RFQ: Regional Biosolids – Feasibility Study

BRUNSWICK COUNTY
REQUEST FOR
QUALIFICATIONS
Regional Biosolids - Feasibility Study
ISSUE DATE:
June 1, 2026
DUE DATE:
July 2, 2026

Request for Qualifications Statements
Regional Biosolids Feasibility Study
Brunswick County (the "County"), in consultation with the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority
("CFPUA") (together the "Parties" and individually a "Party"), are each engaged in the provision
of municipal wastewater treatments to their ratepayers. Each Party currently owns, operates, and
maintains reclamation facilities in southeastern North Carolina. Due to rising costs associated
with significant population growth in the region, environmental impacts, and the potential for
regulatory development, the Parties are jointly committed to finding a best practice for biosolid
disposal, reducing both environmental and financial impacts on their ratepayers.
To that end, the County, in consultation with CFPUA, is requesting qualifications statements
from qualified professional engineering firms for engineering services necessary to produce a
feasibility study evaluating a regional approach to biosolids management, which will be used to
objectively and rationally analyze whether the development of a jointly- and publicly-owned and
publicly-operated regional biosolids facility is favorable, based on known details, estimates,
strengths, and weaknesses of the potential future project.
Services will include, but not be limited to, professional engineering services in support of a
feasibility study to identify and evaluate alternatives for a long-term regional management of
biosolids in Brunswick and surrounding counties.
A more detailed description of the work to be performed is contained in the enclosed Scope of
Work. Firms submitting a Statement of Qualifications should use the enclosed Scope of Work as
a guide but may develop their own scope based upon their experiences on similar projects. The
County will be the owner and contracting party of the contract with the awarded firm and shall
have overall management responsibility under the awarded contract. The County will negotiate
and refine a final Scope of Work with the selected firm. The firm's final contract shall be based
on a lump sum amount, inclusive of permit application fees and other expenses (printing,
mileage, per diem, etc.). No additional compensation shall be made for reimbursable items.
Firms interested in being considered for this work should submit their Statement of
Qualifications to:
Post Office Delivery Hand Delivery or Alternate Shipping Service
Brunswick County Public Utilities Brunswick County Public Utilities
Attention: Robert Miller, PE Attention: Robert Miller, PE
250 Grey Water Road NE P. O. Box 249
Supply, NC 28462 Bolivia, NC 28422
(910) 253-1759
For consideration, eight (8) hard copies and one (1) electronic copy on a USB drive of the
response to this Request for Qualifications must be received by the County by 4:30 PM ET on
July 2, 2026. Brunswick County will not be responsible for the failure of any mail or delivery
service to deliver responses prior to the stated date and time. Regardless of the manner of
submission, any response received after the stated date and time will not be considered.

Incomplete responses or responses inconsistent with the required format may be disqualified
from consideration.
Statements of Qualifications shall be limited to twenty-five (25) pages (excluding resumes) with
a minimum font size of 11 points.
Sections shall be divided by tabs that indicate the title of each section. At a minimum, the
qualifications statement should include the following information:
1) The company's full legal name, state of organization or incorporation, primary office
location, office location of project personnel, years of experience, and a contact person.
2) Qualifications of the employees who will be assigned to the project. The project manager
and other key team members should be clearly identified. If subcontractors are to be used
for any portion of the work, they should be identified, and their qualifications included.
Brunswick County reserves the right to reject any subcontractors in its sole and absolute
discretion.
a) The qualifications statement shall clearly indicate who will oversee the project as well
as the roles that each individual shall perform.
b) Special emphasis shall be provided on the individuals' backgrounds, qualifications,
certifications, and experience on related and or similar projects.
3) Experience on at least three (3) similar projects. The qualifications statement should
include a description and contact person for projects that were similar in size and scope
as this project.
a) For each project experience listed, list the role played by each of the current team
members.
4) A project schedule including key milestones should be included. The project schedule
should start from the Notice to Proceed and include two-week review times for County
staff reviews. A project schedule will be included in the contract for this work.
5) A brief description of the project approach to be used by the firm should be included.
a) In the firm's own words, describe the understanding of the project, the
requirements of the project, the challenges associated with the project, the
approach to handling any project challenges, and the anticipated outcome of the
project.
b) List all assumptions made in preparing the project approach.
c) Discuss any additions, deletions, or changes to the Scope of Work which may
improve the project. Discuss how these changes will affect the associated resources
and schedule.

6) A brief discussion of the firm's ability to properly scope the project should be included.
This includes an estimate of man-hours required to complete the various components of
the project. Man-hour estimates should be broken down by tasks with separate columns
for labor classifications. Each task shall be subtotaled in addition to project totals.
Brunswick County reserves the right to request financial information for any firm in order to
support the viability of the firm.
Brunswick County reserves the right to refuse or reject any or all qualifications and to waive any
and all formalities, irregularities, or technicalities. Brunswick County reserves the right to select
the firm that best meets its needs and negotiate a final Scope of Work that reflects the work to be
done and the budget constraints. Based upon the number of qualifications statements received,
the County may subsequently request oral presentations as a part of the selection process. All
firms submitting a Statement of Qualifications will receive notification once the contract has
been awarded.
Selection of a firm will be by committee, which committee shall be made up of an equal number
of representatives from the County and CFPUA. The committee shall evaluate Statements of
Qualifications on the firm's ability to meet the requirements of this Request for Qualifications.
Evaluation criteria will include, without limitation:
1. The firm's experience in providing similar services for similar projects.
2. Qualifications and accessibility of key individuals identified in the qualifications
statement that will be assigned to the project.
3. Ability to properly scope the project and the capability of the firm to manage the work.
4. Ability to provide a project approach that best meets the project intent.
5. Ability to meet established schedules.
Qualifications Selection
Qualifications Selection Criteria
Criteria Weighting
Max Points
The firm's experience in providing similar services for similar
20
projects
Qualifications and accessibility of key individuals identified in
20
the qualifications statement that will be assigned to the project
Ability to properly scope the project and the capability of the
20
firm to manage the work
Ability to provide a project approach that best meets the
25
project intent
Ability to meet established schedules 15
Total Points 100

Neither Brunswick County nor CFPUA will be responsible for any costs or expenses incurred by
any firm in submitting a Statement of Qualifications. Brunswick County reserves the right to
cancel the work described herein prior to the issuance and acceptance of any contractual
agreement even if the Board of Commissioners has formally accepted the recommendation.
In addition to the terms and conditions contained in this Request for Qualifications, by
submitting a Statement of Qualifications, if selected, the firm agrees to enter into and be bound
by the provisions of a Professional Services Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto
and incorporated herein by reference. To the extent that any of the terms of this Request for
Qualifications and the terms of the Professional Services Agreement conflict, the terms of the
Professional Services Agreement shall prevail. No work shall commence until an agreement has
been fully executed by the parties.
An optional pre-response meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET.
The pre-response meeting will be held at 250 Grey Water Road, Supply, NC 28462.
Any questions or comments shall be submitted in writing to Robert Miller, PE at
robert.miller@brunswickcountync.gov by 4:00 PM ET on June 24, 2026. A copy of all
questions, further clarifications, and answers will be made in the form of an addendum to this
Request for Qualifications and will be provided to all known interested firms. Any addendum
will also be posted to the County website. Notwithstanding the forgoing, firms will be
responsible for ensuring that they have all addenda.
Interested firms are expressly prohibited from contacting any Brunswick County official or
employee regarding this Request for Qualifications, except in the manner noted in this
section. A violation of this provision is grounds for the immediate disqualification of the
firm.
Certification
The firm submitting a Statement of Qualifications hereby certifies that it has carefully
examined this Request for Qualifications and all attachments hereto, including, without
limitation, the Professional Services Agreement. The firm submitting the Statement of
Qualifications further certifies that it understands and accepts all terms and conditions
contained in the Request for Qualifications, including, without limitation, the Professional
Services Agreement, and the scope of work, and that it has knowledge and expertise to
complete the project. By submitting a Statement of Qualifications, the firm further certifies
that its submittal is fair in all respects and without collusion or fraud.

SCOPE OF WORK
Regional Biosolids Feasibility Study
1. BACKGROUND
Brunswick County Public Utilities and Cape Fear Public Utility Authority are seeking to
evaluate the feasibility of a regional approach to biosolids management in Brunswick and
New Hanover counties (Phase I). If the Phase I Feasibility Study deems that a regional
approach is a viable approach to the management of the Parties' biosolids, the Parties will
seek an engineering firm to provide a Preliminary Engineering Study (Phase II) to further
evaluate the recommended approach for regional biosolids management.
The study may include additional local and/or regional government utilities/agencies. All
partnering agencies own and/or operate wastewater treatment ("WWTP") and water
treatment ("WTP") facilities. Each Party currently treats and then legally disposes of sewage
sludge generated during the treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment works ("biosolids").
Currently, the primary means of dewatered biosolids end-use for each WWTP/WTP is a
combination of landfill disposal, composting, and/or land application.
1.1 Overview of Brunswick County Public Utilities
Brunswick County Public Utilities ("BCPU") began operating its first WWTP in the late
1990's to serve the growing community. BCPU now operates six (6) WWTPs with a
treatment capacity of 13,355,000 gallons per day ("GPD"). BCPU also operates two (2)
WTPs: the Northwest WTP and the Highway 211 WTP with treatment capacities of
twenty-four (24) and six (6) million gallons per day, respectively.
1.2 Overview of Cape Fear Public Utility Authority
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority was established in 2008 through the consolidation of
the water and wastewater systems of the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County.
It is governed by an eleven-member board, with appointments made by the Wilmington
City Council and the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners. CFPUA serves
more than 200,000 customers and operates two WWTPs-the James A. Loughlin
(Northside) Wastewater Treatment Plant ("NSWWTP") which is rated at sixteen (16)
million gallons per day and the M'Kean Maffitt (Southside) Wastewater Treatment Plant
("SSWWTP") which is rated at twelve (12) million gallons per day. Both of these plants
collectively receive nearly eighteen (18) million gallons per day. CFPUA also operates
two (2) WTPs: the Sweeney Water Treatment Plant and the Richardson Water Treatment
Plant, which provide approximately 20.5 million gallons per day of clean drinking water.
1.4 Biosolids Management Across the Agencies
Table 1 provides an overview of the biosolids management across each of the Parties
with further details provided in the section below.

Table 1 - Current Biosolids Production and End Use
Current Biosolids
Authority Facility Current End Use Production (Dry
Tons Per Year)
Class A - Land Application
BCPU West Brunswick WRF 689
(liquid)
Class B - Landfill (dried
West Brunswick WRF 50
cake)
Class A - Land Application
Northeast WWTP 352
(liquid)
PACl - Land Application
Northwest WTP 1,100
(liquid) / Compost (dried)
Lime Sludge - Beneficial
Hwy 211 WTP 7
Reuse (dried)
Biological Sludge - Landfill
CFPUA NSWWTP 2,674
(dried cake)
Biological Sludge - Landfill
SSWWTP 1,061
(dried cake)
Alum Sludge - Landfill
Sweeney WTP 1,462
(dried cake)
1.3.1 BCPU Biosolids Management Overview
BCPU currently produces an average of 1,000 dry tons of biosolids per year through
Autothermal Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion ("ATAD") at the West Brunswick
Water Reclamation Facility ("WRF") and the Northeast WWTP. At this time, nearly
all the biosolids produced are transported and land applied in liquid form in
Brunswick County, North Carolina. Occasionally, during emergency conditions, a
small portion of Class B biosolids are dried and transported for landfill disposal in
Sampson County, North Carolina. BCPU is currently performing a design-build
project at the West Brunswick WRF that will upgrade the current biosolids
infrastructure and install two (2) belt filter presses with an expected completion date
of December 2027. Upon completion and at current flow rates, BCPU will produce
approximately 3,285 dry tons of Class A cake per year at the West Brunswick WRF
facility.
BCPU produces an average of 1,100 dry tons of polyaluminumchloride ("PACl") per
year at the Northwest WTP. Approximately 90% of the PACl sludge is liquid land
applied on local farms in Brunswick County, North Carolina. The remaining sludge is
taken to McGill Composting. If conditions do not allow for land application, the
sludge is taken to the landfill in Sampson County, North Carolina. BCPU produces an
average of seven (7) dry tons of lime sludge at the Highway 211 WTP. The lime
solids are being reused as a beneficial fill, based on solid waste determination, and are
being used by a Brunswick County resident.

1.3.2 CFPUA Biosolids Management Overview
CFPUA currently produces an average of 5,197 dry tons of biosolids per year through
its facilities. The NSWWTP generates an average of 2,674 dry tons of biological
sludge. The SSWWTP generates an average of 1,061 dry tons of biological sludge.
The Sweeney WTP generates an average of 1,462 dry tons of alum sludge. All of the
biosolids produced are landfilled at the GFL Environmental Landfill in Sampson
County, North Carolina.
2. STUDY AND REPORT PHASE
2.1 Additional Participants
At the time of this RFQ, the Parties participating in the feasibility study are limited to the
County and CFPUA, as described above. The selected firm will identify other potential
agencies (municipal and/or public agency wastewater treatment facilities) within a 50-mile
radius of Wilmington, NC who could be a potential participant in a regional biosolids
management solution.
The selected firm shall identify and facilitate discussion with additional agencies that may
have in interest in joining the regional effort. Consideration shall be given for how the Parties
may be reimbursed for the efforts of this feasibility study should an agency join after this
study is completed. The selected firm shall include these decisions in a technical
memorandum such that future participating agencies may begin the process for joining the
regional approach.
2.2 Agency Specific Needs and Challenges
The selected firm shall document each Party's biosolids-specific goals and policies based on
information provided by each Party and/or future participating agency. The selected firm will
utilize existing Master Plans or Strategic Plans, when available, to identify potential
challenges or needs. If such plans are not available, the selected firm will interview the
Parties and/or future participating agencies to obtain this information. The selected firm shall
identify and combine, at a high level, the biosolids management challenges and needs for
each Party and/or further participating agencies, such as:
* Current biosolids management costs, including landfill tipping costs, transportation
costs, and hauling distances
* Limitations from land application
* Potential future limitations to biosolids beneficial use/disposal strategies
* Biosolids treatment capacity limitations and future expansion requirements
* Regulatory-driven solids process improvement needs
2.3 Case Studies of Regional Biosolids Facilities
The selected firm shall review case studies of other regional biosolids facilities that treat
similar quantities and characteristics and present the findings in a technical memorandum
that provides a high-level overview of each study facility. This memo should include
descriptions of the benefits and concerns associated with each facility including technology
used, constructability, sustainability, and operability of similar systems. This memo should
also include an evaluation of the technologies utilized at each facility and the associated
benefits and concerns.

2.4 Identify Solids Production Processes, Quantities, and Characteristics
Currently, the primary means of dewatered biosolids end-use for each WWTP/WTP is a
combination of landfill disposal and/or land application. The Parties shall provide the
selected firm with current solids production rates and characteristics. Operating data from
each facility shall be provided in electronic form, including but not limited to, influent
average daily flow rates (million gallons per day), wet tons of biosolids produced annually,
and percentage of total solids.
2.4.1 Evaluate Solids Quantity
a) The Parties and/or future participating agencies shall provide the selected firm
with current solids production rates and characteristics. Operating data from
each plant shall be provided in electronic form (e.g., Excel spreadsheet) for
the following criteria:
* Influent Average Daily Flow Rate (million gallons/day)
* Dewatered cake production information (e.g., dewatered cake total solids,
wet cake mass, dry solids mass, etc.)
Wet Tons per Year
Percent Total Solids
Percent Volatile Solids
b) The Parties and/or future participating agencies shall provide the selected firm
with future solids production estimates for a 30-year planning period (e.g.,
2030 to 2060). For this purpose, an annual growth percentage or projected
annual quantitative increase shall be provided by the respective Party and/or
future participating agency. This feasibility study will use these unvalidated
values provided. Future biosolids production rates can be further evaluated
and confirmed/validated during Phase II, including an evaluation of projected
influent flows and loads and their corresponding solids production rates.
c) The Parties and/or future participating agencies shall provide the selected firm
a summary of their existing residuals dewatering infrastructure at each
treatment facility, including dewatered cake performance. The selected firm
will summarize the unvalidated values provided.
d) Each Party and/or future participating agency will provide an expected level
of usage of the proposed regional facility or facilities as either a percentage of
their overall production or as a total weight in dry pounds.
2.4.2 Solids Quality
a) The selected firm will assess available solids quality data and how each
facility meets Class B or Class A pathogen removal and vector attraction
reduction requirements. The description shall include the following
parameters, assuming the information is available and provided by the
Agencies:
* Nutrient concentrations
* Pollutant (i.e., metal) concentrations (per 40 CFR Part 423)

* Pathogen reduction via process or measurement
* Vector attraction reduction via process or land application management
b) The selected firm will evaluate and discuss industry trends in the region for
contaminants of emerging concern (PFAS, microplastics, pharmaceuticals,
personal care products, flame retardants, pesticides/agricultural products,
endocrine disrupting chemicals, etc.) and their potential impact on a regional
facility or facilities. The selected firm shall also discuss potential mitigation
strategies for the various contaminants as they pertain to a regional
facility(ies).
2.5 Document Goals and Objectives
The selected firm shall document each Party's and/or future participant agency's biosolids-
specific goals and policies based on communication and information provided by the
respective parties.
2.6 Determine Specific Challenges and Needs
The selected firm shall identify at a high level, for further evaluation in Phase II, the solids
treatment and biosolids management challenges and needs of each facility, such as:
* Current biosolids management costs, including tipping costs, transportation rates, and
hauling distances;
* Potential future limitations to biosolids disposal/beneficial use strategies;
* Solids treatment capacity limitations and associated expansion needs;
* Regulatory- or condition-driven solids processing improvement needs;
* Biosolids management portfolio diversification needs; and
* Site-constraints limiting solids treatment expansion.
The selected firm will use existing Master Plans or Strategic Plans, when available, to
identify challenges and needs. If such plans are not available, the selected firm will interview
the Parties and/or future participating agencies to obtain this information. The selected firm
will interview the respective parties providing a Master Plan or Strategic Plan to determine if
any changes have developed since the document(s) was/were finalized. A detailed capacity
and solids processing improvements assessment and an evaluation of the projected costs will
be included in Phase II.
2.7 Identification of site requirements
The selected firm shall work collaboratively with the respective partnering agencies to
evaluate the requirements of a future site that is suitably sized for current and full-scale
buildout needs, suitable to minimize hauling burden for all respective partnering agencies. At
a minimum the selected firm will consider the impacts of the following:
* Acreage required for the recommended technology and full build out of the facility
* Land use of neighboring parcels to minimize impacts from noise, traffic, and odor
* Establish compatible land uses and zoning
* Redundant and flood-resistant means of egress to the transportation grid
* Buildable, dry, and flat available land with low environmental concerns
* Access to utilities including medium voltage electrical, gas lines, water, and sewer
* Neighboring land use - agricultural/institutional/commercial compared to residential