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Commissioners Fraley and Hovis - Public Works - To Authorize the County Manager, or Her Designee, to Execute a Professional Services Contract with LaBella Associates for the Design of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Tryon Elementary Waterline Infrastructure Project
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STAFF CONTACT
Dan Ziehm, PE - Public Works - 704-862-6795
BUDGET IMPACT
100% ARPA funds. No additional County funds.
BUDGET ORDINANCE IMPACT
N/A
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 was presented with projects being considered for ARPA funding. Public Works has moved forward with four projects in the "Investing in Water & Sewer Infrastructure" 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 waterline infrastructure 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. When federal funds are involved, a waiver of QBS can only be considered when the total cost is below $10,000 per Uniform Guidance.
Public Works staff developed a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) packet for the wat...
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