RFQ FOR DESIGN-BUILD SERVICES FOR TRANSITIONAL AND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM

The County of Cumberland, North Carolina, is soliciting design-build services for a coordinated supportive housing campus integrating Phoenix Place, Robins Meadow, and 503 Old Wilmington Road in Fayetteville, with an anticipated budget of $9,083,715. The project requires comprehensive planning, design, and construction services to deliver transitional and permanent supportive housing units while complying with federal, state, and local regulations including the Fair Housing Act, ADA, Section 504, NCHFA standards, and North Carolina building codes. The contract emphasizes qualitative evaluation using a qualifications-based selection process under North Carolina General Statutes § 143-128.1A, where technical merit—assessed through project team qualifications, relevant experience, project approach, and firm credentials—determines ranking; price is only negotiated after technical selection, ensuring a best-value, non-LPTA award. Key deliverables include final plans, energy efficiency and accessibility certifications, Section 3 compliance reports, and robust cost tracking systems, with all documentation required in county-approved formats. The contractor must implement a mandatory 15% Minority Business Enterprise participation goal, conduct open qualifications-based subcontractor selection without fee-based evaluations, disclose any conflict of interest, and maintain detailed outreach and utilization reports. Compliance with federal requirements such as the Drug-Free Workplace Act, Buy America, Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment, and 2 CFR Part 200 governs all aspects of performance, including labor standards, environmental compliance, and PII protection. Key personnel—including the project executive, architect, compliance lead, and cost specialist—must be identified and remain on the project throughout, with resumes and licenses submitted for evaluation. Proposals must be submitted in a prescribed format with one signed original, two photocopies, and a non-password-protected PDF on a flash drive, while fee information must be sealed separately. Performance is contingent on annual county appropriations, with key deadlines tied to NCHFA requirements before January 2027. The project site is located at 503 Old Wilmington Road, Fayetteville, NC, and all inspections and acceptances are subject to review by the County and NCHFA. MBE compliance, federal reporting, and subcontractor transparency are tightly enforced through monthly reporting and affidavits, and failure to meet objectives may require justification under good-faith efforts.