RFQ Parks & Rec 27-02 Aquatic Center Design-Build Services

CITY OF NEW BERN
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
RFQ Parks & Rec 27-02
Design-Build Aquatic Center
New Bern, North Carolina
Issued by
City of New Bern
Parks & Recreation Department
City of New Bern | RFQ Parks & Rec 27-02 | Design-Build Aquatic Center

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
RFQ Parks & Rec 27-02
Aquatic Center Design-Build Services
SOLICITATION POSTING / QUICK REFERENCE
Event Date
RFQ Issued and Advertised Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM
Deadline for Questions Friday, October 2, 2026
Final Addendum, if required Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Statement of Qualifications Due Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM
Evaluation / Ranking October 19-23, 2026
Interviews, if conducted October 26-28, 2026
Final Ranking and Written Notification TBD
Contract Negotiations Following final ranking
TBD following successful negotiations and required
Award / Notice to Proceed
approvals
As soon as reasonably practicable following award,
Target Project Completion
permitting, and construction
The City of New Bern is soliciting Statements of Qualifications from qualified Design-Build firms or teams to
provide comprehensive planning, design, permitting, and construction services for the Aquatic Center
Expansion and Renovation project located at 1155 Laura Lane, New Bern, North Carolina.
The City intends to use the Design-Build project delivery method for this project. The Design-Builder will be
selected through a qualifications-based process. Respondents shall not submit project pricing, design fees,
construction fees, other fee proposals, or project-specific conceptual design unless specifically requested
by the City during subsequent negotiations.
The anticipated total project budget is approximately $2,000,000. The project is intended to expand outdoor
aquatic recreation opportunities and is anticipated to include a lazy river, interactive splash pad or aquatic
play area, water slides, and associated site, utility, treatment, circulation, accessibility, and support
improvements. A zero-depth-entry pool may also be considered based on available budget and final
programming.
Statement of Qualifications Due
Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM
Statements of Qualifications shall be delivered to:
Jenna Lanfor
Purchasing Manager
City of New Bern
606 Fort Totten Drive
New Bern, NC 28560
City of New Bern | RFQ Parks & Rec 27-02 | Design-Build Aquatic Center

Required Exterior Package Marking
SEALED STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS
RFQ Parks & Rec 27-02
AQUATIC CENTER EXPANSION AND RENOVATION DESIGN-BUILD SERVICES
ATTN: PURCHASING MANAGER
Submit five copies of the Statement of Qualifications. Electronic, fax, and late submissions will not be
accepted.
Evaluation
Responsive Statements of Qualifications will be evaluated using the criteria published in the RFQ:
* Company Information and Relevant Aquatic Experience - 30 points
* Project Approach and Schedule - 20 points
* Operations, Maintenance, Guarantee and Warranty - 15 points
* Prior Completed Work - 15 points
* Design-Build Team and Team Selection - 15 points
* City-Performed Work Coordination - 5 points
Total: 100 points.
The City will rank the three most highly qualified Design-Builders. If fewer than three qualified responses
are received, the City will proceed in accordance with the re-solicitation requirements stated in the RFQ and
applicable North Carolina law.
Project-Team Selection
Respondents shall identify the project-team selection method proposed for the project and provide the team
information and subcontractor-selection strategy required by the RFQ and applicable North Carolina law.
Each respondent shall also certify that its proposed design professionals and design subconsultants were
selected based upon demonstrated competence and qualifications.
Small-Business Participation
The City encourages a good-faith effort to recruit and select qualified small-business entities in connection
with the project. The City has not established a project-specific small-business participation percentage,
and no minority- or women-owned business participation goal is established or required for this RFQ.
Questions
Questions concerning the RFQ shall be submitted in writing to:
Kari Greene-Warren
Director of Parks and Recreation
City of New Bern
Greene-WarrenK@newbernnc.gov
Questions must be received by the deadline stated above. Only a written City addendum may modify or
supplement the RFQ.
The City of New Bern reserves the right to reject any or all Statements of Qualifications, waive informalities
to the extent permitted by law, and take such action as it determines to be in the City's best interest and
consistent with applicable law.
City of New Bern | RFQ Parks & Rec 27-02 | Design-Build Aquatic Center

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Purpose 6
2 Procurement Method 6
2.1 Project Team Selection 6
2.2 Small Business Participation 6
3 Procurement Schedule 7
4 Scope of Work 7
4.1 Existing Conditions and Site Evaluation 7
4.2 City Coordination and Conceptual Design 8
4.3 Aquatic Features 8
4.4 Supporting Site and Facility Improvements 9
4.5 Existing Buildings and Amenities 9
4.6 Design Development and Construction Documents 9
4.7 Regulatory Approvals and Permitting 10
4.8 Construction and Facility Operations 10
4.9 Testing Commissioning and Training 10
4.10 Project Closeout and Warranty 10
5 Scope Clarifications 10
5.1 Project Budget 10
5.2 Required Program and Budget Compliance 11
5.3 Existing Infrastructure 11
5.4 City Performed and Separately Contracted Work 11
5.5 Existing Facility Operations 12
5.6 Project Schedule 12
5.7 Final Scope and Contract 12
6 Statement of Qualifications Requirements 12
6.1 Company Information and Relevant Experience 12
6.2 Project Approach and Schedule 12
6.3 Operations Maintenance Guarantee and Warranty 12
City of New Bern | RFQ Parks & Rec 27-02 | Design-Build Aquatic Center

TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
6.4 Prior Completed Work 12
6.5 Design Build Team and Team Selection 13
6.6 City Performed Work Coordination 13
7 Questions Addenda and Submission Requirements 13
7.1 Questions 13
7.2 Submission Requirements 13
7.3 Attachment A 14
7.4 Price Fee and Design Information 14
8 General Terms and Conditions 14
8.1 Contract 14
8.2 Funding 14
8.3 Purchase Order and Contract Documents 14
8.4 Insurance 14
8.5 Bonding Capacity 14
8.6 Payment Terms 14
8.7 Availability of Funds and Preaudit 14
8.8 Licensing 15
8.9 Other City Requirements 15
8.10 Key Personnel 15
9 Evaluation and Ranking 15
9.1 Rating Guidance 15
9.2 Rating Definitions 15
9.3 Mandatory Compliance Review 16
9.4 Evaluation Process 16
9.5 Negotiation 16
10 Applicable Laws and City Requirements 16
Attachment A - Submission of SOQ Form 17
Attachment B - City of New Bern Purchase Order Terms and Conditions 18
City of New Bern | RFQ Parks & Rec 27-02 | Design-Build Aquatic Center

1 Purpose
The City of New Bern is seeking Statements of Qualifications from qualified Design-Build firms
or teams to provide comprehensive planning, design, permitting, and construction for the
addition of amenities at the City of New Bern Aquatic Center in New Bern, North Carolina.
The selected Design-Builder will work with the City through conceptual design, final design,
permitting, construction, project closeout, and warranty.
The project will expand outdoor aquatic recreation opportunities and create a family-oriented
environment serving users of varying ages and abilities. The City intends for the completed
project to include a lazy river, an interactive splash pad or aquatic play area, and water slides.
The City anticipates a project budget of approximately $2,000,000 and is targeting a fall kick-
off date for design to begin, with construction starting in early 2027.
The project site is located at 1155 Laura Lane, New Bern, NC, as generally shown on
Attachment C - Site Map.
2 Procurement Method
The City intends to procure this project using the Design-Build project delivery method
pursuant to applicable North Carolina law.
The Design-Builder will be selected through a qualifications-based process. Firms shall not
submit project pricing, design fees, construction fees, or other fee proposals unless
specifically requested by the City during subsequent negotiations.
Design-Build firms will be selected based upon demonstrated competence and qualifications
without regard to fee at the initial selection stage. Project-specific design work product will not
be solicited or considered during the qualifications stage. Prior completed work and
discussion of project approaches and schedules may be considered.
2.1 Project Team Selection
Respondents shall identify the project-team selection option proposed under N.C.G.S. 143-
128.1A(c)(8). The response shall either (a) list the licensed contractors, licensed
subcontractors, and design professionals proposed for the project, or (b) list the licensed
contractors and design professionals proposed for the project and outline the strategy for
open selection of first-tier subcontractors in accordance with Article 8 of Chapter 143. The
response shall explain the proposed project-team and subcontractor-selection approach.
The proposed approach must comply with applicable North Carolina law.
Each respondent shall certify that each design professional proposed as part of the Design-
Build team, including subconsultants, was selected based upon demonstrated competence
and qualifications.
2.2 Small Business Participation
The City encourages a good-faith effort to recruit and select qualified small-business entities
in connection with this project.
Respondents shall briefly describe their approach to identifying, recruiting, and providing
participation opportunities to qualified small-business entities as part of their proposed project-
team and subcontractor-selection strategy.
City of New Bern | RFQ Parks & Rec 27-02 | Design-Build Aquatic Center

The City has not established a project-specific small-business participation goal or percentage
for this RFQ. No minority- or women-owned business participation goal is established or
required.
3 Procurement Schedule
Activity Date
RFQ Issued and Advertised Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Deadline for Questions Friday, October 2, 2026
Final Addendum if required Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Statements of Qualifications Due Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Evaluation of SOQs October 19 - 23, 2026
Interviews if conducted October 26 - 28, 2026
Final Ranking and Written Notification TBD
Contract Negotiations Following final ranking
TBD following successful negotiations and required
Award and Notice to Proceed
approvals
As soon as reasonably practicable following award
Target Project Completion
permitting and construction
The City reserves the right to modify this schedule by written addendum.
4 Scope of Work
The Design-Builder shall provide all professional services, labor, materials, equipment,
supervision, coordination, testing, and other work necessary to deliver a complete, functional,
code-compliant, and operational project. The final footprint, water-surface areas, feature
sizes, capacities, and configuration will be determined through the design-build process based
on site conditions, regulatory requirements, existing infrastructure, operational considerations,
and the established budget.
4.1 Existing Conditions and Site Evaluation
* Review available surveys, record drawings, utility information, planning documents, and
other information furnished by the City.
* Conduct field investigations and verify dimensions, elevations, utilities, drainage, access,
circulation, subsurface conditions, and other constraints.
* Evaluate the condition, capacity, and suitability of existing water, sanitary sewer, electrical,
stormwater, filtration, chemical-treatment, recirculation, and other systems that may serve
or be affected by the expansion.
* Evaluate patron circulation, emergency and service access, fencing, gates, decks, shade,
seating, accessibility, parking interfaces, and operational conditions.
City of New Bern | RFQ Parks & Rec 27-02 | Design-Build Aquatic Center

* Coordinate surveying, geotechnical, subsurface, utility-location, and other investigations
required for design and construction.
* Identify improvements that must be protected, relocated, modified, removed, or replaced.
4.2 City Coordination and Conceptual Design
The Design-Builder shall conduct a collaborative programming and design process with
designated City staff. The Design-Builder shall participate in an initial programming and
project-development meeting, review relevant City plans and facility information, confirm
project priorities, and prepare not fewer than three conceptual design options for City
consideration.
Each conceptual option shall incorporate the core program elements, present a distinct
configuration and balance of features, show the relationship to the existing facility, identify
approximate footprint and water-surface areas, address access and supervision, and include
preliminary system requirements, schedule, cost estimate, contingencies, staffing, operations,
maintenance, water use, energy use, and lifecycle considerations. Each option shall
demonstrate how the project can be delivered within the established budget.
Following City review, the Design-Builder shall prepare a recommended concept for City
approval. The City may direct the Design-Builder to combine elements from multiple concepts
or revise the recommended concept to achieve the desired balance among features, capacity,
quality, operations, maintenance, and cost.
4.3 Aquatic Features
4.3.1 Lazy River
Provide a continuous-loop lazy river appropriate for a municipal outdoor aquatic facility. The
City anticipates a feature generally in the range of 300 to 400 linear feet, subject to site,
regulatory, operational, and budget constraints. The design shall include safe and accessible
entry and exit, suitable width and depth, appropriate flow and treatment systems, clear
lifeguard visibility, emergency access, durable finishes, and integration with decks, seating,
shade, landscaping, and patron circulation.
4.3.2 Interactive Splash and Aquatic Play Features
Provide an interactive splash pad, spray area, or aquatic play area with multiple activities
appropriate for children and families. The anticipated spray and zero-entry activity area is
generally 1,200 to 1,800 square feet, subject to final programming, code, site, and budget
evaluation.
* Ground sprays and flush-mounted jets.
* Water cannons or directional sprays.
* Spray arches, hoops, rings, tunnels, cascades, buckets, or similar overhead elements.
* Interactive valves, wheels, activators, or user-controlled features.
* Small-scale play structures or elevated water-play components.
* Toddler-appropriate, inclusive, sensory, and accessible components.
The final arrangement shall provide varied experiences, separate conflicting activity zones,
preserve visibility, conserve water where practicable, and permit straightforward maintenance,
winterization, and seasonal reopening. Arrangement shall also not duplicate existing o-depth
entry pool features.
City of New Bern | RFQ Parks & Rec 27-02 | Design-Build Aquatic Center

4.3.3 Water Slides
Provide water slides appropriate for the available site, intended users, and budget. The City
anticipates evaluating two modest commercial slides on a shared tower, but the final number
and configuration will be established through design. Alternatives may include open or
enclosed body slides, differing rider experiences, a youth-oriented slide, shared or separate
towers, and manufacturer-approved runout or plunge systems. The design shall address
capacity, queues, stairs and access, fall protection, supervision, emergency response,
structure, water supply, drainage, and separation from other activities.
4.3.4 Zero Depth Entry Pool (Optional based on budget)
Provide a zero-depth-entry recreational pool or aquatic play pool serving a range of ages and
abilities. It shall provide accessible entry, appropriate depth transitions and markings,
recreational play opportunities, clear staff sightlines, and all necessary filtration, circulation,
treatment, drainage, and safety systems. The zero-depth-entry area may be integrated with
the interactive aquatic play area when appropriate.
4.4 Supporting Site and Facility Improvements
* Pool decks, pedestrian circulation, accessible routes, and aquatic access.
* Fencing, gates, controlled entrances, emergency exits, safety equipment, depth markings,
rules, and wayfinding.
* Shade, seating, lifeguard stations, landscaping, and restoration.
* Equipment pads, mechanical enclosures, chemical-storage areas, pumps, piping, filtration,
recirculation, water treatment, controls, grounding, and bonding.
* Water, sanitary sewer, electrical, stormwater, deck drainage, grading, site lighting,
security, service access, and related utility improvements.
* Limited modifications to existing facilities necessary for code compliance, accessibility,
connections, or integration.
4.5 Existing Buildings and Amenities
The project is an expansion and renovation of the existing outdoor aquatic facility. The City
does not anticipate new public restrooms, changing rooms, concession facilities, admissions
facilities, administrative offices, parking areas, or other general support buildings. The Design-
Builder shall plan for continued use of the existing support facilities.
The existing facility contains men's and women's restroom, shower, and changing
accommodations and four family changing rooms. The Design-Builder shall evaluate their
capacity and regulatory adequacy for the combined facility load and coordinate allowable
capacity with Craven County Environmental Health, the building-code official, and other
authorities having jurisdiction. Substantial building additions or replacements require prior
written City authorization.
4.6 Design Development and Construction Documents
* Advance the approved concept through design development and final design.
* Prepare complete drawings, specifications, calculations, schedules, and permit documents
sealed by North Carolina licensed design professionals.
* Provide updated estimates and value engineering at appropriate milestones.
* Coordinate architectural, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, aquatic,
landscape, accessibility, and specialty disciplines.
City of New Bern | RFQ Parks & Rec 27-02 | Design-Build Aquatic Center

* Submit documents at City review milestones, incorporate comments, and maintain a
resolution record.
* Establish the final scope, schedule, and guaranteed or stipulated contract amount through
negotiations.
4.7 Regulatory Approvals and Permitting
The Design-Builder shall identify, coordinate, prepare, and obtain all required reviews,
permits, and approvals, including those associated with public swimming pools and water-
recreation attractions, as well as building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, accessibility,
zoning, site plan, stormwater, erosion control, utility, fire, life safety, and environmental
requirements. Coordination with Craven County Environmental Health and other authorities
shall begin during conceptual design and continue through operating approval.
4.8 Construction and Facility Operations
* Project management, supervision, scheduling, safety, temporary facilities, and protection
of existing improvements.
* Coordination of utility interruptions, facility access, inspections, testing, quality control,
equipment installation, manufacturer start-up, restoration, and punch-list work.
* A phasing plan that minimizes interruption to seasonal operations. No interruption of
scheduled operations may occur without prior City approval.
4.9 Testing Commissioning and Training
* Test and commission pools, attractions, pumps, filtration, treatment, controls, safety
devices, and related equipment.
* Balance and verify circulation and treatment systems and correct leaks, defects, or
operating deficiencies.
* Provide required manufacturer and system certifications.
* Train City staff in operations, water-quality management, controls, maintenance,
troubleshooting, winterization, seasonal start-up, and emergency shutdown.
* Provide written procedures and preventive-maintenance schedules and assist with final
operating approvals.
4.10 Project Closeout and Warranty
Closeout shall include final inspections and approvals, punch-list completion, record drawings,
inventories, operations and maintenance manuals, warranties, spare parts and special tools
customarily provided, training records, commissioning reports, and permit documentation.
Provide a minimum two-year or industry standard warranty covering materials, equipment,
aquatic features, concrete, finishes, piping, systems, and workmanship. Longer manufacturer
warranties shall be assigned to the City. During the Design-Builder warranty period, the
Design-Builder shall coordinate corrections without requiring the City to pursue individual
subcontractors or manufacturers.
5 Scope Clarifications
5.1 Project Budget
The anticipated total project budget is $2,000,000.
It is intended to encompass programming and City coordination; surveys and investigations;
design and engineering; reviews and permits; Design-Builder fees and general conditions;
City of New Bern | RFQ Parks & Rec 27-02 | Design-Build Aquatic Center