Request for Qualifications for Architectual and Engineering Services for Design of a Farmers Market

Harnett County, North Carolina is soliciting Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) from architectural and engineering firms to design a new Farmers Market complex in Lillington. The project will be developed in two phases, with the current RFQ focusing on Phase One, which involves constructing a 15,000 square foot open-air farmers market facility on a 4.5-acre site off McKinney Parkway. The market will include vendor sales areas, a market manager's office, storage spaces, public restrooms, parking, outside sinks, a sitting area, and shade structures. Qualified firms must demonstrate expertise in agricultural market design and have capabilities to manage programming, pre-design, budget development, design phases, permitting, construction administration, and warranty administration. The RFQ was released on September 19, 2025, with proposals due on October 20, 2025, at 4:00 PM EST. The selected firm will be responsible for the entire project duration, including construction and a one-year warranty, with potential renewal options. Evaluation will likely focus on the firm's technical capabilities, previous experience with similar agricultural infrastructure projects, and understanding of local agricultural market needs.

The RFQ does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The project is situated in Harnett County, a rapidly growing region with approximately 142,000 residents that has experienced an 18.6% population increase between 2010 and 2020 and is expected to grow another 14% by 2030. While the county remains a top 20 agricultural producer in North Carolina, the specific budget range for this project is not detailed in the provided documentation. The future Phase Two of the project, not part of the current RFQ, will include a commercial kitchen serving as a food innovation hub and a meeting space capable of seating 300-350 people. The project aims to support local farmers who have been adapting to changing agricultural landscapes by diversifying crops and seeking a permanent market location. No incumbent vendors or existing contractors are mentioned in the documentation, and the RFQ suggests a comprehensive design and construction approach for a new agricultural market infrastructure.