Bidding Opportunity
The City of Jacksonville is seeking professional architectural or engineering firms to submit qualifications related to the construction of a Visitor Center at 143 Marine Blvd. These services will cover the design development through construction administration.
The City will select Firm(s) with which to negotiate contracts using a Qualifications Based Selection process. Selections will be based on demonstrated experience and expertise in the design of visitor centers. Successful project execution also includes the ability of the Firm to work in partnership with City staff, management, and other Firms and contractors who may be part of the project and the ability of the Firm to respond in a timely manner to any issues that may arise.
Positioned at 143 South Marine Boulevard, the City proposes to construct a Visitor Center that will enhance a primary gateway to our community, increase our tourism industry market capture and establish a resource to improve our resiliency for short and long-term external impacts on tourism. Also known as US 17 Business, Marine Boulevard is a regional highway that extends the length of eastern North Carolina from Virginia to South Carolina. US 17 is commonly recognized as a primary commercial artery for our state, contributing significantly to the economic prosperity of eastern North Carolina. The location is just a few short miles from the Albert J. Ellis Airport, which is the primary aviation terminal that serves our community.
Situated along the New River in the downtown portion of Jacksonville, the City’s vision with this facility is to further the creation of a renewed, vibrant downtown area where residents and visitors can enjoy our history, recreational opportunities and waterfront amenities. The project will complement and enhance recent significant downtown investments such as Jacksonville Landing, Riverwalk Park, Sturgeon City and Riverwalk Marina. Once completed, it will enhance a traveler’s experience in Jacksonville by making their stay more informed and visitor-friendly.
The City proposed to construct a Visitor Center that will provide a large interior open space for showcasing community attractions, reception/information desk, public restrooms, and assembly room for meeting and administrative office space needed to operate the Center. Additional planned site improvements include a gazebo, outdoor event space, public parking, and community gateway sign with landscaping. The Visitor Center will serve as a gathering site for public events, permanent facility to display information about our community, as well as a focal point for coordinating community activities (military reunions, races, tournaments, etc.), and promotion of local hotels, restaurants and other local accommodations.
Schedule
- RFQ Invitation Release Date/Advertisement July 22, 2022
- Submission for Questions and Clarifications August 9, 2022 by 5:00 PM EST
- Response to Questions and Clarifications August 11, 2022
- Submission of Qualifications August 31, 2022 by 5:00 PM EST
- Selection Committee’s Recommendation September 7, 2022
Submit six (6) hard copies of the proposals and one (1) flash drive containing a PDF of the proposal by 5:00 PM (EST) on August 31, 2022 at Jacksonville Station, 1300 N Marine Blvd.
The proposal package shall be enclosed in a sealed envelope/box marked: Request for Qualifications – Jacksonville Visitor Center and delivered to: City of Jacksonville, Attn: Stephanie Kutz, 1300 N Marine Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28540.
The responsibility for submitting proposals (including all documents requested herein) is solely and strictly that of the firm. The City of Jacksonville is not responsible for delays in the delivery of mail, or delays caused by any other occurrence.
There will be no pre-proposal meeting. Questions about this proposal shall be submitted via email and will be answered until 5:00 PM (EST) on August 9, 2022. Questions received after this time will not be answered. Individual meetings with Firms will not be held due to personnel workload.
RFQ QUESTIONS
Questions concerning this request for qualifications package shall be submitted to Stephanie Kutz via email at skutz@jacksonvillenc.gov or by phone at (910) 938-6453 no later than 5:00 PM on August 9, 2022.
Please see attached RFQ for further details.
RFQ prevails over Bidnet posting.
