Request for Qualification- Design Consultant Services

New Greenville Loop Road Park

It is the City of Wilmington’s intention to acquire the services of a qualified Design Consultant that will be expected to refine the project scope, schedule, and budget, conduct a broad community outreach process, produce construction documents and provide bid assistance.  The selected Consultant will work on project delivery as part of a team with a Construction Manager At-Risk (CMAR) for the development of the new Greenville Loop Road Park.  

Potential respondents should email kathy.bryant@wilmingtonnc.gov  to acknowledge receipt of the RFQ and to inform the City of its intent to respond.  Provide the name, title, address, telephone and email address of the contact person.  Addenda will be posted to the City website at www.wilmingtonnc.gov.

The RFQ includes a preliminary scope of work and general terms and conditions of any subsequent contract.  The scope of services, as defined herein, may be modified after final selection of the Contractor.  The general terms and conditions are part of any submitted proposal and will be incorporated into any subsequent contract.  Submission of a proposal shall constitute acceptance of these terms and conditions.  Conditional responses may be rejected.

In order for your RFQ to be considered responsive, it must adhere to the submittal requirements that follow.  Firms must be registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State or hold a Certificate of Authority to do business in the State of North Carolina.  

A committee selected by the City will review the SOQs and select the most qualified firm(s) for an interview.  After the most qualified firm is determined by the City, staff will enter into negotiations with the firm to better define the final scope of work.  If for any reason the City and the selected firm prepare and submit a Statement of Qualification (SOQ) for Design Consultant Services. cannot agree on a scope for the fee available, the City will enter into negotiations with the next most qualified firm.  

Questions concerning the proposed contract terms and conditions should be addressed to Daryle.Parker@wilmingtonnc.gov.  I hope to receive your statement of qualification for this work.

Introduction

The park construction must be Substantially Complete no later than March 16, 2031, which is five years after the purchase of the land. 

The City will take the lead in building, operating and maintaining the new park.

The City intends to implement the Project via the Construction Management At-Risk method with a Guaranteed Maximum Price.  The City is seeking a collaborative approach with an integrated team that will harness the talents and insights of all participants to optimize project results, increase value to the City, and maximize efficiency through all phases of design and construction.

The design consultant (Proposer) must clearly demonstrate the ability and expertise to provide the required services, staffing and resources to complete the project.

The Proposer must comply with all applicable ordinances, state, local and federal laws and the terms and conditions of the contract agreement. 

Project Summary

The project aligns with the City of Wilmington’s Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan, which identifies the need to acquire an additional 120 acres to meet current and future recreational demands.  It also advances the City’s goal of expanding park access in areas currently underserved by recreational infrastructure while strengthening a connected network of parks, trails, and green space. 

The site is approximately 25 acres off Greenville Loop Road, directly adjacent to Bradley Creek Elementary School and south of Shinnwood West Road.  The property is undeveloped. 

The terms of the Grant require the City to procure an arborist consultation and a tree survey during design.  The City will provide the design consultant with a boundary and topographic survey, wetland delineation, and a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (and Phase II, if necessary).  All necessary project permits will be obtained by the consultant and paid for by the City.

While it is expected to include green space and/or trails, the terms of the Grant also require that the park include active components.  The Grant Agreement requires that the Park will be a “publicly accessible space designed to support a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities such as, but not limited to, sports fields, playgrounds, outdoor courts, and comparable active recreation-oriented facilities.”  The program of the park will be further determined after a period of public engagement.

The budget for design and construction of the park currently is approximately $10 million.

Comprehensive Goals

1. The project shall be designed in an open, transparent method with an integrated public involvement campaign that ensures the needs of the users are represented.
2. Design must demonstrate spaces that are comfortable, safe and welcoming for all ages and should utilize Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles.
3. Create flexible spaces that maximize use and space.
4. The project must be bicycle and pedestrian friendly.
5. The project shall devote approximately forty percent (40%) of the site to active recreational amenities and approximately thirty-five percent (35%) to open, flexible recreational areas.

Scope of Services

1. Review Agreement between City of Wilmington and New Hanover County Endowment.  City of Wilmington will provide this during design.
2. Review ILA between City of Wilmington and New Hanover County.  City of Wilmington will provide this during design.
3. City of Wilmington to provide boundary and topographic survey, wetland delineation, and a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment to design team.
4. Conduct site visit.
5. Facilitate a comprehensive community outreach process including identifying stakeholder groups, facilitating three public meetings, and preparing presentations, surveys and meeting minutes.  This must be coordinated with the City of Wilmington.
6. Meet with internal and external stakeholders, including Endowment’s Recreational Consultant, and the City’s maintenance, operations, and parks and recreation staff, to identify opportunities and challenges.
7. Hold preliminary meetings with regulatory agencies as required to determine permitting requirements.
8. Create conceptual design drawings for City and stakeholder comment, based on outcome of community outreach and reconciliation with project budget. 
9. City of Wilmington to procure arborist consultation and tree survey for consultant use.
10. City of Wilmington to procure topographic survey for consultant use.
11. Assist in presentations and preparing project data for bi-annual presentations to the New Hanover County Endowment.
12. Develop design drawings and specifications based on AIA and City Standards.  Provide for 30%, 60% and 90% review by the City of Wilmington and stakeholders.
13. Secure all permitting and regulatory approvals required.
14. With the Construction Manager At Risk, develop a bid ready set of contract drawings, specifications and cost estimate for the project, including alternates, based upon approved design and budget.
15. Attend the pre-bid conference.  CMAR to lead.
16. Respond to bidder questions and RFIs.
17. Prepare addenda to bid documents and secure regulatory approval of addenda when required.
18. Evaluate any substitution requests.
19. Attend pre-construction meeting.  CMAR to lead.
20. Prepare record drawings from contractor’s as-built drawings.
21. All plans, specifications and other documents prepared by the Consultant on behalf of the City shall be the sole property of the City of Wilmington and shall be provided in hard copy and electronic version upon request.

The deadline for submissions is September 10, 2026.  The full RFQ is posted on the City’s website here.