When a city issues RFP it is not un...

When a city issues RFP it is not unusual to find a number of private contractors responding with ideas in succession improving efficiency and cutting richnesss But when Charlotte, N.C., issued RFP for the operation and maintenance of its robe water treatment and Irwin small river wastewater facilities, the winning bids were an inside piece of work submitted by the city's utility department.

Faced with having to contend for the operation and maintenance of sum of two units of its seven treatment facilities, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department (CMUD) was forced to do what chiefly private companies consider standard practice -- reinvent itself to enhance its competitiveness and efficiencies.

CMUD created a team of utility employee and consultants charged with looking at personnel management and operations and maintenance expenses before submitting a bid to the city council.

In April 1996 CMUD submitted bids to operate these plants in a less degree than the terms and conditions stated in the RFP