New Middle School Project - Geotechnical Engineering, Materials Testing and Special Inspection Services

Swain County Schools is requesting qualifications for geotechnical engineering, materials testing, and special inspections during the construction phase of a new middle school facility at 414 Black Hill Road, Bryson City, North Carolina, with qualifications due October 14, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. local time. This is a qualifications-based procurement (RFQ) with no pricing requested in this phase.

The scope encompasses geotechnical engineering, materials testing, and special inspections services for construction of approximately 100,000 square feet on a 16.5-acre greenfield parcel. The project is being delivered through a Construction Manager at Risk method by Vannoy Construction, with construction mobilization anticipated October 31, 2026 and project completion by August 1, 2028. The construction cost for new work is $47.342 billion.

Respondents must provide firm descriptions, project team qualifications, recent related project experience with client references, at least three references, and current certificates of insurance covering general liability, automobile liability, workers compensation, and professional liability. Submittals must be three print copies and one digital copy on USB, formatted on 8.5" × 11" paper with front and back covers, table of contents, and reference tabs, side-bound. The selection committee will evaluate qualifications during the week of October 14, 2026, with Board of Education selection approval scheduled for October 19, 2026.

Respondents must comply with North Carolina General Statutes Section 143-64.31 and e-verification requirements under Article 2 of Chapter 64 of the North Carolina General Statutes. Questions are due October 7, 2026 at 4:00 p.m., directed to Brandon Sutton at bsutton@swainmail.org. Requests for project construction documents and design phase geotechnical reports should be emailed to emilykite@ls3p.com. All responses become property of Swain County Schools upon receipt.