Alljoy Drainage Study

Beaufort County, South Carolina, is seeking qualified consulting firms to conduct a comprehensive drainage study for the 480-acre Alljoy community near Bluffton. The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) aims to address chronic flooding issues affecting approximately 850 residents and 352 homes located in FEMA-documented floodplains. The selected consultant will perform a detailed drainage infrastructure study, including data collection, field investigations, hydrology and hydraulic analysis, identification of system deficiencies, and development of potential improvement strategies. Evaluation of proposals will be based on a 100-point scoring system, with 20 points allocated to each of five criteria: experience with drainage studies in coastal South Carolina, firm and personnel qualifications, project approach alignment with county goals, current workload and personnel availability, and proximity and working knowledge of Beaufort County. Key project dates include a pre-qualification meeting on August 21, 2024, at 2:00 pm, proposal submissions due by 3:00 pm on September 3, 2024, project initiation on October 7, 2024, data acquisition completion by January 15, 2025, first draft report by August 1, 2025, and final report submission by September 30, 2025.

The project will be funded through a state grant from the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA), which means all RIA grant requirements will apply to the contract. While no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondents are explicitly mentioned, the county reserves the right to reject any or all qualifications and to negotiate with qualified firms. The procurement process follows a qualifications-based selection method, with an emphasis on firms demonstrating expertise in drainage studies within coastal South Carolina. No incumbent vendors or existing infrastructure integration requirements are specified in the provided documentation. Although a specific budget range is not disclosed, the project's scope and grant funding suggest a significant investment in addressing the community's drainage and flooding challenges. The ultimate goal is to develop a feasible plan to mitigate flooding risks in the Alljoy area, potentially improving property access, preventing damage, and enhancing resident safety.