RFQ - Wrightsville Beach Waterline Replacement

The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority is seeking a qualified engineering firm to provide comprehensive survey, design, permitting, and construction support services for the Wrightsville Beach Waterline Replacement Project, which involves replacing an existing 8-inch asbestos cement water main with a new 16-inch line spanning 2,100 linear feet along Pelican Drive and Salisbury Street in North Carolina. The selection process is governed by the North Carolina Mini Brooks Act, emphasizing qualifications-based award rather than price, with evaluation weighted toward project understanding and approach (30%), relevant firm experience (25%), proposed staff qualifications (25%), and past record of success (20%). Proposals must be submitted as a single PDF not exceeding 20 pages, excluding cover page, tabs, resumes, and appendices, and must be sent via email to bids@cfpua.org by 2:00 PM on August 27, 2026, with a maximum file size of 25MB. The anticipated period of performance runs from September 28, 2026, to May 28, 2027, with key design milestones at 30%, 60%, 90%, and 100% completion, culminating in final contract documents and permits. Work must align with the CFPUA and Town of Wrightsville Beach Utility Consolidation Feasibility Study and coordinate with DWI for funding, while ensuring the existing waterline remains operational during construction. Successful firms must hold active North Carolina registration, maintain specified insurance coverage—including $2 million in professional liability and $1 million in general liability with CFPUA named as additional insured—and demonstrate proven experience with subsurface utility engineering and water distribution system projects. No federal acquisition regulations apply; instead, the process relies on state procurement rules, and contract fees will be negotiated post-selection based on qualitative evaluation, with no cost or pricing data requested in the solicitation.