Re-advertisement Design Build Services Forest Ridge Park Mountain Bike Trail

The City of Raleigh is requesting qualifications for design-build services to design and construct approximately 7.5 miles of natural surface mountain bike trails at Forest Ridge Park, with qualifications packages due October 15, 2026 at 3:00 PM EST. This procurement is governed by North Carolina General Statutes 143-128.1A (the Mini-Brooks Act), which prohibits price from being a determining factor in service provider selection.

The scope encompasses design, survey, engineering, cost estimating, and construction of single-track trails accommodating intermediate to advanced riders, including special features, backcountry bridges, and boardwalks. The work must progress through phased permitting (30%, 60%, 90% design milestones) at municipal, state, and federal levels and be substantially completed no later than Spring 2028 to meet Great State Trails grant deadlines from the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Forest Ridge Park is a 586-acre facility managed by the City and subleased from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; design must align with the Falls Lake Masterplan (2013) and coordinate with USACE oversight. Professional Trail Builders Association membership is preferred.

The not-to-exceed budget is $700,000. The contract structure allows either fixed lump sum or cost-plus pricing with a Guaranteed Maximum Price, with specific terms to be negotiated during Phase 1. Monthly progress payments include 5% retainage, reduced to 2.5% after 50% completion if performance is satisfactory. Design-Builder must obtain a Performance Bond of not less than 100% of Phase 2 contract price and maintain comprehensive insurance including workers' compensation (statutory), automobile liability ($1,000,000 combined single limit), general liability ($2,000,000 aggregate / $1,000,000 per occurrence), and professional liability ($1,000,000 minimum).

Evaluation criteria are corporate background (20% weight), team firm experience and qualifications (30% weight), project understanding and approach (20% weight), familiarity with project area (20% weight), and other RFQ quality (10% weight). Proposers must submit audited, reviewed, or compiled financial statements from an independent CPA and at least three references from similar work within the past three years, preferably from government agencies. Written questions are due October 2, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST. Interviews are anticipated for the week of October 26, 2026, with City Council contract award expected in December 2026.