Comprehensive Vegetative Waste and Emergency Debris Management Plan

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
Comprehensive Vegetative Waste and Emergency Debris Management Plan
Cumberland County invites qualified engineering firms to submit responses to this Request for
Qualifications to provide engineering services.
Cumberland County has entered a Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)
planning agreement with the State of North Carolina, Department of Public Safety. The County
will utilize the project funds to complete a project prioritization list and Benefit Cost Analysis
(BCA) report resulting from a risk and vulnerability assessment. These will be delivered in
accordance with the Scope of Work, Budget, and Schedule outlines in the BRIC 2022
Subapplication (EMA-2022-BR-0001-0015) titled "Comprehensive Vegetative Waste and
Emergency Debris Plan.
The awarded grant provides pre-disaster mitigation funding for cost-effective hazard
mitigation activities that are part of a comprehensive mitigation program. Cumberland County
desires the development and construction of a comprehensive storm vegetative debris
management program. The storm vegetative debris program will encompass the collection and
processing of storm vegetative debris primarily associated with the Wilkes Road Composting
Facility. Other sites to be considered in the plan may include the Ann Street Landfill,
temporary disaster debris management sites, collection centers, and other identified properties
to effectively manage debris for disaster response and recovery.
The initial project scope of services will be to utilize grant funds to complete a project
prioritization list and BCA report resulting from a risk and vulnerability assessment. It is
expected that the report will evaluate aspects of estimating waste generation, waste
characterization, collection and intake processes, capacity and technology evaluation,
permitting and construction considerations for the development of infrastructure for aerobic
compost processes.
These services may or will include assistance with additional applications to Federal and/or
State agencies for funding, public outreach and engagement, design, permitting, bidding,
construction contract administration, construction observation, and project administration.
There is no assurance of additional services being required beyond this initial project.
Additional Technical Expertise
* Funding experience with SRF, USDA-RD, FEMA, and other applicable funding
agencies
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* Environmental Assessments
* Process evaluation with organic waste streams other than vegetative debris
* Pilot testing
* Public outreach and engagement
* Site evaluation analysis including zoning, wetland and soils evaluation, survey, and
other environmental studies
* Permitting, design, bidding and construction administration and construction
inspection of composting projects
* Operation and maintenance consulting and assistance with vegetative management and
composting processes
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
1. The respondent shall have a minimum of 5 years of experience in vegetative
management and compost system design.
2. Qualifications of Professional Staff - Identify the key engagement partners,
managers, and other staff members who would be assigned to the project and
indicate their qualifications.
3. Subcontractors - Please clearly indicate whether subcontractors will be used in
fulfilling the proposal. If the firm plans to use subcontractors, please provide an
overview of the firm, project involvement, qualifications of staff, and the
percentage of work you anticipate them to complete.
SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
The submittal shall be provided on 8.5" x 11" paper with a maximum of twenty-five (25)
standard typewritten pages, font size 11 or larger (not including front or back covers, table
of contents and cover letter). This page limit includes tabs and other dividers. Double-sided
pages will be counted as two (2) pages. The outline below shall be followed as a template
for the report and the overall information that is required with each submittal:
1. Firm name, address, telephone numbers, year established and brief history of the
firm.
2. Provide a copy of the firm's licensure and Certificate(s) of Insurance.
3. The firm's related experience in managing federally funded local projects.
4. Types of services customarily provided by the firm.
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5. Name and resume of Project Manager to be assigned to this project.
6. Number of staff available for this assignment and their qualifications.
7. Identify if the firm is classified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise under the
EPA's criteria. Identify if any of the subcontractors are classified as a
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise. Under EPA's 8% statute (Public Law 102-389,
42 U.S.C. 4370d), an entity must establish that it is owned or controlled by socially
and economically disadvantaged individuals who are of good character and citizens
of the United States. The statute presumes women to be socially and economically
disadvantaged individuals. Public Law 102-389, 42 U.S.C. 4370d, provides for
an 8% objective for awarding contracts under EPA financial assistance agreements
to business concerns or other organizations owned or controlled by socially and
economically disadvantaged individuals, including Historically Black Colleges and
Universities (HBCU) and women.
8. Names of outside consultants, if any, who would be retained to provide services
required for this project and the percentages of services that the sub-consultant
would provide.
9. The firm's prior experience with similar projects. Highlight and provide
governmental references for past projects within the last three years. Please include
a brief description of each project, original timeline to completion, final timeline to
completion, original project cost estimate, final project cost, and a contact name,
address, and phone number of a reference for each project listed.
10. Describe in detail the firm's project deliverables to Cumberland County and the
benefit of each and how the County can use this information moving forward.
11. List of current projects underway and the estimated cost and completion date of
each.
12. The proposed time in which the firm foresees to complete the work based on the
information provided in the scope of services.
Cumberland County reserves the right to request interviews of selected proposers, to make
selections based on initial proposals, or to reject all proposals submitted.
Proposals must also acknowledge that, if awarded the contract, Responder, as
Contractor, shall comply with the following State contracting requirements:
E-VERIFY. Contractor shall comply with the requirements of Article 2 of Chapter 64 of
the General Statutes and shall require any subcontractors to do so.
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IRAN DIVESTMENT ACT CERTIFICATION. Contractor shall certify that Contractor,
and all subcontractors, are not on the Iran Final Divestment List ("List") created by the
North Carolina State Treasurer pursuant to N.C.G.S. 147-86.55-69. Contractor shall not
utilize any subcontractor that is identified on the List.
Proposals must also acknowledge that, if awarded the contract, Responder, as
Contractor, shall comply with the Federal contracting requirements set forth below
and on the attached Statement of Federal Terms & Conditions:
This solicitation is for services that will be funded through a State Revolving Fund (SRF)
loan and therefore all contracted consultants and subconsultants must be eligible to receive
federal funds as provided by the Uniform Grant Guidance, 2 CFR Sect. 200 and must
comply with Davis-Bacon Wage Requirements and American Iron and Steel Provisions.
Responder and its Principals and subcontractors must not be debarred or suspended nor
otherwise on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) in the System for Award
Management (SAM). Include verification through the www.SAM.gov that they are not
listed by enclosing a printout of the search results that includes the record date with the
proposal.
Responder must provide a Statement of Conflict(s) of Interest (if any) Responder or its
Principals or subcontractors may have regarding the provision of these services, and a plan
for mitigating the conflict(s). Note that the County may in its sole discretion determine
whether a conflict disqualifies a firm, and/or whether or not a conflict mitigation plan is
acceptable.
All interested firms shall submit five (5) hard copies and one (1) USB flash drive containing
a PDF of their Statement of Qualifications no later than 2:00 PM, Friday, August 14,
2026. Late submittals will not be considered.
Qualifications packages shall be mailed or personally delivered to:
Cumberland County Solid Waste
Attention: Johnny Scott, Environmental Resources Project Manager
698 Ann Street
Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301
EVALUATION AND AWARD OF PROJECTS
The County will consider and evaluate Qualification Packages in accordance with N.C.G.S.
143-64.31. As part of the evaluation process, the County reserves the right to request
additional information and/or interview any or all firms.
The Cumberland County Selection Committee shall review the Statements of
Qualifications and shall select the best qualified individual or firm in their estimation based
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on the identified criteria for this project. The Committee may establish a short-list and
schedule interviews with those firms if necessary. Selection criteria shall include:
* Firm Qualifications (20%)
* Relevant Experience (25%)
* Project Approach including Schedule (15%)
* Project Team Qualifications (25%) and
* Firm References (15%).
Once Cumberland County has completed their evaluation, they will rank the most qualified
firms in order. Cumberland County will attempt to negotiate reasonable fees with the most
qualified firm. If such negotiations are not successful Cumberland County will attempt to
negotiate with the next most qualified firm until an agreement can be made.
QUESTIONS
After the Request for Qualifications has been advertised, all communications between the
Issuing Department and prospective Firms shall be in writing. No oral questions shall be
accepted. Any inquiries, requests for interpretation, technical questions, clarifications, or
additional information shall be directed to the attention of Johnny Scott, Environmental
Resources Project Manager, by e-mail to jscott@cumberlandcountync.gov, no later than
2:00 PM, Thursday August 6, 2026. Questions received after this date and time will not
be considered for response.
Upon receipt of questions, an Addendum will be issued if deemed necessary. A signed
copy of each addendum must be included in the proposal package (the signed addendum
will not be counted towards the page limit). Prospective firms are strictly prohibited from
contacting County officials or employees regarding this Request for Qualifications, except
in the manner described above. Violation of this provision may result in disqualification of
the firm's su
bmittal.
Attachments:
A. Execution of Proposal
B. Certification Regarding Lobbying
C. Noncollusion Affidavit
D. Federal Required Contract Clauses
E. Evaluation Sheet
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ATTACHMENT A: EXECUTION OF PROPOSAL
EXECUTION
In compliance with this Request for Qualifications (RFQ), and subject to all the conditions herein, the
undersigned vendor offers and agrees to furnish and deliver any or all items/services upon which prices are
proposed. By executing this proposal, the undersigned vendor certifies that this proposal is submitted
competitively and without collusion, that it and its principals are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed
for debarment, declared ineligible from covered transactions by any Federal or State department or agency.
Furthermore, the undersigned vendor certifies that it and its principals are not presently listed on the
Department of State Treasurer's Final Divestment List as per N.C.G.S 147-86.55-69.
The potential Contractor certifies and/or understands the following by placing an "X" in all blank spaces:
_______ The County has the right to reject any and all proposals or reject specific proposals
with deviated/omitted information, based on the County's discretion if the omitted
information is considered a minor deviation or omission. The County will not
contact vendors to request required information/documentation that is missing
from a proposal packet. Additionally, if the County determines it is in its best
interest to do so, the County reserves the right to award to one or more vendors
and/or to award only a part of the services specified in the RFQ.
_______ This proposal was signed by an authorized representative of the Contractor.
_______ The potential Contractor has determined the cost and availability of all materials
and supplies associated with performing the services outlined herein.
_______ All labor costs associated with this project have been determined, including all
direct and indirect costs.
_______ The potential Contractor agrees to the conditions as set forth in this RFQ with no
exceptions.
_______ Selection of a contract represents a preliminary determination as to the
qualifications of the vendor. Vendor understands and agrees that no legally
binding acceptance offer occurs until the Cumberland County Board of
Commissioners, or its designee, executes a formal contract and/or purchase order.
Therefore, in compliance with the foregoing RFQ, and subject to all terms and conditions thereof, the
undersigned offers and agrees to furnish the services for the prices quoted within the timeframe required.
Vendor agrees to hold firm offer through contract execution.
Failure to execute/sign proposal prior to submittal shall render the proposal invalid and it WILL BE
REJECTED.
VENDOR:
STREET ADDRESS: P.O. BOX: ZIP:
CITY & COUNTY & ZIP: TELEPHONE TOLL FREE TEL. NO:
NUMBER:
PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS ADDRESS IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE (SEE INSTRUCTIONS TO
VENDORS ITEM #10):
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PRINT NAME & TITLE OF PERSON SIGNING ON BEHALF OF FAX NUMBER:
VENDOR:
VENDOR'S AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE: DATE: EMAIL:
ATTACHMENT B: CERTIFICATION REGARDING LOBBYING
Certification for Contracts, Grants, Loans, and Cooperative Agreements
This form is required only for purchases of more than $100,000
The undersigned certifies, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, that:
1. No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of the undersigned,
to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of an agency, a
Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress
in connection with the awarding of any Federal contract, the making of any Federal grant, the
making of any Federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the extension,
continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or
cooperative agreement.
2. If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person
for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of
Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in
connection with this Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement, the undersigned shall
complete and submit Standard Form-LLL, "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying," in accordance
with its instructions.
3. The undersigned shall require that the language of this certification be included in the award
documents for all subawards at all tiers (including subcontracts, subgrants, and contracts under
grants, loans, and cooperative agreements) and that all subrecipients shall certify and disclose
accordingly.
This certification is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when this
transaction was made or entered into. Submission of this certification is a prerequisite for making
or entering into this transaction imposed by section 1352, title 31, U.S. Code. Any person who fails
to file the required certification shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not
more than $100,000 for each such failure.
The Contractor, _______________________, certifies or affirms the truthfulness and accuracy of
each statement of its certification and disclosure, if any. In addition, the Contractor understands
and agrees that the provisions of 31 U.S.C. Chap. 38, Administrative Remedies for False Claims
and Statements, apply to this certification and disclosure, if any.
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____________________________________
Signature of Contractor's Authorized Official
_________________________________________
Name and Title of Contractor's Authorized Official
___________
Date
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ATTACHMENT C: NONCOLLUSION AFFIDAVIT
NON-COLLUSION AFFIDAVIT State of North Carolina County
of Cumberland
____________________________, being first duly sworn, deposes and says that:
l. He/She is the ___________________ of ___________________________, the proposer that has
submitted the attached proposal.
2. He/She is fully informed respecting the preparation and contents of the attached proposal and of
all pertinent circumstances respecting such proposal.
3. Such proposal is genuine and is not a collusive or sham proposal.
4. Neither the said proposer nor any of its officers, partners, owners, agents, representatives,
employees or parties in interest, including this affiant, has in any way colluded, conspired, connived
or agreed, directly or indirectly, with any other proposer firm or person to submit a collusive or
sham proposal in connection with the contract for which the attached proposal has been submitted
or to refrain from proposing in connection with such contract, or has in any manner, directly or
indirectly sought by agreement or collusion of communication or conference with any other
proposer, firm or person to fix the price or prices in the attached proposal or of any other proposers,
or to fix any overhead, profit or cost element of the proposal price of the proposal of any other
proposer or to secure through collusion, conspiracy, connivance or unlawful agreement any
advantage against the County of Cumberland or any person interested in the proposed contract; and
5. The price or prices quoted in the attached proposal are fair and proper and are not tainted by any
collusion, conspiracy, connivance or unlawful agreement on the part of the proposer or any of its
agents, representatives, owners, employees, or parties in interest, including this affiant.
Signature ________________________________________
Printed Name: ____________________________
Title: ____________________________________
Date: ___________________________________
Subscribed and Sworn to Before Me,
This ______ day of ___________________, _____
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Notary Public _____________________________
My Commission Expires: ____________________
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