RFQ: Backup Communications Center & EOC Renovation or New Facility Construction

Location:	North Carolina
Posted:	Nov 19, 2025
Due:	Dec 22, 2025
Agency:	County of Carteret
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	Y - Construction of Structures and Facilities
Solicitation No:	RFQ #003-12-2025
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

ARCHITECTURAL & ENGINEERING SERVICES

Backup Communications Center & Emergency Operations Center Renovation

or New Facility Construction

Issued: November 19, 2025

Submission Deadline: December 22, 2025 by 2:00 PM, EST.

RFQ #003-12-2025

November 19, 2025

RE: Request for Qualifications

Professional Architectural & Engineering Services

To Who It May Concern:

The County of Carteret is seeking qualified firms to provide architectural and engineering design services for the

renovation or new construction of the County’s Backup Communications Center and Emergency Operations Center

(EOC). The selected firm will assist the County with design or redesign of the facility based on the approach

ultimately approved by the Board of Commissioners.

Enclosed is a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) that outlines the scope of work and requirements for this project.

All responses must be submitted in writing no later than 2:00 PM (EST) on December 22, 2025. Firms submitting

their qualification by mail should allow sufficient time to ensure delivery before the deadline. The responsibility for

timely receipt lies solely with the responding firms. Carteret County will not be responsible for delays caused by the

postal services, courier service, or any other occurrence. Responses may be submitted by mail or hand delivered to:

Carteret County Purchasing Agent

Attn: Ashley Bennett

210 Turner Street

Beaufort, NC 28516

Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (EST)

All responding firms must be properly licensed and are responsible for complying with all North Carolina laws,

regulations, and local ordinances. Carteret County reserves the right to waive informalities, reject any or all

responses, and accept the qualifications deemed to be in the best interest of the County.

Funding for this project is contingent upon compliance with all terms and conditions of the applicable funding award.

All prospective firms must comply with all federal laws, regulations, executive orders and any additional terms

associated with the funding source. Contractors are also responsible for meeting all state and local requirements.

No responses will be received or accepted after 2:00 PM (EST), December 22, 2025. Late submissions will be

deemed non-responsive and returned unopened.

Thank you,

Ashley Bennett

Purchasing Agent

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTURAL & ENGINEERING SERVICES

CARTERET COUNTY

INTRODUCTION

Carteret County is soliciting qualifications from appropriately licensed architectural and engineering firms authorized

to practice in the State of North Carolina. The County seeks professional services for either the renovation and

hardening of the existing Backup Communications Center and Emergency Operations Center (EOC), or the design

and construction of a new Backup Communications Center and EOC facility. The selected firm will assist the County

in evaluating both approaches and delivering a design based on the option ultimately approved by the Carteret

County Board of Commissioners.

All work must comply with North Carolina General Statutes, the North Carolina Building Code, all applicable state and

local permitting requirements, and any federal regulations associated with the project’s funding source.

SCOPE OF SERVICE

Project site: Backup Communications Center and Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

3820 Bridges Street, Morehead City, North Carolina 28557

Project Description:

Option 1: Renovation and Hardening of the Existing Facility

The existing Backup Communications Center and Emergency Operations Center (EOC), constructed in 1974 and

originally designed as a Risk Category II structure, requires significant upgrades to meet current Risk Category IV

requirements under the North Carolina Building Code. The renovated facility must be capable of withstanding 151

mph (3-second gust) wind speeds and must be upgraded to support its role as a Public Safety Answering Point

(PSAP) and County EOC.

Required improvements include, but are not limited to:

• Structural reinforcements to exterior walls and framing

• Roof hardening to meet uplift and continuity standards

• Replacement of windows with impact-resistant assemblies

• Electrical system modernization, including replacement of panels currently at maximum load

• Expansion or upgrade of the hardened datacenter / server room

• Installation or upgrade of support amenities including showers, kitchen/kitchenette, dorm or rest areas,

conference/coordination space, and associated EOC functions

• Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing upgrades

• Communications infrastructures, radio systems, and PSAP-related systems

• Install a complete, code-compliant grounding and binding system for the existing datacenter, which is

currently ungrounded. This shall include grounding of all equipment, racks, cable trays, and surge protection

devices in accordance with NC Electrical Code, NFPA 70, and industry best practices for critical

communication facilities.

The selected firm will be responsible for preparing full design documents to ensure that the renovated facility

complies with:

• NC Building Code (Risk Category IV)

• NC Permitting requirements

• PSAP/NC 911 Board standards

• State and Federal procurement requirements, including 2 CFR Part 200 (if applicable)

Option 2: New Construction

Carteret County is also considering the construction of a new Backup Communication Center and Emergency

Operations Center (EOC) as a structural addition attached to the back side of the existing County facility located at

3820 Bridges Street or as a standalone structure at the same address.

The new structure shall:

• Be fully designed to Risk Category IV under the North Carolina Building Code

• Meet or exceed PSAP/NC 911 Board requirements

• Include a modern backup EOC, backup dispatch center, hardened datacenter, and support amenities

• Provide facilities needed for sustained emergency operations

• Be integrated structurally and functionally with the existing building without compromising the integrity of

either structure

The new attached structure will expand the County’s emergency operations capabilities, ensuring resiliency,

redundancy, and long-term continuity of operations for mission-critical services.

Each option- renovation or new construction-must be evaluated and designed in full compliance with:

• North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS)

• North Carolina Building Code and all applicable state codes

• Local ordinances and permitting requirements

• State Construction Office requirements (if applicable)

• Federal Procurement requirements and 2 CFR Part 200, when funded through federal sources.

The Carteret County IT Data Center to be designed in both options supports multiple mission-critical County services,

including but not limited to:

• The main internet trunk that provides connectivity for all County facilities.

• Virtual servers supporting the County-wide Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI).

• A cloud backup device for data redundancy and disaster recovery.

• Radio backup systems supporting 911 Communication operations

SUBMISSION

A. Submittals: submit one (1) hard copy marked “Backup Communications Center & Emergency Operations

Center Renovation or New Facility Construction” and one electronic (allowed via email). Submittals will be

received no later than 2:00 PM (EST), on December 22, 2025, at the Administration Building located at 210

Turner Street, Beaufort, NC 28516.

B. Qualification packages may be hand-delivered or mailed. If the submittal is sent by mail or commercial

express, the Respondent shall be responsible for actual delivery of the qualification package to the proper

county office before the deadline. All submittals become property of the County. Request for Qualification

packages will not be accepted via fax machine or internet e-mail.

C. Mark outside of the envelope with RFQ No. 003-12-2025 and proposed subject, “Backup Communications

Center & Emergency Operations Center Renovation or New Facility Construction”

D. Time is of the essence and any proposal or addenda pertaining thereto received after the announced time

and date for submittal, whether by mail or otherwise, will be rejected. It is the sole responsibility of the firm to

ensure that their proposal is received by the Purchasing Agent personnel before the deadline indicated

above.

E. Nothing herein is intended to exclude any responsibilities or in any way restrain or restrict competition. On

the contrary, all responsible firms/ individuals are encouraged to submit responses. The County of Carteret

reserves the right to waive any information, to reject any and/or all proposals, and to accept any proposal

which in its opinion may be in the best interest of the County.

F. Qualification packages may be withdrawn by written request prior to submittal deadline.

PREPARATION

A. Firms are to submit qualification packages which presents their qualifications and understanding of the

services to be performed. Emphasis should be placed on completeness of services offered and clarity of

content. All submittals should be complete and carefully worded and must convey all of the information

requested by the County. If errors or exceptions are found in the firm’s qualification package, or if the

package fails to conform to the requirements of the RFQ, the County will be the sole judge to reject the

firm’s submittal.

B. Qualification packages should be prepared simply and economically. All data, materials, and documentation

shall be available in a clear, concise form. Carteret County does not expect, nor will any more favorable

consideration be given to submittals with fancy covers or binding, color photographs, sample plans, non-

pertinent information on other accomplishments of the firm which have no direct bearing on these projects,

resumes of individuals who will not be engaged in the work, or pages of other non-project related materials.

Brevity will be appreciated. Submittals shall be limited to 30 single sided pages or 60 double sided pages.

Dividers and subdividers will not count towards the total page count.

C. Firms requiring clarification or interpretation of this RFQ shall make a written request, which shall reach the

Carteret County Purchasing Agent no later than the date and time for submittal of written questions.

D. Any interpretation, correction or change of this RFQ will be made by Addendum. Addenda will be mailed or

delivered to all who are known by the County Purchasing Agent to have received a complete set of RFQ

documents. It is the responsibility of the firm to ensure that all Addenda were received.

E. All submittals shall provide a straightforward, concise description of firm’s ability to satisfy the requirements

of the RFQ.

F. Qualification packages should be bound in a single volume where practical. All documentation submitted

with the offer should be bound in that single volume.

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Bid Number:	RFQ #003-12-2025
Bid Title:	RFQ: Backup Communications Center & EOC Renovation or New Facility Construction
Category:	Planning & Building Inspections
Status:	Open