Request for Qualifications for Engineering, Architectural and/or Consulting Services for Renovation of a Former EMS Building for Use as The Gaston Community Center

The Town of Gaston is issuing a Request for Qualifications to procure civil engineering and/or architectural services for the renovation of a former EMS building located at 224 Craige Street in Gaston, North Carolina, for conversion into the Gaston Community Center. The procurement seeks qualified firms to provide comprehensive services including planning, engineering design, permitting, and bidding assistance, with deliverables encompassing stamped plans, specifications, bid documents, construction administration, and project observation. Specific services required include surveying and field staking, design and construction bid package development, supervision of the bid advertising and award process, state and local permitting coordination, and full construction administration involving project oversight, monthly progress meetings and reports, shop drawing review, change order processing, contractor payment approval, Davis Bacon and Buy America compliance monitoring, and project closeout with certified as-built drawings. Evaluation criteria include work plan and technical approach (20 points), firm experience with federally funded infrastructure programs (20 points), qualifications and experience of assigned staff (20 points), understanding of the project area and North Carolina Building Code requirements (20 points), proposed cost (15 points), and small, female, or minority-owned business status (5 points). The deadline for respondent questions is February 11, 2026, with proposals due by February 18, 2026 at 5:00 pm; firm interviews and site visits are anticipated for February 25, 2026, and contract award is expected prior to March 10, 2026.

The project is funded entirely through Community Development Block Grant-Neighborhood Revitalization funds from the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Rural and Economic Development Division, making all contracts subject to federal requirements under 2 CFR Part 200, which establishes compliance obligations including Davis Bacon prevailing wage requirements and Buy America provisions. While no specific set-asides are mandated, the evaluation criteria allocate five points to small, female, or minority-owned business status, incentivizing participation from disadvantaged enterprises. The Town reserves the right to negotiate compensation with the selected firm and will conduct selection through a competitive negotiation process, with the lead firm responsible for management of all sub-consultants and the Town contracting exclusively with the lead firm. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the documentation. The 0.45-acre site is described as clear, relatively level, and free of obstacles, with a completed Phase One Environmental Study available to respondents. No specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the procurement documentation.