RFQ for Aviation Consulting Services

Request for
Qualifications
Professional Aviation Consulting
Services for the Laurens County
Airport (LUX) in Laurens, South
Carolina
Submit proposals to:
Laurens County
Attn: Andy Howard
Airport Director
100 Hillcrest Square
PO Box 238
Laurens SC 29360
Advertisement Date: 03/17/2026
Proposal Due Date: 04/24/2026
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REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS STATEMENT (RFQ)
PROFESSIONAL AVIATION CONSULTING SERVICES
FOR THE
LAURENS COUNTY AIRPORT (LUX) LAURENS, SOUTH
CAROLINA
Laurens County is requesting Statements of Qualifications from interested and qualified Aviation
Consulting Firms for engineering, construction inspection/administration, planning, and
subcontracted special services. Proposed work must be performed and completed in such a manner
as to be eligible for funding under FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and the SC
Aeronautics Commission.
The services may include, but are not limited to the pre-design, design, bidding, and construction
phases of various types of projects including runway extensions, runway safety areas, runway and
taxiway rehabilitations, aprons, airfield lighting, NAVAIDs including instrument landing systems,
fueling systems, hangars, terminal site work, parking lot and road rehabilitation, and other projects
as determined by Laurens County. The services may also include assisting with land and avigation
easement acquisition, obstruction removal, DBE Reporting, master planning, financial and
feasibility studies, and planning, environmental, and other tasks and projects as determined by
Laurens County. These services may also include subcontracted special services, such as
surveying, geotechnical, and quality assurance testing.
Specific projects may include the following:
1. Wildlife Hazard Assessment/Perimeter Safety Security Fencing
2. Backup Generator Design/Bid/Install
3. Stormwater pollution prevention planning
4. Airport Layout Plan Update
5. Runway Extension Justification/Land Acquisition/Design and Bid
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is to obtain information about Aviation
Consulting Firms interested in providing expert professional, technical and advisory services at
the discretion of Laurens County for anticipated engineering and planning services listed in the
above paragraph. Services will be for a period not to exceed five (5) years. The information
obtained will be utilized by Laurens County to evaluate each interested firm by utilizing the criteria
outlined in this Request for Qualifications. The award of any contract or agreement is contingent
upon the receipt or availability of adequate project funding.
REQUIREMENTS OF FIRM
To be considered for selection, the Aviation Consulting Firm shall be qualified and capable to
perform at a minimum the following services for the proposed projects:
1. Airport planning, environmental services, land and easement acquisition assistance,
preliminary and final engineering design, estimating, bidding, and construction
administration and inspection services.
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2. Subcontracted special services, such as surveying, geotechnical, and quality assurance
testing, as required.
3. Assist in preparation of grant funding applications and grant reimbursement requests for
the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission (SCAC) and/or the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) and develop justification to document the need for federal and state
funds. Demonstrated assistance in project funding is required.
4. Provide technical assistance and advice related to the activities identified above as required.
PROPOSAL CONTENT
To facilitate review of your Statement of Qualifications by Laurens County, it is requested that
your Submission conform to the following format:
1. Cover Sheet: List project title (Professional Aviation Consulting Services), the name of
your firm, and the name, address and telephone number of a contact person for questions
concerning the Statement submitted.
2. Experience of the Firm: Provide a narrative of your firm's prior experience and
qualifications in airport engineering, planning, and construction work for similar projects
performed by your firm, and the number of years your firm has been in business. Provide
a list of similar airport projects involving federal and state funding completed within the
last seven (7) years by your firm. Also, please reference the experience of firm personnel,
while working for the submitting firm, including working with FAA and SCAC regulations
and procedures.
3. Project Team: Provide a list of the project team members, including the office location
where they currently work, that you propose to use on these projects and identify the
responsibility of each team member. Provide a brief resume for each person listing specific
similar project experience with respect to projects performed with your firm, and how long
each person has worked for your firm.
4. References: Provide the name, address, and telephone number of at least three (3)
references familiar with the quality of work done by your firm on similar projects.
5. Other Supporting Data: Include any other information you feel to be relevant to the
selection of your firm. The entire Qualifications Statement must not exceed fifteen (15)
pages, excluding the cover sheet and letter of introduction. Qualification Statements
exceeding 15 pages will be returned and not considered.
CRITERIA FOR REVIEW OF STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS
Criteria to be used in screening and ranking of the Statement of Qualifications and selection of
the successful firm are as follows:
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1. Qualifications of the Firm (30%): Preference shall be given to those firms with
experience and training in the services required for aviation engineering projects, similar
to those listed, at similar sized airports, as outlined in this RFQ.
2. Overall Qualifications of the Project Manager and Project Team (30%): Identify the
Project Manager and those personnel that will be assigned to the project(s) including the
location of their office and how long each person has been with your firm. Preference shall
be given to project teams with specific experience of similar projects, and familiarity with
the Airports in the region, and proposed projects, as outlined in this RFQ.
3. Experience in Working with SCAC and FAA Regulations and Procedures (30%):
Preference shall be given to project team personnel (especially the Project Manager) and
the firm with a demonstrated working relationship with the SCAC and FAA and possess a
thorough understanding of FAA rules and regulations regarding design and development
of airports similar to the Laurens County Airport.
4. Response Capability/Project Understanding (10%): Preference shall be afforded to
those firms which in the opinion of Laurens County will be able to adequately respond to
requests for meetings or project administration requirements, and firms that have a detailed
understanding of the project requirements.
SELECTION OF THE AVIATION CONSULTING FIRM
It is the intent of Laurens County to review the Statement of Qualifications submitted and select,
based on the criteria requirements contained in this RFQ, a Number One (1) ranked firm.
With respect to this RFQ, contact with any members of the Laurens County Council, Laurens
County staff, or members of the Laurens County Airport staff, other than the Contact Person
specified in this RFQ, by any of the proposing Aviation Consulting Firms during the selection
process is strictly prohibited and will result in that Aviation Consulting Firm being eliminated from
consideration.
CONTRACT
After all the Statement of Qualifications have been screened and ranked by Laurens County,
Laurens County reserves the right to invite selected firms to make presentations, or the Number
One (1) ranked firm may be invited to negotiate a Master Contract with Laurens County for a
period not to exceed five (5) years.
For each project performed under the Master Contract, a detailed scope of work will be developed
and agreed to by the Aviation Consulting Firm and Laurens County. This detailed scope of work
and associated fee will be developed into a work authorization and included as an attachment to
the Master Contract. The Master Contract may be cancelled by either party for any reason at any
time.
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SUBMISSION OF QUALIFICATIONS STATEMENT
Qualifications Statement must be submitted in writing no later than 10:00am, April 24, 2026 to:
Proposals are to be mailed and/or Express Mailed to:
Laurens County
Attn: William Wilson
RFQ LUX-ENG-2026
Procurement Manager
PO Box 238
Laurens, SC 29360
Proposals are to be hand delivered to:
Laurens County
Attn: William Wilson
RFQ LUX-ENG-2026
100 Hillcrest Square
Admin Suite
Laurens, SC 29360
Five copies of the Qualifications Statement are required.
The submitting Consulting Firm is required to have printed on the opaque envelope or wrapping
which contains the submittal, the title, and the closing date. Laurens County shall not be
responsible for unidentified submittal packages.
Consulting Firms mailing their submission must allow a sufficient mail delivery period to
ensure timely receipt. Laurens County is not responsible for submittals delayed by mail or
delivery services of any nature.
Proposals will be received by the Laurens County Procurement Department until 10:00 AM
Local time on April 24th, 2026.
CONTACT PERSON
All questions concerning the RFQ must be submitted in writing by email no later than April 10th,
2026, at 5:00 PM EST and directed to:
Name: Andy Howard
Airport Director
Address: Laurens County
Tel: 864-580-0576
Email: ahoward@laurenscountysc.gov
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All questions concerning the RFQ submittals must be submitted in writing by email no later than
April 10th, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST and directed to:
William Wilson
Procurement Officer
Email: bwilson@laurenscountysc.gov
INFORMATION TO PROPOSERS
1. All entries shall remain firm for a period of not less than ninety (90) days.
2. Consulting Firms must clearly mark as "Confidential" each part of their submittal which
they consider to be proprietary information that could be exempt from disclosure under
Section 30-4-40, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976 as amended (Freedom of
Information Act). If any part is designated as "confidential", there must be attached to that
part an explanation of how this information fits within one or more categories listed in
Section 30-4-40. Laurens County reserves the right to determine whether this information
should be exempt from disclosure and no legal action may be brought against Laurens
County and/or its agents for any determination in this regard.
3. This solicitation does not commit Laurens County to award an agreement, to pay any costs
incurred in the preparation of a Request for Qualifications and of any supplementary
presentation, or to procure or contract for the articles of goods or services. Laurens County
reserves the right to accept or reject any or all RFQs received as a result of this solicitation,
to negotiate with all qualified firms, or to cancel in part or in its entirety this solicitation
if it is in the best interest of the County to do so.
4. During the evaluation process, the Evaluation Committee reserves the right, where it may
serve Laurens County's best interest, to request additional information from companies,
or to allow corrections of errors or omissions. At the discretion of the Evaluation
Committee, companies submitting qualifications may be requested to make oral
presentations as part of the evaluation process.
5. Laurens County reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Qualifications received
in response to this Request for Qualifications. The County will not pay for any costs
incurred by the submitting firms in preparation of a response to the Request for
Qualifications, or any costs associated with negotiations prior to the awarding of a
contract.
6. Laurens County reserves the right to cancel this Request for Qualifications, or cancel any
negotiations resulting from this RFQ, or decline to enter into a contract for the proposed
scope of this project if such action is deemed to be in the best interest of the County.
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7. Laurens County reserves the right to retain all Qualifications submitted and to use any
ideas in a Qualification regardless of whether that Qualification is selected. Submission
of a Qualification indicates acceptance by the Consulting Firm of the conditions contained
in this Request for Qualifications.
8. Failure to submit all required information may in the sole determination of Laurens
County be deemed as a nonresponsive submission.
9. Prohibition of Gratuities: It shall be unethical for any person to offer, give, or agree to
give any County employee, or for any County employee to solicit, demand, accept, or
agree to accept from another person, a gratuity or an offer of employment in connection
with any decision, approval, disapproval, recommendation, or preparation of any part of
a purchase request, influencing the content of any specification or procurement standard,
rendering of advice, investigation, auditing, or in any other advisory capacity in any
proceeding or application, request for ruling, determination, claim or controversy, or other
particular matter, pertaining to any program requirement or an agreement or subcontract,
or to any solicitation or qualification therefore.
10. Right to Protest: Any prospective bidder or offeror who is aggrieved in connection with
the solicitation of a contract or intended award shall protest to the Procurement Officer.
The protest must be in writing, submitted to the Procurement Officer, and shall set forth
the grounds of the protest and the relief requested with enough particularity to give notice
of the issues to be decided. Protests must be received by mail or hand delivered within
seven (7) days from the date of intended award to the following address:
AGREEMENT REQUIREMENTS
1. The contract agreement will be made between the selected firm and Laurens County.
2. S.C. Law Clause: Upon award of an agreement for these services, the person, partnership,
association, or corporation to whom the award is made must comply with local and State
laws which require such person or entity to be authorized and/or licensed to do business
in Laurens County. Notwithstanding the fact that applicable statutes may exempt or
exclude the successful Consulting Firm from requirements excluding the Consulting Firm
from being authorized and/or licensed to do business in Laurens County, these
requirements are in effect. By submission of this signed qualification, the Consulting Firm
agrees to subject itself to the jurisdiction and process of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court
of Laurens County, as to all matters and disputes arising or to arise under the agreement
and the performance thereof including any questions as to the liability for taxes, licenses
or fees levied by State or local government.
3. Consulting Firm Responsibility: Each Consulting Firm shall fully acquaint itself with
conditions relating to the scope and restrictions attending the execution of the work under the conditions
of this qualification. The failure or omission of a Consulting Firm to acquaint itself with existing
conditions shall in no way relieve them of any obligation with respect to this qualification or to the
agreement.
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4. Affirmative Action: The Consulting Firm will take affirmative action in complying with
all Federal and State requirements concerning fair employment and employment of the
disabled and concerning the treatment of all employees, without regard or discrimination
by reason of race, religion, sex, national origin, or physical disability.
5. Prime Contractor Responsibilities: The Consulting Firm will be required to assume sole
responsibility for the complete effort, as required by this RFQ. Laurens County will
consider the Consulting Firm to be the sole point of contact with regard to contractual
matters.
6. Subcontracting: If any part of the work covered by this RFQ is to be subcontracted, the
Consulting Firm shall identify the subcontracting organization and the contractual
arrangements made with same. All subcontractors must be approved by the County. The
successful Consulting Firm will also furnish the corporate or Consulting Firm name and
the names of the officers of any subcontractors engaged by the vendor. The County
reserves the right to reject any or all subcontractors and require substitution of a firm
qualified to participate in the work as specified herein. Subcontractors will be bound by
this agreement and this obligation must be included in Prime and Subcontractors
agreements.
7. Ownership of Material: Ownership of all data, material, and documentation originated
and prepared for Laurens County pursuant to this agreement shall belong exclusively to
the County. The County has the ability to utilize all data, material, and documentation in
any manner or format deemed in the best interest of the County in the County's sole
discretion for this project and for any future project as determined in the best interest of
Laurens County. The use and/or reuse shall be at no additional cost to Laurens County.
8. Nonresident Taxpayers: If the Consulting Firm is a South Carolina nonresident taxpayer
and the agreement amount is $10,000 or more, the Consulting Firm acknowledges and
understands that in the event it is awarded an agreement, the Consulting Firm shall submit
a Nonresident Taxpayer Registration Affidavit (State form #1-312-6/94), before an
agreement can be signed. Affidavit must certify that the nonresident taxpayer is registered
with the S.C. Department of Revenue or the S.C. Secretary of State's Office, in accordance
with Section 12-9-310(A) (2) (3) of S.C. Code of Laws (1976) as amended.
9. Indemnity: The Consulting Firm hereby agrees to indemnify and save harmless Laurens
County, its officers, agents, employees and other participating organizations from and
against any and all liability, claims, demands, damages, fines, fees, expenses, penalties,
suits, proceedings, actions and cost of actions, including attorney's fees for trial and on
appeal of any kind and nature arising or growing out of or in any way connected with the
performance of the Agreement, whether by act of omissions of the Consulting Firm, its
agents, servants, employees or others, or because of or due to the mere existence of the
Agreement between the parties.
10. Termination for Default: Laurens County has the right to terminate for default if the
Consulting Firm fails to perform the Work, if the Consulting Firm fails to perform the
Work within the time specified in the Agreement, or if the Consulting Firm fails to
perform any other provisions of the Agreement. If exercised, the County becomes the
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owner of documents that are paid for and may utilize them in any manner the County
deems appropriate.
11. Termination for Convenience: Laurens County may without cause terminate this
agreement in whole or in part at any time for its convenience. In such instance, an
adjustment shall be made to the Consulting Firm for the reasonable costs of the work
performed through the date of termination. Termination costs do not include lost profits,
consequential damages, delay damages, unabsorbed or under absorbed overhead of the
Consulting Firm or its subcontractors. The failure of the Consulting Firm to include a
termination for convenience clause into its subcontracts and material purchase orders shall
not expose Laurens County to liability for lost profits in conjunction with a termination
for convenience settlement or equitable adjustment. The Consulting Firm expressly
waives any claims for lost profit or consequential damages, delay damages, or indirect
costs which may arise from the County's election to terminate this agreement in whole or
in part for its convenience. The County has the ability to utilize all data, material, and
documentation in any manner or format deemed in the best interest of Laurens County in
the County's sole discretion.
INSURANCE
Once selected, the successful firm will be required to provide proof of insurance to include
professional liability; workers compensation, employer's liability and general liability
prior to commencing work.
The firm must procure and maintain, for the duration of this project, insurance against
claims for injuries to person or damages to property which may arise from or in connection
with the performance of the work hereunder by the Offeror, his/her agents,
representatives, employees or subcontractors. Laurens County will require Certificates of
Insurance from selected firm doing business with the County prior to the start of project.
Laurens County shall be named as "Additional Insured" on all Certificates of Insurance
except Workers Compensation.
The following coverage will be provided:
* General Liability: $1,000,000 combined single limit per occurrence for bodily
injury, personal injury and property damage,
* Workers Compensation: Coverages as required by the laws of the State of South
Carolina,
* Automobile Liability: $500,000 combined single limit per occurrence,
* Employers Liability: $100,000 Bodily by Accident, $500,000 Bodily Injury by
Disease, $100,000 Bodily Injury by Disease Each Employee,
* Professional Liability: $2,000,000 per occurrence.
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Exhibit A
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
PROJECT NAME: RFQ-LUX-ENG-2026 Aviation Consulting Services
Laurens County is requesting Statements of Qualifications from
interested and qualified Aviation Consulting Firms for engineering,
construction inspection/administration, planning, and subcontracted
DESCRIPTION:
special services for the Laurens County Airport (LUX) in Laurens,
South Carolina.
DATE ISSUED March 17th, 2026
ENGINEERING Andy Howard Airport Director (864) 580-0576,
CONTACT: ahoward@laurenscountysc.gov
PROCUREMENT Billy Wilson - Procurement Officer: (864) 984-5484
CONTACT: bwilson@laurenscountysc.gov
PRE-BID
N/A
MEETING
April 24th, 2026 at 10:00 A.M. EST (5 Copies of Statement
of Qualifications required)
Mailed and/or Express Mailed:
Laurens County
Attn: Billy Wilson
PO BOX 238
Laurens, SC 29360
SUBMISSION:
Hand Delivery:
Laurens County
Attn: Billy Wilson
100 Hillcrest Square
Admin Suite
Laurens, SC 29360
Reference:RFQ-LUX-ENG-2026 Aviation Consulting Services
*Proposals must be submitted in a sealed package with project
name and closing date printed on the exterior. Late submissions
will not be accepted.
NAME OF CONSULTING FIRM:
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