Active SLED Opportunity · VIRGINIA · CITY OF NORFOLK
AI Summary
City of Norfolk seeks qualifications for design-build services to elevate and floodproof up to 62 at-risk residential buildings in the Willoughby Spit neighborhood as part of the Norfolk CSRM Nonstructural Program. Responses due August 10, 2026, via the City's procurement portal.
This REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (“RFQ”) from the City of Norfolk invites the submittal of a solicitation response from firms interested in providing design-build (DB) services for the Project described below. By submitting a solicitation response, the Respondent represents that it has carefully read the terms and conditions of this RFQ and Addenda and agrees to be bound by them. This RFQ is not an offer to enter into a contract, but merely a solicitation of contractors interested in submitting a solicitation response to the City of Norfolk.
Project Overview:
The Nonstructural Program specifically addresses individual at-risk properties within the City of Norfolk. The program includes mitigation measures – actions that reduce the severity of flooding impacts – such as home elevation, basement fills, a combination of basement fills and elevation, and dry floodproofing. The Nonstructural Program is voluntary. No property owner will be required to participate.
Approximately 1,000 buildings or structures are pre-selected for participation in the Nonstructural Program, and each structure has pre-selected flood mitigation measures. The Nonstructural Program will be implemented using a tiered approach to facilitate the prioritization and scheduling of the nonstructural work across the City. Priority is granted to the most at-risk structures (Tier 1) before proceeding to the subsequent Tiers. Each tier consists of a subgroup of structures with distinct characteristics, which are listed below. Due to the voluntary nature of the program, structure counts per tier are rough approximations.
All Requests for Information (RFIs) shall be submitted no later than Monday, July 6, 2026 4:00 pm through the Questions portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/norfolk/projects/270625. Any RFI submitted after this date cannot be guaranteed a response by the City.
This REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (“RFQ”) from the City of Norfolk invites the submittal of a solicitation response from firms interested in providing design-build (DB) services for the Project described below. By submitting a solicitation response, the Respondent represents that it has carefully read the terms and conditions of this RFQ and Addenda and agrees to be bound by them. This RFQ is not an offer to enter into a contract, but merely a solicitation of contractors interested in submitting a solicitation response to the City of Norfolk.
CITY OF NORFOLK:
City of Norfolk
Department of Public Works
Room 700
810 Union Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
PROJECT:
Tier 1 Nonstructural Program
Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management (Norfolk CSRM) Project
RFQ #26201 - RFQ
CITY OF NORFOLK CONTACT PERSON:
City of Norfolk
Department of Public Works
Kellie LoBiondo (kellie.lobiondo@norfolk.gov)
All questions regarding this solicitation should be submitted to the City of Norfolk Department of Public Works’ electronic bid service provider website at City of Norfolk Procurement Portal by 4:00 pm, EST, Monday, July 6, 2026. All questions submitted will be shared publicly on the portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/norfolk/projects/270625.
SOLICITATION RESPONSE DUE DATE AND TIME:
The City of Norfolk shall submit the solicitation response electronically through the City of Norfolk Department of Public Works’ electronic bid service provider website at:
https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/norfolk/projects/270625.
Respondents’ solicitation response shall be submitted no later than:
Monday, August 10, 2026 by 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)
All solicitation responses must be submitted pursuant to the instructions below. It is the Respondent’s sole responsibility to ensure that the solicitation response is delivered in the manner required by this RFQ by the Due Date and Time. The City of Norfolk has the right to reject any solicitation responses not properly delivered.
1. CITY OF NORFOLK DESCRIPTION
1.1 General
The Nonstructural Program is a component of the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project (Norfolk CSRM Project). The Norfolk CSRM Project is a collaboration between the City of Norfolk and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) that is authorized by the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2615) to increase the City’s resilience to flooding through structural and nonstructural flood mitigation measures and natural and hybrid infrastructure (NHI).
Through collaboration between the City of Norfolk and USACE, the City is the lead of the implementation of the Norfolk CSRM Nonstructural Program. The City has a contract with the Norfolk Resilience Partners (NRP), a Joint Venture among AECOM, Moffat & Nichol, and Volkert to provide program management services including, overall program management, case management, relocation assistance, and property owner and community outreach and engagement for Tier 1 and future tiers of the Nonstructural Program.
1.2 Funding/Authority
This project is funded by the City of Norfolk as part of the non-federal match of the CSRM Project. The City of Norfolk received grant funds from Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF) in support of the project, to be completed by Spring 2029.
1.3 Procurement Website
The City of Norfolk Department of Public Works’ electronic bid service provider website can be accessed at: https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/norfolk/projects/270625.
2. OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT
2.1 General
The Nonstructural Program specifically addresses individual at-risk properties within the City of Norfolk. The program includes mitigation measures – actions that reduce the severity of flooding impacts – such as home elevation, basement fills, a combination of basement fills and elevation, and dry floodproofing. The Nonstructural Program is voluntary. No property owner will be required to participate.
Approximately 1,000 buildings or structures are pre-selected for participation in the Nonstructural Program, and each structure has pre-selected flood mitigation measures. The Nonstructural Program will be implemented using a tiered approach to facilitate the prioritization and scheduling of the nonstructural work across the City. Priority is granted to the most at-risk structures (Tier 1) before proceeding to the subsequent Tiers. Each tier consists of a subgroup of structures with distinct characteristics, which are listed below. Due to the voluntary nature of the program, structure counts per tier are rough approximations.
• Tier 1 buildings include up to 62 most-at-risk structures (Single Family Homes) in the Willoughby Spit neighborhood of Norfolk, Virginia.
• Work is to be completed within 18 months from the Notice to Proceed.
2.2 Project Objectives
2.3 Project Description
Tier 1 of the Nonstructural Program consists of the design and construction of mitigation measures for up to 62 buildings in the City of Norfolk. Each Tier 1 building has pre-selected mitigation measures, that is Home Elevation, Basement Fills, or a combination of Basement Fills and Elevation.
The final count of structures included in Tier 1 depends on the participation of property owners. In addition to the design and construction work, the project will include initial home inspections, site investigations, site work, design review, project permitting and inspection coordination. Site work will include disconnection and reconnection of all mechanical, electrical and plumbing, including water, sewer, natural gas, power, and other utilities as necessary, as well as landscaping, parking and installation of temporary necessary access accommodations to the home and property (FHA and/or ADA guidance). Work is to be completed within 18 months from the Notice to Proceed.
The DB services will be performed with multiple contracts by multiple teams.
2.4 Anticipated Scope of Work
After being selected, the team will execute a contract with the City to provide design and construction services for the project to include all necessary and relative activities to design and construct a turn-key project, including, but not limited to:
2.5 Project Procurement Schedule
The following is the Project Procurement Schedule. Timeline is subject to change.
Date | Activity |
June 1, 2026 | RFQ advertising |
July 6, 2026 | Questions from Respondents regarding RFQ Due |
August 10, 2026 | Solicitation Responses Due |
November 2, 2026 | Short Listed Candidates Notified |
December 7, 2026 | RFP Issued to Short Listed Candidates |
January 11, 2027 | Site visit |
January 19, 2027 | Questions from Respondents regarding RFP Due |
February 8, 2027 | RFP Responses Due |
February 17-26, 2027 | Interviews |
March 26, 2027 | Preliminary Notice of Award |
2.6 Definitions
3. PROCUREMENT PROCESS
3.1 General Information
3.1.1 Compliance with Legal Requirements
This Procurement will be in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, and City of Norfolk policies and procedures.
3.1.2 Conflict of Interest and Communications with the City of Norfolk
Following the City of Norfolk’s approval of the Short-Listed Respondents, no communication (written or verbal) from the Short-Listed Respondents to the City of Norfolk regarding the solicitation will be permitted until the RFP is issued. After the RFP is issued, any communication from the Short-Listed Respondents to the City of Norfolk must occur through the established method to ask questions as outlined in the RFP.
Following the City of Norfolk’s notification to Respondents who were not approved for the short list, Respondents that were not short-listed may request in writing a debrief.
3.1.3 Expenses
Each Respondent that enters into the Procurement process shall prepare the required materials, the solicitation response, and the Proposal at its own expense and with the express understanding that the Respondent cannot make any claims whatsoever for reimbursement from the City of Norfolk for the costs and expenses associated with the process, even in the event the City of Norfolk cancels this Project or rejects all Proposals.
3.1.4 Public Disclosure
Information submitted in the public procurement process is subject to public inspection in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Therefore, trade secrets or proprietary information must be clearly identified to prevent their disclosure, and the reason why protection is required must be stated (Norfolk City Code § 33.1-9).
3.1.5 Appeals Procedure
A respondent may appeal the short list decision pursuant to Norfolk City Code § 33.1-101 in writing within 30 business days of short list decision notification.
3.2 City of Norfolk Rights and Procurement Conditions
• The City shall not be held responsible for any oral instructions. Any changes to this RFQ will be made in the form of an addendum, which will be published on the City Norfolk Department of Public Works’ electronic bid service provider website.
• The City reserves the right to reject any or all solicitation responses, to waive any informality or irregularity in any solicitation responses received, and to be the sole judge of the merits of the respective solicitation responses received.
3.3 Outline of the Procurement Process
The teams will be selected using a two-step procurement process.
3.3.1 Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
All questions regarding this solicitation should be submitted to the City of Norfolk Department of Public Works’ electronic bid service provider website at City of Norfolk Procurement Portal by 4:00 pm, EST, Monday, July 6, 2026. All questions submitted will be shared publicly on the portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/norfolk/projects/270625.
In the solicitation response to this RFQ, Respondents will demonstrate a thorough teaming approach for the project. Once the RFQ is closed, the City of Norfolk will evaluate solicitation responses received in accordance with solicitation response evaluation criteria.
The City will select a short list composed of up to five (5) teams who submitted solicitation responses and will notify them. Only short-listed teams will receive the RFP documents to be issued by the City.
Teams that are denied prequalification or not short-listed will receive written notification. The written notification shall state the reasons for the denial of prequalification and the factual basis of such reasons. A decision by the City of Norfolk denying prequalification shall be final and conclusive unless the Respondents appeals the decision as provided in Norfolk City Code § 33.1-101.
3.3.2 Request for Proposals (RFP)
Short-listed teams will be issued the RFP and invited to submit a proposal.
A site visit will be coordinated for the short-listed teams who are invited to submit an RFP
response to this project. The date and time for that site visit will be included in the RFP.
The RFP will specify how short-listed teams can submit questions regarding the RFP. Additional details regarding the evaluation of proposals received in response to the RFP will be specified in the RFP.
3.3.3 Evaluation and Ranking of Respondents
The selection of the teams from the RFQ will be based upon the criteria set forth in the evaluation criteria grading matrix below. The evaluation of the proposals from short-listed teams in response to the RFP will be evaluated based on the evaluation criteria grading matrix that will be included in the RFP. It is the intent of the City to evaluate all proposals received and make a best-value selection and enter into a DB contract. The results of the solicitation response evaluation criteria grading will be carried forward and included in the final RFP evaluation.
Solicitation Response Evaluation Criteria (RFQ) | Weight |
Similar project write ups with project values and references | 0-20 points |
Experience and qualifications of team members | 0-20 points |
Historical teaming alignment | 0-20 points |
Project approach and project management | 0-10 points |
Prime or subconsultants have prior contract(s) with City of Norfolk, USACE, and/or NRP | 0-10 points |
Ability of all PMs to be available for monthly on-site meetings with Office of Resilience in Norfolk, VA (if requested) | 0-10 points |
Organizational chart with project team and responsibilities | 0-10 points |
Total Weight: | 100 |
4. SOLICITATION RESPONSE DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
4.1 Solicitation Response Format Requirements
4.2 Solicitation Response Submission Requirements
Submission method: All solicitation responses shall be submitted electronically through the City of Norfolk Department of Public Works’ electronic bid service provider website at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/norfolk/projects/270625. Hard copies or e-mailed responses will not be accepted.
Deadline: Monday, August 10, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). Failure to respond by the due date RFQ shall be considered justification for denying pre-qualification for this project.
5. SOLICITATION RESPONSE EVALUATION CRITERIA AND SUBMITTAL INFORMATION
Teams interested in providing DB services must submit a solicitation response that addresses minimum qualifications and technical and management qualifications listed below. Teams shall organize their submissions in such a way as to follow the qualifications and consider the solicitation response evaluation criteria. Information included within the solicitation response may be used to evaluate your team as part of any criteria regardless of where that information is found within the solicitation response. Information obtained from the solicitation response and from any other relevant source, including references from any past clients, may be used in the evaluation and selection process.
5.1 Minimum Qualifications
Consultant/General Contractor Insurance Requirements | |
Policy Insurance | Minimum Policy Limits |
Workers Compensation Insurance | In accordance with law |
Employers Liability Insurance | One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) |
Commercial General Liability (per project aggregate) | Per Occurrence: ($1,000,000) |
Aggregate: ($2,000,000) | |
Automobile Liability (if not covered by Commercial General Liability policy) | Combined Single Limit: ($1,000,000) |
Sub-Consultant Insurance Requirements | |
Policy Insurance | Minimum Policy Limits |
Workers Compensation Insurance | In accordance with Law |
Employers Liability Insurance | One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) |
Commercial General Liability (per project aggregate) | Per Occurrence: ($1,000,000) |
Aggregate: ($2,000,000) | |
Automobile Liability (if not covered by Commercial General Liability policy) | Combined Single Limit: ($1,000,000) |
All-risk Cargo Insurance (for residential lifters) | $1,000,000 |
Licensed Professional Insurance Requirements | |
Professional Liability (for design professionals, certifications such as lift plans) | Per Occurrence: ($1,000,000) |
Aggregate: ($2,000,000) | |
5.2 Technical and Management Qualifications
5.2.1 Team Organization
5.2.2 Demonstrated Past Performance with Successful Projects of Similar Scope and Complexity
5.2.3 Short Answers: Project Approach
5.2.4 Short Answers: Project Management
5.2.5 Short Answers: Additional Questions to Address
5.3 Post-Award Requirements
Upon request, contact Kellie LoBiondo at kellie.lobiondo@norfolk.gov. Please also check the Followers Tab on this e-Procurement Portal.
The Offeror has read and understands all items in the Request For Qualifications (RFQ) section, and all attachments provided for this RFQ.
Offeror acknowledges that the City will not accept hard copy or e-mailed responses. All responses are to be submitted thru City of Norfolk Department of Public Works’ electronic bid service provider website.
The Offeror acknowledges receipt of the following addenda: (for example, type "1, 2, 3" or "None"
Upload COMPLETE Statement of Qualification (SOQ) HERE:
Work to be Substantially Completed in: (example "730 calendar days")
Enter Performance Bond percentage
Enter Payment Bond percentage
Enter Bid Bond percentage (follow format below)
Please enter Liquidated Damages amount
SLED stands for State, Local, and Education. These are solicitations issued by state governments, counties, cities, school districts, utilities, and higher education institutions — as opposed to federal agencies.
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