Design-Build for Transit Facility Upfit Projects

The City of Winston-Salem is initiating the Transit Facility Upfit Project under a Progressive Design-Build delivery model to modernize and enhance its transit infrastructure. This approach allows for early collaboration between the owner and a selected design-build team, enabling integrated problem solving, value engineering, and phased decision-making throughout both the design and construction phases. The project aims to improve operational efficiency, accessibility, and durability across multiple transit facilities, with the selected team responsible for delivering comprehensive solutions that meet functional, safety, and budgetary requirements. The procurement will begin with a Request for Qualifications followed by a Request for Proposal, allowing teams to demonstrate their experience, capabilities, and approach before advancing to detailed design and cost development. The solicitation, numbered 281-RFQ2738, was posted on August 10, 2026, with a deadline for responses set for October 7, 2026. Interested firms are encouraged to begin forming teams and establishing partnerships in advance of the formal RFQ release to ensure readiness for submission. The project falls under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina state-level agency, with performance entirely located within the state, and is being managed by the City of Winston-Salem’s transportation office, with Russell Frye serving as the primary point of contact. The procurement process is structured to promote transparent competition while fostering innovative, collaborative solutions tailored to the city’s transit needs.