Request

For
Proposal
Dare County, North Carolina

Community Relations Specialist;

Chamber of Commerce
Selena De Alva, Intern

October 8, 2015

Request for the Proposal of Instituting a Ferry System.

Dare County, located in Eastern North Carolina, requests the implication of a Ferry System to
replace the ongoing issue and safety concerns regarding the Bonner Bridge.

Project Proposal
Summary and Background
After much discussion with local citizens, we have obtained an overall accord for all those whom
are effected by the recent events dealing with the Bonner Bridge controversy. This includes the
local residents, the general public and any visitors who come to the area. The overpowering
consensus is to launch a new Ferry System that would run alongside to the current Bonner
Bridge route.
Proposal Guidelines
As stated by the proposal, a new ferry system will be built in the interest of preserving the
current environmental conditions that surround the local bridge. Many benefits are derived
through this system for the environment as well as for the general public. This also creates an
aesthetic appeal as well as convenience for all those who may visit or for all those who need
access to travel back and forth between the Outer Banks and the mainland of North Carolina.
Project Purpose and Description
The main purpose of this project is to create a new ferry system that makes it convenient and
accessible to all the local citizens and to all the visitors or tourist that come to the area. Rather
than having to rebuild or repair the current bridge, the ferry system will we the substitute option.
The goal of the ferry is that it will have inconsequential environmental implications. Along with
that factor, the cost will be substantially lower with this system. The state taxpayers as well as
the locals will benefit from not having to pay out as much money as they would to repair the
bridge itself.
Project Scope
The new ferry system will follow a similar path of travel that the current Bonner Bridge has. This
will continue to connect the mainland to the Outer banks for convenient travel. This system will
also be accessible to all of those people who may use the route in any given time (locals, visitors,
tourists).
Bidders Qualification
The company that will design and assemble this new ferry system will have experience with
dealing with large projects, as this one being outlined. They will also be aware of the effect that
construction may have to the local population, including the adjacent counties neighboring Dare
County. The company should also be aware of the effect and responsibility to all the citizens and
potential visitors to the area, both the mainland and Outer banks. In addition to the list of
qualifications, is the environment and whether it is directly affected or any of the surrounding
land is being harmed. The company must also be up to date in all the qualifications deemed
worthy by the law; this includes all valid permits and certifications.

To: Dr. Cox

From: Selena C De Alva, Intern
Subject: Research Proposal: Bonner Bridge
Date: October 8, 2015

Executive Summary
The purpose of this report is to propose options for raising an additional five million dollars to
complete and implicate the new ferry system project. I have reviewed all circumstances and they
have all been considered in the final decision. It has been decided that the county will hire and
pay OBX Construction to create the new Ferry system that will be implemented to replace the
high cost of repairing the Bonner Bridge.
Ideas Proposed
The initial tactics that were used to determine the final decision for this project include the
fundraisers made for the nonprofit organizations as well soliciting around the county. Holding
community meetings as well as sponsoring local events are used to encourage the community to
become more educated of the project itself. Designing pamphlets and creating a media campaign
will also get people educated on the issue. All of these tactics benefit the locals as well as visitors
to the area. The reason I have focused on educating the public is because people will be more
willing to help in any way, including fundraising, if they actually understand the cause. It is
important that we have the support of the community behind our final decision, due to the fact
that this is a costly project.
Financials
The construction cost, done by OBX, of the new ferry system is quite high. This new ferry, will
also generate revenue of roughly, $42,000 annually by the implication of small fees associated
with the use of the system. Not only does that compensate for part of the initial costs, the ferry
system is also a longer term fix to the bridge problem. The only additional costs that may be
associated with the ferry later on is for maintenance. It is important to have multiple ferrys
running rather than just a single one. This is because many people rely on the system and do not
want to anticipate a long wait. Due to the amount of people relying on the ferry, we are able to
forecast a positive effect of the system.
Conclusion
Due to the additional and high costs of the other proposed idea, the best decision for the county
would be to hire OBX Construction to begin working on the Ferry System project. By doing this,
the county will be proactive in inducing any additional cost of repairs to the Bonner Bridge.
Since the ferry system will replace the repair of the bridge, there will no longer be a need to
worry about the bridge itself. It is in our best interest to support what the majority of the
community deems acceptable, in this case it is to implement the Ferry System.