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Professional Engineering Services: Spring Creek Watershed Flood Mitigation Implementation Plan  

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Due Wednesday, October 7th, 2026 at 5 p.m.

I. Summary

The Town of Hot Springs (Town) is seeking Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from qualified firms experienced in providing professional engineering and construction management services to identify and design flood mitigation measures throughout the Spring Creek watershed. The goal of this work is to reduce the volume and velocity of flood water before it reaches the Town of Hot Springs, therefore reducing flood impacts to the Spring Creek Bridge and other critical infrastructure such as the Spring Creek Sewer Pump Station just downstream, as well as to the downtown business district and essential public facilities (i.e., Town Hall and Police Department, Community Center, and Post Office all located in the immediate vicinity of Spring Creek).

II. Background

This project addresses documented, repetitive flooding from Spring Creek that has damaged critical infrastructure, disrupted the town’s sole vehicular access route, and threatened public safety during multiple flood events, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. The project supports flood mitigation and disaster resilience objectives in the Buncombe-Madison Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan (2021) and the Town’s adopted local hazard mitigation strategies.

The project will also support the Spring Creek Watershed Restoration and Resilience Plan (SCWRRP) being led by Mountain Valleys Resource Conservation and Development (MVRC&D). The SCWRRP will identify sources of water quality impairments, and, at a high level, potential flood resiliency opportunities in the Spring Creek Watershed.

With funding from NCEM DRMF, the Town and grant administrator, Land of Sky Regional Council, will work with MVRC&D and the selected engineering firm to expand the scope of flood resiliency planning and add to both the breadth and depth of the study, targeting a catalogue of implementable projects that reduce runoff volumes flowing into Spring Creek and that improve hydrologic or hydraulic conditions that reduce flood risk and impacts to the Town. Existing recovery projects will also be reviewed and expanded for flood mitigation benefit. Funding will also be directly applied to augmenting construction implementation where projects can incorporate mitigation measures. In addition, for 2-5 newly identified high-priority projects, the team will develop concept designs, cost estimates and other flood benefit and project information to support future implementation.

III. Applicants

Qualified applicants must have experience in flood reduction and mitigation engineering and construction management as well as in working with local governments and community stakeholders to identify issues and develop flood resilience solutions.

IV. Scope of Work

The following outlines the proposed project scope:

1.     Spring Creek Flood Mitigation Opportunity Evaluation

·       Identify, model, analyze and visualize known flooding issues and flood prone structures.

  • Conduct field assessments to validate modeling and analysis.
  • Develop a flood mitigation projects database that includes key project and prioritization data.
  • Develop project concept information that can be shared with stakeholders to provide input on prioritization.
  • Include project concept evaluation and mapping of relevant recovery funded projects that are in process or which have not started for the purpose of stakeholder and project coordination.

2. Existing Recovery Project Expansion

  • Develop and design flood mitigation add-ons where applicable for projects identified in Task 1, such as those funded through the NCDA StRAP and NRCS EWP grant programs, which are also being coordinated by MVRC&D. Funding is anticipated to supplement 3-6 projects, allowing existing landowner outreach and project permitting and other baseline efforts to be built upon in a more holistic manner to address watershed resiliency.

3. Design, Modeling and Project Development

  • Develop new high-priority projects from Task 1 into 30% designs (~2-5 projects depending on complexity).

V. Submission Requirements and Format

Maximum page limit: 20 pages

Formatting: Please use standard formatting (1 inch Top, Bottom, Left, Right margins; 11- or 12-point font)

Submission structure:

Title Page (1 page)

  • Document title, firm name, address, phone number(s), contact person’s name, and date.

Tab 1: Letter of Interest (1 page)

  • A statement of interest and understanding of the work.
    • Highlight the strengths of the firm as it relates to the project.
    • Include the primary point of contact (with contact info) and sign the letter by an authorized individual.

Tab 2: Table of Contents (1 page)

  • List materials by section and page number.

Tab 3: Qualifications of Firm and Key Staff (35 points)

  • Firm Qualifications: Provide an overview of the firm’s history, capabilities, and experience Include:
    • Company profile
    • Capabilities statement
    • Verification that the firm and key staff are not debarred (attach SAM.gov record)
    • Insurance coverage information
    • Key Staff Qualifications: Provide resumes for key personnel, including:
      • Relevant staff experience
      • Engineer license and certifications
      • At least three project case studies for each key staff member
      • Role descriptions for key staff members
      • Hourly billing rates for key staff

Tab 4: Project Approach and Methodology (35 points)

  • Provide a detailed plan outlining the approach to address the scope of work outlined in Section IV:
    • Overall approach, methodologies, and strategies
    • Proposed timeline with project phases, tasks, and milestones

Tab 5: References from Past Projects (30 points)

  • Provide at least three references from past projects, similar in scope outlined in this RFQ, including work for local governments:
    • Contact information (name, position, phone number, email)
    • Project details (type, scope, duration, dates)

VI. Submission Deadline

Submissions must be received by: October 7th, 2026, 5pm

Submissions: Send electronically to Mary Roderick (mary@landofsky.org)

Late responses will not be considered.

VII. Evaluation Criteria

The selection committee will evaluate SOQs based on the following criteria:

Evaluation CriteriaPoints
Qualifications of Firm and Key Staff35
Proposed Approach and Methodology35
References from Past Clients30

VII. Selection Process

SOQs will be reviewed by the Town beginning on 10/8/2026. Interviews will be scheduled only if deemed necessary. Once a firm is selected, a contract will be negotiated between the firm and the Town. A contract will subsequently be awarded within a reasonable timeframe.

VIII. RFQ Schedule

  • RFQ posted 9/15/2026
  • Deadline for Questions 9/22/2026
  • Addendum Issued 9/24/2026
  • Proposals Due 10/7/2026
  • Anticipated Selection Announced 10/14/2026 (contract award will follow after negotiations)

IX. General Information

  • Costs incurred by respondents for preparing and submitting responses are the sole responsibility of the respondents.
  • All responses, inquiries, and correspondence will become the property of the Town and will not be returned.
  • Minority- and women-owned firms are encouraged to submit proposals. The Town of Hot Springs is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
  • The Town reserves the right to accept or reject any submittals.
  • The Town reserves the right to award contracts that best serve its interests.
  • All inquiries should be directed to Mary Roderick (mary@landofsky.org).
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