Lenoir County Riverwalk Preliminary Engineering - Request for Letter of Interest (RFLOI)

Lenoir County is seeking professional consulting services through a Request for Letters of Interest (RFLOI) for the Kinston Riverwalk Multi-Modal Trail Preliminary Engineering project. The primary objective is to update and finalize existing 75% design plans, with specific focus on completing the trail route, surveying boundaries, and accounting for necessary easements. The selected consulting firm will be responsible for developing engineered plans for short boardwalk and bridge sections, which currently lack detailed designs. Additionally, the firm will assist with right-of-way acquisition, construction bidding, contractor selection, and provide comprehensive project oversight in coordination with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). Evaluation criteria will include team experience, qualifications, technical approach, and cost/price. The RFLOI requires submission of Letters of Interest by December 2nd, 2024, with potential interviews scheduled for December 9-20, 2024, and final firm selection anticipated by December 24, 2024. The proposed contract term is from January 2025 through June 2025, with a possible six-month extension.

The procurement encourages participation from Small Professional Services Firms (SPSF) and requires selected firms to provide professional liability insurance and demonstrate financial capability to execute the project. While no specific set-aside designations were explicitly detailed, the RFLOI emphasizes opportunities for smaller professional service providers. The project is partially funded through federal sources via NCDOT, which may introduce additional compliance requirements. No incumbent vendors were identified in the documentation. The contract will be structured as a fixed-price arrangement, with the selected firm also required to provide hourly rates for potential additional services. Although a specific budget range was not disclosed, the project involves updating plans for a multi-modal trail with constructed sections, suggesting a substantial professional services investment. The project's location in Lee County, North Carolina, indicates a local infrastructure improvement initiative with potential regional economic development implications.