REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
DESIGN-BUILD SERVICES FOR A NEW FIRE STATION
Town of Granite Falls, North Carolina
April 1, 2026
The Town hereby invites qualified design-build teams to submit a Statement of
Qualification (SOQ) for the design and construction of a new fire station and an evaluation
of the Town’s current station. The Town has elected to use the design-build delivery
method pursuant to North Carolina General Statute § 143-128.1A.
This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is issued for the purpose of identifying the most
qualified design-build team to provide comprehensive architectural, engineering, and
construction services for this critical public safety facility. Selection will be based on
demonstrated competence and qualifications; price and fee information shall not be
submitted at this stage.
Issuance of this RFQ does not obligate the Town to award a contract or to pay any costs
incurred in the preparation of responses.
Point of Contact
Katie Parlier, Special Projects Manager
Town of Granite Falls, North Carolina
30 Park Square
Granite Falls, NC 28630
katilyn.parlier@granitefallsnc.gov
(828) 396-3131
Mailing:
P.O. Drawer 10, Granite Falls, NC 28630
Town of Granite Falls Request for Qualifications for Design-Build Services April 1, 2026
All communication regarding this RFQ must be directed to the Point of Contact. Contact
with elected officials or other Town staff regarding this solicitation may result in
disqualification.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS – MAY 4, 2026
DEFINITIONS
1. “The Owner” means officers or employees of the Town of Granite Falls.
2. “Respondent” means the person or firm/team responding.
3. “Statement of Qualifications” or “SOQ” means the submission received from a
Respondent in response to this RFQ.
4. “Request for Qualifications” or “RFQ” means the entire document, including all the
documents and any addenda thereto issued before the RFQ closing time.
PROJECT BACKGROUND AND NEED
Located in the foothills of southern Caldwell County, North Carolina. The Town has a
population of approximately 5,100 residents and encompasses roughly five square miles
within its municipal limits. The Town currently operates one fire station with 15 full-time
personnel and associated apparatus, vehicles, and equipment.
Key drivers necessitating capital investment in fire facilities include:
• Transportation impacts: A funded NCDOT project will widen U.S. Highway 321‑A,
requiring right‑of‑way acquisition that will significantly impair the functionality and
safety of the existing station apron and emergency egress.
• Response‑time effectiveness: Significant residential and commercial growth in the
southern portion of the Town has increased the need for fire protection resources in
that area.
• Call volume and staffing changes: Annual call volume has increased substantially,
and staffing has shifted from primarily volunteer to predominantly paid personnel.
• Facility limitations: The existing building has functional and physical limitations, is
not fully compliant with modern accessibility and operational standards and may
not be cost‑effective to retrofit depending on structural and system conditions.
The Town intends to construct one new fire station on property it is acquiring. The existing
station shall be evaluated, and a cost-benefit analysis prepared to determine whether the
existing structure can be remodeled or should be demolished.
The selected design‑build team will assist the Town in evaluating the existing facility and
developing recommendations so that, upon completion of the project, the Town will
operate two fully functional fire stations.
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Town of Granite Falls Request for Qualifications for Design-Build Services April 1, 2026
DETERMINATION OF APPROPRIATENESS OF DESIGN-BUILD METHOD
Pursuant to NCGS §143-128.1A, the Town has determined that the design-build delivery
method is appropriate for this project for the following reasons:
• Project Complexity and Coordination Needs – A modern fire station requires
integrated architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, communications, and
specialized emergency-response systems. A design-build approach promotes
coordination between design and construction disciplines, reducing the risk of
conflicts and change orders.
• Schedule Considerations – The existing fire station has operational, safety, and
functional deficiencies and is affected by external infrastructure projects and
changing response demands. Design-build allows overlapping design and
construction activities, which can shorten overall project delivery time. Time is of
the essence with regard to the construction of a new fire station. State-issued
funding requires the town to obligate funds for this project in FY27 with final
construction completed in FY28.
• Cost Certainty and Budget Management – The Town requires ongoing cost
estimating and scope refinement during design to maintain the project within
available funding. Design-build delivery facilitates continuous cost feedback and
value engineering during programming and design phases.
• Ability to Define Project Requirements – The Town has identified functional
program needs, operational requirements, and a project site. These elements
provide a sufficient basis to solicit qualifications and proceed with design-build
delivery while allowing the selected team to refine technical design details
collaboratively with the Town.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND SCOPE OF SERVICES
This project consists of two components; (1) Construction of a new fire station located on
the southern end of Granite Falls and (2) upgrades to the existing fire station on Main
Street.
1. New Station – Site and Program Development
The selected design‑build team shall provide planning, design, and construction
services for a new fire station to be located in the southern portion of Town. The Town
may require assistance with:
• Preliminary site analysis and conceptual layout
• Due diligence support, including coordination of environmental assessments,
geotechnical investigations, and utility availability reviews
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Town of Granite Falls Request for Qualifications for Design-Build Services April 1, 2026
• These services may occur prior to or concurrent with schematic design,
depending on the Town’s direction.
2. Evaluation of Existing Fire Station and Facility Strategy
As part of this project, the selected design‑build team shall assist the Town in evaluating
the existing station located at 119 N. Main Street in Granite Falls and recommend the
most efficient use of the existing space and available properties.
This evaluation may include:
• Structural and building systems assessment of the existing facility.
• Evaluation of renovation feasibility, including code compliance, apparatus
accommodation, ADA requirements, and life‑safety considerations.
• Identification of deficiencies in mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural
systems.
• Order‑of‑magnitude cost comparisons for renovation versus demolition and
reconstruction on the same site.
• Development of conceptual layouts or space programming as needed to evaluate
alternatives.
• Preparation of technical memoranda and cost summaries to support Town
decision‑making.
• The Town will use this information to determine the appropriate long‑term
approach for the existing station.
SCOPE OF SERVICES
The selected design-build team shall provide turnkey design and construction services for a
new fire station, including but not limited to:
• Programming and conceptual design – Schematic design, design development, and
construction documents.
• Site planning, civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and
fire protection engineering.
• Geotechnical services and surveying.
• Cost estimating and cost control throughout design.
• Permitting and regulatory approvals.
• Construction, construction management, quality control, and safety.
• Project closeout, commissioning, and warranty services.
ANTICIPATED NEEDS
The new fire station is expected to include, at a minimum:
• Three drive-through apparatus bays minimum 80’ in depth.
• Individual sleeping quarters with designated lockers.
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Town of Granite Falls Request for Qualifications for Design-Build Services April 1, 2026
• ADA-compliant restrooms and showers.
• Decontamination and laundry areas with specialized exhaust equipment.
• SCBA storage and washing facilities.
• Administrative offices, conference room, and secure public lobby.
• Fitness room and wellness support spaces.
• Mechanical mezzanine and dedicated storage areas.
• Emergency power generation capable of supporting full building operations.
• Final programming will be refined in collaboration with the selected design-build
team and the Town.
The existing fire station will need to accommodate all the above, and additionally, a
training room.
The goal of this project is to construct the new station and renovate or rebuild the existing
station concurrently or in immediate succession.
PROJECT BUDGET AND FUNDING
The Town has secured $5 million initial funding for the construction of a new fire station
and continues to explore options for the existing station. The design-build team will be
expected to work collaboratively with the Town to validate scope, provide cost opinions at
key milestones, and deliver a project that balances operational needs, durability,
sustainability, and fiscal responsibility.
Funding is not planned for the renovation or demolition of the existing fire station. Part of
this scope shall include anticipated costs for that work with the goal of completing both
projects concurrently or one immediately after the other. Priority is the new station.
PROCUREMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS
This RFQ and subsequent selection process shall comply with NCGS §143-128.1A,
including:
• Use of a qualifications-based selection process
• Receipt of at least three (3) responsive SOQs, or re-advertisement if fewer are
received
• Selection of the most qualified design-build team prior to contract negotiations
• Minority business participation goals, good-faith efforts, E-Verify, and licensing
requirements shall apply as required by North Carolina law.
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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.