Request for Qualifications (RFQ) Owner’s Advisor for Chowan River Dock Project

Hertford County is requesting qualifications for an Owner's Advisor to support the design and construction phases of the Chowan River Dock Project, with statements of qualifications due October 30, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. and questions due October 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. The selected firm must be licensed as an engineering firm under North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 89C.

The scope encompasses advising the County throughout public procurement, design administration, equipment and material specification review, construction administration, cost and schedule review, and commissioning support. The anticipated total project budget is $51 million, comprising $40 million for dock permitting, engineering, design, and construction and $11 million for a public access road to the dock. Funding was appropriated by the North Carolina General Assembly on March 12, 2025, from the Stabilization and Inflation Reserve.

The selected firm must maintain professional liability insurance of $2 million per claim and $2 million in aggregate. Respondents must demonstrate a minimum of six relevant projects, including at least three dock or marine projects and three owner's advisor services projects. The contract term will be negotiated with the selected firm.

Evaluation weighs relevant project experience at 40 percent, Owner's Advisor services capabilities at 30 percent, firm reputation at 10 percent, project team and personnel at 10 percent, and public owner and local government experience at 10 percent. The County will review responses from November 1–30, 2026, conduct interviews if necessary, and announce the selection no later than December 15, 2026. Respondents must submit one original and five copies of printed materials in 8.5" × 11" format plus an electronic ZIP file.