CAROLINA NORTH

Request for Qualification | Carolina North Mixed-Use Development Partner September 4, 2026 northcarolina.unc.edu carolinanorth@unc.edu

Carolina North | Former Horace Williams Airport

THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA

AT CHAPEL HILL

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS #: RFQ2026TCM CNDP

Carolina North Mixed-Use Development Partner

Date of Issue: September 4,2026

Proposal Opening Date: October 16, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET

Direct all inquiries concerning this RFQ to:

Troy C. Morse Deputy Chief Procurement Officer Email: troy.morse@unc.edu mailto:troy.morse@unc.edu

THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL

Request for Qualifications #

RFQ2026TCM CNDP

For internal State agency processing, including evaluation of qualifications, provide your company’s eVP (Electronic Vendor Portal) Number. Pursuant to G.S. 132-1.10(b) this identification number shall not be released to the public. This page will be removed and shredded, or otherwise kept confidential, before the procurement file is made available for public inspection.

This page shall be filled out and returned with your proposal.

Failure to do so may subject your proposal to rejection.

Vendor Name

Vendor eVP#

Secretary of State ID#

Note: For a contract to be awarded to you, your company (you) must be a North Carolina registered Vendor in good standing. You must enter the Vendor number assigned through eVP

(Electronic Vendor Portal). If you do not have a Vendor number, register at https://evp.nc.gov/SignIn

Electronic responses ONLY will be accepted for this solicitation.

Carolina North | Former Horace William Airport

Refer ALL Inquiries regarding this RFQ to the Procurement Officer:

Troy C. Morse troy.morse@unc.edu

Using Agency: UNC Chapel Hill

Request for Qualifications #: RFQ2026TCM CNDP

A list of Respondents who submitted to this RFQ will be published following the submittal due date of: 16 October at 4:00PM ET

Requisition No.: Commodity No. and Description:

EXECUTION

In compliance with this Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”), and subject to all the conditions herein, the undersigned Vendor offers and agrees to furnish and deliver any or all items upon which prices are bid, at the prices set opposite each item within the time specified herein.

By executing this RFQ, the undersigned Vendor understands that false certification is a Class I felony and certifies that:

of any violations of Chapter 78A of the General Statutes, the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (G.S. 143-59.2), and

• it is not an ineligible Vendor as set forth in G.S. 143-59.1.

Furthermore, by executing this RFQ, the undersigned certifies to the best of Vendor’s knowledge and belief, that:

• it and its principals are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded from covered transactions by any Federal or State department or agency.

As required by G.S. 143-48.5, the undersigned Vendor certifies that it, and each of its sub-contractors for any contract awarded as a result of this RFQ and subsequent RFP, complies with the requirements of Article 2 of Chapter 64 of the NC General Statutes, including the requirement for each employer with more than 25 employees in North Carolina to verify the work authorization of its employees through the federal E-Verify system.

As required by Executive Order 24 (2017), the undersigned Vendor certifies will comply with all Federal and State requirements concerning fair employment and that it does not and will not discriminate, harass, or retaliate against any employee in connection with performance of any contract arising from this solicitation.

G.S. 133-32 and Executive Order 24 (2009) prohibit the offer to, or acceptance by, any employee of the State or the University associated with the preparing plans, specifications, estimates for public contracts;

or awarding or administering public contracts; or inspecting or supervising delivery of the public contract of any gift from anyone with a contract with the University, or from any person seeking to do business with the University. By execution of this response to the RFP, the undersigned certifies, for Vendor’s entire organization and its employees or agents, that Vendor is not aware that any such gift has been offered, accepted, or promised by any employees of your organization.

mailto:troy.morse@unc.edu

Failure to execute/sign proposal prior to submittal may render proposal invalid and it MAY BE REJECTED.

Late proposals shall not be accepted.

COMPLETE/FORMAL NAME OF VENDOR:

STREET ADDRESS: P.O. BOX: ZIP:

CITY & STATE & ZIP: TELEPHONE NUMBER: TOLL FREE TEL. NO:

PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS ADDRESS IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE (SEE INSTRUCTIONS TO VENDORS ITEM #21):

PRINT NAME & TITLE OF PERSON SIGNING ON BEHALF OF VENDOR:

VENDOR’S AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE*: DATE: EMAIL:

MIXED-USE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PARTNER RFQ

Overview����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������1

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill����������������������������������������������������������������2

1. Development Opportunity�����������������������������������������������������������������3

1.1 Strategic Importance of Carolina North to UNC-Chapel Hill�������������������������������������������3

1.2 Early Funding for Carolina North’s Predevelopment and Infrastructure ��������������������� 4

2. Development Partnership������������������������������������������������������������������5

2.1 Development Partner�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������5

2.2 Right to Form a Team �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������5

2.3 Design Team���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������5

2.4 Preferred Partnership Model�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������6

3. The Project Area ������������������������������������������������������������������������������8

3.1 Project Tracts��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������8

3.2 Existing Conditions����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������9

3.3 Utilities, Infrastructure, and Transportation �������������������������������������������������������������������10

3.4 Entitlement Jurisdiction������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������11

3.5 Existing Permits�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������11

4. Questions and Requests for Clarification�������������������������������������������� 12

4.1 Improper Communications �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������12

5. Submittal Requirements������������������������������������������������������������������ 13

5.1 Developer Execution Form�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������13

5.2 Cover Letter��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������13

5.3 Developer Past Project Relevance and Successful Experiences�����������������������������������13

5.4 Firm and Team Background and Financial Resources���������������������������������������������������14

5.5 Project Approach�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������15

5.6 Exclusions�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������15

CONTENTS

MIXED-USE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PARTNER RFQ

6. Selection Process���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 16

6.1 Mandatory Qualifications for Submittal���������������������������������������������������������������������������16

7. Schedule��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 17

7.1 Optional Pre-Submission Meeting: ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������18

7.2 Optional Site Visit����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������18

8. Submittal of Qualifications�������������������������������������������������������������� 19

8.1 Copies, Format and Page Limit������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������19

8.2 Addenda �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������19

8.3 Withdrawal or Modification of Submittals�����������������������������������������������������������������������19

8.4 Receipt and Opening of Submittals����������������������������������������������������������������������������������19

9. General Information����������������������������������������������������������������������� 20

9.1 Reference Documents��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������20

9.2 Due Diligence Documents��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������21

9.3 Conflict of Interest���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������21

9.4 Public Records and Confidential Information�����������������������������������������������������������������21

9.5 Protest Procedure���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������21

10. No Liability���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 22

11. Glossary & Abbreviations���������������������������������������������������������������� 23

Appendix 1: Design Vision & Master Planning������������������������������������������� 25

Appendix 2: Preliminary Development Program����������������������������������������� 27

Appendix 3: Representation�������������������������������������������������������������������� 30

PAGE 1 |MIXED-USE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PARTNER RFQ

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is advancing “Carolina North”, one of the most significant development initiatives in the University’s history. Located on ±240 acres1, Carolina North is envisioned as a public-facing campus that will expand UNC-Chapel Hill’s capacity for teaching, research, innovation, housing, health, and community interaction, while delivering long-term economic and public benefits to the region and the State of North Carolina. Carolina North will provide a welcoming point of connection between UNC-Chapel Hill and the people it serves across North Carolina, elevating the University’s contributions to education, research, health care, innovation and public service.

1 The Project Area is ±240 acres, with an additional ±60 acres under consideration for inclusion.

A central component of Carolina North is the Mixed- Use District, which is intended to serve as the social and community heart of the Project, and a vibrant gathering place for the University and Chapel Hill- Carrboro communities. Whether it’s working directly with communities to overcome challenges or conducting impactful research in labs to find solutions to pressing issues, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is dedicated to serving the people of North Carolina. As a university built for the people, public service is at the core of Carolina’s mission. Successful implementation will require a long-term Development Partner committed to collaboratively creating the physical spaces that enable Carolina to further its service to the state for the next 200+ years. Successful Development Partners should demonstrated experience in district-scale planning, infrastructure delivery, mixed-use development, collaborating with universities, housing (including student and affordable housing), placemaking, public realm activation, and long-term environmental stewardship.

UNC-Chapel Hill is seeking a Development Partner whose qualifications, prior work, and approach align with the University’s mission and priorities for Carolina North.

The ideal Development Partner will have experience delivering high-quality, financially successful, mixed-use environments that are active throughout the day, evening, week, and weekend. They should understand the unique character of the site, including its relationship to the University, surrounding neighborhoods, and the Carolina North Forest, and be capable of delivering development and programming at scale.

For prospective Development Partners, Carolina North presents a rare opportunity to work with the nation’s first public university and the flagship institution of the University of North Carolina System in one of the country’s most dynamic growth markets. Located within the Research Triangle, Carolina North is positioned in a region anchored by research universities, life sciences, technology, healthcare, corporate investment, economic vitality, and sustained population and employment growth.

The selected Development Partner will have the opportunity to help shape and implement the Mixed- Use District, with potential for a sustained pipeline of development activity across residential, retail, commercial, hospitality, entertainment, and other uses, subject to University approvals, market conditions, and continued performance.

The University requests a Development Partner or Development Partner team to demonstrate the technical capacity required to deliver the Mixed-Use District for Carolina North, under the terms of a Pre- Development Agreement and one or more subsequent Development Agreements entered into in accordance with the terms of the Pre-Development Agreement. Both the Pre-Development Agreement and Development Agreement will be negotiated separately with the chosen Development Partner.

A Request for Proposals (“RFP”) will be issued to shortlisted Respondents after this RFQ process is completed. The RFP will further define the University’s transaction structure objectives, detailed proposal requirements, and the University’s process for selecting the Development Partner and executing the pre-Development Agreement and any subsequent Development Agreement(s) with the University.

OVERVIEW

PAGE 2 |MIXED-USE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PARTNER RFQ

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (the “University”, “UNC-Chapel Hill”, or “Carolina”), the nation’s first public university, serves North Carolina, the United States, and the world through teaching, research, and public service. We embrace an unwavering commitment to excellence as one of the world’s great research universities.

Our mission is to serve as a center for research, scholarship, and creativity and to teach a diverse community of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to become the next generation of leaders.

Through the efforts of our exceptional faculty and staff, and with generous support from North Carolina’s citizens, we invest our knowledge and resources to enhance access to learning and to foster the success and prosperity of each rising generation.

We also extend knowledge-based services and other resources of the University to the citizens of North Carolina and their institutions to enhance the quality of life for all people in the State.

With lux, libertas — light and liberty — as its founding principles, the University has charted a bold course of leading change to improve society and to help solve the world’s greatest problems.

Carolina | South Building

PAGE 3 |MIXED-USE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PARTNER RFQ

The University is advancing the development of Carolina North—the largest new development initiative at Carolina since the cornerstone of Old East was laid in 1793. This generational investment will advance the University’s academic mission, expand its public impact, and strengthen its shared future with the Chapel Hill, Carrboro, the Research Triangle region, and the State.

Carolina North is envisioned as a vibrant, mixed-use environment that includes shared spaces for learning and community, world-class research facilities, student, workforce/affordable and market-rate housing, and a range of retail, dining, and entertainment options.

Together, these elements will support academic excellence while fostering meaningful connections between the University, the broader community, and industry partners.

This expansion responds to North Carolina’s rapid population growth and positions Carolina North as a powerful economic engine of innovation—helping to meet the state’s evolving workforce needs while generating new models for research, education, and industry engagement with impact across the state and nation.

Located on a ±240-acre2 University-owned site along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, just 1.6 miles north of UNC Chapel Hill’s main campus, Carolina North offers exceptional regional access. Its proximity to I 40 and I 85 connects the site to the Triangle, the Triad, and Raleigh- Durham International Airport. With its strategic location and forward-looking vision, Carolina North is poised to become a transformative hub for education, innovation, and community life for generations to come.

2 The Project Area is ±240 acres, with an additional ±60 acres under consideration for inclusion.

1.1 STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF CAROLINA NORTH TO

UNC-CHAPEL HILL

Carolina North is envisioned as a major expansion of the University’s research and applied academic footprint – designed to support emerging industries, translational research and deep partnerships with the private sector.

The campus is intended to be outward facing, integrated with industry, and focused on fields of study that grow talent, and drive job creation and economic development in North Carolina.

Expanding Academic, Research & Partnership Opportunities

The University has committed to increasing enrollment among both undergraduate and graduate students.

Historically, the University enrolled approximately five percent of North Carolina’s graduating high school class as freshman. However, due to the state’s rapid population growth, that percentage has declined to approximately three percent. In response, the University has committed to increasing undergraduate student enrollment by 5,000 students over a 10-year period. The 2026/27 academic year marks the second year of that decade-long commitment. Carolina North provides the University with the opportunity to thoughtfully and strategically address the physical needs associated with this growth across both campuses, including the need for student housing, academic and research space, athletics and recreation facilities, and student support services.

Broadening Impact across the State

UNC-Chapel Hill continues to be at the forefront of research, discovery and public impact. The University growth areas, in particular STEM disciplines, are under continued pressure to meet student demand, while also building a skilled workforce and driving economic development across North Carolina. Carolina North represents a generational opportunity to extend the University’s academic mission. More than a physical expansion, Carolina North is envisioned as a catalytic setting and an academic and innovation engine, that propels Carolina’s most ambitious ideas, advanced capacities, private-public collaborations, and emerging talent.

1. DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY

PAGE 4 |MIXED-USE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PARTNER RFQ

Academic programs and facilities will be focused on solution-driven, team-based, interdisciplinary research, actively stimulating collaboration, bringing together scientists, engineers, clinicians, social scientists, humanists, data experts and even artists in ways that compress the path from insight to application.

The academic and research focus areas identified herein are conceptual and reflect the University’s current planning considerations only. Programmatic needs, priorities, and facility requirements for Carolina North remain subject to change. The University reserves sole and absolute discretion to determine the academic and research programs and facilities located at Carolina North, and nothing in this RFQ shall be construed to limit or obligate the University with respect to current or future academic or research uses.

Addressing Housing Constraints

Both the University and surrounding towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro experience housing pressure, in particular housing options for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as affordable and workforce housing options for members of the broader community. As a significant land holding in proximity to a proposed rapid bus transit (“RBT”) network, and within close proximity to the University, Carolina North presents an opportunity for the University to help address these housing challenges.

1.2 EARLY FUNDING FOR CAROLINA NORTH’S

PREDEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE

In January 2026, the University’s Board of Trustees authorized $8M to the University for Advanced Planning for Carolina North. Advanced Planning funds pre-development design and studies, including site analysis, utility and energy investigations, feasibility studies, master planning, preliminary engineering, and cost estimation.

In July 2026 the North Carolina General Assembly approved an additional $35M to the University for the 2026-2027 FY for early infrastructure works at Carolina North. This includes the design and delivery of infrastructure to serve future development parcels, including:

Carolina | Campus

PAGE 5 |MIXED-USE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PARTNER RFQ

Through this RFQ process, the University is soliciting a Development Partner with the best qualifications, experience, financial capacity, and proven track records of executing projects similar to Carolina North, specifically for the delivery of the Mixed-Use District. A selection committee designated by the University will evaluate all materials submitted as part of this RFQ process and will shortlist Respondents based on the criteria stated herein.

The University may select, at its sole discretion, a short list of the Respondents it deems most qualified to partner with the University to undertake the Project.

Those Respondents will receive the designation of being “prequalified” and will be invited to participate in an RFP process following the evaluation of the Statements of Qualifications (“SOQs”). Participation in this RFQ is a prerequisite to participating in the RFP process and subsequent steps of the selection process, but in no way guarantees a Respondent’s prequalification status. The University reserves the right to modify the RFP award criteria.

2.1 DEVELOPMENT PARTNER

The University seeks an experienced Development Partner that can demonstrate its capability to partner with UNC-Chapel Hill on determining the most feasible strategy to implement the University’s priorities set forth in Appendices 1 & 2. This includes a willingness to assume at-risk development responsibility and to source and invest private capital into the appropriate mixed-use components.

The Development Partner should have demonstrated experience developing large-scale, mixed-use, urban environments over multiple phases; incorporating place-making strategies; integrating a variety of housing typologies, including market-rate, student, workforce, and affordable housing; and working with a university or other institutional partner with various priorities and stakeholders to accommodate.

2.2 RIGHT TO FORM A TEAM

For the procurement process and subsequent execution of any contractual agreements, any individual or company, together with other individuals or companies, may form a consortium that may eventually form a joint venture to enter into the contractual agreement with the University.

Respondents are encouraged to assemble teams that provide the full range of expertise required to successfully deliver the anticipated development program. Firms whose primary expertise does not include specialized product types, such as student housing, workforce housing, or other targeted uses, are encouraged to partner with other development firms with demonstrated expertise in those specialized areas.

Development firms who are not identified as the Lead Developer of a Development Partner team are permitted to be part of multiple teams. A development firm that is identified as the Lead Developer of a Development Partner team, may only be part of the team for which they are the lead. For clarity, each team must identify a Lead Developer.

2.3 DESIGN TEAM

It is not a submittal requirement for this RFQ that Respondents identify a design team(s).

2. DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP

PAGE 6 |MIXED-USE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PARTNER RFQ

2.4 PREFERRED PARTNERSHIP MODEL

The University is contemplating a phased partnership consisting of (i) the master plan stage, in which the Development Partner would initially operate under a Pre-Development Agreement with the University as a development and strategy advisory to support the master planning, feasibility analysis, and implementation strategy; and, upon completion of the master plan stage and subject to mutual agreement and negotiation of a Development Agreement, (ii) this partnership would transition into a traditional at-risk development model, under which the Development Partner would be responsible for capital formation, financing, construction, delivery, management, and risk for the delivery of Phase 1 of the District.

For clarity, the Development Partner’s anticipated responsibilities for the Mixed-Use District include, but are not limited to:

A pre-development term sheet shall be negotiated and is expected to include, at a minimum, the following general concepts:

Real Estate Framework (State Owned Land)

• The State of North Carolina, or an instrumentality or institution thereof, will retain fee ownership of all land at all times;

• Development will occur under long term, unsubordinated ground lease/leases;

• Leasehold interest only (no developer interest in fee interest);

• No developer sale right or developer option to purchase rights;

improvements revert to the State at no cost and free of liens (subject to approved lender protections).

Financial Principles

• The Development Partner will fund all development costs with private equity and debt that is non-recourse to the University (including, but not limited to, vertical predevelopment stage design costs);

• No pledge of State credit, no University debt, financial guarantee, or other forms of University financial support;

agreements) will be limited and consistent with State law and sovereign immunity.

Carolina North | Project Area Location CAROLINA NORTH PROJECT AREA

PAGE 8 |MIXED-USE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PARTNER RFQ

Carolina North is a uniquely situated University-owned site located north of main campus, offering a rare opportunity to create a new district closely connected to the academic core.

The Project Area consists of two non-contiguous parcels, with a third parcel under consideration for inclusion.

Carolina North Campus “Project Area” Acreage:

±230 acres Horace Williams Airport Tract +11 aces Homestead Drive Tract (non-contiguous) +62 aces Facilities Drive Tract (contiguous, under consideration)

Mixed-Use District Acreage: ±30-50 acres

County: Orange County

Municipality: Town of Chapel Hill

Current Zoning: Not applicable

Zoning Jurisdiction: North Carolina State Construction Office

School District: Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools District

Water & Sewer Provider: Orange Water & Sewer Authority (OWASA)

Energy Provider: Duke Energy

3. THE PROJECT AREA

3.1 PROJECT TRACTS

Horace Williams Airport Tract

The cornerstone of Carolina North is the former Horace Williams Airport and surrounding facilities, located at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (NC

86) and Estes Drive Extension. The airport, which closed in 2018, is largely cleared with negligible grade change, with new growth vegetation around the perimeter.

The remaining ±4,000 foot runway is located east-west through the site, with several airport hangars and other outbuildings located on-site, all of which are proposed to be demolished.

The University’s Grounds Services operations are located off Municipal Drive, and the University is currently studying options to relocate.

The Project Area also includes the ±1,130-space surface parking lot, and ±3.7-acre demonstration solar farm. The solar farm will be relocated elsewhere within Carolina North. The parking lot could potentially be relocated by the University as part of the redevelopment of the Project Area in a subsequent phase.

Carolina North Forest abuts the Project Area to the north and west. Within this mix of pine and old wood forest are 20+ miles of multi-use recreational trails used heavily by the University and Chapel Hill/Carrboro community.

This much beloved forest offers ecological, wellness, recreational, and community benefits. Combined with its proximity to campus, strong transit connections, and the Carolina North Forest, the Project Area offers an exciting foundation for a mixed-use district that integrates campus life, natural landscapes, and future development potential.

For clarity, the Carolina North Forest is outside of the Project Area.

All acreages are approximate and are subject to change during the master planning process.

PAGE 9 |MIXED-USE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PARTNER RFQ

Homestead Drive Tract

An ±11-acre tract of university-owned land at 2700 Homestead Rd, while not contiguous to the former airport, is part of the Carolina North Project Area.

While this tract is outside of the Mixed-Use District, the University is open to considering the development of this tract in partnership with the Development Partner.

Facilities Drive Tract

The University is also considering the inclusion of a combined ±62-acre tract of University-owned land, located south of Estes Drive and MLK Jr Boulevard, on both sides of Airport Drive. Collectively, these two tracts are occupied by a range of University Facilities Services operations, distributed across multiple buildings, as well as a wooded area behind the Elkin Hills neighborhood.

Consideration regarding the inclusion of all or part of these tracts within the Project Area, and the Mixed-Use District is within the scope of the master planning effort.

3.2 EXISTING CONDITIONS

The University has commenced discussions with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (“DEQ”) in relation to historic uses that were undertaken within the Project Area. The University will be working with DEQ in a collaborative manner to identify on-site environmental conditions and responsible remediation and/or mitigation strategies to be addressed in a comprehensive agreement, establishing a path forward for redevelopment, potentially using a Brownfield Agreement through DEQ’s ‘Ready for Reuse’ Brownfields Program. More information regarding the DEQ Brownfields Program can be found here: https:// www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/waste-management/ brownfields-redevelopment-section/program-information

Carolina North Forest ±750 acres

Horace William Airport Tract ±230 acres

Homestead Ops Center Tract ±11 acres

Facilities Drive Tract ±62 acres Under consideration for inclusion in Project Study Area

Carolina North Project Area

PAGE 10 |MIXED-USE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PARTNER RFQ

3.3 UTILITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND TRANSPORTATION

Stormwater Detention

The master planning exercise will include a Project-wide drainage study to evaluate a systems-based approach to stormwater detention and reuse within the Project boundaries. This may include a recommendation for a centralized or shared detention infrastructure in lieu of site-specific facilities where feasible. Should a regional detention strategy be pursued, the Development Partner will be expected to contribute proportionally to the implementation of the agreed-upon regional stormwater solution. All stormwater improvements will need to comply with UNC-Chapel Hill Stormwater Design Guidelines and the State’s Uniform Floodplain Management Code.

Water, Sewer & Streets

The Project Area is serviced by OWASA. Trunk water lines are located along MLK Jr Boulevard and Estes Drive Extension, with an 8-inch trunk sewer line located along MLK Jr Boulevard. OWASA’s 2026-2035 Capital Improvement Program includes a proposed 2,800 linear foot upgrade, increasing pipe diameter to 12 inches.

Initial capacity studies indicate no additional trunk infrastructure upgrades are required to facilitate the Project.

The Project Area is currently accessible via Municipal Drive and Estes Drive Extension. The master planning exercise will include a Project-wide transportation impact analysis that will study the potential for additional access points. MLK Jr Boulevard and Estes Drive Extension are State-owned roads.

The University will provide the infrastructure for connections to water, sewer, drainage and streets to the Mixed-Use District parcel boundary. The Development Partner will be responsible for installing utilities, connecting to the proposed infrastructure, and constructing streets within the boundaries of the Development Partner’s awarded phase of the District.

Transit

The street network adjoining Carolina North is served by Chapel Hill Transit – a free bus service within Chapel Hill and Carrboro, and frequent services to main campus.

The Town of Chapel Hill is planning a future BRT line – called “NS RAPID” – along MLK Jr Boulevard and Columbia St, which is expected to begin construction in 2027 and be completed by 2030. Three stations are proposed adjacent to Carolina North: Estes @ MLK and Piney Mountain @ MLK adjacent to the Airport and Facilities Drive Tracts, and Homestead @ MLK adjacent to the Homestead Tract.

With multiple, dedicated stations in between, NS RAPID will provide a convenient and direct connection between main campus and Carolina North. More information can be found at engage.chapelhillnc.gov/nsbrt.

Power

The Project Area is served by Duke Energy. To support the power needs for Carolina North, the University is currently in discussions with Duke Energy for a new substation to be located within the Project Area. The University intends to utilize geothermal-based heating and cooling as a Project-wide energy solution. The University is currently evaluating the feasibility of this approach.

Telecommunications

For University occupied/tenanted buildings (e.g. student housing, academic, research, UNC Health), the University will require the provision of communication conduits to facilitate University fiber optical infrastructure.

PAGE 11 |MIXED-USE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PARTNER RFQ

3.4 ENTITLEMENT JURISDICTION

The property subject to this proposed development is exempt from local zoning and other land development regulations under N.C.G.S. § 160D-913(b). The precise regulatory framework for guiding development will be determined during the RFP process. Inquiries shall be directed to the University.

3.5 EXISTING PERMITS

USACE s404 Permit

As part of previous master planning efforts over Carolina North, in 2012 the University obtained a s404 Permit from the US Army Corps (“USACE”) – Permit # SAW-2010-01840 regarding potential impacts to on-site wetlands in support of the anticipated redevelopment of the Horace Williams Airport for mixed used development.

Carolina | Morehead-Patterson Bell Tower

PAGE 12 |MIXED-USE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PARTNER RFQ

It is the responsibility of each Respondent to examine the entire RFQ, seek clarification in writing, and review their submission for accuracy before submitting their submittal. Once the submission deadline has passed, all submissions will be final. The University will not request clarification from individual Respondents relative to their submission but reserves the right to ask for additional information from all parties who have submitted qualifications. Questions about any aspect of the RFQ, or the Project, shall be submitted in writing (via email) to the University’s primary point of contact as noted above.

The deadline for submission of questions relating to the RFQ, is the time and date as outlined in Section 7.0. All relevant questions and requests for clarification received by the University in writing prior to the deadline will be compiled, and answers will be posted on the State of North Carolina’s eVP site as an addendum to the original solicitation for services. For clarity, questions will not be responded to upon receipt. Any proposed exceptions to the RFQ requirements or requests for submittal deadline extensions must include the reason(s) for such a request.

The University reserves the right to approve or reject such requests as it deems necessary.

The University will not respond to questions identified as “confidential”, “proprietary”, or otherwise intended to limit the response to the submitting Respondent, or preclude the University from addressing the question in an addendum.

4.1 IMPROPER COMMUNICATIONS

To promote a fair procurement process, the following requirements apply from issuance of this RFQ through the execution of any Pre-Development Agreement. The University may update these requirements upon written notice. As used below, “communication” includes face-to-face, telephone, facsimile, e-mail, text, or any other communication by an actual or potential Respondent (whether direct or indirect or through an agent, representative, or advocate).

• The Procurement Officer, Troy Morse, shall be the sole point of contact for the University. All communications concerning this procurement shall be directed to the Procurement Officer.

Any information regarding the Project will be disseminated by the University.

• During the procurement process, no Respondent shall have any ex parte communication concerning the Project with any of the University’s governing bodies, trustees, officers, employees, agents, advisors, contractors, or consultants except for communications expressly permitted by the University in writing. The foregoing shall not preclude communications unrelated to the procurement or limit participation in public events or events held by the University for Respondents.

• During the procurement, Respondents shall not communicate with the following stakeholders regarding the Project: Orange County; Town of Chapel Hill; environmental, regulatory, or permitting agencies; or utility owners. The University will arrange for any necessary coordination.

• After submittal of its response to this RFQ, no Respondent or its team members may communicate with another Respondent or its team members;

provided that firms that are part of multiple teams (as allowed per Section 2.1.2) may communicate with their respective colleagues so long as each Respondent firm establishes reasonable protocols to ensure they will not act as a conduit of information between teams.

• Any Respondent engaging in prohibited communications may be disqualified at the sole discretion of the University.

4. QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR CLARIFICATION

PAGE 13 |MIXED-USE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PARTNER RFQ

To ensure equitable evaluation and optimize the Selection Committee’s review process, Respondents are required to provide the following information as part of their submittal.

5.1 DEVELOPER EXECUTION FORM

Complete, execute and include Execution Form at the beginning of the submittal. The form must be signed by an individual authorized to bind the Respondent. Failure to execute and include the form may render the submittal non-responsive.

5.2 COVER LETTER

Provide a cover letter addressing the Respondent’s interest in Carolina North’s Mixed-Use District opportunity, and if submitting as a proposed partnership/ team, identifying key team members and the Project’s Lead Developer where part of a Development Partner team.

5.3 DEVELOPER PAST PROJECT RELEVANCE AND

SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCES

Statement of Qualifications and Experience

Provide a statement of qualifications and experience. The statement should demonstrate executed development experience that aligns with the University’s goals for Carolina North, including:

• Vertical mixed-use development experience (preference for projects of a similar scale);

• Large multi-phase projects requiring land use planning and infrastructure delivery at a district scale (preference for projects of a similar scale);

• Experience working with universities or higher education institutions;

housing development;

• Experience in placemaking, activation, and district identity creation; and

• Development experience in the Research Triangle, the Carolinas, or the broader region.

No more than five projects should be identified.

For each referenced project, include sufficient information to assess relevance, such as:

strategies;

• A narrative describing your firm’s specific role in the planning, development, and execution of the project, and whether your firm had a decision-making role, or was participating as a co-developer;

• The project’s relevance to Carolina North e.g.

institutional context, development scale, governance structure, infrastructure scope, environmental setting, place creation and activation, multi-phase project, project timeline etc.;

• Where projects were delivered over multiple phases or extended timeframes (10+ years), how phasing, market changes, and evolving priorities were managed; and

• Transaction/ownership structure, agreement length (term), and key institutional support provisions.

References

A minimum of three (3) references, for projects that are relevant to Carolina North, are to be provided. A member of the Respondent’s team must have been or be the Lead Developer for each reference. A minimum of one (1) of the above-mentioned references shall be for a project where the Respondent was involved in a public-private partnership.

Where a Respondent is proposing a team with two or more developer firms (see Section 2.1.2 Right to Form a Team), at least two (2) references must be provided for each firm.

References must include current contract information, including contact name, company name, email address and phone number.

5. SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS

PAGE 14 |MIXED-USE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PARTNER RFQ

5.4 FIRM AND TEAM BACKGROUND AND FINANCIAL

RESOURCES

Respondent Overview

Provide an overview of your firm (or each firm if proposing a partnership), including:

• Firm overview, including organizational structure, history, and core areas of expertise;

• The Respondent’s principal place of business (city and state), and whether the Respondent has paid unemployment taxes or income taxes in North Carolina. This information is requested solely to administer the reciprocal resident preference and is not a scored evaluation criterion;

• Identification of the Lead Developer(s) if proposing a team. Clearly distinguish the Lead Developer from any co-developers, advisors, or execution partners, and identify the entity that will hold primary decision-making authority and responsibility for Project delivery;

• Resume and individual qualifications for key team members, including:

• Professional background and relevant experience;

team member would primarily work on the Project.

• Identify the individual(s) who would have primary day-to-day responsibility for representing the Development Partner to the University, and describe their anticipated level of involvement over the life of the Project;

• Describe how and when specialized expertise (e.g.

infrastructure delivery, student housing, place management, academic building, or research facilities, etc.) would be introduced as the Project advances; and

• Describe how your firm typically ensures continuity of leadership and institutional knowledge on long-term, multi-phase development projects.

For this RFQ, Respondents are encouraged to focus on the Lead Developer role(s) for the firm overview.

Additional firms or individuals may be identified but are not required for this phase. The University recognizes that the full Project team will evolve as the Project progresses.

Statement of Financial Resources and Relationships

Provide a statement of financial resources and relationships that demonstrates your firm’s ability to source capital and successfully execute on the Mixed-Use District, including:

• Describe your firm’s overall financial strength and capacity, including the scale and types of development projects the firm typically undertakes and manages;

• Identify capital relationships and sources typically utilized by the firm (e.g. equity partners, debt providers, joint venture partners, institutional investors), and describe how those relationships support large, complex, and multi-phase developments;

• Describe your firm’s typical approach to capital structuring for large-scale, mixed-use developments, including the use of equity, debt, joint ventures, etc.;

and

• Where applicable, describe experience utilizing public financing mechanisms, shared-cost infrastructure models, or other innovative funding approaches in coordination with public or institutional partners.

Disclosure of Litigation

• Disclose Lead Developer and any Development Partners involvement in any litigation and any bankruptcy details as follows: (i) any on-going litigation relating to real estate or development projects or prior litigation over the past five (5) years; (ii) any on-going litigation involving a public institution, government entity or quasi-government entity or prior litigation over the past five (5) years;

(iii) pending or active disqualifications or suspensions from performing work for any governmental entity within the past ten (10) years; and (iv) any efforts to seek bankruptcy protection under any available bankruptcy act within the past ten (10) years. Routine claims, such as “slip and fall”, or similar claims need not be included.

Where the Respondent’s submittal of qualifications includes multiple firms, a statement must be provided for each entity.

PAGE 15 |MIXED-USE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PARTNER RFQ

5.5 PROJECT APPROACH

Qualitative Project Approach & Narrative

Provide a narrative describing your approach to serving as the master developer of the Mixed-Use District of Carolina North. Conceptual site plans, market studies, design work, or financial pro formas are not required at this stage. At a minimum, address the following topics at a high-level:

• Describe what role the University should play in the partnership and what governance or collaboration model you would recommend to support a long-term, mission-aligned relationship;

• Describe how roles and responsibilities should be allocated between the Development Partner and the University during master planning, entitlement, and horizontal infrastructure development, including coordination, sequencing, and decision-making;

• Articulate your overarching vision of the Mixed- Use District, and how that vision aligns with the University’s priorities and goals;

• The anticipated area of the Mixed-Use District is ±30-50-acres, to be determined collectively with the preferred Development Partner(s). While detailed plans are not requested, describe your perspective on whether this represents an appropriate and manageable scale for the proposed development, and why;

• Provide your initial assessment of an appropriate land use mix, development program, and general phasing strategy for the Mixed-Use District;

• Describe your approach to integrating student housing with non-student housing, including operational, design, ownership, and management considerations;

• Identify types of non-University anchors, tenants, or programmatic uses you believe could be successful at Carolina North; and

• Describe your approach to identifying your preferred design and construction partners for each building typology.

5.6 EXCLUSIONS

When addressing the submission requirements outlined in this Section, Respondents shall not include any specific fees, costs, anticipated profits, and/or revenue estimates when outlining proposed financing structures, partnership arrangements, ownership structures, profit-sharing arrangements, compensation, or other financial proposition. The inclusion of such information may be grounds for disqualification. Evaluation of the RFQ is based exclusively on the qualification and capabilities of the Respondent.

PAGE 16 |MIXED-USE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PARTNER RFQ

Respondents will first undergo an initial technical review to confirm compliance with the RFQ requirements.

Submissions that do not meet the minimum qualifications, and/or adequately respond to the RFQ may be disqualified and removed from further consideration.

Responsive submittals will then be evaluated based on the following criteria in order of importance:

• Firm and team qualifications,…