Wake BRT: Northern Corridors Design & NEPA Study

Request for Qualifications # 274-2026-Northern-BRT
Title: Wake BRT: Northern Corridors Design & NEPA Study
Issue Date: September 21, 2026
Due Date: November 6, 2026
not later than 5:00PM EST
*LATE PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED*
Issuing Department: Transportation - Transit
Direct all inquiries concerning this RFQ to:
Logan Bealke
Transportation Planner - BRT
Email: Logan.Bealke@raleighnc.gov

Table of Contents
1. Introduction .............................................................................................. 2
1.1. Purpose ........................................................................................... 2
1.2. Background ..................................................................................... 2
1.3. RFQ Timeline .................................................................................. 3
1.4. Pre-Submittal Conference ............................................................... 3
1.5. Questions ........................................................................................ 3
1.6. Submittal Requirements and Contact Information ........................... 4
1.7. Business Engagement and Opportunities ....................................... 5
1.8. Rights to Submitted Material ........................................................... 5
1.9. Communications ............................................................................. 5
1.10. Lobbying ......................................................................................... 5
1.11. Conflicts of Interest ......................................................................... 5
1.12. Proposer Expenses ......................................................................... 6
1.13. Proposer Acceptance ...................................................................... 7
2. Qualifications Package ............................................................................ 7
2.1. Request for Qualifications Required Document Format .................. 7
2.2. Hourly Rates ................................................................................... 9
2.3. Qualifications Package Documents ................................................. 9
3. Submittal Evaluation ............................................................................... 9
3.1. Evaluation Criteria ......................................................................... 10
3.2. Final Selection............................................................................... 10
3.3. Notice to Proposers Regarding RFQ Terms & Conditions ............ 10
3.4. Contract Term....................................................................10
3.5. Federal Funding Requirements ..................................................... 10
4. Scope of Services .................................................................................. 11
Appendix I - Hourly Rate Schedule ................................................................ 28
Appendix II - Proposer Questionnaire ........................................................... 29
Appendix III - Reference Questionnaire (Instructions) ................................. 30
Appendix III - Reference Questionnaire Form ............................................... 31
Appendix IV - Sample Contract ...................................................................... 33
Appendix V - Federal Provisions and Requirements .................................... 42
Appendix VI - Federal and State Requirements.......................................49
Attachment A..............................................................................73
Attachment B..............................................................................74
Attachment C..............................................................................75
Subcontractor Form A...................................................................76
Subcontractor Form B...................................................................80

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose
The purpose of this solicitation is for the City of Raleigh Transportation Department to secure
professional engineering consulting services for Wake Transit Plan Bus Rapid Transit design
(30%) for two identified corridors - Midtown and Capital - and National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) study, with options for contract extension through final design (100%) or
continuation into an alternative construction delivery method. Additional information is
provided in Sections 2 and 3. The term "submittal" herein refers to the written response and
supporting materials submitted in reply to this Request for Qualifications.
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 - questions submitted via telephone will not be answered:
Contact Name Email Address
Logan Bealke Logan.Bealke@raleighnc.gov
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
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.
The City of Raleigh is seeking a qualified consultant team to perform Design work and NEPA
in conformance with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Capital Investment Grant (CIG)
Project Development requirements and guidelines for the Wake Transit Plan Bus Rapid
Transit (WTP BRT).
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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 Date September 21, 2026
Pre-Submittal Conference
October 5, 2026 - 1PM - Virtual
(if required)
Deadline for written questions October 12, 2026 - 10 AM
City Response to Questions
October 19, 2026 - 4 PM
(anticipated)
Submittal Due Date and Time November 6, 2026 - 5 PM
Evaluation Meeting
Mid November 2026
(anticipated)
Interviews
Early December 2026
(if required)
Selection Announcement
December 2026
(tentative)
1.4 Pre-Submittal Conference
The City will host a virtual pre-submittal conference on October 5, 2026, at 1pm. Attendance
by prospective proposers is strongly encouraged but is not mandatory. Prospective proposers
are encouraged to submit written questions in advance.
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/286569868202243?p=m7zX94LJmETPo2qnp5
Meeting ID: 286 569 868 202 243
Passcode: oe9N9zB6
Dial in by phone: +1 919-561-6523
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 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
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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 - questions submitted via telephone will not be answered:
Contact Name Email Address
Logan Bealke Logan.Bealke@raleighnc.gov
1.6 Submittal Requirements and Contact Information
Submittals must follow the format as defined in Section 2 Qualifications Package and be
addressed and submitted as follows:
DELIVERED BY US POSTAL SERVICE DELIVERED BY OTHER DEIVERY
MAIL: SERVICES:
City of Raleigh City of Raleigh
ATTN: Logan Bealke ATTN: Logan Bealke
510 W Martin Street 510 W Martin Street
Suite 200 Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27603 Raleigh, NC 27603
RFQ No. 274-2026-Northern-BRT RFQ No. 274-2026-Northern-BRT
Submittals must be enclosed in a sealed envelope or package and clearly marked with the
name of the submitting company, the RFQ number and the RFQ Title, and must include:
A. one (1) signed hard-copy original submittal package;
B. one (1) electronic version of the signed submittal;
C. and five (5) hard-copy submittal packages
The electronic version of the Proposal must be submitted as a viewable and printable Adobe
Portable Document File (PDF) on a flash drive. Both hard copy and electronic versions must
be received by the City on or before the RFQ date and time provided in Section 1.3 RFQ
Timeline. Proposals received after the RFQ deadline above will not be considered and will be
returned unopened to the return address provided on the submission envelope.
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.
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Submittals that arrive after the due date and time will not be accepted or considered for any
reason whatsoever. If the Firm elects to mail in its response, the Firm must allow sufficient
time to ensure the City's proper receipt of the package by the time specified in Section 1.3 RFQ
Timeline. Regardless of the delivery method, it is the responsibility of the Firm to ensure that
their response arrives at the designated location specified in this Section 1.6 by the due date
and time specified in Section 1.3 RFQ Timeline.
1.7 Business Engagement and Opportunities
The City of Raleigh maintains processes to conduct business with all business enterprises,
including small, emerging, growing, under-capitalized, and under-resourced firms or
organizations.
1.8 Rights to Submitted Material
All qualification packages and supporting materials, as well as correspondences 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.
(1) First, federal procurement standards provided in 2 CFR 200.318 (c)(1) states:
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
member of his or her immediate family, his or her partner, or an organization which employs
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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.
(2) Similarly, the North Carolina General Statutes provide 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.
(3) 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
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.
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1.13 Proposer Acceptance
Submission of any proposal indicates a Proposer's acceptance of the conditions contained in
this RFQ. The City of Raleigh has the sole discretion and reserves the right to cancel this RFQ,
and to reject any and all submittals, to waive any and all informalities and/or irregularities, if it
is deemed to be in the City's best interests to do so.
The City of Raleigh reserves the right to accept or reject any or all of the items in any 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's best interest. Moreover, the City reserves the right to make
no selection if the submittals are deemed to be outside the fiscal constraint or not in the best
interest of the City.
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.
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. Please include projects that have both gone
into revenue service and projects that may still be in design or construction. Provide a
list of five (5) similar contracts performed in the past fifteen (15) years, accompanied by
at least three (3) references (contact persons, firm, telephone number and email
address).
Include the total amount invoiced for each listed project, the date the project went into
revenue service, 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.
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Tab 3: Financial Information
Review and provide one of the following three (3) financial statement options:
1. Recent audited or reviewed financial statements prepared by an independent
certified public accountant (CPA) that shall include, at a minimum, a balance sheet,
income statement (i.e., profit/loss statement) and cash flow statement and, if the
audited or reviewed financial statements were prepared more than six (6) months
prior to the issuance of this RFQ, the Proposer shall submit its most recent internal
financial statements (balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement or
budget with entries reflecting revenues and expenditures from the date of the audited
or reviewed financial statements to the end of the most recent financial reporting
period (i.e., the quarter or month preceding the issuance date of this RFQ)).
OR
2. Recent compiled financial statements prepared by an independent CPA that shall
include, at a minimum, a balance sheet, income statement (i.e., profit/loss statement)
and cash flow statement and, if the compiled financial statements were prepared
more than three (3) months prior to the issuance of this RFQ, the Proposer shall
submit its most recent internal financial statements (balance sheet, income
statement and cash flow statement or budget with entries reflecting revenues and
expenditures to date), and other evidence of financial stability such as most recently
filed income tax return, evidence of a line of credit/loans/other type of financing with
statement of amount in use/outstanding balance (e.g., a complete copy commitment
letter, loan agreement, billing statement reflecting the line of credit or statement from
lender acknowledging the commitment to fund the Proposer's stated financing),
personal guaranty with copies of personal income tax filing and statement of net
worth or such other evidence that is accurate, reliable and trustworthy regarding the
Proposer's financial stability.
OR
3. Include a certified, signed statement from a licensed CPA regularly engaged in the
review of the firm's financial information verifying the financial viability of the firm.
All financial information, statements and/or documents provided in response to this
solicitation shall be kept confidential provided that EACH PAGE is marked as follows:
"CONFIDENTIAL - DO NOT DISCLOSE EXCEPT FOR THE EXPRESS PURPOSE OF
PROPOSAL EVALUATION."
"Recent" shall be defined as financial statements that were prepared within the 12
months preceding the issuance date of this RFQ.
Consolidated financial statements of the Proposer's parent or related
corporation/business entity will not be considered, unless: (1) the Proposer's actual
financial performance for the designated period is separately identified in and/or
attached to the consolidated statements; (2) the parent or related corporation/business
entity provides the State with a document wherein the parent or related
corporation/business entity will be financially responsible for the Proposer's
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performance of the contract and the consolidated statement demonstrates the parent or
related corporation's/business entity's financial ability to perform the contract, financial
stability and/or such other financial considerations identified in the evaluation criteria;
and/or (3) Proposer provides its own internally prepared financial statements and such
other evidence of its own financial stability identified above.
The firm's failure to provide any of the above-referenced financial statements may
result in the proposal being removed from consideration. Proposers are also
encouraged to explain any negative financial information, and to provide
documentation supporting those explanations and demonstrating the financial strength
of the firm.
Tab 4: 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. A description of each task and deliverable and the schedule for
accomplishing each shall be included.
Tab 5: Team Firm, Experience and Certifications/Qualifications
This section must include the proposed staffing, deployment and personnel to be
assigned to this project. The firm shall provide information as to the qualifications and
experience of all executives, 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 NC G.S. Chapter 143 Article 3D
(Procurement of Architectural, Engineering, and Surveying Services), otherwise known as the
Mini-Brooks Act, and therefore price cannot and will not be a determining factor in the
selection of the successful service provider. One copy of the Hourly Rate Schedule (see
Appendix I) for all proposed project personnel should be enclosed in a separate, sealed
envelope.
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.
3 SUBMITTAL EVALUATION
3.1 Evaluation Criteria
This is not a bid. There will not be a public opening. The submittals received in response to this
RFQ will be evaluated and ranked, by the evaluation committee in accordance with the process
and evaluation criteria contained below. Submittals will be evaluated in light of the material and
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