NEW HANOVER COUNTY
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS DESIGN SERVICES
814 Market Street Museum Facilities Repurpose
RFQ # 26-0312
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEANN PIERCE, CHAIR
DANE SCALISE, VICE-CHAIR
BILL RIVENBARK
STEPHANIE WALKER
ROB ZAPPLE
CHRIS COUDRIET, COUNTY MANAGER
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NEW HANOVER COUNTY
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS DESIGN SERVICES
MARKET STREET MUSEUM FACILITIES REPURPOSE
RFQ 26-0312
New Hanover County is soliciting qualifications from interested firms to provide complete design
services for repurposing the existing Cape Fear Museum of History and Science, transitioning the building
from a primarily public-facing building to a collections and internal operations site. This project will be
completed in phases:
Phase 1 – Space Needs Assessment, Concept Plan, & Budget Estimate
o Evaluation of existing conditions
o Working with the end users to determine the needs
o Developing a concept plan for the project(s)
o Developing a budget estimate for each part of the project
o Determine an estimated timeline for each project
Phase 2 – Full and complete design services
o Includes Architectural, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Interior
design, signage, site work, utilities, construction administration, assisting with
permitting with AHJs and utility providers
o Anticipated delivery method is Construction Manager @ Risk (CM@R)
o Includes participating in selection and working with CM@R
Submit Statements of Qualifications by mail to:
New Hanover County
Attn: David King, Facilities Project Manager
200 Division Drive,
Wilmington, North Carolina 28401
The deadline for receipt of Statements of Qualifications is 5:00 P.M. EST, Tuesday, April 07, 2026.
Submitted Statements of Qualifications are not subject to public inspection until a contract is awarded
and executed. Statements of Qualifications will be evaluated, and firms may be contacted for interviews
to be conducted by phone or in person.
Instructions for submitting Statements of Qualifications and complete requirements and information
may be obtained by visiting the County’s website at: www.nhcgov.com/bids.aspx
New Hanover County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all Statements of Qualifications and
to make the award which will be most advantageous to the County.
Released: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
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Section 1 - Schedule
1.1 RFQ Schedule
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Deadline for Questions
(Questions may be submitted
from the release date until the
deadline for questions)
Answers to all questions
Deadline for Receipt of
Statements of Qualifications
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 by 5:00 PM,
EST
Final answers posted as an addendum by
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 by 5:00 PM
Tuesday, April 07, 2026 by 5:00 PM, EST
To:
New Hanover County
Attn: David King, Facilities Project Manager
200 Division Drive,
Wilmington, North Carolina 28401
1.2 Proposed Design Schedule
Phase 1 – Space Needs
Assessment, Concept Plan and
Budget Estimate
Phase 2 – Full and Complete
Design Services
June 2026 – September 2026 (120 days)
October 2026 – December 2026 (90 days)
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Section 2 - Instructions
2.1 Statement of Qualifications Instructions
Submit your Statement of Qualifications in a sealed envelope properly marked “RFQ# 26-0312 Cape
Fear Museum of History and Science Repurpose” and addressed to the County at the following address:
New Hanover County
Attn: David King, Facilities Project Manager
200 Division Drive,
Wilmington, North Carolina 28401
2.1.1 Firms submitting their qualifications statements are asked to submit five (5) copies of the complete
statement of qualifications along with one (1) electronic copy on USB.
2.1.2 Clearly indicate the firm’s name, address, email and phone number on the first page of the
Statement of Qualifications (SOQ).
2.1.3 The successful firm must have the capability of receiving and submitting all documents in an
electronic format. Also, the successful firm must have Internet access for browsing and receipt of
electronic documents via email.
2.1.4 Statements of Qualifications received after the time and date for closing will not be considered.
2.1.5 Submitted Statements of Qualifications are not subject to public inspection until a contract is
awarded and executed.
2.1.6 After the release date, all communications between the County and prospective respondents regarding this
RFQ shall be in writing. Any inquires, requests for interpretation, technical questions, clarification, or
additional information shall be directed to David King, Facilities Project Manager by emailing
dking@nhcgov.com. Questions and responses will be compiled and shared with all interested
Respondents known to the County and posted as an addendum. All questions shall be received no later
than Tuesday, March 24, 2026 by 5:00 PM, EST.
Respondents may not have communications, verbal or otherwise, concerning this RFQ with
any personnel or boards from New Hanover County, other than the person listed in this
section. If any vendor attempts any unauthorized communication, the proposal will be
rejected.
All Respondents who intend to submit a Statement of Qualification on this project should
send an email to dking@nhcgov.com including pertinent contact information. This will
ensure that you receive all addenda issued for this RFQ; if applicable.
Any changes to the qualification request will be issued by addenda and sent by email to all
proposers that have notified the County of their intent to submit a Qualification Package.
The addenda will also be posted on the County’s website at
https://www.nhcgov.com/bids.aspx
Verbal information obtained otherwise will not be considered in the awarding of the
proposal. It is the proposer’s responsibility to review and ensure that their proposal
complies with any guidance provided in the addenda.
2.1.7 New Hanover County reserves the right to allow or disallow minor deviations or
technicalities should the County deem it to be in the best interest of the County. New
Hanover County shall be the sole judge of what is to be considered a minor deviation or
technicality.
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2.1.8 Statements of Qualifications will be evaluated, and oral interviews may be requested as part
of the evaluation process. If interviews are conducted, the County will contact Respondents
by email to schedule.
2.1.9 The selected firm shall maintain insurance as outlined in the attached draft contract.
2.1.10 All costs, including travel and expenses, incurred in the preparation of this
Qualification Statement will be borne solely by the proposing Respondent.
2.1.11 No agreements with any selected Respondent shall be binding until a contract is
signed and executed by the authorized County official and authorized
representatives of the vendor.
2.1.12 It is the policy of New Hanover County that minority businesses, as defined by
NCGS 143-128 have maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of
contracts and subcontracts funded in whole or in part with public funds. The
County has established a verifiable goal of ten percent (10%) participation in the
total value of the work.
2.1.13 Pursuant to S.L. 2015-294, Respondents shall fully comply with the U. S.
Department of Homeland Security employee legal status E-Verify requirements for
itself and all its subcontractors.
2.1.14 Trade Secret Confidentiality
Upon receipt of your Qualification Statement by New Hanover County, your
submittal is considered a public record except for material which qualifies as "trade
secret" under N.C. General Statute 132-1.2. After opening, your submittal will be
provided to County staff and others who participate in the evaluation process, and to
members of the general public who submit public records requests.
To properly designate material as trade secret under these circumstances, each Respondent
must take the following precautions: (a) any trade secrets submitted by a Respondent must
be submitted in a separate, sealed envelope marked "Trade Secret - Confidential and
Proprietary Information - Do Not Disclose Except for the Purpose of Evaluating This
PROPOSAL," and (b) the same trade secret/confidentiality designation must be stamped on
each page of the trade secret materials contained in the envelope.
Do not attempt to designate your entire Qualification Statement as a trade secret, and
do not attempt to designate pricing information as a trade secret. Doing so will result
in your submittal being disqualified.
In submitting a Statement of Qualification, each Respondent agrees that the County may
reveal any trade secret materials contained in such response to all County staff and County
officials involved in the selection process, and to any outside consultant or other third
parties who assist the County in the selection process. Furthermore, each Respondent agrees
to indemnify and hold harmless the County and each of its officers, employees, and agents
from all costs, damages, and expenses incurred in connection with refusing to disclose any
material, which the Respondent has designated as a trade secret.
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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
