Request for Qualifications for Engineering Services

Caldwell County
RFQ 26-0706
Request for Qualifications for Engineering Services
Preliminary Engineering Report
Design and Construction Services
Project: Lower Cedar Valley Road Industrial Park Project
Caldwell County is seeking a qualified engineering firm for the Preliminary Engineering Report (PER),
Design, and Construction Services for the Lower Cedar Valley Road Industrial Park Project. The
project site is located on Lower Cedar Valley Road near US-321 in the Town of Sawmills, NC.
1. Preliminary Engineering Report (PER)
Caldwell County requires a PER to evaluate options for early site work to include demolition and
removal of an existing structure, clearing and grubbing, erosion control measures, installation of
stream crossing infrastructure, mass grading, and connection to an existing water tap.
Key Components of the PER:
Project Description: A detailed account of all project elements.
Drawings and Layouts: General layouts showing existing site conditions and proposed
project components, including rough dimensions and quantities.
Feasibility Analysis: Assessment of project constructability, including design and
construction constraints.
Permits and Approvals: A list of required permits and a timeline for obtaining them.
Environmental Considerations: Address potential environmental impacts, including
necessary assessments (e.g., biological assessments for endangered species).
Construction Cost Estimate: A detailed estimate covering quantities, unit costs, and total
costs, with a defined basis for construction contingencies.
Schedule: Estimated construction schedule.
2. Design and Construction Services
Caldwell County plans to apply for Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) funding based on the
completed PER. If funding is secured, the County anticipates contracting the firm that supplied the
PER for the subsequent design and construction phase. If awarded, the ARC Construction project
would be managed by NC Department of Commerce's Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) program as Basic Agency and must abide by all relevant state and federal guidelines
including but not limited to Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA), the Build America Buy America
Act (BABA), Section 3, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

This follow-on contract will encompass scheduling, cost estimation, infrastructure design,
permitting, specification, bid document preparation, oversight of the bidding process, project
administration/inspection, and final certification.
Caldwell County is the official selection entity and the selected firm will be employed by the County.
3. Submission Details and Requirements
Contact for Specific Questions:
Ashley Bolick, Economic Development Director
Telephone: (828) 728-0768
Email: abolick@caldwellcountync.org
Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)
Caldwell County seeks a competent/qualified firm registered to practice in North Carolina with
experience in the following areas:
Specialized Expertise: Appropriate expertise for this type of project.
Team Capacity: Adequate staff, proposed team, and project manager, including location,
past performance on similar work, and current workload.
Recent Experience: Track record with project costs and schedules.
Familiarity: Proximity to and familiarity with the project area.
Success Record: History of successfully completed projects without major legal or
technical issues.
ARC Experience: Demonstrated successful experience with ARC and CDBG funded
projects.
Insurance: Appropriate insurance coverage for the scope of work.
Other Factors: Any other factors deemed appropriate for the project.
Evaluation Criteria
A County staff review committee will rank proposals based on the following criteria:
Criteria Relative Importance
Experience (Project Team, Funding Program, etc.) 30
Work Performance (past record) 30

Criteria Relative Importance
Capacity to Perform (Available Staff, Location, Schedule, etc.) 30
Other Factors which may be deemed appropriate 10
Labor Rates/Costs
The submittal should include labor rates by category (including overhead and profit), travel costs,
and a list of reimbursables not covered by overhead.
Deadlines and Submission
Publish Date: June 13, 2026
Closing Date: July 6, 2026, at 2:00 PM (Proposals received after this time will not be
considered.)
Submittal Format: TWO (2) hard copies of the proposal (no more than 30 pages double-
sided) and ONE (1) electronic copy on a flash drive.
Submit To (Ashley Bolick, Economic Development Director):
Mailing Address Physical/Delivery Address
1909 Hickory Blvd SE, Lenoir NC
Address: PO Box 2200, Lenoir, NC 28645
28645
(828) 728-0768-4280 / TDD # 1-800-735-
Phone/TDD:
2962
Caldwell County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and promotes Fair Housing practices,
encouraging small, minority, and female-owned businesses to submit qualifications.

Block Ad Publication Requirements
The selection process also requires running a block ad:
Run one time in a local newspaper (Affidavit Required).
Run one time in The Charlotte Post (Best Black News Publication in North Carolina).
Post on the NC electronic Vendor Portal (evP).
Must include Fair Housing and EEO Logos.