Author: tnewton

Pender County requests proposals for legal services to be provided to Pender County for the period from September 1, 2021 (subject to review and approval) through June 30, 2022. Legal services requested are primarily in the field of land use regulation and enforcement of related ordinances as well as grant administration.  Only attorneys who are currently licensed to practice law in the State of North Carolina and maintain an office in North Carolina or law firms including such attorneys, may respond to this RFP.  Proposals are due to Travis Henley, Planning and Community Development Director, 805 S. Walker Street, Burgaw, NC 28425 no later than Friday August 13, 2021 at 4:30 pm EST.  Click here to view the full RFP # 210726-203.

Pender County Emergency Management is seeking information on replacing our audio/visual system for our Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and board room.  The EOC is designed to support emergency response, business continuity and crisis communications activities. Staff meets at the EOC to manage preparations for an impending event or manage the response to an ongoing incident. By gathering the decision makers together and supplying them with the most current information, better decisions can be made.  The county is interested in multiple technology options, ranging from a basic set up to more elaborate options that best utilize modern technology.  The current equipment is over ten years old.  The County is interested in exploring the use of smart boards, video walls, as well as TVs or projection screens to display cable TV, satellite TV and to mirror computer screens—all to be controlled with a single remote.  This Request for Information (RFI) is intended to collect information and recommendations regarding a Audio Visual System for the EOC. Click here for the full RFI # 210713-201.  Responses are due August 13 by 3pm EST to purchasing@pendercountync.gov and/or to Tommy Batson, Pender County Emergency Management Department, 805 Ridgewood Avenue, Burgaw, NC  28425.  Pender County reserves the right to reject any or all responses.

Pender County, NC is requesting  proposals from qualified vendors for the update of an existing Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan.  The requested plan will update the current 2010 Parks and Recreation Master Plan, providing a 10-year vision for parks, recreation areas, open space, trails, facilities, programing and addressing recommended action items from the Pender 2.0 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The plan should include research, public involvement, the development of recommendations and implementation measures for acquisitions and development, as well as the identification of recreation service districts, and assignment of monetary value to recreational amenities/units. The selected vendor will have proven experience and knowledge in parks and recreation planning, project management, and effective public involvement processes.   Click here for the full RFP # 210713-202.  Proposals are due August 12 by 3pm EST to Vanessa Lacer, vlacer@pendercountync.gov, Pender County Planning and Community Development Department, PO Box 5, 805 S. Walker Street, Burgaw, NC  28425.

Pender County is Requesting Proposals regarding replacement of our current on-premise Cisco Voice over IP (VoIP) system (the system) with a Cloud-Hosted Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) solution. The County has identified four (4) main reasons to move from an on-premise system to a Cloud-Hosted and Cloud-Managed system: Continuity of Operations, Mobility, Cost, and Functionality. We are seeking a business partner that can help Pender meet these needs by providing a reliable and cost effective UCaaS solution.

First, the current system provides for little redundancy, no continuity of operations, nor disaster recovery. Should the County be left without operating data centers after the wake of a natural or other disaster, we would have no means of communicating with our customers or business partners. By moving to a Cloud-Hosted/Cloud-Managed Solution, County staff can continue to make and receive calls from anywhere with an internet connection.

Second, the County wishes to provide for a mobile workforce. Our current system is on-premise and requires users to connect via VPN to use a softphone option. In addition, our system does not provide for mobile phone applications, nor can handsets be used outside of the County network. During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the County was challenged with continuing operations while allowing staff to Telework. Due to the lack of mobility, staff were required to forward desk phones to their mobile phones, which continuously posed challenges for both staff and ITS. The County wishes to provide users the ability to make and receive calls using smart phone applications, softphones, and handsets using any available internet connection without requiring a VPN or relying on County infrastructure.

Third, the County wishes to move from a Capital Expense model to an Operating Expense model for its Unified Communications; receiving a monthly bill, per user and/or device, rather than costly expenses to maintain an on-premise system. The County currently incurs monthly & annual costs for telco expenses (PRI and Long Distance), Hardware Support & Maintenance (Smartnet), and Software Support & Maintenance (Smartnet). In addition, upgrades to the system are costly, requires third party business partners, requires a great deal of ITS staff time, and causes downtime for end-users. Moving to the cloud would decrease required resources for our on-premise infrastructure and increase ITS staff efficiency.

Finally, the current VoIP system lacks features that the County has identified as a business need. The County’s Call Manager licenses does not include a Call Center ability. Due to the countless calls about the COVID-19 vaccination, the County sought a Call Center as a Service option. This service proved itself as a critical business need for many Departments in the County. In addition, other features such as Paging, Call Recording, and Office 365 Integration would be invaluable to County Operations.

Click here for the full RFP # 210706-200 and the UCaaS Requirements Workbook.  Proposals are due August 13th, 2021 by 5pm EST.  Pender County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

Update 7/23/2021:  Click here for all Questions and Answers compiled in Addendum 1.

Update 8/03/2021:  Click here for all Questions and Answers compiled in Addendum 2.

The Pender County Planning & Community Development Department (Pender County) seeks to establish a contract with an experienced contractor to provide Stream Clearing & Snagging, Debris Removal, and Streambank Stabilization in designated stream locations throughout the County. The primary responsibility of the Contractor will be to perform stream clearing, snagging, woody debris removal, disposal, and streambank stabilization in identified locations of drainage channels in watershed. The proposed work will be conducted in specified stream segments under the supervision of the Pender County Planning & Community Development Department and their designated Construction Field Representatives (CFRs). The purpose of the proposed work is to improve drainage resulting from woody debris deposition caused by Hurricane Florence in September of 2018. The contractor will be tasked with implementing the proposed grant work scope and meeting the requirements developed under the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program. The proposed work shall be funded in part by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) in a grant identified as Contract 37-07-18-5038. The EWP grant was awarded to the County to perform the proposed work in such a manner that reduces imminent threat to life and loss of property in Pender County.  Proposals are due July 23rd, 2021 by 3pm EST to Daniel Adams, Pender County Planning and Community Development, PO Box 5, 805 S. Walker Street, Burgaw, NC  28425.   Click here to download the full RFP including Site Maps and Field Data Reports.  AN ADDENDUM HAS BEEN ISSUED ON 7/14/2021.   NOTE UPDATES:  Site walks/inspections will take place July 22, 2021 at 8:30am EST.  Questions are due July 26, 2021 by 3:00pm EST.  Proposals are due by August 4, 2021 at 4pm EST

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ADDENDUM 1  which changed site walk date.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ADDENDUM 2 which provided clarifications and answers to questions.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ADDENDUM 3 which provided Plans and Specifications, as well as extended the deadline for proposals to August 5, 2021 by 4pm EST to Daniel Adams, Pender County Planning and Community Development, PO Box 5, 805 S. Walker Street, Burgaw, NC  28425.

Bidders are reminded that each of the three Addenda issued for this RFP must be acknowledged in writing, dated, and noted by the bidder on Attachment A: Proposal Form, Item D. Addenda. This required form must be completed and submitted along with other required forms specified in the RFP to assure the submittal is complete.

Pender County reserves the right to reject any/all proposals.

Pender County is soliciting qualifications statements from architectural firms (hereinafter “Firm”) for contract services related to design and construction services including schematic design, design development, construction documents, prequalification of contractors, bid document preparation, bid services, USDA funding compliance and coordination, and construction administration services associated with the construction of a new law enforcement center and jail complex in Burgaw, NC.

Statements of Qualifications will be accepted up to but no later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday July 1, 2021. No submission will be considered if received after this deadline has expired.

To download a complete copy of the submittal instructions and background information packet for the project, click here for RFQ # 210526-126.

The full feasibility study referenced in the RFQ can be found here.

Questions should be directed to Chad McEwen, County Manager, at cmcewen@pendercountync.gov and must be received by 12 noon on June 16, 2021.

Pender County reserves the right to reject any and all submittals.

Click here to see all submitted Questions and Answers for the Factory Road Water Line Extension,  RFQ#210507-125 Addendum 1.

Pender County Utilities (PCU) is seeking Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) from design-build firms/teams experienced with water line design and construction.  The firm/team will provide complete design, permitting, construction, construction administration/observation, and record drawings of a proposed 8” and 6” water line extension along and in the vicinity of Factory Road in Hampstead in Eastern Pender County.  In order to be considered, firms must submit a SOQ to PCU by no later than 3:00 PM on May 28, 2021.  Submittals received after this deadline will not be considered.  Click here to view the full Request for Qualifications # 210507-125.  Also see Construction Record Drawings for Factory Road and Salter’s Haven.  Pender county reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

Pender County is requesting proposals from experienced and qualified contractors to provide debris monitoring services in the event of a hurricane or other natural or man-made disaster within the area where debris removal services are utilized.  The County intends to enter into three (3) contracts: one with a “Primary” contractor, a “Secondary” contractor and a “Tertiary” Contractor at no immediate or annual cost to Pender County.  Contractors will be required to provide Debris Monitoring Services “as needed” in compliance with Federal and State guidelines.

The award of a contract under this solicitation will be paid with federal funding.  Funding is contingent upon compliance with all terms and conditions of funding award.  All prospective contractors shall comply with all applicable federal laws, regulations, executive orders, FEMA requirements and the terms and conditions of the funding award.  In addition, contractors providing submittals shall be responsible for complying with state law and local ordinances.

Attached you will find the full Request for Proposals # 200303-101 which identifies the services to be undertaken.

In order to be considered, all proposals must be submitted in writing no later than 2:00 PM (EST) on March 30, 2021.  Contractors mailing proposal packages should allow delivery time to ensure timely receipt of their proposal.  The responsibility for getting the proposal to the Pender County Finance Department on or before the specified time and date is solely and strictly the responsibility of the proposing contractor.  The County will in no way be responsible for delays caused by any occurrence.  Proposals may be hand carried or mailed to:

Pender County Finance, Attention: Trisha Newton, Purchasing Agent, PO Box 1578 or 805 S. Walker Street, Burgaw, NC  28425

Phone: (910) 259-1281, Email:  tnewton@pendercountync.gov

Hours of Operation:  8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST) Monday through Friday

The Juvenile Crime Prevention Council having studied the needs of juveniles in the county hereby publishes this Request for Proposals.  Deadline is February 19, 2021.

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS) anticipates annual funds in the above stated amount will be available for programs serving delinquent and at-risk youth beginning on or after July 1, 2021.   The Juvenile Crime Prevention Council may recommend certain programs for one or two-year funding awards dependent upon program performance, compliance with JCPC policy, and the availability of state JCPC allocation funds.

Based on identified needed programs and possible gaps in the service continuum, the following program types will be considered for funding:

• Parent/Family Skill Building
• Interpersonal Skill Building
• Vocational Skills
• Restitution/Community Service
• Teen Court
• Psychological Assessments
• Counseling
• Substance Abuse Prevention/Education
• Sexual Offender Evaluation & Treatment

As a result of the Needs Assessment in the above-named county, programs that reduce risk, address the needs of juveniles, and increase protective factors will be considered for funding.

Elevated Risk Factors for delinquency: 

• Regularly associating with other delinquent youth
• Moderate to serious behavioral problems at school
• Engaged in assaultive/aggressive behavior
• Engaged in substance abuse
• Inadequate supervision by parents/guardians
• Referral to juvenile court prior to age 12
• Prior involvement with juvenile court

Elevated Needs for adjudicated juveniles:

• Association with other delinquent peers
• Substance abuse; sexually offending behavior, mental health problems, involvement with juvenile court prior to age 12, multiple referrals to juvenile court
• Parental supervision problems
• Moderate to severe behavioral problems at school

Protective Factors to address risk and needs:

1. Program services compatible with research that are shown to be effective with juvenile offenders.
2. Program services are outcome-based.
3. The program has an evaluation component.
4. Program services detect gang participate and divert individuals, if applicable.

The web-based program application is available on line at the Department of Public Safety website:  https://www.ncdps.gov/Index2.cfm?a=000003,002476,002483,002482,002514   A virtual grant writing workshop is scheduled for February 10, 2021 from 9:30am – noon. Interested applicants register by Monday, February 8, 2021 at 5:00pm by emailing denise.bond@ncdps.gov

Only local public agencies, 501-C-3 non-profit corporations and local housing authorities will be considered for funding. For additional information regarding the application process:  Dee Turner, JCPC Chairperson/Designee at 910-663-3769.   For information about the grant writing workshop and other technical assistance:  Pam Stokes, Area Consultant at 910-920-4975.

The deadline for receiving applications is February 19, 2021.  Email to dturner@pendercountync.gov or deliver to:  805 S. Walker St., Burgaw, NC  28425.

Click here for a PDF of this Request for Proposals.