RFQ for PROFESSIONAL AIRPORT ENGINEERING AND PLANNING SERVICES

WESTERN CAROLINA REGIONAL AIRPORT REQUEST FOR PROFESSIONAL AIRPORT ENGINEERING AND PLANNING SERVICES

WESTERN CAROLINA REGIONAL AIRPORT
REQUEST FOR PROFESSIONAL AIRPORT ENGINEERING
AND PLANNING SERVICES
Cherokee County is soliciting Qualifications Statements from qualified airport consulting firms for
providing professional airport engineering and planning services for the development of the Western
Carolina Regional Airport. Work is anticipated to be accomplished through a combination of Cherokee
County funds, NCDOT Aviation grant funds and FAA grant funds. Services Qualified consulting firm
will provide pre-applications and applications for Federal and State assistance,
planning/environmental and administrative services, preliminary and final engineering designs,
including preparation of construction plans, specifications, and contract documents; and provide
construction inspection and quality control testing services for developing our airport. These
projects include (but are not limited to): runways, taxiways, taxilanes, fencing, NAVAIDS, terminal
buildings, utilities, aircraft aprons, aircraft hangars, pavement overlays, access roads, auto
parking facilities, land acquisition assistance, and airport planning, as well as other tasks and
projects as deemed necessary for the further development of the Western Carolina Regional Airport
for the next five years.


FOR SUBMITTAL INFORMATION: Contact Maria Hass, Assistant County Manager/Airport Director

STATEMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON September 1, 2026. STATEMENTS MUST BE
SUBMITTED TO:
Cherokee County C/o Maria Hass Suite 211
75 Peachtree Street
Murphy, NC 28906
Statements (five copies) must be sealed, delivered via mail or in person, and marked "CONSULTING
STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS FOR AIRPORT SERVICES" on the outside of the envelope. Proposals must be
complete and include information requested in these instructions and total pages of submittal shall
not exceed twenty (20) pages.

NOTICE INVITING STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS
Cherokee County is requesting Statements of Qualifications from interested and qualified Aviation
Consultants for the engineering and planning services required for the next five years for the
Western Carolina Regional Airport. The work includes, but is not limited to master planning, land
use planning, environmental analyses, 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 Western Carolina Regional Airport for the next five years.
PURPOSE:

The purpose of this Request for Proposals is to obtain expert professional, technical, and advisory
services while developing Western Carolina Regional Airport during this period. Consultant services
will be provided with close interaction with Cherokee County.

REQUIREMENTS/AGREEMENTS:

The successful proposer will be required to enter into an agreement with Cherokee County, which
will be reviewed by the North Carolina Division of Aviation and the Federal Aviation
Administration. The types of services and expertise required for this solicitation are described in
Attachment "A". Consultants offering expertise in the services described in Attachment "A" are
encouraged to submit statements of qualifications.

PROPOSAL CONTENT AND EVALUATION:

Five (5) copies of your proposal must be received by September 1, 2026 (close of business). The
proposals must be complete, include information requested in these instructions and the total pages
of submittal shall not exceed twenty (20) pages, single side only and addressed to:
Cherokee County C/o Maria Hass
75 Peachtree Street
Suite 211
Murphy, NC 28906

Include in your proposal the following specific items which will assist in the evaluation of all
proposals:

1. Corporate Qualifications
a. Brief history of firm.
b. Previous experience of similar projects.
c. Resumes of key personnel available for this project.
d. Location of the office to perform the work.
2. Performance on Previous Projects
a. On-time/in-budget performance on projects.
b. At least three (3) airport references with telephone numbers.

3. Sub-consultants (if used)
a. Provide a listing of all sub-consultants which are proposed to be a part of the team. Include
responsibilities and qualifications for each sub-consultant.
4. Supplemental information which you feel is important for us to consider your firm.


DO NOT INCLUDE A PRICED PROPOSAL.

INQUIRIES:

Questions that arise shall be submitted in writing no later than August 26, 2026 to Maria Hass, at
the address above. Questions and answers may be provided to others receiving this request.
Interested firms shall have no contact related to this qualifications request with the sponsoring
agencies (Cherokee County) elected or appointed officials or employees, members or employees of
Cherokee County during this Statement of Qualifications process. Any such contact will subject the
firm to immediate disqualification for consideration.

INCURRING COSTS:

Cherokee County is not liable for any cost incurred by the Consultant in the preparation or
presentation of a response to this request.
RIGHT TO AWARD OR REJECT:

It is understood that all submittals will become part of the public’s file on this matter, without
obligation to Cherokee County. Cherokee County reserves the right to reject all submittals.
SELECTION AND EVALUATION:

Cherokee County will evaluate the submittals received. The selection committee will review all
requests, evaluate required criteria, select a Consultant and enter into negotiations with the
number one ranked firm.
Each of the criteria listed in this outline will be evaluated on how fully each submittal meets the
requirements, and each will be ranked. Particular emphasis will be placed on the Consultant's past
successful completion of similar projects shown by work summaries of the firm and individuals to do
the work, and by references.

STATEMENT OF INTEREST AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Each submittal from a qualified Consultant received in response to this request will be judged as a
demonstration of the Consultant's capabilities and qualifications. Only those Consultants who
supply complete information as required by this request will be considered for evaluation. The
factors used to determine this will be:

1. An understanding of the requirements of this request demonstrated by the organization, clarity,
and completeness of the submittal.
2. The past performance record and qualifications of the firm and the individuals who will do the
work, verifiable through references and resumes.
3. The ability of the Consultant to provide a timely response.

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

The Contract will be awarded only to a qualified consultant. Minimum standards for qualifications
are:
1. Having the necessary airport experience, organization, technical and managerial staff, and the
facilities to carry out this work. (30%)

2. Having an adequate past record of performance on similar airport projects, verifiable through
references. (25%)
3. Having familiarity with the airport and surrounding area. (15%)

4. Having the financial and personnel resources for the performance of the Contract, or the ability
to obtain such resources. (15%)
5. The Consultant's proximity to the Airport. (15%)

SELECTION:

The final recommendation for selection will be made following the review and ranking of the
submittals. It is anticipated that a selection will be made directly from the Qualifications
Statement submitted. After selection of a Consultant, a contract will be prepared and submitted to
Cherokee County for review and approval.
CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS:

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goals may be established for selected subcontracted tasks.
Cherokee County requires a list of DBE's, their responsibilities and qualifications, and dollar
value of their participation at the time specific projects are identified and the Contract is being
negotiated.

The DBE firms must be able to be certified to the satisfaction of the Federal Aviation
Administration and North Carolina Department of Transportation.

ATTACHMENT "A"
SCOPE OF ENGINEERS' SERVICES

1. Preliminary Phase: Conduct all necessary planning, environmental, and engineering surveys and
studies, prepare design sketches, estimates and documents, and provide preliminary consultation
services to Cherokee County in support of pre-applications and applications for federal and state
funds.

2. Design Phase: Prepare total project design and engineer's report for submittal to the FAA and
the NCDOA; prepare drawings, specifications, and contract documents for the furnishing of all
labor, materials, and equipment necessary for each of the project types described herein, including
the preparation of such documents as may be required, obtain the approval of such agencies and
legally constituted authorities having jurisdiction over the review of drawings, specifications,
contract and other required documents; and prepare specifications and contract documents for
receiving laboratory testing proposals.
3. Construction Phase: Administer the letting of all contracts relative to the projects; advise and
assist Cherokee County in making the contract awards; make necessary visits to the job site to
observe the progress and quality of the work and determine if the work is substantially in
accordance with the contract documents, plans and specifications; be available to the contractors
for interpretations of contract documents, plans and specifications; review shop drawings,
diagrams, illustrations, catalog data, samples, test results, inspections, and other data which
contractor and/or laboratory submits for compliance with their contract, or change orders which do
not involve substantial changes in the general scope of the project; review contractor's
application for payment and determine amounts owing to contracts based upon the contract documents;
prepare periodic reports required by the FAA and the NCDOA; conduct final inspection of work for
substantial compliance with contract documents, plans and specifications; and approve, in writing,
final payment to the contractors.

4. Record Drawings: Upon completion of all construction and work involved, furnish Cherokee County
with one set of reproducible record drawings and an updated ALP depicting the work as completed.

5. Resident Inspection: Furnish and maintain at the job site a competent Resident Inspector during
periods of construction, who shall observe all materials and finished workmanship for design
compliance, keep the necessary or required daily or weekly diaries or records, review quantities
for payments to contractors, and provide liaison between the Contractor and the Engineer.