Little Creek Resource Recovery Facility Expansion Project

Request for Qualifications # 274-LCX
Title: Little Creek RRF Expansion
Issue Date: April 20, 2026
Due Date: May 21, 2026 (by 5:00 PM EST)
*LATE PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED*
Issuing Department: Raleigh Water
Direct all inquiries concerning this RFQ to:
Matt Cotton, PE
Senior Engineering Supervisor (Raleigh Water)
Email: matt.cotton@raleighnc.gov
(v.07/10/23)

Table of Contents
1. Introduction .............................................................................................. 3
1.1. Purpose ........................................................................................... 3
1.2. Background ..................................................................................... 3
1.3. RFQ Timeline .................................................................................. 4
1.4. Pre-Submittal Conference ............................................................... 4
1.5. Questions ........................................................................................ 4
1.6. Submittal Requirements and Contact Information ........................... 5
1.7. MWBE Participation Form ............................................................... 5
1.8. Rights to Submitted Material ........................................................... 6
1.9. Communications ............................................................................. 6
1.10. Lobbying ......................................................................................... 6
1.11. Conflicts of Interest ......................................................................... 6
1.12. Proposer Expenses ......................................................................... 7
1.13. Proposer Acceptance ...................................................................... 7
2. Qualifications Package ............................................................................ 8
2.1. Request for Qualifications Required Document Format .................. 8
2.2. Hourly Rates ................................................................................... 9
2.3. Qualifications Package Documents ................................................. 9
3. Proposal Evaluation ................................................................................ 9
3.1. Evaluation Criteria ........................................................................... 9
3.2. Final Selection............................................................................... 10
3.3. Notice to Submitting Firms Regarding RFQ Terms & Conditions .. 10
3.4. Contract Term....................................................................10
4. Scope of Services .................................................................................. 10
Appendix I - Proposer Questionnaire ............................................................ 12
Appendix II - MWBE Participation Form ....................................................... 13
Appendix III - Contract Standard Terms & Conditions ................................. 14
Appendix IV - Exceptions to RFQ ................................................................... 25
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1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose
The City of Raleigh is seeking one or more qualified firm(s) with which to contract for the
following services:
The City of Raleigh requests qualifications for professional engineering services for the
following project:
Little Creek RRF Expansion.
Provide Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) and preliminary design for
expansion of the Little Creek Resource Recovery Facility (RRF) up to 4.99
MGD. PER and preliminary design will also address new discharge location at
Moccasin Creek. If speculative limits are successfully obtained, assist with
additional NPDES permitting for expansion required and completion of detailed
design, bidding, and construction phase services for the recommended plant
expansion.
A detailed scope of services is provided in Section 4 of this document.
All information related to this solicitation, including any addenda, will be posted to the North
Carolina electronic Vendor Portal (eVP) at https://evp.nc.gov/.
All questions related to this solicitation must be submitted in writing (via email) to the following
individual:
Contact Name Email Address
Matt Cotton, PE matt.cotton@raleighnc.gov
Questions submitted via telephone will not be answered.
1.2 Background
The City of Raleigh, the Capital City of North Carolina, remains one of the fastest growing areas
in the country. A great economy, top educational institutions, and exceptional health care
facilities are some of the characteristics that attract people to the triangle area. The mild
climate, diverse work force and proximity to Research Triangle Park combine to make Raleigh
a great place to live.
Raleigh is a 21st Century City of Innovation focusing on environmental, cultural, and economic
sustainability. The City conserves and protects our environmental resources through best
practice and cutting-edge conservation and stewardship, land use, infrastructure and building
technologies. The City welcomes growth and diversity through policies and programs that will
protect and enhance Raleigh's existing neighborhoods, natural amenities, history, and cultural
and human resources for future generations. The City leads to improve quality of life for
neighborhoods and standard of living for all citizens. The City works with universities, colleges,
citizens, and local partners to promote new technology, create new job opportunities, and
encourage local businesses and entrepreneurs. The City enlists and prepares 21st Century
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staff with the skill sets to carry out the duties of the City through transparent civic engagement
and by providing the very best customer service to our citizens.
1.3 RFQ Timeline
Provided below is a list of the anticipated schedule of events related to this solicitation. The
City of Raleigh reserves the right to modify and/or adjust the following schedule to meet the
needs of the project. All times shown are Eastern Time (ET):
RFQ Process Date and time
RFQ Advertisement Date April 20, 2026
Pre-Submittal Conference
May 5, 2026 at 2:00 PM via virtual meeting.
Mandatory
Deadline for written questions May 7, 2026 by 5:00 PM
City Response to Questions
May 12, 2026
(anticipated)
Submittal Due Date and Time May 21, 2026 by 5:00 PM
Evaluation Meeting (anticipated) TBD
Interviews (if required) TBD
Selection Announcement (tentative) TBD
1.4 Pre-Submittal Conference
A MANDATORY Pre-Submittal Conference for all Prospective Firms is scheduled for April 29,
2026, at 2:00 pm. Prospective Firms are encouraged to submit written questions in advance.
Please contact Matt Cotton, at matt.cotton@raleighnc.gov, no later than 12:00 pm (noon) on
April 28, 2026 to ensure proposers receive an invitation to the virtual pre-submittal conference.
1.5 Questions
Requests for clarification and questions to this RFQ must be received by the City not later than
the date shown above in Section 1.3 RFQ Timeline, for the submittal of written inquires. The
firm's failure to request clarification and submit questions by the date in the RFQ Timeline
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above shall be considered to constitute the firm's acceptance of all City's terms and conditions
and requirements.
The City shall issue addenda reflecting questions and answers to this RFQ, if any, and shall
be posted to North Carolina electronic Vendor Portal (eVP). No information, instruction or
advice provided orally or informally by any City personnel, whether made in response to a
question or otherwise in connection with this RFQ, shall be considered authoritative or binding.
Respondents shall be entitled to rely only on written material contained in an Addendum to this
RFQ.
It is important that all Respondents submitting to this RFQ periodically check eVP for
any Addenda. It is the Respondents responsibility to ensure that all addenda have
been reviewed and, if required signed and returned.
All questions related to this solicitation must be submitted in writing (via email) to the following
individual:
Contact Name Email Address
Matt Cotton, PE matt.cotton@raleighnc.gov
Questions submitted via telephone will not be answered.
1.6 Submittal Requirements and Contact Information
Proposals must be electronically submitted via email with the subject line clearly marked
with the name of the submitting company, the RFQ number, and the RFQ Title. Submittals
must follow the format as defined in Section 2 Qualifications Package and be addressed and
submitted as follows:
Proposers shall attach one (1) signed original electronic version of the Proposal to an email to
matt.cotton@raleighnc.gov. The electronic version of the Proposal must be submitted as a
viewable and printable Adobe Portable Document File (PDF) format. The electronic submittal
must be received by the City on or before the RFQ date and time provided in Section 1.3 RFQ
Timeline, and each firm should make sure they receive an email indicating receipt of the
submittal by the City prior to the deadline. Proposals received after the RFQ deadline above
will not be considered and will be returned. The City reserves the right to reject any or all
proposals for any reason and to waive any informality it deems in its best interest.
Any requirements in the RFQ that cannot be met must be indicated on Appendix IV: Exceptions
to the RFQ and submitted with the qualifications. Proposers must respond to the entire
Request for Qualifications (RFQ). Any incomplete submittal may be eliminated from
competition at the discretion of the City of Raleigh. The City reserves the right to reject any
or all submittals for any reason and to waive any informality it deems in its best interest.
Submittals that arrive after the due date and time will not be accepted or considered for any
reason whatsoever. It is the responsibility of the Firm to ensure that their response arrives by
the due date and time specified in Section 1.3 RFQ Timeline.
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1.7 MWBE Participation Form
The City of Raleigh prohibits discrimination in any manner against any person based on actual
or perceived age, race, color, creed, national origin, sex, mental or physical disability, sexual
orientation, gender identity or expression, familial or marital status, religion, economic status,
or veteran status. The City maintains an affirmative policy of fostering, promoting, and
conducting business with women and minority owned business enterprises.
Complete and submit the MWBE Participation Form (Appendix II) with your qualification
package.
1.8 Rights to Submitted Material
All qualification packages and supporting materials, as well as correspondence relating to this
RFQ, shall become the property of the City. The content of all submittals will be held
confidential until the selection of the firm is made. Qualifications will be reviewed by the
Evaluation Team, as well as other City staff and members of the general public who submit
public record requests. Any proprietary data must be clearly marked. In submitting
qualifications, each submitting firm/company agrees that the City may reveal any trade secret
materials contained in such submittal to all City staff and City officials involved in the selection
process and to any outside consultant or other third party who serves on the Evaluation Team
or who is hired by the City to assist in the selection process. Qualification submittals marked
entirely as "confidential", "proprietary", or "trade secret" will be considered non-responsive and
will be removed from the evaluation process.
1.9 Communications
All communications of any nature regarding this RFQ with any City staff, elected City officials,
evaluation committee members are strictly forbidden from the time the solicitation is publicly
posted until award. Questions must be submitted in writing to the individual designated in
Section 1.1 Purpose, prior to the deadline provided in Section 1.3 RFQ Timeline. Violation of
this provision may result in the firm's proposal being removed from consideration.
1.10 Lobbying
By responding to this solicitation, the firm certifies that is has not and will not pay any person
or firm to influence or attempt to influence an officer or employee of the City or the State of
North Carolina, or any elected official in connection with obtaining a contract as a result of this
RFQ.
1.11 Conflicts of Interest
City of Raleigh contracts are controlled by three conflict of interest provisions.
First, federal procurement standards provided in 2 CFR 200.318 (c)(1),
No employee, officer, or agent may participate in the selection, award, or administration of
a contract supported by a Federal award if he or she has a real or apparent conflict of
interest. Such a conflict of interest would arise when the employee, officer, or agent, any
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member of his or her immediate family, his or her partner, or an organization which employs
or is about to employ any of the parties indicated herein, has a financial or other interest in
or a tangible personal benefit from a firm considered for a contract. The officers, employees,
and agents of the non-Federal entity may neither solicit nor accept gratuities, favors, or
anything of monetary value from contractors or parties to subcontracts.
Similarly, the North Carolina General Statutes provides a criminal statute for conflicts of interest
in public contracting, N.C.G.S. 14-234(a) states:
(1) No public officer or employee who is involved in making or administering a contract on
behalf of a public agency may derive a direct benefit from the contract except as provided
in this section, or as otherwise allowed by law. (2) A public officer or employee who will
derive a direct benefit from a contract with the public agency he or she serves, but who is
not involved in making or administering the contract, shall not attempt to influence any other
person who is involved in making or administering the contract. (3) No public officer or
employee may solicit or receive any gift, favor, reward, service, or promise of reward,
including a promise of future employment, in exchange for recommending, influencing, or
attempting to influence the award of a contract by the public agency he or she serves.
City of Raleigh Charter Section 3.9 regulates private transactions between the City and its
officials and employees. The Charter states:
No member of the City Council, official, or employee of the City of Raleigh shall be
financially interested, or have any personal beneficial interest, either directly or indirectly,
as agent, representative, or otherwise, in the purchase of, or contract for, or in furnishing
any materials, equipment or supplies to the City of Raleigh, nor shall any official or
employee of the City of Raleigh accept or receive, or agree to accept or receive, directly or
indirectly, from any person, firm or corporation to whom any contract may be awarded or
from whom any materials, equipment or supplies may be purchased by the City of Raleigh,
by rebate, gift, or otherwise, any money or anything of value whatsoever, or any promise,
obligation or contract for future reward or compensation, for recommending or procuring the
uses of any such materials, equipment or supplies by the City of Raleigh; no member of the
City Council, official or employee of the City of Raleigh shall for his own personal benefit
operate, directly or indirectly, any concession in any building or on any lands of the City of
Raleigh, nor shall any official or employee of the City of Raleigh bid for or be awarded any
contract granting concessionary rights of any nature or kind from the City of Raleigh; it shall
be unlawful for any member of the City Council, official or employee of the City of Raleigh
to bid for or to purchase or to contract to purchase from the City of Raleigh any real estate,
equipment, materials, or supplies of any nature or kind whatsoever, either directly or
indirectly, at either public or private sale, either singly, or through or jointly with any other
person.
1.12 Proposer Expenses
The City of Raleigh will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by any Firm in the
development of a response to this Request for Qualifications or any other activities associated
with this procurement including but not limited to any onsite (or otherwise) interviews and/or
presentations, and/or supplemental information provided, submitted, or given to City of Raleigh
and/or its representatives. Further, the City of Raleigh shall reserve the right to cancel the work
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described herein prior to issuance and acceptance of any contractual agreement/purchase
order by the recommended Firm even if the awarding authority for each entity has formally
accepted a recommendation.
1.13 Proposer Acceptance
Submission of any proposal indicates a Proposer's acceptance of the conditions contained in
this RFQ unless clearly and specifically noted otherwise on Appendix IV Exceptions to RFQ
and submitted with proposal. The City of Raleigh has the sole discretion and reserves the right
to cancel this RFQ, and to reject any and all proposals, to waive any and all informalities and/or
irregularities, if it is deemed to be in the City of Raleigh's best interests to do so. The City of
Raleigh reserves the right to accept or reject any or all of the items in the proposal, and to
award the contract in whole or in part and/or negotiate any or all items with individual Firms if
it is deemed in the City of Raleigh's best interest. Moreover, the City of Raleigh reserves the
right to make no selection if proposals are deemed not in the best interest of the City of Raleigh.
2 QUALIFICATIONS PACKAGE
Submittal responses must follow the format outlined below. The City may reject as non-
responsive at its sole discretion any submittal that does not provide complete and/or adequate
responses or departs in any substantial way from the required format.
Qualifications packages shall not exceed 10 pages. A single page printed on both sides will be
counted as (two) 2 pages. A one-page cover letter may be submitted, and this will not count
towards the page limit.
All pages in the qualifications package must be 8 1/2 x 11" and no additional correspondence
should be submitted. Font text shall be no smaller than 10-point font. One 11"x17" page may
be used for a map or other illustrative purpose per project. The map sheet(s) shall be single
sided with nothing on the back and will not count towards the total page count.
2.1 Request for Qualifications Required Document Format
Responses should be divided using tabs to separate each section, listed sequentially as
follows:
Tab 1: Cover Letter
Provide an introduction letter summarizing the unique qualifications of your firm to meet
the needs of this project. This letter should be presented on the firm's official letterhead
and signed by an authorized representative who has the authority to enter into a contract
with the City on behalf of the firm. Include the name, address, telephone and email
address of the individual who serves as the point of contact for this solicitation.
Tab 2: Corporate Background and Experience
Include background information on the firm and provide detailed information regarding
the firm's experience with similar projects. Provide a list of all similar contracts performed
in the past three (3) number of years, accompanied by at least three (3) references
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(contact persons, firm, telephone number and email address). Include the length of the
project, and list of personnel involved in the project who are also proposed for the subject
project named in this solicitation. Failure to provide a list of all similar contracts in the
specified period may result in the rejection of the firm's proposal. The evaluation team
reserves the right to contact any or all listed references, and to contact other public
entities regarding past performance on similar projects.
Tab 3: Project Understanding, Approach and Schedule
Provide a comprehensive narrative, outline, and/or graph demonstrating the firm's
understanding and approach to accomplishing the tasks outlined in the Scope of Work
section of this RFQ.
Tab 4: Team Firm, Experience and Certifications/Qualifications
This section must include the proposed staffing, deployment and firm of personnel to be
assigned to this project. The Proposer shall provide information as to the qualifications
and experience of all executive, managerial, legal, and professional personnel to be
assigned to this project, including resumes citing experience with similar projects and
the responsibilities to be assigned to each person. A project-specific firm chart which
clearly illustrates the roles, responsibilities, and the reporting relationships of each team
member should be included.
2.2 Hourly Rates
This solicitation is being issued in accordance with NCGS 143-64.31, otherwise known as the
Mini-Brooks Act, and therefore price cannot and will not be a determining factor in the selection
of the successful contractor.
2.3 Qualifications Package Documents
This RFQ is comprised of the base RFQ document, any attachments, and any addenda
released before Contract award. All attachments and addenda released for this RFQ in
advance of any Contract award are incorporated herein by reference.
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3 PROPOSAL EVALUATION
3.1 Evaluation Criteria
This is not a bid. There will not be a public opening. Submittals will be evaluated based solely
on the following criteria:
(a) x (b)
(a) (b)
Criteria Weighted
Weight Score (0-3)
Score
Meets Format/Length Requirements 5%
Corporate Background and Experience 10%
Project Understanding 15%
Project Approach 30%
Team Firm, Experience, and Qualifications 40%
Final Score
Score Points
0 - Missing or Does Not Meet Expectation 2 - Meets Expectation
1 - Partially Meets Expectation 3 - Exceeds Expectation
3.2 Final Selection
Qualifications will be reviewed after opening and will be ranked in order of choice, at which
point contract negotiations will begin with the most qualified firm. If negotiations are
unsuccessful, the City will then pursue negotiations with the next most qualified firm.
The City shall not be bound or in any way obligated until both parties have executed a contract.
The City also reserves the right to delay the award of a contract or to not award a contract.
The terms and conditions and specifications of the RFQ, including the firm's fee proposal,
and/or written correspondence applicable to the RFQ, may become part of the contract
documents. Failure of the awarded firm to perform as represented may result in contract
cancellation.
3.3 Notice to Submitting Firms Regarding RFQ Terms & Conditions
It shall be the Submitting Firm's responsibility to read the Instructions, the City's terms and
conditions, all relevant exhibits and attachments, and any other components made a part of
this RFQ, and to comply with all requirements and specifications provided herein. Submitters
are responsible for obtaining and complying with all Addenda and other changes that may be
issued in connection with this RFQ.
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