The Foothills Regional Airport Authority is requesting Statements of Qualifications from interested and qualified Aviation Consultants for engineering, planning, and general consulting services for the Foothills Regional Airport. The work includes, but is not limited to master planning, land use planning, environmental analysis, and engineering studies; grading, drainage, utilities and paving of airfield pavements and roadway pavements; hangars, terminal building improvements, fueling systems; storm water improvements; land acquisition, obstruction analysis/removal and other safety improvements; airfield lighting/signage and NAVAIDs; grant administration and other related work at the Foothills Regional Airport.

 PURPOSE

The purpose of this Request for Qualifications is to obtain expert professional, technical and advisory services at the discretion of the Foothills Regional Airport Authority for anticipated airport planning and development projects at the Foothills Regional Airport over the next five (5) years.  Services will be provided with close interaction with the Foothills Regional Airport Authority and staff.

 REQUIREMENT/SCOPE

For these projects, the engineer shall be qualified and capable to provide the following services:

 1.      Airport planning, environmental analysis, land acquisition, preliminary design, final design, estimating, bidding, and construction administration.

 2.      Assist in the preparation of funding grant applications for the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOA) and/or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and develop justification to document the need for Federal and State funds.

 3.      Provide technical assistance and advice concerning airport needs, future development, project priorities and strategies for funding and project implementation.  Provide coordination with the NCDOA and FAA as requested.

 PROPOSAL FORMAT

To facilitate review of your proposal document by Foothills Regional Airport Authority, it is requested that your proposal conform to the following format:

 1.      Coversheet:  List the project title Professional Airport Engineering and Planning Services, the name of your firm, and the name, address and telephone number of a contact person for questions concerning the proposal submitted.

 2.      Experience of the Firm:  Provide a narrative of your firm’s prior experience and qualifications in airport planning, engineering, construction administration, and grant administration for similar projects at both air carrier and general aviation airports.  Provide a list of similar airport projects involving federal and state funding completed within the last three (3) years.  Also, please reference the experience of firm personnel in working with FAA and NCDOA regulations and procedures. Review experiences in a consulting capacity where your responsibilities were similar to those defined under the Requirement/Scope listed above should be specifically referenced.

 3.      Project Team:  Provide a list of the project team members that you propose to use on these projects and identify the responsibility of each team member.  Provide a brief resume for each person listing specific similar project experience.

 4.      References:  Provide the name, address and telephone number of at least (3) current airport clients and references familiar with the quality of work completed by your firm on similar projects.

 5.      Other Supporting Data:  Include any other information you feel to be relevant to the selection of your firm for this project.  The entire qualifications statement should not exceed (20) pages, single side only.

 CRITERIA FOR REVIEW OF PROPOSALS

Criteria to be used in screening and ranking of the proposals and selection of the successful firm are as follows:

 a.      Qualifications of the Firm, Including Firm Personnel:  Identify the Project Manager and those personnel that will be assigned to the project(s).  Preference shall be given to those firms and personnel with experience and training in general aviation and air carrier airport planning, design, construction administration and grant administration (FAA and NCDOA), particularly for similar projects/airports.

  b.      Availability for Public and Airport Authority Meetings: Availability of the firm for participation at public meetings and Authority meetings.

 c.       Experience in Working with NCDOA and FAA Regulations and Procedures:

Preference shall be given to project team personnel (especially the project manager) with a demonstrated working relationship with the NCDOA and FAA, and possess a thorough understanding of FAA rules and regulations regarding design and development of airports.

 d.      Discretionary Funding: Preference shall be given to project teams that show experience in justifying discretionary funding from the NCDOA and FAA.

 e.      Response Capability/Project Understanding:  Preference shall be afforded to those firms which in the opinion of the Foothills Regional Airport Authority will be able to adequately respond to requests for consultation meetings or project administration requirements and firms that have a detailed understanding of the project requirements.

 It is anticipated that the Foothills Regional Airport Authority will make a selection directly from the Qualifications Statement submitted.

 CONTRACT

The successful proposer will be required to execute a general engineering base contract with the Foothills Regional Airport Authority.  In addition, for each work element (project) performed under the contract, a detailed scope of work and fee shall be agreed to by both parties, such agreement to be an approved work authorization or supplement to the contract.  The contract shall be subject to approval by the Foothills Regional Airport Authority.

 The selected firm will be expected to assist the Foothills Regional Airport Authority in complying with the appropriate NCDOA MBE/WBE or FAA DBE program to help ensure that minority/women owned and disadvantaged business enterprises have the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts, and shall not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability or sex on projects funded by NCDOA or FAA grants, or other contracts required by the Foothills Regional Airport Authority.

 SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL AND CONTACT PERSON

Proposals must be submitted no later than 4:00 pm, on November 20th, 2024 to:

                         Brent Brinkley, Airport Manager

                        Foothills Regional Airport

                        3566 Foothills Airport Rd.

                        Morganton, NC  28655

 Four (4) copies of the proposal documents are required.  Proposals should be titled “Qualifications Statement for Professional Airport Engineering and Planning Services, Foothills Regional Airport.”