RFQ - Arch Flash Study at Northside Water Reclamation Facility

The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority is seeking a qualified engineering firm to perform an Arc Flash Study at its Northside Water Reclamation Facility in Wilmington, North Carolina. This request for qualifications is governed by the North Carolina Mini Brooks Act and focuses on evaluating electrical hazards across critical systems including aeration basins, blowers, digesters, UV disinfection units, and emergency generators. The study must comply with NFPA 70E and OSHA standards, resulting in updated single-line diagrams, properly labeled electrical panels with incident energy levels and required PPE, and actionable safety recommendations. Offerors must demonstrate relevant experience in wastewater treatment facility electrical systems, provide detailed documentation of past similar projects, and submit a Statement of Qualifications limited to 20 pages excluding cover, table of contents, resumes, and appendices. The submission must be a single PDF under 25 MB, emailed to bids@cfpua.org by 2:00 PM on August 25, 2026. Evaluation is qualifications-based, not price-driven, with award determined through a trade-off approach based on four weighted factors: relevant firm experience at treatment plants (35%), overall staff experience and certifications (25%), understanding of arc flash requirements and compliance with industry standards (20%), and proven record of successful project delivery (20%). Contractors must carry and maintain specific insurance coverage including professional liability of at least $2 million, general liability of $2 million aggregate with CFPUA named as additional insured, auto liability of $1 million, and workers’ compensation coverage, and must be registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State. No federal FAR clauses apply, and pricing will be negotiated after selection; there are no CLINs, estimated contract values, or fixed fee schedules in this solicitation. The selected firm will not be chosen on lowest cost but on demonstrated technical excellence and safety compliance, with negotiations beginning with the highest-ranked responder. All work will be performed on-site at the facility located at 2311 N 23rd St, Wilmington, NC, and acceptance of deliverables rests with CFPUA.