CLEVELAND COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS CLEVELAND COUNTY DESIRES TO ENGAGE A QUALIFIED PRIVATE ENGINEERING FIRM (PEF) FOR CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AND INSPECTION (CEI) SERVICES FOR THE FOLLOWING PROJECT: ISSUE DATE: January 26, 2017 RFQ #: 2017-01EDI TITLE: Public Roadway and Rail Spur Design ISSUING DEPARTMENT: Cleveland County Cleveland County Economic Development Partnership Attn: Matt Blackwell, Director of Business Services 1800 East Marion Street Shelby, NC 28152 Sealed qualifications will be received until 2:00 pm Thursday, February 16, 2017 from qualified firms for Public Roadway and Rail Spur Design. All inquiries for information concerning the Request for Qualifications shall by emailed to: Matt Blackwell, Director of Business Services matt@ccedp.com The primary and/or sub consultant firm(s) shall be Pre-qualified by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to perform Roadway Construction Engineering and Inspection services. Sealed proposals shall be mailed or hand delivered to the Issuing Department shown above and the envelope shall bear the name and number of this Request for Qualifications. It is the sole responsibility of the Proposer to ensure that its proposal reaches the Issuing Department by the designated date and hour indicated above. In compliance with the Request for Qualifications and to all the terms and conditions imposed herein, the undersigned offers and agrees to furnish the services described in accordance with the attached signed proposal. Firm Name: Date: Address: Phone: Email: By: (typed) By: (signed) 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS DELIVERABLES AND SPECIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Page 3-4 PROCEDURAL REQUIREMETNS Page 4-6 2
BACKGROUND Part I..Deliverables and Specifications Requirements Purpose The purpose of this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is to engage a qualified private engineer firm (PEF) for construction engineering and inspection services (CEI) for economic development infrastructure improvements, including public roadway and rail spur design, to prepare the Washburn Switch Business Park for future industrial development. Responding firms and/or sub consultant firm(s) shall be prequalified by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to perform Roadway Construction Engineering and Inspection services and must show a strong background in engineering, design and bidding of public infrastructure projects, including public road and rail spurs. The County is seeking a firm whose combination of qualified experience and personnel will provide timely, cost-effective, and professional engineering services for the County. The selected firm will report directly to Cleveland County. The firm is to administer the contract and to ensure that all work and materials used are in compliance with contract requirements. The PEF shall be directly responsible for providing engineers and technicians with the appropriate skills and qualifications to ensure contract compliance. The PEF shall indemnify and save harmless the County for claims and liabilities resulting from negligence, errors or omissions of the PEF; including, but not limited to, the engineers, technicians or sub-consultants. Project Overview (Background) The project will include the design and construction of two new public roads and the relocation of an existing public road to provide safe and efficient access to the industrial site. The public roadway project shall be coordinated with Division 12 staff of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). All work associated with this project shall meet NCDOT design and construction standards. The rail improvements project will include the construction of a new spur providing rail access to an industrial site within the Washburn Switch Business Park. The rail spur project shall also be coordinated with Division 12 staff of the NCDOT and representatives of CSX Railroad. The focus of the project scope will be as follows: 1. Provide engineering design for public roadway and rail spur improvements; 2. Facilitate process to obtain approval of designs to secure necessary permits for construction; 3. Develop specifications, plans and bid documents for the public bidding process; 4. Provide an engineer s estimate of probable costs and projected schedule for construction; and 5. Provide advisory services throughout construction of public infrastructure improvement projects and project closeout. The anticipated completion date for the project shall be no later than October 30, 2018. Concerns with this date should be noted in the qualification statement, along with the consultant s alternative timeline. Requirements Except as provided below, any firm wishing to be considered must be properly registered with the Office of the Secretary of State and with the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors. Any firm proposing to use corporate subsidiaries or subcontractors must include a statement that these companies are properly registered with the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors and/or the NC Board for Licensing of Geologists. The Engineers performing the work and in responsible charge of the work must be registered Professional Engineers in the State of North Carolina and must have a good ethical and professional standing. It will be the responsibility of the selected private firm to verify the registration of any corporate subsidiary or subcontractor prior to submitting a Letter of Interest. Firms which are not providing Engineering services need not be registered with the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors. Some of the services being solicited may not require a license. It is the responsibility of each firm to adhere to all laws of the State of North 3
Carolina. The firm must have the financial ability to undertake the work and assume the liability. The selected firm(s) will be required to furnish proof of Professional Liability insurance coverage in the minimum amount of $1,000,000. The firm(s) must have an adequate accounting system to identify costs chargeable to the project. The selected consultant will be required to enter into an agreement with Cleveland County. The types of services and expertise required for this solicitation are described below. Consultants offering expertise in the services described below are encouraged to submit statements of qualifications. Part II.Procedural Requirements Proposal Submission Requirements Three (3) copies of your statement of qualifications (SOQ) must be received no later than 2:00 pm, February 16, 2017. The SOQ must be address to: Cleveland County Cleveland County Economic Development Partnership Attn: Matt Blackwell, Director of Business Services 1800 East Marion Street Shelby, NC 28152 Include in your SOQ the following specific items, which will assist in the evaluation of all submittal: 1) Corporate Qualifications a) Brief history of firm b) Previous experience of similar projects c) Resumes of key personnel available for this project d) Location of office to perform work 2) Performance on Previous Projects a) On-time/in-budget performance on projects b) At least three (3) references with telephone numbers 3) Present work load a) Key staff assignments through project period b) Present project commitments compared to present staffing assignments 4) EEO policy of the firm 5) Supplemental information that you feel is important for us to consider your firm. SOQ s are limited to fifteen (15) pages inclusive of the cover/introductory letter, and shall be typed on 8 1/2 x 11 sheets, single spaced, one sided. Fold out pages, binders, dividers, tabs, etc. are prohibited. One staple in the upper left-hand corner is preferred. SOQ s containing more than fifteen (15) pages will not be considered. The introductory letter is limited to two (2) pages and should contain the following elements of information: Expression of firm s interest in the work; Statement of whether firm is on register or submitting information with letter of interest; Date of most recent private engineering firm qualification; Statement regarding firms possible conflict of interest; and Summation of information contained in the letter of interest. 4
DO NOT INCLUDE A PRICED PROPOSAL Cleveland County is not liable for any cost incurred by the consultant in the preparation or presentation of a response to this request. It is understood that all submittals will become part of the public's file on this matter, without obligation to the County. Cleveland County reserves the right to accept and/or reject any and all submittals. Selection and Evaluation Cleveland County will evaluate the submittals received. Cleveland County will review all submittals, evaluate required criteria, select a consultant and enter into negotiations with the selected firm, or select a short list for interviews, then complete the process. The successful vendor will be notified once an award/contract has been approved by the County Manager and/or the County of Cleveland Board of Commissioners. Each of the criteria listed in this outline will be evaluated on how fully each submittal meets the requirements, and each will be ranked. Particular emphasis will be placed on the consultant's past successful completion of similar projects shown by work summaries of the firm and individuals to do the work, and by references. Statement of Interest and Qualifications Each submittal from a qualified consultant received in response to this request will be judged as a demonstration of the consultant's capabilities and qualifications. Only those consultants who supply complete information as required by this request will be considered for evaluation. The factors used to determine those to be considered are: 1. An understanding of the requirements of this request demonstrated by the organization, clarity, and completeness of the submittal; 2. The past performance record and qualifications of the firm and the individuals who will do the work, verifiable through references and resumes, and; 3. The ability of the consultant to provide a timely response. North Carolina firms qualified to do the required work will be given priority consideration. A North Carolina firm is a firm that maintains an office in North Carolina staffed with an adequate number of employees judged by the Department to be capable of performing a majority of the work required. Evaluation Criteria The contract will be awarded to a qualified consultant. Minimum standards for qualifications are: 1. Having the necessary experience and staff to perform conventional surveying. 2. Having the necessary staff and experience to perform the required environmental consulting, permitting, and design for roadway and rail projects. 3. Having the necessary experience and staff to design roadways and rail improvements including grade, drainage, and pavement design to carry out this work. 4. Having an adequate past record of performance on similar projects, verifiable through references. 5. Having familiarity with Cleveland County, NC Department of Transportation, CSX Railroad, and the surrounding area. 6. Having the financial and personnel resources for the performance of the contract, or the ability to obtain such resources. 7. Being an Equal Opportunity Employer and being otherwise qualified by law to enter into a contract such as this. 5
8. The consultant's proximity to Cleveland County. 9. The results of interviews, IF interviews are to be held. Additional Instructions 1. The proposal submitted should be specific and complete. It should provide a straight forward, concise delineation of the capabilities to perform the services sought by Cleveland County. The firm desiring to propose shall submit one (1) original and two (2) copies of its proposal; proposal not to exceed fifteen (15) pages, not including a cover/introductory letter. 2. The final consultant will be required to provide a Service Contract, which will incorporate the submittal and work schedule as a part of the contract. 3. In addition, it will be necessary for the successful consultant to be covered by Workman's Compensation insurance, which will extend to the work done within the State of North Carolina. 4. Even though specific DBE/MBE/WBE goals are not required for this project, the Department of Transportation is committed to providing opportunity for small and disadvantaged businesses to perform on its contracts through established Department goals. The Firm, sub-consultant and subfirm shall not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, age, disability or sex in the performance of this contract. 6