RFQ Engineering Services – Sewer system improvements at Hickory Lane & W Glendale Avenue area

TOWN OF BURNSVILLE
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES
The Town of Burnsville seeks statements of qualifications from firms capable of providing
engineering, planning, and construction inspection services. The Town has received funding from
the NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) through the State Revolving Fund
Supplemental Appropriations for Hurricanes Helene and Milton and the Hawaii Wildfires (referred
to as the "SRF Helene" funds) to complete a project titled, herein after referred to the as the
"Project".
The goal of the Project is to make water supply and distribution improvements to the Town of
Burnsville's drinking water system
Background:
The Town of Burnsville was recently awarded $4,877,626.00 in SRF-Helene funds to complete
the Project, which includes:
1. The Town of Burnsville is proposing a critical infrastructure improvement project to
modernize and enhance the sewer system serving the Hickory Lane and West Glendale
Avenue area. This neighborhood is currently served by undersized 4-inch and 6-inch
gravity-fed sewer lines, which have proven inadequate to handle existing flow volumes
and have contributed to system inefficiencies and maintenance challenges.
2. To address these issues and ensure compliance with the North Carolina Department of
Environmental Quality's (NC DEQ) minimum design criteria for public sewer conveyance
and collection systems, the Town is proposing to replace the existing lines with new 8-
inch sewer lines. This upgrade will not only improve hydraulic capacity and system
reliability but will also accommodate future growth in the service area. In addition to
increasing the line size, the project will utilize ductile iron pipe (DIP), a durable and resilient
material designed to withstand shifting soils, heavy loading, and future flooding events.
Collectively, these improvements will enhance the long-term functionality and resiliency of
Burnsville's wastewater infrastructure against future major flood events.

Scope of Work:
Engineering services for the Project shall include, but are not limited to, standard tasks necessary
for the implementation and administration of the project in conformance with DEQ, federal, and
state requirements:
1. Preparation of an engineering report/environmental information document (ER/EID) that
meets DEQ standards to be submitted before July 15, 2026.
2. Performing or coordinating any necessary surveying, geotechnical investigation,
assessments, or other field investigations necessary to support planning, design,
permitting, and construction. The extent of these services will be determined based on
project needs and available information. The consultants shall identify applicable permits,
approvals, and regulatory requirements associated with the proposed work and coordinate
with the appropriate agencies. This may include preparation of permit applications,
supporting technical documentation, environmental review materials, and coordination
required to advance the project through applicable local, state, and federal review
processes.
3. The consultant shall prepare preliminary and final design documents for the Project. This
may include engineering drawings, technical specifications, bidding documents, contract
documents, engineer's opinion of probable construction cost, and other materials
necessary for procurement and construction. Design shall address, as applicable,
temporary erosion and sediment control, phasing and sequencing of construction,
contractor access, maintenance of system operations, site restoration, traffic control, and
other project-specific considerations.
4. As applicable, the consultant will aid the Town with easement procurement from private
parties and/or encroachment agreements with government entities such as DOT.
5. Conducting the bid process, including:
a. Supervising the bid advertising, tabulation, and award process,
b. Preparing the advertisements for bid
c. Sending direct solicitations
d. Handling responses to bidder questions
e. Issuing addenda
f. Conducting pre-bid meeting
g. Conducting bid opening
h. Reviewing bids for responsiveness and completeness
i. Assisting with recommendation of award
j. Issuing the notice to proceed
6. Conducting the pre-construction conference.
7. The consultant shall provide engineering services during construction and project
closeout. Services may include review of shop drawings and submittals, responses to
requests for information, attendance at project meetings, review of pay applications and
change orders, periodic observation of construction progress, coordination with the Town
and contractor, assistance with substantial and final completion, preparation of record
documentation, and support with project closeout requirements.
8. The consultant shall demonstrate familiarity with North Carolina Division of Water
Infrastructure funding requirements, procurement expectations, and project
documentation standards for publicly funded infrastructure projects. The consultant shall
support the Town in complying with all applicable funding, procurement, reporting, and
documentation requirements associated with the Project. This includes ensuring

compliance with all American Iron and Steel and Davis-Bacon requirements and handling
all related reporting.
9. Providing reproducible plan drawings to the Town upon project completion.
10. Conducting final inspection and testing.
11. Submitting certified "as-built" drawings to appropriate authorities.
Submission Requirements and Format:
All submittals must contain the following information:
1. Format: Submittals shall be made on 8 1/2" x 11" paper, side bound. The package
submitted shall not exceed fifteen (15) sheets (30 pages double-sided). Front and back
covers and cover letter are excluded from these totals.
2. Individual or Firm information: firm's legal name, address, email, and telephone
number, the principal(s) of the firm and their experience and qualifications. Provide the
name and contract information of the individual(s) authorized to represent the firm in
negotiations and to sign any agreement resulting from the proposal.
3. Timeline: Work program timeline showing the estimated length of time for completion of
the Project. Time estimates should be expressed in number of days/weeks without
reference to a specific starting date. However, the submission should explain how quickly
the consultant would be able to begin the Project. BE ADVISED, the Project is subject to
a contractual NCDEQ timeline, and the consultant will be responsible for meeting the
required thresholds.
4. Water/Wastewater Experience: The specialized experience and technical competence
of the staff to be assigned to the Project with respect to water/wastewater improvements
or related work, description of firm's prior experience, including any similar projects funded
with State or Federal funds, and total construction costs.
5. Capacity and Capability: The capacity and capability of the firm to perform the work in
question, including specialized services, the past record of performance of the firm with
respect to such factors as control of costs, quality of work, and ability to meet schedules;
description of firm's current work activities, capability of carrying out all aspects of the
related activities and firm's anticipated availability during the term of the project.
6. Project Management: Provide a proposed organizational chart for the services to be
provided. Include the names and titles of the personnel anticipated to work on the scope
of the work. Detailed information on the staff's experience in the related field and
knowledge of the industry should be included.
7. References: List at least three (3) reference clients for whom similar or comparable
services have been performed. Include the name, mailing address, and telephone number
of the primary contact person.
8. Fees: Fee schedules, including hourly rates for the prime consultant and all sub-
consultants, meetings, and reproduction costs should be included.

Qualification Evaluation Criteria:
Submissions will be evaluated according to the following factors:
1. The consultant's experience, knowledge,
familiarity, and past performance with water 20 pts
and sewer design and services.
2. The qualifications and experience of the key
15 pts
staff to perform the scope of work
3. Adequate staffing capability and current
15 pts
workload of the consultant
4. Quality and completeness of response to the
10 pts
RFQ
5. Proposed work plan in line with the DEQ
10 pts
contract
6. Past performance and/or experience with the
15 pts
Town
7. Proposed fee schedule and hourly rates for the
15 pts
scope of work.
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 Registration for Professional Engineers and Land
Surveyors. 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 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.
The firm must have the financial ability to undertake the work and assume the liability. The
selected firm will be required to furnish proof of Professional Liability insurance coverage in the
minimum amount of $1,000,000. The firm must have an adequate accounting system to identify
costs chargeable to the project.
Respondents may review the Project application submitted to DEQ, which includes a description
of the proposed project including activities, budget, schedule, and other pertinent information by
visiting the Town Hall during regular office hours.
The above information should be submitted to the Town no later than 4:00 pm on May 15, 2026.
Submissions may be mailed to the Town:
Town of Burnsville
PO Box 97 (mailing address)
Burnsville, North Carolina 28714
ATTN: Chad Fox, Town Clerk

Or
Submitted in person to the Town Clerk at Burnsville Town Hall located at:
2 Town Square
Burnsville, North Carolina 28714
For more information you may contact Chad Fox, Town Clerk at 828-682-2420 or via email at
clerk@townofburnsville.org.
General Requirements, Comments & Disclosures:
1. This solicitation is for services that will be funded by appropriations subject to federal
procurement requirements and reporting and therefore all contracted consultants and sub
consultants must be eligible to receive federal funds as provided by 2 CFR 200.
2. All consultants and their key staff and employees are expected to provide a statement of
conflict of interest if any conflict they may have regarding the project set forth hereinabove,
and a plan for mitigating the conflict(s). Note that the Town of Burnsville may in its sole
discretion determine whether a conflict disqualifies a firm, and/or whether a conflict
mitigation plan is acceptable.
3. Any consulting firm and its principals and key personnel and employees may not be
debarred or suspended nor otherwise on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) in the
System for Award Management (SAM). Consultants must include verification that the
service provider, as well as its principals and key personnel are not listed (are not
debarred) through the System for Award Management (www.SAM.gov). Consultants are
expected to enclose a print-out of search results that includes the record date.
4. Small and minority businesses, women's business enterprises, and labor surplus area
firms are encouraged to participate in this RFQ. If the awarded vendor is a prime contractor
and may use subcontractors, the following affirmative steps are required of the prime
contractor:
a. Placing qualified small and minority businesses and women's business enterprises
on solicitation lists,
b. Assuring that small and minority businesses and women's business enterprises
are solicited whenever they are potential sources,
c. Dividing total requirements, when economically feasible, into smaller tasks or
quantities to permit maximum participation by small and minority businesses and
women's business enterprises,
d. Establishing delivery scheduled, where the requirement permits, which encourage
participation by small and minority businesses and women's business enterprises,
e. Using the services and assistance, as appropriate, of such organizations as the
Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Minority Business Development
Agency (MBDA) of the Department of Commerce.
5. Any consultant selected under this RFQ will not discriminate against any employee or
consultant for employment, because of race, color, religion, sex, creed, disability, or
national origin. Any selected consultant will take affirmative action to ensure that
consultants are employed and that the employees are treated during employment without
regard to their age, race, color, religion, sex, creed, disability, or national origin.
6. This RFQ is a request for the submission of qualifications and is not itself an offer, nor
should it be construed as an offer.

7. The Town of Burnsville expressly reserves the right to modify, reschedule, or cancel this
request at any time, whether before or after any proposals have been submitted or
received.
8. The Town of Burnsville reserves the right to reject and not consider any or all Consultants
in its discretion.
9. The Town of Burnsville reserves the right to reject any or all companies, to waive any
informality in the RFQ process, or to terminate the RFQ process at any time, if deemed to
be in its best interest.
10. In the event the party selected does not enter into the required agreement to carry out the
purposes described in this request, the Town of Burnsville may, in addition to any other
rights or remedies available at law or in equity, commence negotiations with another
person or entity.
11. In no event shall any obligations of any kind be enforceable against the Town of Burnsville
unless and until a written agreement is entered into.
12. The Consultant agrees to bear all costs and expenses of its response and there shall be
no reimbursement for any costs and expenses relating to the preparation of proposals
submitted hereunder or for any costs or expenses incurred during negotiations.
13. By submitting a response to this request, the Consultant waives all rights to protest or
seek any remedies whatsoever regarding any aspect of this request, the selection of
another Consultant or Consultants with whom to negotiate, the rejection of any or all offers
to negotiate, or a decision to terminate negotiations.
14. The Town of Burnsville reserves the right not to award a contract pursuant to the RFQ.
15. All items become the property of the Town of Burnsville upon submission and will not be
returned to the Consultant.
16. Proposals will be evaluated using the factors listed in this RFQ.
17. The Town of Burnsville reserves the right to interview or to choose not to interview
Consultants prior to making a final selection.
18. Consultants are requested to refrain from contact with the Selection Committee members.
Any questions regarding the RFQ should be directed to Chad Fox, Town Clerk at 828-682-2420
or via email to clerk@townofburnsville.org.