Nesmith Building – Student Center Renovation Project

Southeastern Community College is seeking Design-Build firms through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Nesmith Building - Student Center Renovation Project located in Whiteville, North Carolina. The project involves renovating approximately 10,400 square feet of existing student center and instructional space, with a primary objective of creating a consolidated one-stop shop for Student Services, including Admission, Registration, Financial Aid, and Cashier services. Proposing firms must be properly licensed in North Carolina for both construction and design services and submit a comprehensive qualifications package not exceeding 40 pages. The RFQ was published on April 10, 2025, with responses due by May 1, 2025, at 3:00 PM through the Electronic Vendor Portal (eVP) E-Bid system. Evaluation criteria will extensively assess firm profiles, key personnel qualifications, project experience, cost estimating capabilities, schedule adherence, understanding of project location, current workload, project delivery process, and certifications.

The project has a total budget of $3,000,000, funded through the State Construction Improvement Fund (SCIF) under NCCCS #2794. The RFQ emphasizes HUB (Historically Underutilized Business) participation, suggesting potential preference or set-aside considerations for disadvantaged business enterprises. Proposing firms will be evaluated across multiple weighted categories, with a significant focus on past performance and demonstrated capacity to successfully complete the renovation project. While specific set-aside percentages are not explicitly stated, the emphasis on HUB participation indicates a commitment to diverse vendor inclusion. The project requires comprehensive design and construction services, suggesting that prime contractors with integrated design-build capabilities will be most competitive. Firms will need to demonstrate not only technical competence but also an understanding of the specific institutional needs of a community college environment.