Request for Letters of Interest - Conover Blvd Sidewalk PE & Design

Version: 2023.10.26 MTM
Advertised: March 19, 2026
CITY OF CONOVER
REQUEST for LETTERS of INTEREST (RFLOI)
BL-0164 CONOVER BLVD SIDEWALK - PE & DESIGN
TITLE: BL-0164 - Conover Blvd Sidewalk
ISSUE DATE: March 19, 2026
SUBMITTAL DEADLINE: April 9, 2026
ISSUING AGENCY: City of Conover
SYNOPSIS
SUBCONSULTANTS ARE PERMITTED UNDER THIS CONTRACT.
This contract shall be partially reimbursed with Federal-aid funding through the North
Carolina Department of Transportation (hereinafter referred to as the Department). The
solicitation, selection, and negotiation of a contract shall be conducted in accordance with
all Department requirements and guidelines.
The primary and/or subconsultant firm(s) shall be pre-qualified by the Department to
perform ALL the Discipline Codes listed below for the City of Conover. Discipline Codes
required are:
* 32 - Categorical Exclusions
* 63 - Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impacts
* 70 - Erosion and Sediment Control Design
* 106 - Historic Architectural Surveys of Standing Structures (Buildings and Bridges)
* 132 - Landscape & Streetscape Design
* 155 - Pavement Markings Plans
* 171 - Public Involvement
* 192 - ROW Appraisals
* 194 - ROW Negotiators
* 199 - Route Location Surveys
* 207 - Signal Design
* 235 - Subsurface Utility Engineering
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* 243 - Threatened and Endangered Species Survey & Studies
* 269 - Urban Roadway Design
* 270 - Utility Coordination
* 296 - Retaining Wall Investigation & Design
* 433 - Tier I Basic Hydrologic and Hydraulic Design
* 541 - Traffic Management Plan - Level 1 and 2
WORK CODES for each primary and/or subconsultant firm(s) (if Subconsultants are
allowed under this RFLOI) SHALL be listed on the respective RS-2 FORMS (see section
'SUBMISSION ORGANIZATION AND INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS').
This RFLOI is to solicit responses (LETTERS of INTEREST, or LOIs) from qualified firms to
provide professional consulting services to:
Preliminary Engineering and Design is needed for additional sidewalk along both sides
of Conover Blvd E connecting to City Park, and pedestrian signals at the intersection
of 3rd St SE and Conover Blvd E. The project will connect the existing walking trail in
City Park to the sidewalk in front of Smurfit Westrock along Conover Blvd. Sidewalk
will be added along the opposite side of Conover Blvd E from 3rd St SE to the
intersection of 1st St E and Conover Blvd.
The addition of sidewalk along Conover Blvd E will close a critical gap providing a safe
path for pedestrians to get downtown and to adjacent destinations, such as the YMCA,
drug store and Food Lion. Closing critical infrastructure gaps will contribute to
equitable outcomes for everyone and improve the health and wellbeing of our
community.
Project work elements and services include but not limited to; utility relocation and
coordination, preparation of right of way plans, preparation of construction contract
proposal and estimates. NEPA documentation and compliance must be acquired.
Electronic LOIs should be submitted in .pdf format using software such as Adobe, CutePDF PDF
Writer, Docudesk deskPDF, etc.
LOIs SHALL be received ELECTRONICALLY, BY MAIL, or HAND DELIVERY no later than
3:00 p.m. on April 9, 2026.
The address for electronic deliveries is: Kaitlyn.lindler@conovernc.gov
The address for mailings is:
City of Conover
Attn: Kaitlyn Lindler
PO Box 549, Conover NC 28613
The address for hand-deliveries is:
City of Conover
Attn: Kaitlyn Lindler
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101 1st St E, Conover, NC 28613
LOIs received after this deadline will not be considered.
Except as provided below any firm wishing to be considered must be properly registered with the
Office of the Secretary of State and with the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers
and Surveyors. Any firm proposing to use corporate subsidiaries or subcontractors must include
a statement that these companies are properly registered with the North Carolina Board of
Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors and/or the NC Board for Licensing of Geologists. The
Engineers performing the work and in responsible charge of the work must be registered
Professional Engineers in the State of North Carolina and must have a good ethical and
professional standing. It will be the responsibility of the selected private firm to verify the
registration of any corporate subsidiary or subcontractor prior to submitting a Letter of
Interest. Firms which are not providing engineering services need not be registered with the North
Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors. Some of the services being solicited
may not require a license. It is the responsibility of each firm to adhere to all laws of the State of
North Carolina.
The firm must have the financial ability to undertake the work and assume the liability. The
selected firm(s) will be required to furnish proof of Professional Liability insurance coverage in the
minimum amount of $1,000,000.00; three million ($3,000,000) general aggregate. The term of
coverage shall coincide with the dates of the event/contract. The certificate shall provide a 30-day
notice of cancellation or material change of coverage to the certificate holders. Policy holder must
also list the City of Conover as additional insured. The firm(s) must have an adequate accounting
system to identify costs chargeable to the project.
SCOPE OF WORK
The City of Conover is soliciting proposals for the services of a firm/team for the following
contract scope of work:
Preliminary Engineering and Design is needed for additional sidewalk along both sides
of Conover Blvd E connecting to City Park, and pedestrian signals at the intersection
of 3rd St SE and Conover Blvd E. The project will connect the existing walking trail in
City Park to the sidewalk in front of Smurfit Westrock along Conover Blvd. Sidewalk
will be added along the opposite side of Conover Blvd E from 3rd St SE to the
intersection of 1st St E and Conover Blvd.
Project work elements and services include but not limited to; utility relocation and
coordination, preparation of right of way plans, preparation of construction contract
proposal and estimates. NEPA documentation and compliance must be acquired.
PROPOSED CONTRACT TIME: 360 days
PROPOSED CONTRACT PAYMENT TYPE: LUMP SUM
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SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
All LOIs are limited to fifteen (15) pages (RS-2 forms are not included in the page count) inclusive
of the cover sheet and shall be typed on 8-1/2" x 11" sheets, single-spaced, one-sided.
Fold out pages are not allowed. In order to reduce costs and to facilitate recycling, binders,
dividers, tabs, etc. are prohibited. One staple in the upper left-hand corner is preferred.
LOIs containing more than fifteen (15) pages will not be considered.
If mailed or hand-delivered, one (1) signed original and four (4) copies of the LOI should
be submitted along with a digital version on a thumb drive.
Firms submitting LOIs are encouraged to carefully check them for conformance to the
requirements stated above. If LOIs do not meet ALL of these requirements they will be
disqualified. No exception will be granted.
SELECTION PROCESS
Following is a general description of the selection process:
* The Local Government Agency's (LGA) Selection Committee will review all qualifying LOI
submittals.
* For Project-Specific Contracts (non-On-Call type contracts), the LGA's Selection
Committee MAY, at the LGA's discretion, shortlist a minimum of three (3) firms to be
interviewed. IF APPLICABLE, dates of shortlisting and dates for interviews are shown in
the section SUBMISSION SCHEDULE AND KEY DATES at the end of this RFLOI.
* In order to be considered for selection, consultants must submit a complete response to
this RFLOI prior to the specified deadlines. Failure to submit all information in a timely
manner will result in disqualification.
TITLE VI NONDISCRIMINATION NOTIFICATION
The LGA in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252,
42 US.C. 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all RESPONDENTS that it
will affirmatively ensure that any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement,
disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit LETTERS
of INTEREST (LOIs) in response to this ADVERTISEMENT and will not be discriminated against
on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.
SMALL PROFESSIONAL SERVICE FIRM (SPSF) PARTICIPATION
The Department encourages the use of Small Professional Services Firms (SPSF). Small
businesses determined to be eligible for participation in the SPSF program are those meeting size
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standards defined by Small Business Administration (SBA) regulations, 13 CFR Part 121 in Sector
54 under the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS). The SPSF program is a
race, ethnicity, and gender-neutral program designed to increase the availability of contracting
opportunities for small businesses on federal, state or locally funded contracts. SPSF
participation is not contingent upon the funding source.
The Firm, at the time the Letter of Interest is submitted, shall submit a listing of all known SPSF
firms that will participate in the performance of the identified work. The participation shall be
submitted on the Department's Subconsultant Form RS-2. RS-2 forms may be accessed on the
Department's website at NCDOT Connect Guidelines & Forms.
The SPSF must be qualified with the Department to perform the work for which they are listed.
PREQUALIFICATION
The Department maintains on file the qualifications and key personnel for each approved
discipline, as well as any required samples of work. Each year on the anniversary date of the
company, the firm shall renew their prequalified disciplines. If your firm has not renewed its
application as required by your anniversary date or if your firm is not currently prequalified, please
submit an application to the Department prior to submittal of your LOI. An application may be
accessed on the Department's website at Prequalifying Private Consulting Firms -- Learn how to
become Prequalified as a Private Consulting Firm with NCDOT. Having this data on file with the
Department eliminates the need to resubmit this data with each letter of interest.
Professional Services Contracts are race and gender neutral and do not contain goals. However,
the Respondent is encouraged to give every opportunity to allow Disadvantaged, Minority-Owned
and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (DBE/MBE/WBE) subconsultant utilization on all LOIs,
contracts and supplemental agreements. The Firm, subconsultant and subfirm shall not
discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, age, disability or sex in the
performance of this contract.
DIRECTORY OF FIRMS AND DEPARTMENT ENDORSEMENT
Real-time information about firms doing business with the Department, and information regarding
their prequalification's and certifications, is available in the Directory of Transportation Firms. The
Directory can be accessed on the Department's website at Directory of Firms -- Complete listing
of certified and prequalified firms.
The listing of an individual firm in the Department's directory shall not be construed as an
endorsement of the firm.
SELECTION CRITERIA
All prequalified firms who submit responsive letters of interest will be considered.
In selecting a firm/team, the selection committee will take into consideration qualification
information including such factors as:
1. 30% = Firm Experience.
2. 30% = Project Manager & Key Staff Experience.
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3. 30% = Past Performance with Similar Projects (Budget, Schedule, etc)
4. 10% = Technical Approach.
After reviewing qualifications, if firms are equal on the evaluation review, then those qualified firms
with proposed SPSF participation will be given priority consideration.
SUBMISSION ORGANIZATION AND INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS
The LOI should be addressed to Kaitlyn Lindler, Project Manager, and must include the name,
address, telephone number, and e-mail address of the prime consultant's contact person for this
RFLOI.
The LOI must also include the information outlined below:
Chapter 1 - Introduction
The Introduction should demonstrate the consultant's overall qualifications to fulfill
the requirements of the scope of work and should contain the following elements of
information:
Expression of firm's interest in the work;
Statement of whether firm is on register;
Date of most recent private engineering firm qualification;
Statement regarding firm's(') possible conflict of interest for the work; and
Summation of information contained in the letter of interest.
Chapter 2 - Team Qualifications
This chapter should elaborate on the general information presented in the
introduction, to establish the credentials and experience of the consultant to
undertake this type of effort. The following must be included:
1. Identify recent, similar projects the firm, acting as the prime contractor, has
conducted which demonstrates its ability to conduct and manage the
project. Provide a synopsis of each project and include the date completed
and contact person.
2. If subconsultants are involved, provide corresponding information
describing their qualifications as requested in bullet number 1 above.
Chapter 3 - Team Experience
This chapter must provide the names, classifications, and location of the firm's North
Carolina employees and resources to be assigned to the advertised work; and the
professional credentials and experience of the persons assigned to the project,
along with any unique qualifications of key personnel. Although standard personnel
resumes may be included, identify pertinent team experience to be applied to this
project. Specifically, the Department is interested in the experience, expertise, and
total quality of the consultant's proposed team. If principals of the firm will not be
actively involved in the study/contract/project, do not list them. The submittal shall
clearly indicate the Consultant's Project Manager, other key Team Members and
his/her qualifications for the proposed work. Also, include the team's organization
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chart for the Project / Plan. A Capacity Chart / Graph (available work force) should
also be included. Any other pertinent information should also be listed in this section.
Note: If a project team or subconsultant encounters personnel changes, or any other
changes of significance dealing with the company, NCDOT should be notified
immediately.
Chapter 4 - Technical Approach
The consultant shall provide information on its understanding of, and approach to
accomplish, this project, including their envisioned scope for the work and any
innovative ideas/approaches, and a schedule to achieve the dates outlined in this
RFLOI (if any project-specific dates are outlined below).
APPENDICES-
CONSULTANT CERTIFICATION Form RS-2
Completed Form RS-2 forms SHALL be submitted with the firm's letter of
interest. This section is limited to the number of pages required to provide the
requested information.
Submit Form RS-2 forms for the following:
* Prime Consultant Firm
Prime Consultant Form RS-2 Rev 1/14/08; and
* ANY/ALL Subconsultant firms (If Subconsultants are allowed
under this RFLOI) to be, or anticipated to be, utilized by your
firm.
Subconsultant Form RS-2 Rev 1/15/08.
In the event the firm has no subconsultant, it is required
that this be indicated on the Subconsultant Form RS-2
by entering the word "None" or the number "ZERO" and
signing the form.
Complete and sign each Form RS-2 (instructions are listed on the form).
The required forms are available on the Department's website at:
https://connect.ncdot.gov/business/consultants/Pages/Guidelines-Forms.aspx
Prime Consultant Form RS-2
Subconsultant Form RS-2
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All submissions, correspondence, and questions concerning this RFLOI should be directed to
Kaitlyn Lindler at Kaitlyn.lindler@conovernc.gov.
IF APPLICABLE, questions may be submitted electronically only, to the contact above.
Responses will be issued in the form of an addendum available to all interested parties.
Interested parties should also send a request, by email only, to the person listed above to be
placed on a public correspondence list to ensure future updates regarding the RFLOI or other
project information can be conveyed. Questions must be submitted to the person listed above
no later than March 27, 2026. The last addendum will be issued no later than March 31,
2026.
SUBMISSION SCHEDULE AND KEY DATES
RFLOI Release - March 19, 2026
Deadline for Questions - March 27, 2026
Issue Final Addendum - March 31, 2026
Deadline for LOI Submission - April 9, 2026
Firm Selection and Notification * - April 24, 2026
Anticipated Notice to Proceed - May 24, 2026
* Notification will ONLY be sent to selected firms.
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