RFQ - Galvanized Pipe Replacement

The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) in Wilmington, North Carolina, is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking professional engineering consulting firms to provide design and contract administration services for a galvanized water pipe replacement project in the Town of Wrightsville Beach. The project scope involves replacing approximately 6,298 linear feet of aging galvanized water lines (ranging from 2" to 6" in diameter) with alternate piping materials, abandoning approximately 3,087 linear feet in place, developing contract drawings and technical specifications, obtaining necessary permits and encroachment agreements, providing bidding assistance with certified bid tabulation and award recommendations, and furnishing construction administration and observation services. Statements of Qualifications must be submitted by 2:00 PM on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, with a maximum length of 25 pages (excluding cover pages, tables of contents, tabs, resumes, and appendices). Questions must be submitted by 2:00 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, directed to Ben Guerrieri, Procurement Manager, at bids@cfpua.org. Selection will be based on a four-factor evaluation process: project understanding and approach (30%), relevant firm experience (25%), overall staff experience proposed (30%), and record of success managing design and construction costs (15%). The selected firm must demonstrate previous project cost management within budget and provide three comparable projects with engineer's cost estimates versus actual construction bids. Following an aggressive schedule, the selected firm will complete scope and contract negotiations within 30 days of selection, deliver 60% design documents within 90 days of contract execution, submit 90% design documents within 120 days of contract execution, and provide final contract documents and permits within 135 days of contract execution.

Responding firms must be registered with the North Carolina Office of the Secretary of State and comply with North Carolina's Mini Brooks Act (N.C.G.S. 143-64.31 through 64.34). The selected firm must execute CFPUA's MBE/WBE Outreach Plan by taking affirmative steps to utilize minority businesses, women's business enterprises, and labor surplus area firms. Insurance requirements include General Liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate, Workers Compensation of $500,000/$500,000/$500,000, Auto Liability of $1,000,000 combined single limits, and Professional Liability of not less than $2,000,000 per loss. The project is funded through the 2023 Appropriations Act (S.L. 2023-134), though no specific budget or award value range is provided in the RFQ documentation. No incumbent contractors or existing infrastructure integration requirements are identified. Wesley Foy serves as the Project Manager for CFPUA and may be contacted regarding project-specific details.