With No Regional Authority in Sight, Emergency Manager issues RFP for Private Operation of DWSD (UPDATED)

On March 21, 2014, Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr issued an RFP seeking proposals from potential private operators for the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. This RFP comes after negotiations with Oakland and Macomb County stalled. Proposals are due April 7, 2014.

  
Given the size and complexity of the DWSD system, there are only a few companies that will likely respond to the RFP. I would look for responses from:

• Veolia Water
• United Water
• American Water

The RFP can be viewed or downloaded below. 

   RFP for Potential Operators of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department - Due April 7, 2014

For more about DWSD Update, click here.   

Update (3/31): The Detroit News is reporting here that Kevyn Orr's office has been in contact with 41 companies who are interested in operating and managing DWSD. The EM's office must be using a loose definition of "interest" as there are only a handful of companies that could qualify to operate a utility as large and complex as DWSD and respond to this RFP in 2 weeks. 

Update (6/6): The Detroit Free reported on Wednesday that Kevyn Orr's office received proposals from two companies.  American Water has confirmed they are in discussions. United Water and Aqua America have confirmed that that did not submit bids. The likely second bidder, Veolia Water North America, would not comment either way.