2027 PARKS MASTER PLAN UPDATE

NEW HANOVER COUNTY PARKS & GARDENS
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
2027 MASTER PLAN UPDATE
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEANN PIERCE, CHAIR
DANE SCALISE, VICE-CHAIR
BILL RIVENBARK
STEPHANIE WALKER
ROB ZAPPLE
CHRIS COUDRIET, COUNTY MANAGER

Table of Contents
SECTION 1 ADVERTISEMENT ........................................................................................ 3
SECTION 2 INFORMATION TO RESPONDENTS .......................................................... 4
2.1 - Schedule .................................................................................................................. 4
2.2 - Preparation of Statements of Qualifications ..................................................... 4
2.3- Questions ................................................................................................................. 4
2.4 - Answers to Questions ........................................................................................... 4
2.5 - Intent to Submit ..................................................................................................... 5
2.6 - Cost of Preparation of Statement of Qualifications.......................................... 5
2.7- Authorized Signature ............................................................................................. 5
2.8 -Ownership of Documents ..................................................................................... 5
2.9 - Trade Secret Confidentiality ................................................................................. 5
2.10 - Withdrawal of Statements .................................................................................. 6
2.11- Indemnity ............................................................................................................... 6
2.12 - E-Verify .................................................................................................................. 6
2.13 - Compliance with Proposal Requirements ........................................................ 7
2.14 Certificate of Authority ....................................................................................... 7
2.15 - Minimum Scope and Limits of Insurance ........................................................ 7
2.16 - Iran Divestment Act Certification .................................................................... 12
2.17 - Right to Reject Statements of Qualifications ................................................. 12
SECTION 3 PROJECT OVERVIEW & BACKGROUNG ................................................... 13
SECTION 4 SCOPE OF SERVICES ................................................................................. 14
SECTION 5 EVALUATION CRITERIA & SUBMISSIONS PROCEDURES ..................... 18
SECTION 6 EVERIFY............................ ........................................................................... 19
SECTION 7 IRAN DIVESTMENT CERTIFICATION FORM...........................................20
SECTION 8 NON-COLLUSION AFFIDAVIT.................................................................21
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SECTION 1 ADVERTISEMENT
NEW HANOVER COUNTY PARKS & GARDENS
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
2027 MASTER PLAN UPDATE
New Hanover County Parks & Gardens is seeking qualifications from
experienced consulting firms to prepare a comprehensive, strategically focused
Parks & Gardens Master Plan to guide the planning, development, maintenance,
and operation of the county's parks system over the next ten years.
Submit Statements of Qualifications by email to lbutler@nhcgov.com. Please
include "2027 MASTER PLAN UPDATE" in the subject line of the email.
The deadline for receipt of Statements of Qualifications is 5:00 P.M. EST,
Wednesday, August 12, 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 will be contacted for interviews.
Instructions for submitting Statements of Qualifications and complete
requirements and information may be obtained by visiting the County's
website at https://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.
Advertised: Friday, July 24, 2026
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SECTION 2 INFORMATION TO RESPONDENTS
2.1 - Schedule
Advertisement Friday, July 24, 2026
Deadline for Questions Friday, July 31, 2026, by 5:00 PM EST
Answers to Questions Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Deadline for Submissions Wednesday, August 12, 2026, by 5:00 PM EST
Interviews Monday, August 17-21, 2026
Notice to Proceed (NTP) September 30,2026
Completion of Plan May 2027
2.2 - Preparation of Statements of Qualifications
2.2.1 Respondents are instructed to submit their Statements of
Qualifications by email to lbutler@nhcgov.com. Please be sure to
include "2027 MASTER PLAN UPDATE" in the subject line of the email.
2.2.2 The deadline for Receipt of Statements of Qualifications is
Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST.
2.2.3 Statements of Qualifications received after the time and date for
closing will not be accepted.
2.2.4 No telephone or facsimile Statements of Qualifications will be
accepted.
2.3- Questions
Questions concerning this solicitation should be directed to Lena Butler,
Purchasing Supervisor, by emailing lbutler@nhcgov.com. Please include in the
subject line "Questions 2027 MASTER PLAN UPDATE." Questions will be received
until Friday, July 31, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST.
2.4 - Answers to Questions
An addendum summarizing all questions and answers will be posted to the
County's website on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. Respondents who have
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notified the County of their intent to submit along with their email address (see
2.5 - Intent to Submit) will be sent the addendum upon posting. All are
encouraged to visit our website at https://www.nhcgov.com/bids.aspx to check
for the issuance of any addenda before submitting your Qualification
Statement.
2.5 - Intent to Submit
It is requested that all Respondents who intend to submit Statements of
Qualifications for this project send an email to Lena Butler, Purchasing
Supervisor, lbutler@nhcgov.com. Please include in the subject line "INTENT
TO SUBMIT 2027 MASTER PLAN UPDATE."
2.6 - Cost of Preparation of Statement of Qualifications
Costs incurred by prospective Respondents in the preparation of the response
to this RFQ are the responsibility of the Respondent and will not be
reimbursed by The County.
2.7- Authorized Signature
Signature Forms must be signed by an authorized individual of the
Respondent. Forms that are not signed may cause the submittal to be
rejected.
2.8 -Ownership of Documents
All Statements of Qualifications and accompanying documentation will
become the property of New Hanover County at the time the Statements are
received and opened and; as such, they will not be returned to the
Respondent.
2.9 - Trade Secret Confidentiality
Upon receipt of your Statements of Qualifications 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
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submitted by a Respondent must be submitted in a separate file marked
"Trade Secret - Confidential and Proprietary.
Do not attempt to designate your entire Statement of Qualifications as
a trade secret, and do not attempt to designate pricing information as a
trade secret. Doing so may result in your submittal being disqualified.
In submitting your Statement of Qualifications, 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.
2.10 - Withdrawal of Statements
No Statements of Qualifications may be modified, withdrawn, or canceled for a
period of ninety (90) days following the receipt of Statements. Negligence or
error on the part of any Respondent in preparing their Statement confers no
right of withdrawal or modification after the Statements have been opened.
2.11- Indemnity
The successful Respondent shall indemnify and hold the County, its agents,
and employees harmless against any and all claims, demands, causes of
action, or other liability, including attorney fees, on account of personal
injuries or death or on account of property damages arising out of or relating
to the work to be performed by the Successful Vendor hereunder, resulting
from the negligence of or the willful act or omission of the Vendor, his agents,
employees, and subcontractors.
2.12 - E-Verify
Pursuant to Session Law 2013-418, Respondents shall fully comply with the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security employee legal status E-Verify
requirements for itself and all its subcontractors. Upon execution of the
Contract, County requires an affidavit attesting to the Respondent's
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compliance. Violation of the provision, unless timely cured, shall constitute a
breach of Contract. A copy of the needed E-Verify form is included in this RFQ.
2.13 - Compliance with Proposal Requirements
Failure to comply with these provisions or any other provisions of the General
Statutes of North Carolina will result in the rejection of the Proposal.
2.14 Certificate of Authority
Subject to several statutory exceptions, a business entity incorporated
or organized in a state other than North Carolina must obtain a
certificate of authority from the North Carolina Secretary of State prior
to transacting Business in the State. See G.S. 55-15-01(a) (business
corporations); G.S. 55A-15-01(a) (nonprofit corporations); G.S. 57D-7-01(a)
(limited liability companies); G.S. 59-902(a) (limited partnerships); G.S. 59-
91(a) (registered limited liability partnerships); G.S.55B-16(a) (professional
corporations). When the requirement applies, the foreign entity transacting
Business in the State is responsible for obtaining a certificate of authority-
not the domestic (i.e., North Carolina) corporations, public entities, or
individuals with whom the foreign entity might contract.
2.15 - Minimum Scope and Limits of Insurance
Respondent shall maintain insurance from companies licensed to write
business in North Carolina, with an A.M. Best rating of "A" or higher, and
acceptable to County, of the kinds and minimum amounts specified below:
Commercial General Liability
Respondent shall maintain Commercial General Liability (CGL) and if
necessary, Commercial Umbrella Liability (CUL) insurance with a total limit
of not less than $1,000,000 each occurrence for bodily injury and property
damage. If such CGL insurance contains a general aggregate limit, it shall
apply separately to this project/location or the general aggregate shall be
twice the required limit.
CGL insurance shall be written on Insurance Services Office (ISO)
"occurrence" form CG 00 01 covering CGL or its equivalent and shall cover
the liability arising from premises, operations, independent contractors,
products- completed operations, personal and advertising injury, and
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liability assumed under an insured contract, including the tort liability of
another assumed in a business contract.
County, its officers, officials, agents, and employees are to be covered as
additional insureds under the CGL by endorsement CG 20 26 or an
endorsement providing equivalent coverage as respects to liability arising
out of activities performed by or on behalf of Professional; premises owned,
leased or used by Professional; and under the CUL, if any. The coverage shall
contain no special limitations on the scope of protection afforded to County,
its officers, officials, agents, and employees.
Respondent's CGL insurance shall be primary as respects County, its
officers, officials, agents, and employees. Any other insurance or self-
insurance maintained by County, its officers, officials, agents, and employees
shall be in excess of and shall not contribute to Professional's insurance.
Worker's Compensation and Employer's Liability
Respondents shall maintain Worker's Compensation as required by the
General Statutes of the State of North Carolina and Employer's Liability
Insurance.
The Employer's Liability, and if necessary, CUL insurance shall not be less
than $1,000,000 each accident for bodily injury by accident, $1,000,000 each
employee for bodily injury by disease, and $1,000,000 policy limit.
The insurer shall agree to waive all rights of subrogation against County, its
officers, officials, agents, and employees for losses arising from services
performed by Respondent for County.
Business Auto Liability
Respondent shall maintain Business or Personal Auto Liability and, if
necessary, CUL insurance with a limit of not less than $1,000,000 each
accident.
Such insurance shall cover liability arising out of any auto, including owned,
hired, and non-owned autos used in performance of services.
Business Auto coverage shall be written on ISO form CA 00 01, or a
substitute form providing equivalent liability coverage. If necessary, the
policy shall be endorsed to provide contractual liability coverage equivalent
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to that provided in ISO form CA 00 01.
Respondent's Business Auto Liability insurance shall be primary as respects
County, its officers, officials, agents, and employees. Any other insurance or
self-insurance maintained by County, its officers, officials, agents, and
employees shall be in excess of and shall not contribute to Professional's
insurance.
Professional Liability Insurance
Respondent shall maintain in force for the duration of this Contract
professional liability or errors and omissions liability insurance appropriate
to Professional's profession. Coverage as required in this paragraph shall
apply to liability for a professional error, act, negligence, or omission
arising out of the scope of Respondent's services as defined in this
Contract. Coverage shall be written subject to limits of not less than
$1,000,000 per loss.
If coverage in this Contract is on a claims-made basis, Respondent warrants
that any retroactive date applicable to coverage under the policy precedes
the effective date of this Contract, and that continuous coverage will be
maintained or an extended discovery period will be exercised for a period of
two (2) years beginning from the time that services under the Contract are
complete.
Deductibles and Self-Insured Retentions
Any deductibles or self-insured retentions must be declared to and
approved by County. At the option of County, either the insurer shall reduce
or eliminate such deductibles or self-insured retentions as respects County,
its officers, officials, agents, and employees; Professional shall procure a
bond guaranteeing payment of deductibles or self-insured retentions.
Respondent shall be solely responsible for the payment of all deductibles to
which all policies are subject, whether or not County is an insured under the
policy.
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Miscellaneous Insurance Provisions
Any failure to comply with reporting provisions of the policies listed in this
solicitation shall not affect coverage provided to County its officers, officials,
agents, and employees.
Each insurance policy required by this solicitation shall be endorsed to state
that coverage shall not be canceled by either party except after thirty
(30) days prior written notice has been given to County, 230 Government
Center Drive #125, Wilmington, NC 28403.
If Respondent's liability policies do not contain the standard ISO separation
of insureds provision, or a substantially similar clause, they shall be endorsed
to provide cross-liability coverage.
Evidence of Insurance
Respondent shall furnish County with a certificate(s) of insurance, executed by
a duly authorized representative of each insurer, showing compliance with
the insurance requirements prior to commencing the services, and
thereafter upon renewal or replacement of each certified coverage until all
operations under this solicitation are deemed complete.
Evidence of additional insured status shall be noted on the certificate of
insurance as per requirements in this solicitation.
With respect to insurance maintained after final payment in compliance
with requirements, an additional certificate(s) evidencing such coverage
shall be provided to County with final application for payment and
thereafter upon renewal or replacement of such insurance until the
expiration of the period for which such insurance must be maintained.
Subcontractors.
Respondents shall include all subcontractors as insureds under its policies
or shall furnish separate certificates for each subcontractor. All coverage for
subcontractors shall be subject to all of the requirements stated herein. CGL
coverage shall include independent contractors' coverage, and Professional
shall be responsible for assuring that all subcontractors are properly
insured.
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