Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

Introduction

The Town of Spindale is requesting Statements of Qualifications from qualified firms to provide professional engineering and related services for various infrastructure projects. These projects primarily involve bank stabilization, culvert replacement, stream restoration, and storm damage to wastewater assets resulting from Hurricane Helene.

Proposed Scope of Work

The selected engineer will be responsible for obtaining all necessary Federal, State, and local permits and completing the engineering design for the following scope of work:

Significant erosion in streams and tributaries has compromised sanitary sewer infrastructure in multiple locations within the Town of Spindale collection system. Multiple sanitary sewer segments are at risk of failure or have required temporary stabilization measures. The proposed project will evaluate options for long-term stabilization of the impacted areas. Design options will include a combination of stream restoration, streambank protection, sanitary sewer rehabilitation, and sanitary sewer replacement.

The selected firm will prepare recommendations to proactively protect infrastructure from stream erosion and other threats and respond to emergencies as needed. Recommendations will include stream bank stabilization, stream restoration, wastewater main repair, and relocation. Detailed construction drawings and specifications will be prepared for the selected restoration options. The selected firm will assist with preparing applications for State and Federal funding opportunities for project construction. Stream work will be completed using natural channel design where feasible. All designs must comply with the requirements of local, state (i.e., NCDEQ), and federal (e.g., USACE) resource and regulatory agencies.

The selected firm should have experience in:

·         Stream bed and bank stabilization using natural channel design, including in-stream stabilization structures like rock vanes, log vanes, and rock and wood toe protection.

·         Wastewater main design and relocations.

·         Force main protection and design.

·         Section 404/401 permitting with USACE and NCDEQ.

·         Development of individual and general floodplain development permits, including flood impact studies using HEC-RAS.

·         Sanitary sewer bypass pumping design for flows over 1 MGD.

·         Survey and mapping of similar projects.

·         Managing FEMA funded projects through programs such as: Public Assistance, HMGP, BRIC, etc.

·         At least 3 projects with over 500 linear feet of stream restoration combined with sanitary sewer protection or replacement.

·         Construction phase services for stream repairs and wastewater main design.

Preferences may be given to firms with experience in:

·         Experience in approvals in Rutherford County.

·         Knowledge of Town of Spindale procedures, permits, and design standards.

·         Stream restoration design/engineering experience in North Carolina.

·         Securing permanent and temporary easements for infrastructure projects.

·         Grant applications, including FEMA funding and administration of contracts.

Project Categories

Qualified firms may be asked to provide services in one or more of the following areas, including but not limited to:

·         Preliminary engineering studies and reports

·         Preparation of funding applications

·         Design services, including field surveys, and preparation of plans and specifications

·         Permitting (NCDEQ, NCDOT, USACE, FEMA, etc.)

·         Construction services, including bidding, contract administration, and construction observation

·         Asset and records management (e.g., GIS, web hosting)

·         Environmental engineering

·         NEPA compliance

·         Disaster recovery

·         Economic development support

·         Land surveying

·         Conceptual design and renderings

·         Long-range and strategic planning

·         Transportation planning and design

·         Land development and planning

·         Water resources planning

·         Other civil engineering services as required

Selection Process

Firms will be selected through a Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) process in accordance with North Carolina’s Mini-Brooks Act (G.S. 143-64.31). Please note that pricing is not a factor during this initial qualifications evaluation.

Evaluation criteria will include:

·         Demonstrated experience in applicable project categories

·         Availability and qualifications of professional staff

·         Strength of communication and customer service

·         Proven ability to manage projects within schedule and budget

The Town of Spindale is an equal opportunity employer and encourages submittals from small, minority-owned, women-owned, and historically underutilized businesses.

Submittal Requirements

Interested firms should submit the following materials (page limits strictly enforced):

1.       Letter of Interest/Statement of Qualifications (Max 5 pages): Firm’s interest in the project, areas of expertise and ability to fulfill services listed, company background (founding date, number of employees, sub-consultant info).

2.       Key Personnel and Sub-Consultants (Max 10 pages): One page per individual, outlining area(s) of expertise, certifications, years with firm, and relevant experience.

3.       Project Experience (Max 10 pages): At least five recent projects. Include: client/contact info, project scope, start/completion dates, initial and final budgets (Limit: 2 pages per project).

4.       Work Samples (Optional – Max 20 additional pages): Sample Preliminary Engineering Report, Construction plans, sheets, and technical details.

Total submittal package must not exceed 20 pages, excluding the optional work samples.

Evaluation & Timeline

·         RFQ Issued: May 6, 2025

·         Submittal Deadline: May 29, 2025, by 4:00 PM EST

·         Anticipated Selection: June 2, 2025

A review panel composed of Town staff will evaluate all submittals. Past performance and references may also be reviewed as part of the evaluation process.

Submittals & Questions

Submittals may be mailed to the Town of Spindale at the address below or delivered in person.

Mailing Address:

Town of Spindale

P.O. Box 186

Spindale, NC 28160

Physical Delivery Address:

Town of Spindale

125 Reveley Street

Spindale, NC 28160

For questions regarding this RFQ, please contact:

Jon Hoyle, Public Works Director

Phone: 828-755-5517

Email: jhoyle@spindalenc.net

Sealed bids will be received until 2:00 PM on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 in the Commissioners Room located in the Spindale House, 119 Tanner St., Spindale, North Carolina 28160, for the construction as described below:

Spindale Oak Street Pump Station Renovation, Spindale, North Carolina,

at which time they will be opened and publicly read aloud.

Bidders who wish to mail or otherwise deliver their bids to the Town of Spindale prior to the Bid Opening must have their bids delivered to the Spindale Town Hall, 125 Reveley St., P.O. Box 186, Spindale, North Carolina, 28160-0186, such that they are received at the Town Hall no later than 1:00 PM on the day of the Bid Opening. After 1:00 PM on the day of the Bid Opening the Bidder must hand deliver their bid to the Commissioners Room in the Spindale House located at 119 Tanner St., Spindale, NC, 28160, before 2:00 PM for the bid opening. The telephone number for Town Hall is (828) 286-3466. Failure to follow this procedure may result in bid rejection.

The project is for the renovation of the existing Oak St. Pump Station located at 683 Thunder Rd., Spindale, NC, 28160. The work consists of, but is not limited to, the following:

1.       The installation of a new replacement pump and associated electrical components.

2.       The installation of an automatic mechanical wastewater screen in the headworks main channel.

3.       The installation of a metering manhole to measure the new stations effluent flow.

4.       Removal and replacement of piping, valves, and related appurtenances

5.       Removal and replacement of specific electrical components

A Pre-Bid Meeting to discuss the project scope will be held at the Project Site (683 Thunder Road), beginning promptly at 2:00 pm on Thursday, May 15 . A tour of the Pump Station will be conducted after the meeting. All prospective bidders are strongly encouraged to attend.

All questions must be submitted in writing to SDG Engineering, Inc., 163 Heritage Lane, Bostic, North Carolina, 28018, telephone (828) 223-2265, ATTN: Kurt D. Wright, P.E. email: kwright@sdgengineering.us during normal office hours. All questions must be submitted by the end of business on Monday, April 28.

Bidding Documents may be viewed and ordered online by registering with Duncan Parnell via their bid room https://bidroom.duncan-parnell.com/. Registration with Duncan Parnell is required to obtain the bid documents and be added to the official Plan Holder’s List. Addenda notification will be sent to those buying full sets from Duncan Parnell via their bid room. The cost of bid documents and shipping is non-refundable. Neither OWNER nor ENGINEER will be responsible for copies of the bid documents obtained from sources other than from Duncan Parnell. If you need any assistance ordering or getting registered on https://bidroom.duncan-parnell.com/ please contact: Michaela Bruinius at constech@duncan-parnell.com or 704-526-1856.

Printed sets of bid documents and addenda or copies of individual documents may be purchased by Bidders, Subcontractors, and Suppliers, without refund.

Bids will be received for Single-Prime Construction.  A conditional or qualified bid will not be accepted.

The plans and specifications are copyright protected.

Award will be made to the lowest responsible, responsive bidder for the contract.

The Owner reserves the unqualified right to reject any and all bids.

The Town of Spindale is an equal opportunity employer. Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) including small and minority firms and local (Section 3) firms are encouraged to submit bids and to be utilized by contractors and subcontractors.