LOWER CEDAR VALLEY ROAD INDUSTIRAL PARK PROJECT

Caldwell County

RFQ 26-0706

Request for Qualifications for Engineering Services

Preliminary Engineering Report

Design and Construction Services

Project: Lower Cedar Valley Road Industrial Park Project

Caldwell County is seeking a qualified engineering firm for the Preliminary Engineering Report (PER), Design, and Construction Services for the Lower Cedar Valley Road Industrial Park Project. The project site is located on Lower Cedar Valley Road near US-321 in the Town of Sawmills, NC.

1. Preliminary Engineering Report (PER)

Caldwell County requires a PER to evaluate options for early site work to include demolition and removal of an existing structure, clearing and grubbing, erosion control measures, installation of stream crossing infrastructure, mass grading, and connection to an existing water tap.

Key Components of the PER:

Project Description: A detailed account of all project elements.

Drawings and Layouts: General layouts showing existing site conditions and proposed project components, including rough dimensions and quantities.

Feasibility Analysis: Assessment of project constructability, including design and construction constraints.

Permits and Approvals: A list of required permits and a timeline for obtaining them.

Environmental Considerations: Address potential environmental impacts, including necessary assessments (e.g., biological assessments for endangered species).

Construction Cost Estimate: A detailed estimate covering quantities, unit costs, and total costs, with a defined basis for construction contingencies.

Schedule: Estimated construction schedule.

2. Design and Construction Services

Caldwell County plans to apply for Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) funding based on the completed PER. If funding is secured, the County anticipates contracting the firm that supplied the PER for the subsequent design and construction phase. If awarded, the ARC Construction project would be managed by NC Department of Commerce's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program as Basic Agency and must abide by all relevant state and federal guidelines including but not limited to Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA), the Build America Buy America Act (BABA), Section 3, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

This follow-on contract will encompass scheduling, cost estimation, infrastructure design, permitting, specification, bid document preparation, oversight of the bidding process, project administration/inspection, and final certification.

Caldwell County is the official selection entity and the selected firm will be employed by the County.

3. Submission Details and Requirements

Contact for Specific Questions:

Ashley Bolick, Economic Development Director

Telephone: (828) 728-0768

Email: abolick@caldwellcountync.org

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)

Caldwell County seeks a competent/qualified firm registered to practice in North Carolina with experience in the following areas:

Specialized Expertise: Appropriate expertise for this type of project.

Team Capacity: Adequate staff, proposed team, and project manager, including location, past performance on similar work, and current workload.

Recent Experience: Track record with project costs and schedules.

Familiarity: Proximity to and familiarity with the project area.

Success Record: History of successfully completed projects without major legal or technical issues.

ARC Experience: Demonstrated successful experience with ARC and CDBG funded projects.

Insurance: Appropriate insurance coverage for the scope of work.

Other Factors: Any other factors deemed appropriate for the project.

Evaluation Criteria

A County staff review committee will rank proposals based on the following criteria:

Labor Rates/Costs

The submittal should include labor rates by category (including overhead and profit), travel costs, and a list of reimbursables not covered by overhead.

Deadlines and Submission

Publish Date: June 13, 2026

Closing Date: July 6, 2026, at 2:00 PM (Proposals received after this time will not be considered.)

Submittal Format: TWO (2) hard copies of the proposal (no more than 30 pages double-sided) and ONE (1) electronic copy on a flash drive.

Submit To (Ashley Bolick, Economic Development Director):

Caldwell County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and promotes Fair Housing practices, encouraging small, minority, and female-owned businesses to submit qualifications.

Block Ad Publication Requirements

The selection process also requires running a block ad:

Run one time in a local newspaper (Affidavit Required).

Run one time in The Charlotte Post (Best Black News Publication in North Carolina).

Post on the NC electronic Vendor Portal (evP).

Must include Fair Housing and EEO Logos.