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TABLED 2/27/26: Commissioner Brown - Office of Capital Improvements - To Authorize the County Manager, or His Designee, to Execute a Professional Services Contract with ESP Associates, Inc. for Special Inspections and Materials Testing for the Gaston County Courthouse 5th Floor Upfit Project
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STAFF CONTACT
Ray Maxwell, PE - Office of Capital Improvements - 704-862-7551
BUDGET IMPACT
budget
N/A
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BACKGROUND
The Gaston County Courthouse 5th Floor Upfit project consists of approximately 46,000 sf of space designed to accommodate courtrooms, office and support spaces, and building systems or components to include mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and I.T. infrastructure. During construction, observation, testing and analysis, and inspection will be conducted to ensure quality control.
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.
Office of Capital Improvements staff developed a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) packet for Special Inspections and Materials Testing in accordance with the statutory requirements and publicly advertised the RFQ beginning on December 31, 2025. Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) submittals were received on January 29, 2026. The eight (8) firms submitting SOQ's were:
* ECS Southeast, LLC
* Catawba Valley Engineering & Testing
* Geo-Hydro Engineers, Inc.
* The Thrasher Group
* Terracon Consultants, Inc.
* ESP Associates, Inc.
* Solid Ground Engineering NC, PLLC
* Three Notch Group, Inc.
After scoring the SOQ's submitted by the eight (8) firms, ESP Associates, 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 ESP Associates...
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