The City of Rockdale is moving forward with a comprehensive Water and Sewer Master Plan and impact fee analysis, as called for in its 2050 Mid-Century Comprehensive Plan. Staff issued a detailed RFQ to 14 firms, received seven responses, and a review committee unanimously ranked Freese and Nichols highest based on qualifications, scope approach, local knowledge, schedule, and CIP development capabilities. Staff met with Freese and Nichols on June 1, 2026 to refine scope and fees, and is recommending Council award them the project and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract. The effort is expected to take about 12 months from kickoff to presentation of the plan and proposed impact fees for Council consideration.This is a significant utilities planning engagement that will drive future capital projects, system upgrades, and developer cost participation. Vendors in engineering, modeling, utility asset management, funding strategy, and implementation support can position around assisting Freese and Nichols as subs, providing data or software tools, or preparing for the downstream construction, rehabilitation, and technology projects that will follow from the master plan’s recommended CIP and impact fee program.

RFQ respondents included Cobb Fendley, KPA, Garver, Pape-Dawson, Schaumburg & Polk, and Civilitude, with Freese and Nichols scoring highest.