000006 B _ REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL.pdf

Addition to the Tifton Museum of Arts and Heritage 9/12/2025

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

SECTION B – REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Downtown Development Authority of the City of Tifton (DDA)

Addition to the Tifton Museum of Arts and Heritage

1. THE PROJECT.

The Downtown Development Authority of the City of Tifton is seeking sealed proposals from qualified firms for the project entitled “Addition to the Tifton Museum of Arts and Heritage”.

2. A. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERVICES

The successful Proposer will assume responsibility for the project by issuing a lump sum proposal for the services which shall constitute a contractual obligation. The Proposer shall be required to prepare a project schedule and will be responsible for all methods of construction, safety, and coordination of all construction work and related contracts to insure successful project completion.

B. PERMITS, INSPECTIONS, TESTS AND INSURANCE

All materials and construction shall conform to the requirements of all building codes and sanitary laws in effect in the City and/or County in which the work is performed.

The Contractor shall obtain and pay for all necessary permits, all required fees, all inspections and tests not explicitly assigned to the Owner, and insurance required by this contract and by law related to all work performed on this project. In addition, if applicable to this project, contractor shall pay for all utility connection fees, tap fees, impact fees and any other fees associated with utility connection/service to this project as well as Land Disturbance/Notice of Intent fees

3. DEFINED TERMS

In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this RFP, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below, which are applicable to both the singular and plural thereof.

(a) Addenda - Graphic or written documents issued by the Owner prior to the opening of Proposals intended to clarify, revise, add to, or delete information in the original Proposal Documents or in previous addenda.

(b) Offeror - One who submits a Proposal directly to Owner as distinct from a sub-offeror or sub-bidder, who submits a proposal to an Offeror.

(c) Proposal - A complete and properly signed offer to perform the services for the prices stipulated in the form submitted by the Offeror in accordance with the Proposal Documents.

(d) Proposal Documents – Shall collectively refer to this RFP, the Project Program, and any and all final and complete Proposed Contract Documents (Plans and Project Manual dated September 12, 2025, any issued Addenda, contracts), instruments, or other documents specifically made a part of this RFP or otherwise contemplated to be entered into between the Owner and the Successful Offeror in connection with the Project.

(e) The terms “RFP Documents” and “Proposal Documents” are used interchangeably throughout any portion of the Proposal Documents.

(f) Successful Offeror - The responsible and responsive Offeror whose Proposal the Owner determines to be most advantageous to Owner (on the basis of Owner's evaluation as hereinafter provided) and to whom Owner makes an award.

(g) Responsive Offeror - Person or entity who has submitted a bid or proposal which conforms in all material respects to the requirements set forth in the invitation for bids or request for proposals.

(h) Responsible Offeror - Person or entity that has the capability in all respects to perform fully and reliably the contract requirements.

Additionally, for purposes of this RFP, "herein," "hereby," "hereunder," hereof," "hereinbefore," "hereinafter" and other equivalent words refer to this RFP and not solely to the particular portion thereof in which any such word is used, and “including” or “include” means including without limitation.

4. RESTRICTED COMMUNICATION.

From the issue date of this RFP until a Successful Offeror is selected and the selection is announced and Contract Documents are executed, Offerors are not allowed to communicate for any reason with any employees of the Owner, the Board, or members of the Selection Committee with respect to this RFP or the Project, except for (i) submission of questions as authorized by this RFP, (ii) during the pre-proposal conference, (iii) during scheduled and authorized interviews for purposes of evaluation, if required, and (iv) during authorized negotiations, if required, following opening of the Proposals. For violation of this provision, the Owner reserves the right to reject the Proposal of the offending Offeror.

5. SCHEDULE OF RFP EVENTS.

The following Schedule of Events represents the Owner’s best estimate of the schedule that will be followed. All times indicated are prevailing times in Tifton, Georgia. The Owner reserves the right to adjust the schedule as it deems necessary or convenient.

Schedule of Events

Date

Time

Issue Advertisement January 15, 2026 N/A

Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference January 29, 2026 10:00 a.m.

Deadline for submission of questions/requests for information, clarifications, substitutions, etc. February 9, 2026 12:00 noon

Deadline to issue final addendum February 13, 2026 2:00 p.m.

Receive Proposals February 19, 2026 2:00 p.m.

Project Award TBD by the DDA TBD

6. PROPOSAL FORM AND CONTENT.

(a) All Proposals shall be prepared in accordance with this RFP, and shall include the following:

(i) a Statement of Qualifications (see Sec. 16 below)

(ii) Proposal Form which includes an “Authorization to Investigate” and a Statement Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 36-91-21(d) (see Exhibit A)

(iii) Proposal Security (see Sec 10)

(iv) Contractor Affidavit (See Exhibit B) (Successful contractor may also be required to furnish subcontractor affidavits upon contract award.)

(v) Copy of Contractor’s license and business license.

(vi) Statement on Surety Company letterhead, signed by an officer of the Surety Company listing State of Georgia license, A.M. Best "A-6" rating (or better), and US Treasury Circular 570 listing including underwriting limitation, and confirming surety company’s willingness and ability to issue the required performance and payment bonds for this project and contractor, using the forms included in the Project Manual, Section D – Supplementary Conditions.

(vii) Copy of your insurance agent’s verification letter for organization’s current workers’ compensation experience modification rate and rates for the last three years

(viii) A complete and final list of subcontractors. If offerors need additional time to finalize this list, the sub list may be submitted not later than 24 hours after proposals are due and shall be emailed to johnm@mccallinc.com and joanip@mccallinc.com.

mailto:johnm@mccallinc.com mailto:joanip@mccallinc.com

(ix) Any and all other items or documents required or authorized by this RFP.

(b) Offerors must provide one (1) original and four (4) hard copies of the completed Proposal for a total of five (5) sets of the Proposal. Each such set shall be identical and include a transmittal letter. Proposals must be typed on standard (8 ½” x 11”) paper. The pages of the Proposal (except any appendix or other attachments) must be numbered.

A table of contents, with corresponding tabs, is required. All Proposals shall be prepared simply, succinctly and economically, to provide a straightforward and concise description of the matters requested. Emphasis must be on completeness, relevance, and clarity of content. To expedite the review of Proposals, it is essential that Offerors follow the format and instructions set forth herein. The Proposal shall be signed as follows:

(i) A Proposal submitted by a partnership shall list the names of all partners and shall be signed in the partnership name by one of the authorized members of the partnership. If there is no partner who is a Georgia resident, the name and address of an entity designated to receive service of process for the partnership in Georgia must be provided.

(ii) A Proposal submitted by a corporation, limited liability company, or other legal entity not a partnership shall be signed under the legal name of the entity by the officer, manager, or other person(s) duly authorized to bind said entity. The name of each person signing the proposal shall be typed or printed below the signature. If not a Georgia Corporation, there must also be evidence that the corporation is authorized to transact business in Georgia.

(iii) A Proposal from an individual who is not a Georgia resident shall provide the name and address of an entity in Georgia with the authority to accept service of process for the individual.

a. All names must be typed or printed in ink below the signature.

(iv) The address, email address, facsimile and telephone number for communications regarding the Proposal must be shown.

7. EXAMINATION OF PROPOSAL DOCUMENTS, OTHER DATA, AND PROJECT SITE:

Copies of Proposal Documents (Plans, Project Manual, addenda) are available in printed form (whole complete sets only) from Print Life Printing, LLC, 1006 Williams Street, Valdosta, GA 31601, telephone No.: 229-244-5598, fax No.: 229-241-1410, email:

info@printlifevaldosta.com, for a non-refundable cost of $300.00 dollars per set including regular ground shipment. Print Life Printing will also issue addenda to each entity purchasing Proposal Documents from Print Life Printing.

Offerors are cautioned that acquisition of Proposal Documents through any source other than as described above is not advisable. Acquisition of Proposal Documents from unauthorized sources places the offeror at risk of receiving incomplete or inaccurate mailto:info@printlifevaldosta.com information upon which to base a bid or proposal.

Proposal Documents, including addenda, may also be obtained by accessing the “Bid Information” tab on the web site of the architect at www.mccallinc.com. Proposal Documents are available in a PDF file format and may be downloaded and printed by offerors. Information contained in the Proposal Documents on the website of the architect, in connection with project requirements, is available as a courtesy only and may not be relied upon as accurate or complete for bidding purposes or as Construction Documents.

Any claims made that incomplete documentation was posted on the website of the architect will NOT be considered as the offeror is responsible for obtaining an official set of Proposal Documents from Print Life Printing as indicated above.

Any addenda to the Proposal Documents issued by the architect will be forwarded by Print Life Printing to all plan holders who have purchased Proposal Documents from Print Life Printing. In addition, all addenda will be issued and posted in the Proposal Documents project file on the website of the architect.

Although Print Life Printing will forward all addenda to all plan holders who have purchased Proposal Documents from Print Life Printing, ALL offerors are responsible to check for any issued addenda to the Proposal Documents and to acknowledge all addenda in the Proposal Form included herewith.

Contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers involved in any construction of the project will secure Proposal Documents for use in the construction for their own use, at their own cost, as described above.

Offerors are advised that a list of Proposal Documents recipients from Print Life Printing will only be maintained and will only be available from Print Life Printing by fax or email until the date and time that proposals are due.

ALL offerors and all subcontractors are responsible for examining the FULL set of Proposal Documents and other related data to determine that they are offering a price for the complete Work of each portion of the Project.

(a) It is the responsibility of each Offeror before submitting a Proposal:

(i) To examine, understand and study thoroughly the Proposal Documents and other related data identified in the Proposal Documents;

(ii) To visit the Project Site to ascertain by inspection pertinent local conditions such as location, character and accessibility of the site, including existing surface conditions in the work area; availability of facilities, location and character of existing work within or adjacent thereto, labor conditions, etc.;

(iii) To become familiar with and satisfy Offeror as to all federal, state, and local laws and regulations that may affect cost, progress, or performance of the services http://www.mccallinc.com/ requested;

(iv) To obtain and carefully study (or assume responsibility for doing so) all additional or supplementary examination investigations, explorations, tests, studies, and data concerning conditions at the Project Site which may affect cost, progress, or performance or the services requested or which relate any aspect of the means, methods, techniques, sequences, and procedures to be employed by Offeror, including any specific means, methods, techniques, sequences, and procedures of construction expressly required of the Proposal Documents, and safety precautions and programs incident thereto;

(v) To study and carefully correlate Offeror's knowledge and observations with the Proposal Documents and such other related data;

(vi) To promptly notify Owner of all conflicts, errors, ambiguities or discrepancies which Offeror has discovered in or between the Proposal Documents and such other related documents;

(vii) To agree at the time of submitting its Proposal that no further examinations, investigations, explorations, tests, studies or data are necessary for the determination of its Proposal for performance of the services requested at the price proposal and within the times and in accordance with the other terms and conditions of the Proposal Documents;

(viii) To determine that the Proposal Documents are generally sufficient to indicate and convey understanding of all terms and conditions for the performance of the services requested.

(b) The submission of a Proposal will constitute an incontrovertible representation by Offeror that Offeror has complied with every requirement of this Section 7, that without exception, the Proposal is premised upon performing and furnishing all services and materials required by the Proposal Documents and applying any specific means, methods, techniques, sequences, and procedures that may be shown or indicated or expressly required by the Proposal Documents; that Offeror has given the Owner written notice of all conflicts, errors, ambiguities, and discrepancies that Offeror has discovered in the Proposal Documents and the written resolutions thereof by Owner are acceptable to Offeror; and that the Proposal Documents are generally sufficient to indicate and convey understanding of all terms and conditions for performing and furnishing the Work.

8. INTERPRETATIONS AND ADDENDA.

(a) All questions/requests for clarification or interpretation relating to the meaning or intent of the Proposal Documents must be emailed to the Project Architect, John “Mac” McCall, at johnm@mccallinc.com, not later than 12:00 noon on February 9, 2026. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. Failure on the part of the successful offeror to do so shall not relieve him as contractor of the obligation to execute such work in mailto:johnm@mccallinc.com accordance with a later interpretation by the Architect. Interpretations or clarifications considered necessary by the Architect in response to such questions will be issued by addenda. Only questions answered by formal written Addenda will be binding. Neither the Owner nor Architect will be responsible for any oral instructions, and oral or other interpretations or clarifications not issued in writing as specified herein will be without legal effect.

(b) Print Life Printing will forward addenda by mail, email, facsimile or other means to all prospective offerors who have purchased proposal documents from PLP. However, ALL offerors, including those who have purchased Proposal Documents from PLP, are responsible to check for any issued addenda and to acknowledge all addenda in the Proposal Form.

(c) Addenda will also be posted on the website of the Architect as a courtesy.

(d) Subject to O.C.G.A. §36-91-20(d), the Owner expressly reserves the right to revise, amend or otherwise change, at any time, any and all of the terms and requirements for Proposals set forth herein as deemed advisable by the Owner.

(e) It shall be each Offeror’s responsibility to confirm that it has acquired/received any and all Addenda issued pursuant to this RFP. By submitting its Proposal, Offeror shall be deemed to have received all such Addenda and be fully apprised of their contents.

9. NOT USED

10. PROPOSAL SECURITY.

(a) Each Proposal must be accompanied by appropriate security (the “Proposal Security”) made payable to the Owner in an amount of five percent (5%) of Offeror's maximum estimated construction price and in the form of a proposal bond issued by a surety company licensed in Georgia with an "A" minimum rating of performance. Any Proposal submitted without said proposal bond (or an approved alternate) shall be ineligible for consideration and shall be returned to Offeror.

(b) Offerors will be required to honor their Proposals for a minimum of sixty (60) days following opening of such Proposals; provided that any Offeror that is determined by the Owner to be unlikely of being selected for award of the contract opportunity shall be released from its Proposal as soon as practicable; and the security deposited by such unsuccessful Offerors will be returned no later than sixty (60) days following opening of the Proposals, without interest or profit of any kind.

(c) If this proposal is accepted within sixty (60) days after the date set for the opening of sealed proposals and the undersigned fails to execute the contract within ten (10) days after written notice of such acceptance or if he fails to furnish both Performance and Payment Bonds from the undersigned, the obligation of the Proposal Security will remain in full force and effect and the money payable thereon shall be paid into the funds of the Owner as liquidated damages for such failure; otherwise, obligation of the bond will be null and void.

11. PROJECT COMPLETION TIME.

The undersigned agrees to commence actual physical work on the site with an adequate force and equipment within ten (10) days of a date to be specified in a written order of the Owner.

The Owner estimates that the successful contractor should be able to complete fully all work not later than 365 consecutive calendar days after the date of the Notice to Proceed. However, as a part of the proposal requirements, each offeror shall declare a number of days required to substantially complete all work. (See Exhibit A – Proposal Form, Section IV.) This will be used as an evaluation criterion. The project will be declared substantially complete when all work is completed to the extent that the entire project may be occupied and used for the purpose for which it is intended, including all systems and equipment, without exception.

For each calendar day beyond the established contract completion date that the work remains incomplete (completeness will be determined by the Architect in accordance with the terms of the contract) the Contractor shall pay the Owner the sum of $250.00 per day as actual damages to the Owner for the Owner being unable to obtain possession and use of the premises at the site.

The number of days after substantial completion to 100% completion including punchlist and required closeout documents shall not exceed twenty (30) days. The Contractor hereby acknowledges that time is of the essence and in this contract is a material consideration thereof.

12. SUBCONTRACTORS

Once final subcontractor list is submitted, subcontractors cannot be changed without specific approval of the Owner and Architect in accordance with requirements included in the contract documents.

13. SUBMITTAL OF PROPOSALS.

(a) Proposals shall be submitted to Fran Moss, Interim Director of the Downtown Development Authority of the City of Tifton, 220 E. 2nd Street, Suite B, Tifton, GA 31794, prior to the time specified in the Schedule of RFP Events (Section 5), and shall be enclosed in a sealed, opaque envelope, marked with the Project title, and name and address of the Offeror, and accompanied by the Proposal Security and other required documents. If the Proposal is sent through the mail or other delivery system, the sealed envelope shall be enclosed in a separate envelope with the notation "PROPOSAL ENCLOSED" on the face of it.

(b) Each Offeror is responsible for seeing that its Proposal is received by the Owner not later than the advertised time set for the submission deadline for the Proposals.

14. MODIFICATION AND WITHDRAWAL OF PROPOSALS.

(a) Proposals may be modified or withdrawn by an appropriate document duly executed (in the manner that a Proposal must be executed) and delivered to the place where Proposals are to be submitted at any time prior to the date and time set for receipt of proposals.

(b) Once Proposals have been opened, Proposals may only be withdrawn for appreciable error in accordance with (and as limited by) O.C.G.A. § 36-91-52, and only upon duly signed, written notice actually received by the Owner prior to award of the contract and not later than 48 hours after the opening of the Proposals, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. Thereafter, that Offeror will be disqualified from further consideration.

15. OPENING OF PROPOSALS.

Sealed Proposals will be opened immediately following the time required for receipt of such Proposals. All sealed proposals shall be opened so as to avoid disclosure of contents to competing Offerors. Unless otherwise stipulated by the Owner by appropriate Addendum, the attendance of Offerors at the Proposal opening shall not be required.

16. STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS

A Statement of Qualifications shall be included with the Offerors response and must be categorized and numbered as outlined below, and must be responsive to all requested information. Offerors are cautioned that they MUST provide a response for each individual item in each section below. If offeror does not respond to every single item in each section, offeror is at risk of having his proposal considered non-responsive and rejected, at the Owner’s discretion. If an item is not applicable to your firm, offeror may respond with “Not Applicable” or “N/A”.

A. Description and Resources of Firm (20 points)

A1. Basic Company Information.

(1) Identify the full legal name of your organization.

(2) List all other names under which your organization currently does business and, for each name, identify jurisdictions in which it is registered to do business under that trade name.

(3) List all prior names under which your organization has operated and, for each name, indicate the date range and jurisdiction in which it was used.

(4) Identify the address of your organization’s principal place of business and list all office locations out of which your organization conducts business, including staffing of offices.

(5) Identify the legal status under which your organization does business, such as sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability corporation, joint venture, or other.

(6) If your organization is a corporation, identify the state in which it is incorporated, the date of incorporation, and its four highest-ranking corporate officers and their titles, as applicable.

(7) If your organization is a partnership, identify its partners and its date of organization.

(8) If your organization is individually owned, identify its owner and date of organization.

(9) If the form of your organization is other than those listed above, describe it and identify its individual leaders.

(10) Provide company contact information for the principal in charge of this project, including phone number, address, e- mail address, and company website (if available). Identify the location of the office from which services for this project will be managed and this office’s proximity to the Project Site. When was this office established? How many full-time field and office staff are employed at the Contractor’s project office.

A2. Firm History. Describe the history and growth of the firm. Provide number of years in business, general information about the firm's history.

A3. Litigation History. Has the firm been involved in any litigation in the past ten

(10) years with clients where the firm was found responsible or paid settlement charges? List any active or pending litigation and explain its nature and current status. List any active claims against your firm or against clients where your firm is named.

A4. Fiscal Solvency.

(1) List the firm’s annual average revenue for construction work for the past five

(5) years and supply main financial and banking references.

(2) Has your organization, its parent, or a subsidiary, affiliate, or other entity having common ownership or management, been the subject of any bankruptcy proceeding within the last ten years?

A5. Disputes and Disciplinary Actions

(1) Are there any pending or outstanding judgments, arbitration proceedings, bond claims, or lawsuits against your organization, its parent, or a subsidiary, affiliate, or other entity having common ownership or management, or any of the individuals listed in response to any of the questions in this item 16.A.?

(2) In the last five years, has your organization, its parent, or a subsidiary, affiliate, or other entity having common ownership or management:

a. failed to complete work awarded to it, or a contract as assigned?

b. been terminated for any reason except for an owners’ convenience?

c. had any judgments, settlements, or awards pertaining to a construction project in which your organization was responsible?

d. filed any lawsuits or requested arbitration regarding a construction project?

(3) In the last five years, has your organization, its parent, or a subsidiary, affiliate, or other entity having common ownership or management; or any of the individuals listed in response to any of the questions in this item 16.A.:

a. been convicted of, or indicted for, a business-related crime?

b. had any business or professional license subjected to disciplinary action?

c. been penalized or fined by a state or federal environmental agency?

A6. Involuntary Terminations. Provide information as to whether or not the firm, or member thereof, has ever been involuntarily removed from a contract?

A7. Confirming Statement. The following statements shall be provided with the proposal:

Attach a statement to the proposal form on Surety Company letterhead, signed by an officer of the Surety Company listing State of Georgia license, A.M. Best "A-6" rating (or better), and US Treasury Circular 570 listing including underwriting limitation, and confirming surety company’s willingness and ability to issue the required performance and payment bonds for this project and contractor, using the forms included in the Project Manual, Section D – Supplementary Conditions.

In addition, the Offeror will issue the following statement asserting that the firm meets the minimum qualifications required to properly and adequately provide the services contemplated hereby. The signed statement shall include the following:

a. Our firm has a current Commercial General Liability Insurance policy, and our firm is insurable in amounts sufficient to comply with the requirements of the Proposal Documents, Section D.

b. Our firm will maintain Worker’s Compensation insurance as required by the State of Georgia Workers Compensation statutes.

(At the same time that the successful offeror delivers executed Contract Documents, Performance and Payment Bonds, he will also be required to furnish insurance certificates which reflect coverages as required by the Proposal Documents.)

B. Experience & Qualifications (20 points)

B1. Provide professional qualifications and description of experience for principal management and key personnel proposed to undertake the Project.

B2. State the total dollar value of work currently under contract for the Organization.

State the total dollar value of work currently under contract for the Contractor’s Project Office (if contractor has multiple office locations).

B3. Of the amount currently under contract, state the dollar value of work that remains to be completed. Provide this information for the overall Organization and for the Contractor’s project office (if contractor has multiple office locations).

B4. Provide information on the firm’s experience providing services for projects and clients of similar in size, function, and complexity to this specific project.

Describe no more than five (5) and no less than three (3) projects, in order of most relevant to least relevant, which demonstrate the firm's capabilities to perform the scope at hand for this specific project. For each project, the following information shall be provided:

a. Project Information – Name, location, delivery method, original contract amount/final contract amount, original completion date/final completion date, % self-performed

b. Owner’s name and contact information (current verified phone number and address).

c. Architect name and contact information (current verified phone number and address).

d. Contractor’s Project Executive and other key personnel (include titles)

e. Description of services provided.

f. Owner’s and user’s stated satisfaction in service from your firm. Provide any client-written letters of reference/recommendation about the firm’s performance.

g. Provide one subcontractor reference for each project.

B5. List the total number of projects the Contractor’s Project Office has completed in the last five years and state the dollar value of the largest contract the Contractor’s Project Office has completed during that time.

C. Statement of Suitability (20 points)

C1. List the categories of work that your organization typically self-performs.

C2. Identify qualities, accreditations, services, skills, or personnel that you believe differentiate your organization from other firms in suitability for the services contemplated in this RFP. Include all unique qualifications the firm feels are especially relevant to the Project.

C3. Provide information on current and projected workloads of the firm and any potential impact to the services to be provided in connection with the Project.

C4. Provide evidence of your firm’s ability to gather service resources in the Project locality and to otherwise deliver the Project within the completion dates specified in this RFP with the least risk of delay or dispute.

C5. Project Specific Information

(1) Describe any conflict of interest your organization, its parent, or a subsidiary, affiliate, or other entity having common ownership or management, or any of the individuals listed in response to any of the questions in 16.A. above may have regarding this Project.

(2) Identify key personnel from your organization who will be meaningfully involved with work on this Project and indicate (1) their position on the Project team, (2) their office location, (3) their expertise and experience, and (4) projects similar to the Project on which they have worked.

(3) Identify portions of work that you intend to self-perform on this Project.

(4) Does the Contractor’s Project Office have a written safety program?

(5) List all safety-related citations and penalties the Contractor’s Project Office has received in the last three years

(6) Attach a copy of your insurance agent’s verification letter for your organization’s current workers’ compensation experience modification rates for the last three years.

D. Proposed Contract Time and Ability to Meet Deadlines (20 Points) D1. Offeror shall declare the number of days required to substantially complete all work.

(Work will be declared substantially complete by the Architect when all work is completed to the extent that the entire project may be occupied and used for the purpose for which it is intended, including all systems and equipment, without exception.)

D2. Provide verifiable information on the offeror’s ability to meet project deadlines.

E. Guaranteed Construction Cost (20 points) E1. See Exhibit A - Proposal Form

F. Community Engagement/Local Involvement (20 points) F1. Firm Presence and Tifton/Tift County Area Experience

Describe the firm’s presence and experience within the Tifton/Tift County area, including:

(1) Location(s) of office(s) serving the project

(2) Length of time the firm has operated in the Tifton/Tift County area

(3) General description of the firm’s work within Tifton/Tift County area

F2. Participation in Local Organizations

Identify professional, business, civic, or nonprofit organizations in which the firm or key team members actively participate, particularly those focused on:

(1) Business development

(2) Downtown or community revitalization

(3) Construction, trade, or professional services Include the nature and duration of involvement.

F3. Experience with Projects in downtown Tifton

Provide examples of construction projects completed within the City of Tifton, including projects located in the downtown area. For each project, include:

(1) Project name and location

(2) Project type and scope

(3) Year completed

(4) Firm’s role

F4. Experience Working in Active Community Environments

Describe experience delivering projects in locations that required coordination with adjacent businesses, residents, local jurisdictions, or other stakeholders.

Evaluation will consider the firm’s demonstrated ability to minimize disruption and operate effectively in active community settings.

F5. Support of the Local Economy

Describe the firm’s approach to supporting the local economy, which may include:

(1) Utilization of local subcontractors and suppliers

(2) Employment of a local workforce

(3) Participation in projects that contributed to community development or economic revitalization

17. EVALUATION AND AWARD OF CONTRACT. The owner shall evaluate Proposals in order to determine the most advantageous Proposal from said responsive and responsible offers.

The contract, if awarded, will be awarded in accordance with this procedure.

(a) Rating of Evaluations

Following the opening of the sealed Proposals, The Owner will evaluate all Proposals based on criteria set forth in Section 16 of this RFP. The maximum points available for the evaluation criteria shall be as follows: (i) Description and Resources of Firm – up to 20 points; (ii) Experience and Qualifications - up to 20 points; (iii) Statement of

Suitability - up to 20 points; (iv) Proposed Contract Time and Ability to Meet Deadlines

- up to 20 points; (v) Guaranteed construction cost - up to 20 points; (vi) Community Engagement - up to 20 points; for a total possible maximum of 120 points.

(b) Evaluation of the Proposals described in the preceding paragraph will be undertaken by the Owner through a selection panel consisting of representatives of the Owner.

As soon as practicable following said evaluations, the Owner, taking into consideration those same criteria relied upon by the Selection Panel, shall consider and confirm (in writing) which Proposal, if any, is the most advantageous to the Owner (in its sole judgment), and, subject to its authority to reject all proposals or any proposal that is nonresponsive or not responsible, and to waive technicalities and informalities, the Project, if awarded, will be awarded based on the most advantageous proposal as determined above.

(c) Owner may conduct such investigations as Owner deems necessary to assist in the evaluation of any Proposal and to establish the responsiveness, responsibility, qualifications and financial ability of Offerors and other persons and organizations to perform and furnish the services contemplated by this RFP.

(d) The submission of Proposals hereunder shall invest offeror with no interest, right or claim of any kind with respect to the contract to be awarded. Furthermore, the Owner reserves the right to reject any and all Proposals in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, and thereafter re-advertise the contract opportunity.

(e) The Owner, in its absolute judgment, reserves the right to waive any technicality, noncompliance, or informality in evaluating Proposals or otherwise in administering the RFP process.

18. OWNER NOT BOUND.

This RFP is not an offer to contract or a solicitation of bids, and any Proposal submitted in response hereto, regardless of whether the Proposal is determined to be the most advantageous Proposal (or is in fact awarded), is not binding upon the Owner, and does not obligate the Owner to procure or contract for any services. Neither the Owner, nor any Successful Offeror, will be bound unless and until all Proposal Documents required by the Owner are negotiated and fully approved and accepted by the Owner, and the Successful Offeror, as evidenced by said parties’ signature and delivery of the Proposal Documents, including the fully executed construction agreement.

19. CONTRACT SECURITY.

When the Successful Offeror delivers the executed construction agreement to the Owner, it must be accompanied by appropriate performance and payment bonds approved by the Owner. The payment and performance bonds shall each be in an amount equal to 100% of the contract amount and shall be increased as the contract amount increases. Bonds shall be provided on forms included in Section D of the Specifications, Appendix A.

20. SIGNING THE CONTRACT DOCUMENTS.

When the Owner gives a conditional notice of award to the Successful Offeror, it will be accompanied by the construction agreement required by the Owner in connection with the Project. The construction agreement for this project will be the Standard AIA Document A101 – 2017 – Standard Form of Agreement Between the Owner and Contractor, modified for this project. Unless otherwise extended by the Owner, the Contractor shall, within ten (10) calendar days from the receipt of such documents, sign and deliver the same to the Owner, accompanied by the required payment and performance bonds.

21. LAWS AND REGULATIONS.

The Successful Offeror and its subcontractors shall comply with local, State and Federal regulations, rules, order, and laws applicable to the Project.

22. CONTRACTOR'S AND SUBCONTRACTOR'S INSURANCE.

The Successful Offeror shall not commence work under the Proposal Documents until it has obtained all the insurance required by said Proposal Documents and current certificates have been submitted to and approved by the Owner.

23. CONFLICT.

Any conflict between the public notice advertising this RFP and the Proposal Documents made available to Offerors following such advertisement shall be controlled by the latter.

24. COSTS INCURRED BY OFFERER.

All costs incurred by Offeror in connection with the Proposal, of whatever amount and nature, direct or indirect, shall be borne exclusively and completely by Offeror, and neither the Owner nor the Agency shall have absolutely no liability or obligation of any kind for such costs. All Proposals upon receipt by the Owner shall become the property of the Owner.

25. PUBLIC RECORDS.

Subject to O.C.G.A. 36-91-21(c)(2), Offerors are advised that the contents of any Proposal and all documents and information submitted in connection therewith may be subject to disclosure as required by The Georgia Open Records Act and any and all other applicable laws, and the Offeror does hereby release and forever discharge the Owner and the Agency, and its members, officers, employees, representatives, and agents from any damage, suit, costs, or other liabilities of whatever kind arising from such disclosure. Without limiting the foregoing, Offerors are specifically advised that labeling information provided in Proposals “proprietary” or “confidential”, or any other designation of restricted use will not protect the information from public view.

26. SUBJECT TO PROVISIONS OF ACT.

This RFP is made expressly subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by, all applicable provisions of the Georgia Local Government Public Works Construction Law, O.C.G.A. § 36- 91-1 et seq. (the “Act”). To the extent any portion of this RFP directly conflicts with the provisions of the Act, this RFP shall be deemed modified so as to comply with said Act.

EXHIBIT A – PROPOSAL FORM

EXHIBIT A – PROPOSAL FORM

Addition to the Tifton Museum of Arts and Heritage Downtown Development Authority of the City of Tifton Attention: Ms. Fran Moss, Interim Director 220 E. 2nd Street, Suite B Tifton, Georgia 31794

MANDATORY PROPOSAL FORM: This form must be submitted to Ms. Fran Moss, Downtown Development Authority of the City of Tifton (DDA) at its offices located at 220 E. 2nd Street, Suite B, Tifton, Georgia 31794, prior to the Submission Deadline (i.e. February 19, 2026, not later than 2:00 p.m.), unless changed by Addendum, and must be accompanied by the following documents:

(a) Required Proposal Security in the form of 5% of the Proposal Amount and

(b) The Request for Proposals, and any and all other forms, documents, materials, and other information (e.g. Statement of Qualifications pursuant to Sec. 16, Contractor Affidavit, etc.) required to be made a part of this Proposal, as indicated herein or in the Proposal Documents.

The above materials must be submitted in a sealed envelope in the manner provided in the Proposal Documents. If this form is not fully and accurately completed and submitted to the DDA, together with the other documents listed above, as required in the Proposal Documents, the DDA may (in its sole and absolute discretion) reject the Proposal.

SECTION I – Terms of Proposal

This Proposal is submitted in accordance with the RFP Documents and made subject to the following:

(a) The undersigned Offeror agrees, if this Proposal is accepted, to enter into, with the Downtown Development Authority of the City of Tifton, such contract(s) and warranties collectively as is necessary or appropriate for the subject Project in the form referenced in the Proposal Documents (Contract Form is the Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Contractor where the basis of payment is a Stipulated Sum, AIA Document A101, 2017 Edition, as modified for this Project, see Exhibit D) and to fully perform and observe the obligations and terms on its part to be performed therein. Said Agreement shall be executed by Offeror in the manner indicated therein and returned to the DDA within ten (10) calendar days from Offeror’s notification of acceptance of the Proposal. Failure to execute the Agreement in the time prescribed will result in retention by the DDA of the Proposal Security and disqualification of the Offeror.

(b) Offeror accepts all the terms and conditions set forth in the Proposal Documents, including without limitation those dealing with the disposition of the Proposal Security. For and in consideration of the sum of $20.00, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned agrees that this proposal may not be revoked or withdrawn after the time set for the opening of Sealed Proposals, but shall remain open for acceptance for a period of sixty (60) days following such time, or for such longer period of time that Offeror may agree to in writing upon request of the DDA. If this proposal is accepted within sixty (60) days after the date set for the opening of sealed proposals and the undersigned fails to execute the contract within ten (10) days after written notice of such acceptance or if he fails to furnish both Performance and Payment Bonds from the undersigned, the obligation of the Proposal Security will remain in full force and effect and the money payable thereon shall be paid into the funds of the Owner as liquidated damages for such failure; otherwise, obligation of the bond will be null and void.

(c) In submitting this Proposal, Offeror represents, as may be more fully set forth in the Proposal

Documents, that:

(1) Offeror has read, examined, and carefully reviewed the Proposal Documents, including

Addendum(a) No. ______________, as well as any and all other materials made available by the DDA in connection with this Proposal and the Project, and fully understands the same and freely and voluntarily submits this Proposal pursuant to the terms contained in the Proposal Documents.

(2) Offeror acknowledges that he has exercised due diligence in connection with the discovery of ambiguities, inconsistencies, coordination, errors and omissions in connection with the contract documents of this work and has included the cost of ambiguities, inconsistencies, coordination, errors and omissions (except covered existing conditions) in the contractor’s proposal for the work.

(3) Offeror has visited the Project Site and become familiar with its condition, and had an opportunity to conduct any additional or supplementary examinations and investigations deemed necessary or appropriate by Offeror in connection with this Proposal.

(4) This Proposal is genuine and not made in the interest of or on behalf of any undisclosed person, firm or corporation. Offeror has not, directly or indirectly, (i) induced or solicited any other Offeror to submit a false or sham Proposal; (ii) solicited or induced any Person to refrain from submitting a Proposal; or (iii) sought by collusion to obtain for itself any advantage over any other Offeror or over the DDA.

(5) If the Offeror is not a natural person, that it has the full and complete right, power and authority to submit this Proposal and perform the terms of the Agreement (if accepted by the DDA), and the same has been duly and validly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Offeror, and no additional authorization, consent or permit is required.

(6) If the Offeror is not a natural person, the individual or individuals signing this Proposal on behalf of the Offeror has or have the right, legal power and actual authority to bind the Offeror to the terms and conditions of this Proposal.

(7) For and in consideration of the sum of $10.00, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned assumes the obligation to save the Owner and the Architect harmless and to indemnify the Owner and Architect for every expense, liability or payment arising out of or through injury (including death) to any person or persons or damage to property of any persons of any place in which work is located arising out of or suffered through any act or omission of the Contractor or any subcontractor, or anyone either:

a. directly or indirectly employed, by or

b. under the supervision or any of them in the prosecution of the work included in this contract.

SECTION II – Proposal Amount

Subject to the foregoing and the terms contained in the Proposal Documents, the Offeror does hereby submit a guaranteed cost proposal for completion of the base proposal portion of the Project, as described above, in the following amount (the “Base Proposal Amount”):

(in words) (in numbers)

SECTION III – Unit Prices and Alternates

A UNIT PRICES – NOT USED

B ALTERNATES – NOT USED

SECTION IV – Contract Time

COMMENCEMENT OF WORK

The undersigned agrees to commence actual physical work on the site with an adequate force and equipment within ten days of a date to be specified in a written order of the Owner and to substantially complete work on or before ____________________________________________ (___________) consecutive calendar days from (in words) (in numbers) and including said date.

For each calendar day beyond the established contract completion date that the work remains incomplete (completeness will be determined by the Architect in accordance with the terms of the contract) the Contractor shall pay the Owner the sum of $250.00 per day as actual damages to the Owner for the Owner being unable to obtain possession and use of the premises at the site.

Number of days after substantial completion to 100% completion including punchlist shall not exceed thirty (30) days. The Contractor hereby acknowledges that time is of the essence and in this contract is a material consideration thereof.

Unless otherwise provided herein, all capitalized terms used in this Proposal shall have the meaning ascribed in the Proposal Documents.

DATE: , 2026.

AUTHORIZATION TO INVESTIGATE

Offeror consents to and authorizes the full investigation of the information given herein or in such other forms completed in connection with this proposal and consents to representatives of the Downtown Development Authority of the City of Tifton(Owner) contacting the named references, named financial institutions, and such other persons as may be needed to confirm such information, and waives any right offeror may have for such information to remain confidential. The furnishing of false or misleading information or the intentional withholding of material facts (as determined by the DDA in its sole discretion), shall be a reason for rejection of the proposal.

STATEMENT PURSUANT TO O.C.G.A. § 36-91-21(d)

Offeror affirms that no person, by himself or herself, or anyone associated with Offeror in any way whatsoever, has prevented or endeavored to prevent competition in bidding or proposals by any means whatsoever. No person who desires to procure such work for himself or herself or for another shall prevent or endeavor to prevent anyone from making a bid or proposal therefore by any means whatsoever, nor shall such person so desiring the work cause or induce another to withdraw a bid or proposal for the work. Offeror further affirms and covenants that it will make an oath confirming the foregoing (as required by O.C.G.A. § 36-91-21(e)) prior to commencing any work, should it be awarded the contract which is the subject of this proposal.

OFFEROR:

If an individual(s): If a legal entity not an individual(s):

Name(s):

Signature(s):

Offeror’s Address:

Name: , a limited liability company/corporation/other

By:

(signature)

Name/Title:

Offeror’s Tele/Fax: /

Offeror’s Email:

OFFEROR CERTIFICATION

“The undersigned certifies under oath that all information provided in this entire Proposal Package, including the Offeror’s Qualification Statement and other required documentation is true and sufficiently complete so as not to be misleading.”

Organization’s Authorized Representative Date Signature