Last Updated on October 22, 2024 3:24 pm
RALEIGH – State transportation officials are reaching out to businesses interested in helping restore Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene brought catastrophic damage to the region.
It will take several billion dollars to restore roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation’s initial estimates.
“We are going to need help from qualified businesses with many skill sets,” said state Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins. “There is debris to be moved, roads and bridges to be designed, fixed or rebuilt, as well as other types of contract work to be done. We’re going to need a lot of help to rebuild Western North Carolina.”
NCDOT is working to educate the business community on the many contracting opportunities that will be available and the requirements to bid on state transportation contracts.
On Tuesday (Oct. 22), NCDOT’s Office of Civil Rights and others will host a “Rebuild Together: NCDOT Post Helene Outreach for Small Businesses” webinar over Microsoft Teams from 9-10:30 a.m. The event will cover contracting opportunities for debris removal, construction, paving, traffic control and other Helene recovery work and how businesses can become prequalified to bid on NCDOT contracts. Anyone with questions should email Hurricanehelene@ncdot.gov.
On Oct. 29-30, NCDOT staff will host six separate “Special NCDOT Prequalification Outreach” in-person workshops at the Buncombe County NCDOT Division 13 Office, 55 Orange St., Asheville. Businesses interested can attend one or more of the sessions to learn about prequalification, a requirement for any business that wants to bid on state transportation contracts. Prequalification ensures a firm has sufficient ability, experience and resources to perform the work specified on NCDOT contracts. The work sessions will cover how to apply online to become prequalified, the North Carolina Identity Management Service process, and the documentation and experience requirements for various scopes of work. Registration is required and limited to two persons per firm. Register at https://forms.office.com/g/qGZ6npiHuL. Space is limited so people should register soon.
The prequalification sessions will be held on the following schedule:
- 8-11 a.m. Oct. 29
- Noon-3 p.m. Oct. 29
- 3-6 p.m. Oct. 29
- 8-11 a.m. Oct. 30
- Noon-3 p.m. Oct. 30
- 3-6 Oct. 30
NCDOT will also be offering other prequalification work sessions from:
- 1-4 p.m. Oct. 24 at NCDOT’s Division 6 Training Room (Building 511), 558 Gillespie St., Fayetteville
- 1-4 p.m. Nov. 14 at Nash Community College in the Continuing Education Building (Room 8123), 522 North Old Carriage Road, Rocky Mount
Participation in any work session is not required to become prequalified.
Need more information? Call 919-707-6909.
