater coordination as directed by the Town Administrator.
4. Assist the Town with capital improvement planning, the development of water, wastewater and drainage utility master plans, and assist as needed with a comprehensive land use plan.
5. Attendance at Town Council, Planning & Zoning Commission, and staff meetings as directed by the Town Administrator.
6. Coordination with TxDOT, TCEQ, FEMA, and other agencies
7. Environmental permitting and compliance assistance

Comprehensive Planning & Land Use Services

1. The creation of a future land use map, and necessary growth modeling over a twenty-year planning horizon.
2. The creation of a new comprehensive land use plan
3. Zoning, subdivision, and development related ordinance updates as may be required to implement the new comprehensive land use plan.
4. The creation of development standards and design guidelines to implement the comprehensive land use plan.
5. Conduct the necessary public engagement and stakeholder facilitation to determine the future built environment expectations of the citizens and businesses of Ponder, Texas for the planning horizon contemplated in the comprehensive land use plan.

Work Product & Data

1. All work products shall be integrated into the Town’s GIS and CAD systems as directed by the Town Administrator.
2. All work products shall be delivered in industry standard GIS, CAD or other Adobe portable document format as requested by the Town Administrator.
3. The Town specifically states they will maintain ownership of all intellectual property and work product completed under the services retained by this RFQ.
    

Section 5.        Minimum Qualifications
Successful respondents shall be firms licensed to practice engineering in the State of Texas, and shall either partner with an AICP designated land use planner, or employ an AICP designated land use planner for the portions of this RFQ that involve planning services. The assignment of at least one Texas-licensed Professional Engineer as the primary contact for the Town’s municipal engineering needs is required. The successful respondent shall demonstrate experience serving Texas municipalities as an integrated engineering and land use planning firm, or as a stand-alone engineering firm with a land use planning partner.
 

Section 6.        Statement of Qualification Format

Statements of Qualifications shall include the following information:

• Cover Letter and Executive Summary (three pages or less)
• Firm Qualifications and Experience
• Project Team, Key Personnel and the designated primary contact for the Town for services rendered under this RFQ
• Integrated Engineering and Planning Approach
• Relevant Municipal Experience
• Current Workload and Capacity
• Three current municipal clients and contact information
• State of Texas Certificate of Interested Parties (Form 1295), as may be required
• State of Texas Conflict of Interest Questionnaire (Form CIQ)
• Proof of Insurance

Section 7.        Submittal Requirements
Successful respondents shall submit one (1) electronic PDF via email to RZIELINSKI@PONDERTX.COM 

The e-mail subject shall be clearly titled “RFQ – Engineering and Planning Services.”

Submittals Due: Noon on February 19, 2026

Submit To:
 

Town of Ponder, Town Secretary VIA EMAIL RZIELINSKI@PONDERTX.COM 

Section 8.        Evaluation Criteria

The Town will evaluate SOQs based on:

• Municipal engineering experience – 25 points
• Comprehensive planning experience – 25 points
• Qualifications of key personnel – 20 points
• Approach and methodology – 20 points
• References – 10 points
   

Section 9.        Selection Process

The Town may shortlist firms, conduct interviews, and select one or more firms. Contract negotiation will occur only after ranking respondents in accordance with Chapter 2254.
 

Section 10.      General Conditions

The Town reserves the right to reject any or all submittals. All SOQs become public records under the Texas Public Information Act. All preparation costs are the responsibility of the respondent.
 

Section 11.      Statutory Disclosures
 

The selected firm is required to comply with all applicable State and federal law, including but not limited to:

• Texas Government Code §2252.908 (Form 1295)
• Chapter 2270 (Boycott of Israel)
• Chapter 2252, Subchapter F (Divestment Statutes)
   

Section 11.      Insurance Requirements
 

The selected firm is required to maintain the following insurance coverages in the following amounts. Proof of insurance is a submittal requirement.

• General Liability – $1,000,000
• Automobile Liability – $500,000
• Professional Liability – $1,000,000
• Workers’ Compensation – Statutory
   

Section 13.      Independent Contractor
The selected firm is not an employee of the Town of Ponder, Texas, and shall act as an independent contractor.
 

Section 14.      Contract Negotiation and Termination

The Town may terminate negotiations if unable to reach agreement within a reasonable period. No contract shall be binding until approved by the Town Council and executed by the Town’s authorized representatives.

Request for Qualifications

Professional Engineering and

Comprehensive Land Use Planning Services

Town of Ponder, Texas

102 W. Bailey Street
Ponder, Texas 76259

The Town of Ponder, in accordance with Section 2254.004, Texas Government Code, is requesting qualifications for city engineering services and land use planning services. It is the policy of the Town of Ponder to obtain these services in accordance with Section 2254.004 of the Texas Government Code. It is understood that the Town Council reserves the right to arrive at such determination by whatever means deemed appropriate and shall be the sole judge in the matter.

Request for Qualifications will be received by the Town Secretary of the Town of Ponder located at 102 W Bailey St in Ponder, Texas 76259, or by email at rzielinski@pondertx.com until 12:00 P.M., Local Time, on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

If by e-mail, the e-mail subject shall be clearly titled “RFQ – Engineering and Planning Services.”