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Commissioner Worley - Public Works - To Authorize the County Manager, or Her Designee, to Execute a Professional Services Contract with Stewart Engineering, Inc. for the Design of South Point Landing Phase 4
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STAFF CONTACT
Dan Ziehm, PE - Public Works Director - 704-862-6795
BUDGET IMPACT
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No additional County funds.
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BUDGET ORDINANCE IMPACT
N/A
BACKGROUND
Gaston County operates South Point Access, a park located at Lake Wylie in Belmont, which offers walking trails, fishing piers, picnic shelters, restrooms, event shelters, and a sand beach. NC Wildlife Resources Commission operates a boat launch area at South Point Access. Duke Energy is currently constructing a canoe and kayak launch with associated parking along the east shore of the park. In order for Gaston County to better oversee and operate the park, a guard building will be installed along Boat Launch Rd. The site will need to be designed to prepare for the installation of the guard building, including utility connection and widening of the road to allow for entering and exiting traffic.
Resolution 2023-254 was approved on the July 27, 2023 Agenda to approve staffing and fee schedules for operational purposes of the facility and professional services funding for design.
North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) §143-64.31 requires the initial solicitation and evaluation of firms to perform architectural, engineering, surveying, construction management-at-risk services, and design-build services (collectively “design services”) to be based on qualifications and without regard to fee. NCGS §143-64.32 authorizes units of local government to exempt contracts for design services from the qualifications-based selection requirements of NCGS §143-64.31 if the estimated fee is less than $50,000. However, the design fees for this project will exceed the $50,000 cap for exemption, thereby requiring the engineer to be selected through the qualifications-based process.
Public Works staff developed a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) packet for the South Point Landing Phase 4 project in accordance with the statutory requirements and publicly advertised these projects beginning on December 20, 2023. Statements of Qualification (SOQ) submittals were received on January 10, 2024. The five (5) firms submitting SOQs were:
• The Thrasher Group
• Stewart Engineering, Inc.
• Civil and Environmental Consultants, Inc.
• Gavel and Dorn Engineering, PLLC
• Thomas and Hutton Engineering Co.
After reviewing the SOQs submitted by the five firms, Stewart Engineering, Inc. was deemed to be the best qualified for the corresponding project.
Approval of this Board Action by the Gaston County Board of Commissioners officially selects Stewart Engineering, Inc. as the designer of record for the project listed above. Further, approval of this Board Action authorizes the County Attorney to negotiate and draft the necessary contract documents for the work and authorizes the County Manager, or her designee, to execute said contracts.
POLICY IMPACT
N/A
ATTACHMENTS
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