TOWN OF WHITAKERS RFQ

The Town of Whitakers is seeking a qualified Owner’s Representative to manage the full spectrum of architectural and engineering services required to develop a new Community Center, as there is currently no such facility within the town. The scope of work includes evaluating potential project sites, conducting geotechnical and environmental assessments as needed, preparing preliminary and final design documents, compiling all necessary data to support a USDA Rural Development funding application, managing the bidding process, negotiating the construction contract, and providing comprehensive construction administration. The project is backed by a tentative budget of $1,015,000 sourced from USDA-RD funding, with all work required to comply with USDA-RD guidelines, North Carolina General Statutes 143-64.31 for consultant selection, and applicable state and federal regulatory standards. Selection will be conducted through a qualifications-based process, where proposals are evaluated solely on technical merit—including the firm’s capacity, team experience, project approach, and past performance—without consideration of cost during the initial review. Fees will only be negotiated with the highest-ranked firm after qualification. Proposals must be submitted as ten hard copies printed on 8.5” x 11” paper, limited to thirty pages, and delivered by the deadline of May 15, 2026, to the Town Clerk’s office in Whitakers, North Carolina; electronic submissions are not accepted. The contractor must maintain commercial general liability, professional errors and omissions, automobile liability, and workers’ compensation insurance, and must handle all submissions with awareness that materials may become public record under North Carolina law unless explicitly marked as confidential or trade secret. Key personnel must be clearly identified with resumes, organizational charts, and proof of proximity and availability to ensure dedicated project involvement. No reimbursement will be provided for proposal development costs, and the final contract type has not been determined pending full funding obligation. The Town of Whitakers, through its primary point of contact Tamica Gray, will evaluate submissions, conduct interviews, and negotiate terms, with no formal COR, COTR, or PCO designated at this stage. All deliverables must align with USDA-RD administrative and technical requirements, and the project’s success hinges on seamless coordination between the Owner’s Representative and federal funding stipulations.