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Commissioners Brown & Fraley - Building & Development Services - To Approve the Qualifications Based Selection of RS&H and Authorize the County Manager or Designee to Execute a Professional Services Agreement for the Gaston County Multi-Modal Comprehensive Transportation Plan Study
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STAFF CONTACTS
Brian Sciba, Planned Growth and Development Manager - 704-866-3970
Ray Maxwell, Infrastructure and Asset Manager - 704-866-7551
Juan G. Garcia, Senior Transportation Planner / Special Projects Manager - 704-866-3770
BUDGET IMPACT
No additional County funds.
BUDGET ORDINANCE IMPACT
N/A
BACKGROUND
The primary purpose of the Gaston County Multi-modal Comprehensive Transportation Plan Study is to build upon the County and municipal planning efforts to create a future vision and associated recommendations for the current transportation system in incorporated and unincorporated areas in Gaston County. The plan will address the significant growth the County has experienced and related changes in demographics, land use, travel patterns, transportation-related technologies, and funding challenges and opportunities. Gaston County feels it is the appropriate time to establish a longer-term vision for the overall transportation system and to take a more proactive approach to transportation planning in the near-term. The study considers all surface transportation modes and it will be developed in partnership with all municipalities, the Gaston-Cleveland-Lincoln Metropolitan Planning Organization (GCLMPO), the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), transit providers, and transportation professionals.
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 consulting firm to be selected through the qualifications-based process.
Public Works staff developed a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) packet for the Gaston County Multi-modal Comprehensive Transportation Plan Study - Programming project in accordance with the statutory requirements and publicly advertised the RFQ beginning on March 19, 2024. Statements of Qualification (SOQ) submittals were received on April 26, 2024. The four (4) firms submitting SOQ’s were:
Ø WSP
Ø Kittelson and Associates
Ø RS&H
Ø Kimley-Horn
Following the review of SOQ’s submitted by the four (4) firms, the three (3) top scoring firms were invited to give in-person presentations to the selection panel. Upon completion of the in-person interviews, RS&H 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 RS&H for Programming 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 designee, to execute said contract or documents.
POLICY IMPACT
N/A
ATTACHMENTS
Post Selection Letter - RS&H