NORTH CAROLINA
SELECTsITE readiness program
Frequently Asked Questions
Goals
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Yes, it is similar. The Selectsites Program was established to identify sites that are under 1,000 acres in size (and therefore not megasites) that would have the qualities necessary to serve as the site for major manufacturing projects.
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It is anticipated that many of the sites that the respondent finds most ready and suitable may already be marketed for economic development purposes. That does not, however, preclude the identification and inclusion of potential new sites.
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There is no preference for those entities that completed previous work for the EDPNC, in neither a positive nor negative manner.
Timeline
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Friday, December 22 at noon ET is the deadline for the proposal. No exceptions. Happy Holidays!
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The EDPNC will notify the successful bidder(s) by Friday, January 19, 2024. The completed assessment should be completed by Friday, May 17, 2024. The timeline is necessary to inform the Governor and the General Assembly about the state of North Carolina sites before deliberations begin in earnest on adjustments to the state 2024-25 budget.
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Yes.
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EDPNC reserves the right to ask applicants to participate in a remote interview to clarify and explain their proposals. It is likely that not all applicants will be asked to interview.
Post-Evaluation
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The General Assembly has provided $10 million in the 2024-25 state fiscal year for the Selectsites Readiness Program. These funds would be used to defray the costs of due diligence on the sites identified by the successful respondent.
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The General Assembly has only appropriated the $10 million for the uses described above. However, the legislation creating the Program anticipates future appropriations that would support larger levels of support for site acquisition and preparedness.
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The goal of the assessment is to identify up to 15 sites. At least nine of the 15 sites must be less than 500 acres in size and at least two of these nine sites must be less than 100 acres in size.
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Not necessarily, although it is anticipated that the successful respondent will demonstrate awareness of the presence of megasites proximate to other sites.
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The factors should include, but not be limited to, time and cost to obtain shovel-ready condition, workforce capacity/availability, utility capacity/availability, proximity to markets and suppliers, and gaps and timeline toward site certification.
QUALIFICATIONS
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There is no precise definition in the statute given for “national.” Firms should demonstrate some experience and expertise in national site selection processes. Such experience may include work on behalf of major advanced manufacturing clients on site searches across the nation, or work assessing the quality and readiness of large sites in other states.
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Yes. The proposal should clearly describe the roles, responsibilities, and experience of each firm in executing the work. Evidence of prior experience in working together is helpful.
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There is no prohibition on the inclusion of firms in more than one proposal. Parties are encouraged to work with partners that they have experience in other collaborations.
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Applicants have a clear responsibility to disclose any current work on behalf of industrial clients, local government or any other interested parties (such as landowners) with North Carolina and any previous work that could reasonably be construed as a duality of interest or conflict of interest. EDPNC will carefully assess the facts and circumstances of such situations and will make a judgment on the ability of the application to provide an independent assessment.
DEFINITIONS
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Yes, a selectsite is defined as “a parcel of contiguous property consisting of less than 1,000 acres that is viable for economic development.”
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For purposes of this analysis, selectsites may be owned by private individuals/firms, local governments, or partnerships involving local governments and 501c3 nonprofit organizations. Private individuals/firms must have a willingness to sell or provide an option to buy to a local government.
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The sites must be viable and suitable for economic development. Also:
• Nine of the 15 sites must be less than 500 acres
• Two of these nine must be less than 100 acres
• There is no limit on the number of sites below 500 or 100 acres
But the sites should be of sufficient size to support a major manufacturing project.
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No
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Yes. EDPNC has a website.
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Yes.
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Yes. It is found here.
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Absolutely. The analysis should include order-of-magnitude cost estimates for land acquisition, site preparation (clearing and grading), infrastructure to serve the site (water, sewer, highway), and other relevant costs. It is understood that the nature of this analysis does not allow for precise estimates.
Public
Reporting
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Yes. For example the Megsaites Readiness Program evaluation is found here.
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While there are no exceptions to the public records law per se, the statute does read “public records relating to the potential location, evaluation, and acquisition of a qualifying site may be withheld so long as their inspection, examination, or copying would frustrate the purpose which such public records were created, including increasing costs of acquisition.” Before the report is completed, the successful respondent should consult with the EDPNC and its counsel on mechanisms to ensure compliance to the statute.
Proposal
Evaluation
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EDPNC staff, consultants engaged by EDPNC to assist with the program, and representatives of statewide economic development partners will be involved in the review. Members of the EDPNC Board will be involved in the decision-making process.
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Please do not. Communication should be channeled through Garrett Wyckoff or Dan Gerlach.
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There is no point system. The proposal that best meets the criteria will be awarded the contract. Relevant experience, demonstrated understanding of the project, timeliness, cost, and comprehensiveness of approach will be among the factors used to evaluate the proposals.
Cost is an important factor, but it is not the sole determinant.
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The General Assembly has directed the EDPNC to designate the unused balance of funds appropriated in the prior fiscal year for the Megasite Readiness Program evaluation. This unused balance is approximately $500,000. For perspective, the accepted proposal for the Megasite Readiness Program evaluation was under $400,000.