RFQ 2027-009 Engineering Services for Water & Wastewater System Improvements

Request for Qualifications No. 2027-009
Engineering Services for Water &
Wastewater System Improvements
Due Date: September 22, 2026
Time: 2 :00 PM EST
Receipt Location: E lectronic Submittal
Procurement Contact:
Kyle Hodge
Senior Procurement Specialist
704-283-3631
kyle.hodge@unioncountync.gov
Union County, North Carolina
RFQ 2027-009 Engineering Services for
Water & Wastewater System Improvements

CONTENTS
1 Notice of Advertisement ............................................................................................................ 1
2 SUBMITTAL DETAILS .......................................................................................................... 2
2.1 SUBMISSION DEADLINE .......................................................................................................................................... 2
2.2 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................................................................. 2
2.3 SUBMITTAL QUESTIONS ......................................................................................................................................... 2
2.4 ADDENDA............................................................................................................................................................... 2
2.5 COMMUNICATION ................................................................................................................................................... 3
3 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 3
3.1 COUNTY ................................................................................................................................................................. 3
3.2 PURPOSE ................................................................................................................................................................ 3
3.3 WATER & WASTEWATER SYSTEM BACKGROUND INFORMATION ............................................................................. 4
3.4 NOTICE OF FEDERAL FUNDING .............................................................................................................................. 5
4 Detailed Submittal Requirements and Instructions ................................................................ 5
4.1 TERMS OF SUBMISSION ........................................................................................................................................... 5
4.2 SOQ FORMAT ........................................................................................................................................................ 6
4.2.1 Section A - Cover Letter .................................................................................................................................... 7
4.2.2 Section B - Project Team ................................................................................................................................... 8
4.2.3 Section C - Project Experience.......................................................................................................................... 8
4.2.4 Section D - Project Management, Approach and Quality Control .................................................................... 8
4.2.5 Section E - Reputation of Respondent ............................................................................................................... 9
4.2.6 Section F - Required Forms .............................................................................................................................. 9
5 Evaluation Criteria and Selection Process ............................................................................... 9
5.1 SELECTION PARTICIPANTS ...................................................................................................................................... 9
5.2 EVALUATION SELECTION PROCESS ...................................................................................................................... 10
5.3 AWARD PROCEDURE ............................................................................................................................................ 11
5.4 CONFLICT CERTIFICATION .................................................................................................................................... 11
6 General Conditions and Requirements .................................................................................. 11
6.1 TERMS OF CONTRACT........................................................................................................................................... 11
6.2 EXCLUDED PARTIES (DEBARRED AND SUSPENSION) ............................................................................................ 12
6.3 CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS .............................................................................................................................. 12
6.4 TEMPLATE MASTER AGREEMENT ........................................................................................................................ 12
6.5 SMALL BUSINESS ................................................................................................................................................. 12
6.6 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ................................................................................................................... 13
6.7 EXPENSE OF RESPONDENT .................................................................................................................................... 13
6.8 E-VERIFY ............................................................................................................................................................. 13
6.9 NONDISCRIMINATION ........................................................................................................................................... 13
6.10 INSURANCE .......................................................................................................................................................... 13
6.11 INDEMNIFICATION ................................................................................................................................................ 15
7 Appendix A - SOQ Submission Form ..................................................................................... 0
8 Appendix B - Addendum and Anti-Collusion ........................................................................ 1
9 Appendix C - Multiple Project Agreeement TemplAtE ........................................................ 2
Union County, North Carolina
RFQ 2027-009 Engineering Services for
Water & Wastewater System Improvements

1 NOTICE OF ADVERTISEMENT
Union County, North Carolina
Request for Qualifications No. 2027-009
Engineering Services for Water & Wastewater System Improvements
Electronic Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) will be received by the Union County's Procurement
Department until 2:00 PM on September 22, 2026. Late submittals will not be accepted.
Union County, North Carolina, through Union County Water, is seeking SOQs from qualified
respondents for engineering services for water & wastewater system improvements on an 'as needed'
basis as outlined in this solicitation. As a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), respondents are not
required to submit price information nor work product with submittal packages. Compliance with
N.C.G.S. 143-64.31 is required.
Union County may utilize federal and/or state funding sources to pay for services contracted through
the solicitation. This solicitation follows the Uniform Administrative Requirements (UG), Cost
Principals, and Audit Requirements for Federal awards (2 C.F.R. Part 200). Contracts resulting from
this solicitation may be funded with federal grant funds which have been procured in a manner that is
in compliance with all applicable Federal laws, policies, and standards as well as state law and local
policies.
This solicitation may be examined at the Union County Procurement Department located at 610 Patton
Avenue, Monroe, NC 28110, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.
Copies of the solicitation may be obtained from the locations listed below:
1. Download the Solicitation Documents from the Union County Website
https://www.unioncountync.gov/departments/bids-procurement/current-bids
2. Download the Solicitation Documents from the State of North Carolina eVP website:
https://evp.nc.gov (search County of Union).
Union County (UC) reserves the right to reject any or all submittals, to waive technicalities and to
make such selection deemed in its best interest. With limited response, Union County reserves the
right to extend the solicitation opening date as appropriate in order to assure a competitive
procurement process.
Union County reserves the right to award multiple respondents.
A North Carolina Engineering License is required for this solicitation
Respondents are required to comply with the non-collusion requirements set forth in the Solicitation
Documents.
Union County encourages good faith effort outreach to Small Businesses.
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Union County, North Carolina
RFQ 2027-009 Engineering Services for
Water & Wastewater System Improvements

2 SUBMITTAL DETAILS
2.1 SUBMISSION DEADLINE
All submittals, for the services specified, are to be received by the Union County
Procurement Department no later than 2:00 PM EST on September 22, 2026 per the
instructions below. Any submittals received after this date and time shall be rejected
without exception.
2.2 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The SOQ must be submitted electronically by using the following link:
https://lfportal.unioncountync.gov/Forms/procurementsubmit. Select the Solicitation drop
down arrow and choose this RFQ from the list. Complete the form, upload the SOQ as
one complete document and select submit. The maximum size accepted is 30 MB. An
email response will be sent to the address entered on the form as your confirmation of
receipt. Please add the confirmation email address to your contact list; otherwise,
you may not receive the confirmation email.
The SOQ must be signed by a person who is authorized to bind the proposing
Respondent. Instructions for preparing the SOQ are provided herein.
There is no expressed or implied obligation for Union County to reimburse Respondents
for any expenses incurred in preparing a response to this request.
Union County reserves the right to reject any or all submittals, cancel this solicitation, to
waive technicalities and to make such selection deemed in its best interest, Union County
reserves the right to award to multiple Respondents.
2.3 SUBMITTAL QUESTIONS
Submittal questions will be due on or before 2:00 PM EST on September 9 2026. The
primary purpose is to provide participating Respondents with the opportunity to ask
questions, in writing, related to the RFQ. Addenda will be issued prior to due date to
answer applicable questions.
Submit questions by e-mail to Kyle Hodge, Senior Procurement Specialist at
kyle.hodge@unioncountync.gov by the deadline shown above. The email subject line
should identify RFQ 2027-009 Engineering Services for Water & Wastewater
Improvements. All questions and answers may be posted as addenda on
www.unioncountync.gov and/or https://evp.nc.gov.
2.4 ADDENDA
Union County may modify the RFQ prior to the date fixed for submission of SOQs by the
issuance of an addendum.
Should a Respondent find discrepancies or omissions in this RFQ or any other documents
provided by Union County, the Respondent should immediately notify the County of such
potential discrepancy in writing via email as noted above.
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Union County, North Carolina
RFQ 2027-009 Engineering Services for
Water & Wastewater System Improvements

Any addenda to these documents shall be issued in writing. No oral statements,
explanations, or commitments by anyone shall be of effect unless incorporated in the
written addenda. Receipt of Addenda shall be acknowledged by the Respondent on
Appendix B, Addendum and Anti-Collusion form.
2.5 COMMUNICATION
All communications, any modifications, clarifications, amendments, questions, responses
or any other matters related to this Request for Qualifications must be made only through
the Procurement Contact noted on the cover of this RFQ. A violation of this provision is
cause for the County to reject a Respondent's SOQ. No contact regarding this document
with the Board of County Commissioners or other County employees is permitted and may
be grounds for disqualification.
3 INTRODUCTION
3.1 COUNTY
The County (estimated population 267,674) is located in the central, southern piedmont.
The County provides its citizens with a full array of services that include public safety,
water/wastewater utilities, sanitation, human services, cultural and recreational activities,
and general government administration.
3.2 PURPOSE
Union County is soliciting Statements of Qualifications from qualified respondents
interested in providing full engineering services including analysis, planning, design,
permitting, bid administration, and construction administration on an individual project
basis for water and wastewater system improvement projects including, but not limited to,
those projects identified in the Water and Wastewater Master Plan ("Master Plan"),
including subsequent published versions/amendments/updates, the adopted Capital
Improvement Plan ("CIP"), including subsequent published
versions/amendments/updates, and any other miscellaneous documents related to
water/wastewater system improvements.
Union County reserves the right to negotiate with one or more parties and is not obligated
to enter into any contract with any respondent on any terms or conditions. Union County
reserves the right to seek professional services through a separate RFQ for any project,
whether identified or unidentified within the Master Plan, CIP, or other miscellaneous
water/wastewater system improvement documents, at its discretion. It is the intent of
Union County to select the best qualified respondent(s) on the basis of demonstrated
competence and qualifications in the areas of experience identified herein and to engage
the services of such respondent(s) on an individual project basis for a period of three (3)
years. The selected respondent(s) shall provide work on an as-needed basis upon
assignment, by way of task order, from Union County. The selection is not a guarantee
that any minimum amount of water and wastewater system engineering services will be
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Union County, North Carolina
RFQ 2027-009 Engineering Services for
Water & Wastewater System Improvements

assigned to any specific respondent, and Union County reserves the right to re-institute
the selection process at any time.
Note: This is a Request for Qualification (RFQ). Respondents are not required to submit
project specific scope information or price. Do not submit price information nor work
product with your submittal package. Each submittal package will be reviewed based on
qualification criteria listed in this RFQ. In accordance with NC G.S. 143-64.31, the County
will negotiate a contract with the best qualified respondent(s) based on the evaluation
criteria outlined in this RFQ.
3.3 WATER & WASTEWATER SYSTEM BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The water and wastewater systems presently serves an aggregate of approximately
59,000 water and 45,000 wastewater customers. The County is located along the North
Carolina/South Carolina state line southeast of the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg
County. Water and wastewater service needs are increasing in the County, in large part
due to its proximity to the City of Charlotte. Continued growth drives the need to analyze,
plan, design and construct improvements to the water distribution, booster pumping, and
storage facilities as well as the wastewater collection, pumping, and conveyance systems.
The Master Plan and CIP identify projects within the water distribution and wastewater
collection systems that must be implemented to meet present and future demands.
The County's water distribution system provides service to a significant portion of the
County, including all major urbanized areas with the exception of the City of Monroe. Water
service is provided to the communities of Indian Trail, Stallings, Waxhaw, Wingate,
Weddington, Wesley Chapel, Fairview, Hemby Bridge and large areas of low-density land
use in unincorporated Union County. The water distribution system includes approximately
5,840 hydrants, 20.5 million gallons (MG) of storage, 6 booster pump stations, and 1,230
miles of piping.
Water is supplied to the distribution system by the Catawba River Water Treatment Plant
and the Yadkin River Water Treatment Plant. The Catawba River Water Treatment Plant
is jointly owned by Union County and Lancaster County Water & Sewer District and has a
current treatment capacity of 40 million gallons per day (MGD). The Yadkin River Water
Treatment Plant has a current treatment capacity of 12 MGD.
Union County's wastewater system currently serves over 45,000 customers. The
collection system piping is comprised of both gravity sewer and force mains with pipe
diameters ranging from 4 inches to 48 inches. Union County's wastewater collection and
treatment system currently includes approximately 19,600 manholes, 720 miles of gravity
sewer pipe, 75 miles of sewer force main, 60 wastewater lift stations, and 5 wastewater
treatment facilities. The wastewater treatment facilities range in size from .05 MGD to 7.5
MGD. The County also has 2.65 MGD and 3.0 MGD of contracted capacity in the City of
Monroe's wastewater treatment plant and Charlotte Water's McAlpine Creek Wastewater
Management Facility, respectively. The County is currently expanding its largest
wastewater treatment facility, the Twelve Mile Water Reclamation Facility, from 7.5 MGD
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Union County, North Carolina
RFQ 2027-009 Engineering Services for
Water & Wastewater System Improvements

to 9 MGD with construction scheduled to be complete in 2027. Additionally, the County is
currently planning rehab and renewal projects at the 1.9 MGD Crooked Creek Water
Reclamation Facility, and the Grassy Branch Water Reclamation Facility was recently
expanded to 0.120 MGD.
3.4 NOTICE OF FEDERAL FUNDING
Union County may utilize federal and/or state funding, in whole or in part, for the cost of
any services resulting from this solicitation. In using these funds, the County must comply
with all regulations and requirements issued by the federal and/or state entity governing
the expenditure of these funds.
The County must comply with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles,
and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, 2 C.F.R. Part 200 for services being paid for
by federal funds.
Pursuant to 2 C.F.R. 200.327, for services being paid for by federal funds, the County
must include within the contract applicable provisions described in Appendix II to 2 C.F.R.
Part 200 and all other applicable laws. Therefore, the County cannot enter into a contract
or make any distributions to Respondent using monies from federal funding sources
absent agreement and adherence to each term and condition contained therein.
Respondent acknowledges that other terms and conditions may be incorporated into
individual Task Orders executed under this contract to comply with requirements of specific
federal and/or state funding sources.
4 DETAILED SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS
4.1 TERMS OF SUBMISSION
All material received from a person or company ("Respondent") in response to this
solicitation shall become the property of Union County and will not be returned to the
Respondent. Any and all costs incurred by a Respondent in preparing, submitting, or
presenting submissions are the Respondent's sole responsibility and Union County shall
not reimburse the Respondent. All responses to this solicitation will be considered a public
record and subject to disclosure under applicable public records law.
Any material in a response which the Respondent considers a trade secret and exempt
from disclosure as a public record under applicable law, including N.C.G.S. 132-1.2
and 66-152, must be properly designated as a trade secret. In order to properly designate
such material, the Respondent must: (i) submit any trade secret materials in a separate
envelope, or file, from all other submitted material, being clearly marked as "Trade Secret
- Confidential and Proprietary Information," and (ii) stamp the same trade
secret/confidentiality designation on each page of the materials therein which contain
trade secrets.
To the extent consistent with public records law, Union County will make reasonable
efforts to maintain the confidential nature of trade secrets, as determined by Union County
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Union County, North Carolina
RFQ 2027-009 Engineering Services for
Water & Wastewater System Improvements

and subject to the conditions set forth herein. Respondent understands and agrees by
submitting a response to this solicitation, that if a request is made to review or produce a
copy of any information in the Respondent's materials which was properly labeled by the
Respondent as a trade secret, Union County will notify the Respondent of the request and
the date that such materials will be released to the requestor unless the Respondent
obtains a court order enjoining that disclosure. If the Respondent fails to obtain the court
order enjoining disclosure prior to that date, Respondent understands and agrees that
Union County will release the requested information to the requestor on that date.
Furthermore, the Respondent also agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Union County
and each of its officers, employees, and agents from all costs, damages, and expenses
incurred in connection with refusing to disclose any material that has been designated as
a trade secret by Respondent.
4.2 SOQ FORMAT
The County desires all responses to be identical in format. While the County's format
may represent a departure from the Respondent's preference, the County requests
adherence to the format. All responses are to be in the format described below.
Respondents should prepare their SOQ in accordance with the instructions outlined in this
section. The submittal should be one (1) complete document. Each Respondent is
required to submit the SOQ electronically - Refer to item 2.2. The SOQ should be
prepared as simply as possible and provide a straightforward, concise description of the
Respondent's capabilities to satisfy the requirements of the RFQ.
Utmost attention should be given to accuracy, completeness, and clarity of content. All
parts, pages, figures, or tables should be numbered and clearly labeled. Response
information should be limited to pertinent information only. Marketing and sales type
information is not to be included.
The total length of the submittal, including cover letter, should be no more than 25 single-
sided pages. Submittals should be on 8 12" x 11" paper with an 11-point minimum text
size; special graphics may be included on 11" x 17" paper with an 11-point minimum text
size, if necessary. These special graphics pages will count toward the 25-page limit. The
11-point minimum text size does not apply to graphics, captions, tables, or figures, and
there is no specific font style required.
Key personnel resumes may also be provided as an appendix to the document and will
not count against the page limit. Covers, section acknowledgements, and the required
forms, do not count against the page limit.
The submittal should be organized into the following sections:
* Section A - Cover Letter
* Section B - Project Team
* Section C - Project Experience
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Union County, North Carolina
RFQ 2027-009 Engineering Services for
Water & Wastewater System Improvements

* Section D - Project Management, Approach and Quality Control
* Section E - Reputation of Respondent
* Section F - Required Forms
Appendix A - SOQ Submission Form
o
Appendix B - Addenda Receipt and Anti-Collusion
o
Omissions and incomplete answers may be deemed unresponsive. Please initial any
corrections.
4.2.1 SECTION A - COVER LETTER
In your cover letter, include the following information about your company:
* Legal Company Name and DBA (if applicable)
* Corporate Headquarters:
Address
Telephone Number
Website Address
* Location Providing Service (if different from headquarters):
Address
Telephone Number
* Company's NC Engineering License
* Name of Single Point of Contact (required)
Title
Address
Direct Telephone Number and/or extension
Email Address
* Name of Person with Binding Authority
Title
Address
Direct Telephone Number and/or extension
Email Address
* Describe your interest in this project and the unique advantage your
respondent and team bring.
* Make the following representations and warranty in the cover letter, the
falsity of which might result in rejection of its Statement of Qualifications:
"The information contained in this SOQ or any part thereof, including any
exhibits, schedules, and other documents and instruments delivered or to
be delivered to the County, is true, accurate, and complete. This SOQ
includes all information necessary to ensure that the statements therein do
not in whole or in part mislead the County as to any material facts."
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Union County, North Carolina
RFQ 2027-009 Engineering Services for
Water & Wastewater System Improvements

4.2.2 SECTION B - PROJECT TEAM
Provide a detailed organization chart that presents the team to be dedicated to
these services. This should only include employees of the Respondent.
Information to be included in this section shall include:
* Professional, relevant qualifications of each team member, including which
projects listed under the Project Experience section of the response, the
project team individual(s) had a significant role;
* Include North Carolina professional license information for each team
member, as applicable;
* Office location and number of years employee has worked for the
Respondent;
* Available time (in percent) that each team member may commit to these
services;
4.2.3 SECTION C - PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Provide a minimum of five (5) representative projects summarizing Respondent's
professional services experience related to water & wastewater system
engineering services.
* Water distribution system piping 12-inches and smaller;
* Water transmission main piping 16-inches and larger;
* Water booster pumping stations;
* Water storage facilities;
* Wastewater collection system piping 12-inches and smaller;
* Wastewater conveyance system piping 15-inches and larger; and
* Wastewater pumping stations and force mains.
Include the following information for each project:
* Owner's name;
* Owner's contact person name, address, telephone number, and email
address;
* Title and description of the project;
* Description of the services provided;
* Engineer's opinion of probable cost vs. actual construction cost;
* Engineer's estimated project schedule vs. actual project schedule;
* Change order history, including reasons for additional cost and/or duration.
4.2.4 SECTION D - PROJECT MANAGEMENT, APPROACH AND
QUALITY CONTROL
Provide a brief description of the systems and methods employed by the
respondent to effectively manage projects, including a summary on the
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Union County, North Carolina
RFQ 2027-009 Engineering Services for
Water & Wastewater System Improvements