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Commissioner Fraley - Public Works - To Authorize the County Manager, or Her Designee, to Execute a Professional Services Contract with Benesch for the Design of One American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Park Project
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STAFF CONTACT
Dan Ziehm, PE - Public Works - 704-862-6795
BUDGET IMPACT
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BUDGET ORDINANCE IMPACT
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BACKGROUND
In May 2021, Gaston County was awarded $43,612,126 in federal funds to meet urgent community needs in the wake of COVID-19. An internal committee has been meeting since April 2021 to discuss eligible uses of funds, potential projects, and financial reporting. On October 12, 2021, the Board of County Commissioners were presented with projects being considered for ARPA funding. Public Works has moved forward with one of these projects in the “Serving Hardest-Hit Communities & Families” category.
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 ARPA park project will exceed the $50,000 cap for exemption, thereby requiring the engineer to be selected through the qualifications-based process. In addition, the qualification-based selection process is required to comply with Uniform Guidance (UG) selection requirements.
Public Works staff developed a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) packet for the park project in accordance with the statutory requirements and publicly advertised this project beginning on January 16, 2022. Statements of Qualification (SOQ) submittals were received on February 11, 2022. The six (6) firms submitting SOQs were:
• Benesch, Charlotte, NC
• Robinson & Sawyer - Thrasher, Gastonia, NC
• Wood Engineering, Charlotte, NC
• Bloc Design, Charlotte, NC
• FitFields, Fort Mill, SC
• CES Group, Denver, NC
After reviewing the SOQs submitted by the six firms, the engineering firm listed below was deemed to be the best qualified for the corresponding project:
• Benesch - Cherryville Park
Approval of this Board Action by the Gaston County Board of Commissioners officially selects Benesch as the designer of record for the project listed above. Further, approval of this Board Action authorizes the County Attorney to draft the necessary contract documents for the work and authorizes the County Manager, or her designee, to negotiate and execute said contracts.
POLICY IMPACT
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ATTACHMENTS
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