Architectural and Engineering Design Services for New Town Hall and Century Center Redevelopment.pdf

Town of Carrboro, North Carolina

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

Architectural and Engineering Design Services

New Town Hall and Century Center Redevelopment

RFQ #: PW-2026-TH

Issue Date: 9/10/2026

Submittal Deadline: 10/09/2026

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Town of Carrboro, North Carolina, invites qualified architectural and engineering firms to submit Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) to provide professional architectural, engineering, planning, cost estimating, and construction administration services for the development of a new Town Hall at the existing Century Center site located at 100 North

Greensboro Street.

The Town seeks a design partner with demonstrated experience in civic architecture, sustainable design, and complex phased construction.

The Town desires to construct a new Town Hall on the site of the Century Center, the former

Carrboro Baptist Church, preserving elements of the original building's character and aligning the new design with the Town's recently adopted Downtown Area Plan, adopted

November 2025 and linked below for reference.

Town departments currently occupy space in the building and must remain operational throughout the project. The selected design team shall evaluate options to maintain continuity of Town operations during construction, including options for temporary relocation.

This RFQ is issued in accordance with the qualifications-based selection process required by N.C.G.S. § 143-64.31; do not include fee or cost proposals in your submission.

The Town of Carrboro is not responsible for any costs incurred by Firms in preparing a response to this RFQ.

Project Goals

The project objectives include:

Construct a modern Town Hall serving approximately 70 Town employees.

Align the project with the Town’s High Performance Building Policy and Downtown

Area Plan.

Reinforce the character of downtown Carrboro as well as the character of the original building through high-quality civic architecture.

Minimize disruption to a�ected Town operations during construction.

The project shall comply with the Town of Carrboro High Performance Building Policy, dated June 26, 2026, which is incorporated into this RFQ by reference. The selected design team shall identify, integrate, document, and verify all applicable policy requirements throughout planning, design, construction, commissioning, and post-occupancy services.

Any waiver or exception must be supported and approved in accordance with the policy.

The Town intends to procure these services through a two-phase process. Phase 1 will focus on project definition, feasibility analysis, programming, existing conditions assessment, conceptual design, and cost estimating. Upon successful completion of

Phase 1, acceptance of the recommended approach by the Town, and subject to availability of funding and authorization by the Town, the contract may be amended to include Phase 2 for final design and construction administration, with fees for Phase 2 negotiated separately at that time. The Town makes no guarantee that Phase 2 services will be authorized.

SCOPE OF WORK

The selected design team shall provide comprehensive architectural and engineering services in two phases.

Phase 1 – Project Definition and Concept Development

The purpose of Phase 1 is to evaluate existing conditions, define the project, and establish a recommended implementation strategy.

Existing Conditions Assessment

Evaluate existing conditions a�ecting the project, including:

Assessment of opportunities to reuse or reinterpret elements of the original building.

Identification of shared utilities and building systems serving occupied areas of the building.

Evaluation of temporary departmental continuity requirements and operational impacts associated with construction.

Identification of applicable code, accessibility, and regulatory requirements.

Identification of project constraints and risks that may a�ect design, budget, schedule, or construction.

Programming and Project Definition

Working with Town sta� and stakeholders, the design team shall:

Develop a detailed space program and functional requirements.

Confirm operational, accessibility, security, and circulation needs.

Prepare a High Performance Building Policy compliance matrix identifying applicable requirements, responsible disciplines, required analyses and deliverables, decision points, and verification methods.

Develop design objectives that complement the Downtown Area Plan.

Concept Development

Develop conceptual design alternatives and evaluate implementation strategies that address:

Building layout, massing, and architectural character.

Consideration of the original building's character , integration with the surrounding downtown, and alignment with the Downtown Area Plan.

Sustainable and resilient building strategies.

Conduct preliminary energy modeling and identify and evaluate at least three energy conservation measures using life-cycle cost analyses consistent with the

High Performance Building Policy.

Present the energy modeling, preliminary daylight analysis, and life-cycle cost analyses to the Town's Project Review Committee early in design and before completion of schematic design.

Continuity of Town operations throughout construction.

Utility modifications and construction sequencing.

Preliminary project costs and schedule.

The consultant shall present alternatives to Town leadership and recommend a preferred approach.

Phase 1 Deliverables

Existing Conditions Assessment

Space Program and Design Narrative

Building Character , Sustainability, and Downtown Area Plan Alignment Strategy

Conceptual Site and Building Designs

Implementation Strategy and Recommended Alternative

Preliminary Energy Modeling and Life-Cycle Cost Analyses for at Least Three Energy

Conservation Measures

High Performance Building Policy Compliance Matrix

Project Review Committee Presentation Materials

Preliminary Cost Estimate and Project Schedule

Phase 2 – Final Design and Construction Administration

Upon Town acceptance of the Phase 1 recommendations, the design team shall provide complete architectural and engineering services through project completion.

Design Services

Provide schematic design, design development, and construction documents, including:

Architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and technology design.

Incorporate high-performance building requirements including building electrification, renewable energy evaluation, energy-e�icient building systems, building automation systems, and other sustainable design features required by the

Town's High Performance Building Policy.

Update energy modeling and life-cycle cost analyses during schematic design, design development, and construction documents to inform design decisions and verify policy compliance.

Updated project cost estimates and schedules.

Complete construction documents suitable for permitting and bidding.

Bidding Assistance

Assist the Town during procurement by:

Preparing bid documents and addenda.

Responding to bidder questions.

Participating in pre-bid meetings.

Assisting with bid evaluation and contract award recommendations.

Construction Administration

Provide construction administration services through project closeout, including:

Review of submittals, shop drawings, substitutions, and RFIs.

Regular construction site observations and progress meetings.

Review of pay applications and change orders.

Preparation of punch lists and substantial/final completion inspections.

Review of record drawings, closeout documents, warranties, and operation and maintenance manuals.

Phase 2 Deliverables

Schematic Design Documents

Design Development Documents

Final Construction Documents and Specifications

Updated Cost Estimates and Project Schedule

Permit and Bid Documents

Construction Administration Services

Final High Performance Building Compliance Report and updated compliance matrix documenting satisfaction of all applicable policy requirements, required analyses, Project Review Committee decisions, commissioning, and any approved waiver or exception.

Policy-required first-year post-occupancy monitoring and one-year performance review.

Record Drawings and Project Closeout Documentation

RFQ Administrative, Submission, and Selection Requirements

CONTACT INFORMATION

All technical or scope of work questions should be directed to:

Capital Projects Manager Email: mjohnson@carrboronc.gov Phone: 919-918-7424

All questions pertaining to this solicitation must be submitted in writing no later than 3:00

PM on October 1, 2026. Only written questions will be considered. Information provided by telephone or other informal means shall not be considered o�icial.

Responses to questions that may be relevant to all respondents will be issued by the Town as an addendum.

A pre-submittal site visit will be held at the Century Center, 100 North Greensboro Street, Carrboro, NC 27510, on September 28, 2026 at 8:00am.

mailto:%20mjohnson@carrboronc.gov

Any addenda or modifications to this RFQ will be posted on the Town's bid opportunities webpage. Respondents are responsible for monitoring the webpage and acknowledging receipt of all addenda in their Cover Letter.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES

Statements of Qualifications must be received by 3:00 PM Eastern Time on October 9, 2026. Submittals received after the deadline will not be considered.

SOQs shall be submitted electronically in PDF format. The email subject line shall read:

RFQ # PW-2026-TH – [Firm Name]

Submit responses to both:

Chaz O�enburg Finance Director Town of Carrboro Email: co�enburg@carrboronc.gov

Capital Projects Manager Town of Carrboro Email: mjohnson@carrboronc.gov

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

Firms and subconsultants providing professional architectural, engineering, landscape architecture, surveying, or other regulated professional services shall be properly licensed to practice in the State of North Carolina, as applicable.

The selected team shall maintain all required professional licenses and certifications throughout the duration of the project.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Statements of Qualifications should be concise and limited to a maximum of 25 single-sided pages. Use a font size no smaller than 11 point.

Submittals shall be organized according to the following sections, which correspond to the evaluation criteria and weighting described under Selection Process and Evaluation

Criteria.

1. Cover Letter mailto:coffenburg@carrboronc.gov mailto:%20PWProjects@carrboronc.gov

Briefly state the firm's interest in and understanding of the project.

Identify the prime consultant and primary point of contact.

Acknowledge receipt of all RFQ addenda.

2. Relevant Firm Experience (30%)

Provide a brief description of the prime firm and proposed subconsultants.

Provide examples of comparable projects demonstrating experience with municipal and civic facilities, occupied facilities or departmental relocation, complex demolition and construction, building character integration, and integration with the surrounding downtown.

Describe the firm's track record of delivering comparable projects within established budgets and schedules.

3. Key Personnel and Project Team (25%)

Identify key personnel, their project roles, professional licenses and credentials, and relevant individual experience, including the individuals responsible for energy design, building electrification, energy modeling, life-cycle cost analysis, commissioning, and high-performance building certification.

Describe the team's organizational structure, availability, and capacity to complete the project.

Describe prior collaboration and coordination experience among the proposed prime and subconsultant team members.

4. High-Performance Building Experience (20%)

Describe the team's experience with energy-e�icient and all-electric building design.

Describe experience with energy modeling and life-cycle cost analysis.

Provide examples of projects delivered to LEED Gold (v5.0) or a comparable high-performance building standard.

Describe experience integrating renewable energy, commissioning, and other sustainable design strategies required by high-performance building policies or rating systems.

5. Project Approach (20%)

Describe the team's proposed approach to:

Programming, existing conditions assessment, and conceptual design.

Considering the original building's character , integrating with downtown, and aligning with the Downtown Area Plan.

Planning for temporary departmental relocation and maintaining continuity of Town operations throughout demolition and construction.

Integrating, documenting, and verifying the Town's High Performance Building Policy requirements throughout design, construction, commissioning, and post-occupancy services.

Managing project budget, schedule, quality control, and stakeholder engagement.

6. References (5%)

Provide at least three and no more than five client references for comparable projects, including client name, contact information, project description, and date of completion.

SELECTION PROCESS AND EVALUATION CRITERIA

The Town will evaluate Statements of Qualifications based on demonstrated competence and qualifications for the professional services required. The Town may shortlist firms and conduct interviews prior to final selection.

SOQs will be evaluated using the following criteria:

Relevant Firm Experience — 30%

Experience with municipal and civic facilities of similar size and complexity.

Experience with selective façade retention and integration with the surrounding downtown.

Successful delivery of comparable projects within established budgets and schedules.

Key Personnel and Project Team — 25%

Qualifications and relevant experience of key personnel.

Team organization, availability, and capacity.

Experience, collaboration, and coordination among proposed consultants.

High-Performance Building Experience — 20%

Experience with energy-e�icient and all-electric building design.

Energy modeling and life-cycle cost analysis expertise.

Experience with LEED Gold or comparable high-performance building standards.

Experience integrating renewable energy, commissioning, and other high-performance building strategies.

Project Approach — 20%

Understanding of the project's unique opportunities and constraints.

Approach to evaluating potential retention in place and incorporation of elements of the original brick façade, downtown integration, and alignment with the Downtown

Area Plan.

Approach to temporary departmental relocation and continuity of Town operations throughout demolition and construction.

Approach to integrating, documenting, and verifying the Town's High Performance

Building Policy requirements throughout the project, including coordination with the

Project Review Committee.

Approach to budget, schedule, quality control, stakeholder engagement, and project delivery.

References — 5%

The Town reserves the right to request additional information, conduct interviews, contact references, and negotiate with the highest-ranked firm.

CONTRACT

The Town intends to select a qualified design team in accordance with applicable North

Carolina laws governing the procurement of professional architectural and engineering services.

The selected design team will contract directly with the Town of Carrboro and shall provide the services described in this RFQ and subsequently negotiated scope of services.

The initial contract is anticipated to include Phase 1 – Project Definition and Concept

Development. Upon successful completion of Phase 1, acceptance of the recommended project approach, availability of funding, and authorization by the Town, the contract may be amended to include Phase 2 – Final Design and Construction Administration.

The selected firm shall maintain insurance coverage in amounts required by the Town, including professional liability insurance. Specific insurance requirements will be established as part of the professional services agreement.

The Town reserves the right to reject any or all submittals, waive minor informalities, request additional information, and cancel or modify this solicitation when determined to be in the Town's best interest.

Reference Documents:

Carrboro Downtown Area Plan https://engage.carrboronc.gov/carrboro-downtown-area-plan

High Performance Building Policy https://www.carrboronc.gov/967/Bid-Opportunities https://engage.carrboronc.gov/carrboro-downtown-area-plan https://www.carrboronc.gov/967/Bid-Opportunities