The Town of Clayton is soliciting Letters of Interest (LOI) from qualified firms to provide Right of Way Acquisition services for a pedestrian improvement, Federally Funded, Locally Administered Project. All services must be conducted in full compliance with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act (Uniform Act), NCDOT Right of Way Manual, and associated federal/state/local requirements. Scope includes, but not limited to: Project Leadership and Advisory Support Lead and manage the ROW acquisition process, advising Town staff on NCDOT best practices, sequencing, and coordinating with NCDOT. Proactively identify potential acquisition challenges and provide mitigation strategies. Provide clear communication on acquisition phases, owner interactions, timelines, and deliverables. Plan Interpretation and Property Impact Analysis Review project construction plans and interpret property impacts with a high degree of technical accuracy. Identify how the project will affect each parcel and communicate these impacts clearly to property owners. Assist Town staff in evaluating alternatives or mitigation strategies to reduce property impact where feasible. Coordination with Town Legal Counsel Coordinate closely with the Town’s designated legal counsel for all legal documentation and support. Prepare and provide all necessary materials for legal review. Owner Contact and Negotiation Serve as the primary point of contact with all affected property owners. Provide clear explanations of project scope, acquisition needs, owner rights, and compensation process. Conduct face-to-face meetings (as appropriate) to establish trust and transparency with property owners. Negotiate in good faith with an emphasis on timely resolution and documentation of all interactions. Appraisal and Valuation Management Order and coordinate appraisals or value estimates as required under NCDOT guidelines. Ensure appraisals are reviewed and approved by NCDOT. Use approved formats and waiver valuation procedures where applicable. Documentation and Use of NCDOT Reporting Forms Complete and maintain all required NCDOT Right of Way Acquisition Forms throughout the project. Maintain a centralized tracking log of all acquisitions and provide regular updates to Town staff. Meetings, Reporting, and Communication Attend project coordination meetings (virtually or in-person) with Town staff and NCDOT as needed. Provide detailed acquisition status reports, owner negotiation logs, and issue resolution summaries. Maintain organized records for audit purposes.
