Statement of Purpose
The City of Jacksonville proposes to enter into a public/private partnership with qualified builders for the development of single-family homes in the City of Jacksonville, NC. The single-family homes will be constructed utilizing a unified development theme. This project is part of the City of Jacksonville’s Neighborhood Housing Initiative
The City desires to build approximately 12 homes over the next two or three years with these homes being owner occupied units with home sizes varying from 1000 to 1500 square feet in size. Under the public/private partnership, the City will provide the lots, with the builders providing the homes as speculative development homes. Potential homeowners must secure private financing for a 30 year fixed rate loan through conventional lending institutions as the first mortgage position on the homes. The City of Jacksonville will hold a second mortgage on the lot with the second mortgage being forgiven over a 10-year period, provided the homeowner meet all conditions of the loan requirements. Participating builders will be required to secure their own construction financing with all homes meeting minimum specifications as established by the City of Jacksonville.
The purpose of this RFQ is to encourage and solicit local builders to participate in this public/private partnership and help the City of Jacksonville meet its goals for quality housing for all of its citizens.
As part of the Neighborhood Housing Initiative, the City of Jacksonville’s Community Development Division would like to enter into a public-private partnership with qualified Builders for the development of City-owned vacant lots. These lots will be used to construct attractive, marketable, and affordable single-family housing in the area.
Evaluation Criteria
The City will evaluate each Builder’s qualifications and will select the approved Builder based on the following: Builder experience, Builder financial strength, and project design and appearance.
The criteria used and the weight given to each is as follows:
Builder Experience 30%: It is important to have an experienced Builder to ensure the success of the proposed project. The experience of the Builder in the development of attractive affordable single-family housing will be evaluated. Builder must demonstrate the ability to construct attractive single-family housing for target households. Houses should generally range in price from $100,000 to $120,000 not including value of the lot. The value of the lots is estimated at $30,000 each.
Builder must provide three (3) professional references and evidence of the number of single-family homes constructed in the last 24 months. City staff will review records of the Builder with the City and County Inspection’s Division. The Builder must provide proof of adequate liability and workmen’s compensation insurance and professional licensing.
Builder Financial Strength 40%: This public-private partnership will require the Builder to obtain construction financing for the development of single-family homes. The financial capability of the Builder to successfully obtain construction financing is very important. The Builder’s financial capability to accomplish this project will be evaluated.
Builder must allow the City to obtain a credit report on his/her business. In addition, Builder must provide list of subcontractors and suppliers (w/contact information) used in last 24 months; must provide authorization to contact subs and suppliers to determine if Builder is current with payments, and authorization to obtain a credit report.
Builder must also provide two (2) years of signed financial statements for his/her business. The City’s preference is to receive audited financial statements; if audited financial statements are not available, reviewed financial statements would be the next preference. If neither of these are available, compiled statements would be required. If either reviewed or compiled statements are submitted, tax returns of the financially responsible party should be included as well.
All submitted financial information is considered public. It must be submitted in order that the financial strength of the Builder can be evaluated. In general, documents that are submitted as part of the response to this RFQ will become public records, and will be subject to public disclosure. Any questions relating to public records should be directed to Jacksonville City Attorney, John Carter at 910.938.5220.
Project Design and Appearance 30%: The design of the housing, landscape, the impact of the new construction on the streetscape, and the impact of the development on the surrounding neighborhood will be evaluated. Preference will be given to the proposal that offers to produce the highest quality single-family housing with the most features at the lowest prices for the homebuyers. Please include color pictures of house plans that would fit with the character of downtown. It is the goal of the City to develop a “Charleston” style village. Preference will be given to Builder’s proposing acceptable single-family house plans not previously used in other City sponsored developments.
Right to Disqualify
The City reserves the right to disqualify any proposer on the basis of any real or apparent conflict of interest that is disclosed by the statement submitted or any other data available to the City. This disqualification is at the sole discretion of the City. By submission of a statement hereunder, the proposer waives any right to object now or at any future time, before anybody or agency, including but not limited to, the City of Jacksonville, or any court, as to the exercise by the City of such right to disqualify or as to any disqualification by reason of real or apparent conflict of interest determined by the City.
Required Proposal Information
Builders must submit a completed qualification’s package including all required support documentation as noted. One copy of each package should be submitted to the Community Development Division at the address below no later than 4:00 PM Tuesday, July 7, 2020. Qualifications must be received by the deadline to be considered.
The Community Development Division is located at 815 New Bridge Street, PO Box 128, Jacksonville, NC 28541-0128. All communication should be directed to Tracy L. Jackson, Community Engagement Manager at 910-938-5269 or by email at tjackson@jacksonvillenc.gov.
Proposed Schedule
June 26, 2020 RFQ Released
July 7, 2020 Due date for Builder Qualifications
July 9, 2020 Evaluation committee meeting
July 14, 2020 Contract with Builder - negotiation and execution
August 3, 2020 Start Construction
The City reserves the right to modify the above schedule as best meets its needs.
City's Right to Reject
The City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals received as a result of this Request for Qualification, or to negotiate issues so as to best serve the interest of the City of Jacksonville.
