Town of Holly Springs, North Carolina
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
RFQ 26-0218 Camp Branch Greenway Feasibility and Design
Issue Date: February 18, 2026
Due Date: March 25, 2026, at 02:00 PM
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I. PURPOSE
The Town of Holly Springs is seeking a Statement of Qualifications from experienced and licensed professional
engineering, planning, and design firms to assist with the multi-phase development of the approximately 1.21-mile
Camp Branch Greenway. This project primarily includes completing a comprehensive feasibility study, with the
possibility of additional phases including preliminary engineering and final design and permitting (100% construction
plans) for the proposed greenway corridor. Optional services may include bidding and negotiation assistance and
construction administration.
II. SCOPE OF WORK
The planning and design team must be properly licensed in NC and qualified to perform the work outlined in this
solicitation and shall provide complete planning and construction drawings for permitting and construction, and all
other items necessary to complete the project. The firm selected is expected to adhere to all federal, state, and local
requirements. The consultant will provide services in phased work, with each phase initiated after separate scope
and fee negotiation. Major components include:
• Feasibility Study (Report) for the Town’s Camp Branch Greenway
• Complete design including all required permitting and 100% Plan Set for Construction
The scope of work to include, but is not limited to:
Coordination and Project Administration
• Conduct an initial scoping meeting with Town representatives to finalize the project scope, operational
requirements, and confirm standards for construction.
• Provide project management through the planning, survey, and design phases, including regular
progress meetings at agreed intervals.
• Coordination with utilities for relocation, if applicable.
• Coordination with Town staff and project stakeholders.
PHASE 1 – FEASIBILITY STUDY
• Evaluate multiple alignment alternatives based on Town of Holly Springs Greenway Design Standards and
conduct site reconnaissance
• Analyze environmental features including streams, wetlands, buffers, floodplains, and steep slopes
• Assess land ownership, easements, and right-of-way needs
• Identify utility conflicts and opportunities for coordination
• Conduct a fatal-flaw analysis of each alignment scenario
• Conduct stakeholder engagement and public meetings
• Develop conceptual-level cost estimates and scheduling for each alternative
• Recommend a preferred alignment supported by mapping, graphics, and justification
• Estimate of Probable Costs
• Present findings to Town staff and stakeholders
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• Deliver Feasibility Study Report
PHASE 2 – PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING (30% PLANS)
Based on the recommendation of the engineer and after written approval by the Town to proceed, the Engineer
shall begin design work to include:
• Base mapping, survey integration, and preliminary horizontal/vertical alignments
• Typical sections and preliminary structural concepts (bridges, boardwalks, retaining walls)
• Identification of required permits and anticipated regulatory pathways
• Utility conflict analysis and coordination recommendations
• Utility relocation design, if applicable
• Preliminary grading, drainage approach, and erosion control strategy
• Coordination with staff throughout the design process
• Updated cost estimate and project delivery schedule
• 30% Plan Set and Preliminary Engineering Report
• Coordination presentation (30% Plan Set with revised cost estimate and schedule) to Town staff
PHASE 3 – FINAL DESIGN & PERMITTING (100% PLANS)
• Complete construction plan set (100% Plans) including:
– Demolition Plan
– Horizontal/vertical alignment
– Grading and drainage plans
– Stormwater design
– Erosion control plans
– Structural design (bridges, boardwalks, retaining walls)
– Utility relocation design as needed
– Landscape Plans (Utilizing only North Carolina native seeds and plants)
– Wayfinding/Signage Plans
– All necessary details required for construction
• Technical specifications and contract documents
• Final Engineer’s Opinion of Probable Construction Cost
• All required federal, state, and local permits (e.g., USACE, NCDEQ, FEMA, NCDOT, local stormwater)
• Final easement exhibits and legal descriptions required for land acquisition
• Coordination with staff throughout the design process
• Final Deliverables: complete 100% Plans, specifications, easement exhibits with legal description, cost
estimate, and permit approvals
OPTIONAL PHASE – BIDDING & NEGOTIATION ASSISTANCE
If authorized, the consultant will:
• Prepare bid documents and respond to bidder RFIs
• Attend pre-bid meetings
• Assist in bid evaluation and contractor selection
• Provide technical clarification during negotiation
OPTIONAL PHASE – CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION
If authorized, the consultant will:
• Conduct construction observation/site visits
• Review shop drawings and material submittals
• Respond to contractor RFIs
• Provide clarification sketches or field adjustments
• Attend progress meetings
• Review pay applications and schedules
• Assist with project closeout and punch list
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III. PROCUREMENT SCHEDULE
The following table shows the schedule of events for the conduct of this solicitation. Details for some of the events are
described in subsequent sections. All dates are subject to change.
DATE / TIME
February 18, 2026
March 10, 2026, at 4:00 PM
By March 13, 2026
March 25, 2026, at 2:00 PM
On or after March 25, 2026
EVENT
Issuance of Solicitation
Deadline to Submit Questions
Town to Post Answers to Questions (if any)
Statement of Qualifications Submission Deadline
Evaluation begins with contract negotiations to follow
IV. STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Format
Responses shall be submitted in a single, digital PDF file and contain the content described below. The file
should be a maximum of 15 pages in length, not including the cover letter or authorized appendices detailed
in the content section. Please use size 11 point or larger font for readability.
Content
Responses must satisfy the criteria outlined below to be responsive to this solicitation. Any modifications or
enhancements proposed beyond the identified scope of work outlined in this document must be clearly
identified.
No work product, design, or costs/fees specific to this project, may be submitted. Failure to meet the
requirements listed in this section may deem the submission as non-responsive and be removed from
consideration.
Cover Letter [no more than one (1) page]
Provide the legal name, address, and telephone number of the firm along with the designated contact’s
name, title, email address, and telephone number. Provide the business entity type and the year the business
was established. Provide the location in which the majority of the work will be executed and managed.
Provide the same information for each subconsultant or each member of a joint venture, if applicable.
Include a statement attesting to the submittal's accuracy and signed by an individual authorized to execute
binding legal documents for the firm. Communicate your understanding of the scope and a brief description
of your approach to performing the requested services.
Qualifications and Experience of the Consultant Firm(s)
• Qualified firms must demonstrate a minimum of 5 years’ experience in the planning and design of greenways in
the State of North Carolina. Prior experience with county or municipal greenway projects with significant
community engagement preferred.
• Provide the firm’s history and experience with greenway projects in the last 5 years, to include:
o Profiles of projects similar to the proposed project that your firm has completed within the past 5 years.
Emphasize projects managed by the key personnel you’re proposing for this project and demonstrate
the firm’s knowledge/experience coordinating with the design team. Links to examples may be
provided, if available.
o Include at least 2 customer references for each project including contact name, firm, phone number,
and email. The evaluation team reserves the right to contact any or all listed references, and to contact
other public entities regarding past performances on similar projects.
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o Include the total amount invoiced for each listed project, the length of the project, and list of personnel
involved in the project who are also proposed for the subject project.
Qualifications and Experience of Key Staff
Provide an overview of the qualifications of the project manager(s) and key staff proposed for this project to include:
• Each team member’s resumé, certification, and any applicable supporting documentation
• Project-specific organizational chart that describes who will perform the various tasks, their level of involvement
(%) and responsibilities, and their qualifications for this specific project
• Include resumés of individuals and relevant licensure/certifications, where applicable
• Indicate the location of the office that agent(s) will work out of while services will be performed
For each subconsultant or each member of a joint venture, please include a brief description of relevant
experience and qualifications. Describe what work and the percentage of work will be shared with a
subconsultant or other business entity.
Project Approach
• Provide a detailed description of your firm’s approach to the project that demonstrates understanding of the
intent, objectives, and overall approach to the project to deliver services in an effective, timely, and professional
manner.
• Include an estimated project timeline with a description of each task and deliverable.
• Include cost estimating approach.
• Outline project team communication expectations and internal progress meeting approach.
• Outline community engagement strategy and approach.
• Identify the level of assistance required from the Town and/or project partners to complete
each task.
Project Schedule
The schedule should show all milestones, critical stakeholder/public meetings, and deliverables to maintain
project progress by the project end date.
Appendices
Appendices to include the following (pages will not be counted in the response page limitation):
• Copy of engineering firm license to practice in North Carolina
• Resumes of key individuals, including licensure information if applicable
• Three (3) References to Previous Work (similar to this proposed work) along with key contacts. If
possible, hyperlinks can be added for past projects.
• Certificate of Insurance evidencing that all coverages, limits, and endorsements required herein are
maintained and in effect:
o Professional Liability Insurance greater than $5M per occurrence, and per aggregate. OR an
umbrella policy of $5M plus general commercial liability of $2M aggregate/$1M per occurrence
o Commercial General Liability
o Automobile Liability
o Worker’s Compensation within statutory limits
o Employers Liability
• (Optional) Standard contract language or general conditions that the firm seeks to incorporate.
Submittal Instructions
Respondents should submit one (1) navigable PDF file electronically via email to the contact listed below by
the response due date. Please reference the solicitation name and number in the email’s subject line. Upon
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receipt, all responses and supporting materials become the property of the Town and are subject to public
record following contract award. Responses received after this deadline will not be considered.
To: Purchasing Division, purchasing@hollyspringsnc.gov
Subject: 26-0218 Camp Branch Greenway Feasibility and Design
Questions Contact Information
Respondents must submit all questions, in writing, to the contacts listed below and by the deadline provided
in the procurement schedule. When submitting questions, please reference the solicitation name and number,
as well as the page and section, if applicable.
Thomas Gull, PLA, Park and Greenway Planner III
thomas.gull@hollyspringsnc.gov
Chelsea Davis, PE, Project Engineer
chelsea.davis@hollyspringsnc.gov
Questions submitted after the deadline do not require a response, though the Town will make reasonable
efforts to provide clarification before the response deadline, if possible. Apart from question submissions,
respondents should refrain from contacting Town staff prior to the response deadline.
Addenda
Responses to question submissions and addenda (if applicable) will be posted on the Town of Holly Springs
website at the following hyperlink: https://www.hollyspringsnc.gov/2456/Bids-Requests-for-Proposals
It is suggested that you sign up for email updates at the bottom of this page to ensure you receive all relevant
information, as it is posted. It is the respondent’s responsibility to ensure they have received, reviewed, and
understand all posted addenda.
V. EVALUATION CRITERIA
Responses will be reviewed by a Selection Committee designated by the Town and per the evaluation criteria
defined below
• Qualifications and Experience of Firm(s) (20%)
Demonstrated relative experience in creating similar planning studies working with a diverse
group of stakeholders and the ability to prepare user-friendly planning products.
• Qualifications and Experience of Key Staff (20%)
Qualifications of the firm and personnel assigned to this project, demonstrating the consultant’s
capacity to complete requested services, experience completing similar projects, and experience
with data collection and analysis related to the scope of work elements.
• Project Approach - Overall Project Understanding (25%)
Demonstrated overall project understanding and regional work experience/familiarity. The
outlined project approach demonstrates the ability and commitment to ensuring a successful
project.
• References (15%)
Reference information and results from prior related work.
• Overall Quality, Clarity and Completeness of Submittal Package (15%)
Organization and responsiveness to RFQ Requirements
• Project Schedule (5%)
Schedule clarity and reasonable feasibility of allocated task time.
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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.