Utilities to Serve GE Aviation

The Town of West Jefferson, North Carolina is seeking qualified private engineering firms to provide comprehensive services for a utilities infrastructure project supporting GE Aviation. The procurement involves a Request for Letter of Interest to obtain preliminary engineering report and construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services for multiple infrastructure improvements. Specific project elements include upgrading the town's wastewater treatment plant, constructing a new sewer pump station, and installing a new water supply well. Interested firms must submit eight-page letters of interest by 2:00 p.m. on January 16, 2026, with firm selection scheduled for February 2, 2026. Evaluation criteria will focus on three key areas: experience with similar projects and CEI services (40%), qualifications of proposed staff (30%), and understanding of project-specific issues and service delivery responsibility (30%). Firms must be registered with the North Carolina Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors and maintain professional liability insurance of at least $1,000,000.

The procurement is contingent upon federal and state grant awards from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and North Carolina Industrial Development Fund, with a total project budget of $6,147,412. North Carolina firms maintaining an in-state office with adequate staffing capable of performing the majority of work will receive priority consideration. The proposed payment method is a lump sum, and the Town reserves the right to reject any or all letters of interest. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned, the solicitation emphasizes local firm preference. Firms must demonstrate financial capability to undertake the work and provide a comprehensive approach including organizational structure and key personnel resumes. The project represents a significant infrastructure investment aimed at supporting economic development through utilities improvements for the GE Aviation facility.