0013599_SR25_DarianRiverBridge_RFQ_DB.pdf

Date Posted: 2/19/2026

Georgia Department of Transportation

Request for Qualifications

RFQ 484-02192026DB

To Provide

Design-Build Services for SR 25 at Darien River Bridge Replacement P.I. No. 0013599

McIntosh County, GA

Statements of Qualification Due: March 26, 2026

Georgia Department of Transportation One Georgia Center

600 West Peachtree Street, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30308

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

I. Project Information

A. Overview of the Procurement

Project Goals

B. Project Status

C. Scope of Services

D. Stipulated Fee

E. PDMS

F. GPR Website

G. Reference Information Documents

II. Procurement Rules

A. Conflicts of Interest

B. Restricted Firms and Affiliates

C. Participation on more than one Respondent Team

D. Changes in Respondent Organization

E. Restricted Communications

F. Open Records Laws

G. Reserved

III. Selection Process

A. Selection of Shortlisted Proposers (Phase I)

B. Selection of Team (Phase II)

IV. Procurement Schedule

V. Instructions for Preparing the Statement of Qualifications

VI. Evaluation Criteria

A. Administrative Minimum Requirements (Pass/Fail)

B. Qualifications Minimum Requirements (Pass/Fail)

C. Qualitative Evaluation Criteria (Best Value)

VII. Instructions Regarding Submission of Statements of Qualifications

VIII. Questions

IX. GDOT Terms and Conditions

A. Statement of Agreement

B. Non-Discrimination

C. Submittal Costs

D. Not an Offer; No Solicitation of Bids

E. Amendments to this RFQ

F. Substitutions, Alternates, Exceptions, and Extensions

G. Debriefing

X. Reserved Rights

EXHIBIT I DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS

EXHIBIT II CERTIFICATE

EXHIBIT III LOCATION MAP

FORM A PDMS ACCESS REQUEST

FORM B BASIC COMPANY INFORMATION

FORM C STATEMENTS OF DISCLOSURE (CONFLICT OF INTEREST)

FORM D RESUME FORM

FORM E INDUSTRIAL SAFETY RECORD

FORM F CERTIFICATE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

FORM G FINANCIAL CAPACITY, STRENGTH, AND ABILITY CERTIFICATE

RFQ 484-02192026DB Page 5 of 47

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Design-Build Services for SR 25 at Darien River Bridge Replacement

Two Phase Best Value

I. Project Information

A. Overview of the Procurement

The Georgia Department of Transportation (“GDOT”), an agency of the State of Georgia (the “State”), is soliciting Statements of Qualifications (“SOQs”) for a qualified Design-Build Team, to provide Design-Build services to design and construct a new bridge approximately 1,441-foot-long, 55-foot-wide offset 40 feet west of the existing alignment along SR 25/US 17/SR 99/N.

Walton Street at the Darien River in McIntosh County, Georgia (the “Project”) through a design-build agreement (the “Design-Build Agreement”).

This Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) is the first step in a two-phase procurement, as authorized under O.C.G.A. § 32-2-81 and Chapter 672-18 of the Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia (the “Rules”). GDOT is procuring the Project under the two-phase Best Value Design-Build selection method.

This RFQ outlines the minimum and desired qualifications for a contract counterparty (as further defined, the “Design-Builder”) to perform the scope of services described in Section I.C.(C) (Scope of Services) below. Companies, teams, joint ventures (“JVs”), partnerships or consortia submitting SOQs in response to this RFQ (“Respondents”) determined by GDOT to be responsive and that are shortlisted in response to this RFQ (the “Shortlisted Proposers”) will be deemed eligible and will be invited to offer a bid and corresponding technical proposal for these services in response to the subsequently advertised Request for Proposals (“RFP”) as the second step in the procurement.

All Respondents responding to this RFQ are subject to the instructions communicated in this document and are cautioned to review the entire RFQ and follow instructions carefully.

Information in this RFQ regarding the schedule, selection methodology, selection criteria, or any other items supersedes all previously publicly advertised information regarding this Project, including information in the Public Notice Advertisement (“PNA”) posted by GDOT on December 18, 2025.

Capitalized terms used in this RFQ and not otherwise defined in the Design-Build Manual shall have the meanings given in Exhibit I (Definitions and Abbreviations).

Project Goals

The goals for the Project are to:

• Maintain overall schedule efficiency throughout the project as well as supporting an early opening of the bridge

• Ensure comprehensive approach to construction staging and traffic management

• Ensure comprehensive approach to environmental and stakeholder involvement

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B. Project Status

1. General Project Information Resources

Certain information relating to the Project is described below. General information concerning GDOT’s Design-Build program, and weblinks to additional pages pertaining to the Project, can be found at GDOT’s Design-Build website, accessible at the following weblink:

https://www.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/pages/DesignBuild.aspx

a. Federal Status. Federally Funded

b. Schedule. The Project will require a critical path method schedule, including one or more baselines and monthly updates.

c. Environmental Permitting; NEPA Status. The NEPA document is anticipated to be approved Q2 2026 by FHWA and is a Categorical Exclusion (CE) document.

d. Right of Way (ROW) Acquisition. ROW acquisition is not anticipated beyond what has already been identified, and no additional ROW acquisition is expected for this Project.

e. Utility Investigation. Utility coordination is ongoing. Utility information including the executed MOUs and the completed SUE QL-B plans will be made available in the RFP.

f. Hazardous Materials Information. Six (6) Potential Hazardous site locations have been identified.

g. Coordination with Governmental Agencies and Other Third Parties and Key Stakeholders. Coordination with McIntosh County, City of Darien and local task force

h. Other Due Diligence Activities. Existing site conditions, boring log data, and existing bridge plans will be included as a RID with the RFQ

A general depiction of the Project, as anticipated, is available Exhibit III (Location Map) to this

RFQ.

General project information and scope for this Project, as may be further amended above and otherwise under this RFQ, is available in the PNA, available at the following weblink:

https://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/gpr/eventDetails?eSourceNumber=PE-48401-RFQC-2026- 000000499&sourceSystemType=gpr20

All forms can be accessed on GDOT’s Procurement Document Management System (PDMS) site at the following location: https://app-us3.e-builder.net/public/publicLanding.aspx?QS=d89c8a8ed2524e7eb976452c77a35659

Additional Project information, including the Project synopsis, may be found on GDOT’s Design- Build SharePoint site.

Instructions to review and download are as follows:

First, enter: http://mydocs.dot.ga.gov/info/designbuild/default.aspx

Then, select Project Identification Number: 0013599 – SR 25 at Darien River Bridge Replacement Project.

https://www.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/pages/DesignBuild.aspx https://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/gpr/eventDetails?eSourceNumber=PE-48401-RFQC-2026-000000499&sourceSystemType=gpr20 https://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/gpr/eventDetails?eSourceNumber=PE-48401-RFQC-2026-000000499&sourceSystemType=gpr20 https://app-us3.e-builder.net/public/publicLanding.aspx?QS=d89c8a8ed2524e7eb976452c77a35659 https://app-us3.e-builder.net/public/publicLanding.aspx?QS=d89c8a8ed2524e7eb976452c77a35659 http://mydocs.dot.ga.gov/info/designbuild/default.aspx

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All Project information at the foregoing websites is provided for information only.

C. Scope of Services

1. General Description of the Scope of Work

The Design-Build Team, through the Design-Builder under contract with GDOT, will provide the Design-Build services to construct a portion of the new bridge to the west of the existing bridge, while maintaining two-lane, two-way traffic on the existing bridge. Two-lane, two-way traffic would then shift to the newly constructed portion of the bridge while the existing bridge is demolished, and the remaining portion of the new bridge is constructed to complete the final alignment.

It is anticipated that the Apparent Successful Proposer will, as Design-Builder, design and construct the Project for a lump sum price, payable in accordance with progress based upon an agreed schedule and agreed schedule of values, under the terms, and subject to the conditions, within the Design-Build Agreement.

2. Quality Posture

Under the Design-Build Agreement, the Design-Build Team, through the Design-Builder, will be responsible for quality control (but not quality assurance) services in connection with all design and all construction activities. GDOT will retain a Construction Engineering and Inspection firm to perform construction inspection and testing services.

3. Design and Construction Standards

GDOT anticipates including in the RFP a set of Project-specific standards, specifications and requirements, as well as a baseline Project definition.

4. Alternative Technical Concepts

The RFP may permit Proposers to propose, for GDOT’s consideration, alternative technical concepts, exceptions and deviations from certain of these standards, specifications and requirements (each an “ATC”). The ATC process, including any constraints or parameters on potential submissions, will be set forth in the RFP. All requests for deviations shall follow the requirements set forth in the RFP and the Design-Build Agreement. Respondents should note, however, that there may be restrictions on deviations from federal and State-mandated design and construction standards, as well as the Project definition set forth in the final Project environmental documents and NEPA approvals.

D. Stipulated Fee

A Stipulated Fee will be offered in the amount of $170,000 (the “Stipulated Fee”) to up to four unsuccessful Shortlisted Proposers that provide a responsive proposal in response to the RFP.

The terms and conditions for the Stipulated Fee will be included in the RFP.

E. PDMS

GDOT intends to address certain correspondence and all SOQ, Proposal, and other procurement submissions by use of a PDMS.

In order to receive the credentials necessary to interact with GDOT on the PDMS, Respondents must register with GDOT. Respondents are highly encouraged to complete Form A (PDMS

RFQ 484-02192026DB Page 8 of 47

Access Request) well in advance of the deadline described in Section IV (Procurement Schedule), and GDOT will accept completed Form A (PDMS Access Request) documents as early as the posting date of this RFQ. Respondents are also encouraged to review Form A (PDMS Access Request) for further information regarding access to the PDMS. Once received, GDOT will endeavor to issue PDMS credentials within one Business Day of the deadline noted in Section IV (Procurement Schedule).

If Form A (PDMS Access Request) is not completed by the deadline in Section IV (Procurement Schedule), it will be rejected and the prospective Respondent will not be allowed to continue to participate in this procurement, including specifically to submit a SOQ and otherwise be considered for selection.

It is the responsibility of all Respondents interested in submitting SOQs for this advertisement to routinely check the PDMS for correspondence posted by or on behalf of GDOT.

GDOT bears no responsibility to any prospective Respondent or Respondent for its failure to receive information or review correspondence on the PDMS.

F. GPR Website

GDOT intends to make certain notifications to prospective Respondents and to Respondents by publication to the Georgia Procurement Registry website (the “GPR Website”), accessible at the following weblink: https://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/PRSapp/. A weblink to the GPR Website may also be found on the GDOT Design-Build website.

It is also the responsibility of all prospective Respondents interested in submitting SOQs to routinely check the posting on the GPR Website for any revisions to this RFQ.

GDOT bears no responsibility to any prospective Respondent or Respondent for its failure to receive information posted on the GPR Website.

G. Reference Information Documents

The Reference Information Documents are provided for the purpose of providing information to Respondents. The Reference Information Documents are available online on Trimble Unity Construct. Registration with GDOT is required to access Trimble Unity Construct and view or download the Reference Information Documents. Respondents may access Trimble Unity Construct at: https://app-us3.e-builder.net/public/publicLanding.aspx?QS=b648ad540d884551b489d01a8f1f58a0. Please be advised that the Reference Information Documents may be updated from time to time.

The Reference Information Documents are not mandatory or binding and Respondents are not entitled to rely on the Reference Information Documents or any opinions, suggestions, directions or recommendations therein as presenting design, engineering or construction solutions or other direction, means or methods for complying with the requirements of this procurement, the Design- Build Agreement, government approvals or applicable law. GDOT does not make any representation, warranty or guarantee as to, and will not be responsible for, the accuracy, completeness, or relevance of the Reference Information Documents and, in addition, will not be responsible for any conclusions drawn from any Reference Information Documents.

Respondents shall use or not use the Reference Information Documents at their sole risk and remain solely responsible and liable for: (a) all investigations and analyses relating to the Project, including those relating to any geotechnical conditions, utilities, or structures with respect to any Project limits; (b) the preparation of their SOQ and, if selected as Shortlisted Proposers, their https://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/PRSapp/ https://app-us3.e-builder.net/public/publicLanding.aspx?QS=b648ad540d884551b489d01a8f1f58a0

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Proposals; and (c) any design, construction, operations, and maintenance solutions, means and methods that they select, in each case, without regard to anything contained in the Reference Information Documents.

By submitting an SOQ, Respondents acknowledge and agree to the disclaimer in this Section I.G and waive any rights at law or in equity relating to any claim premised, in whole or in part, on any reliance on the Reference Information Documents or any options, suggestions, directions, or recommendations contained therein, except as otherwise expressly set out in the Design-Build Agreement.

II. Procurement Rules

From the advertisement date of this RFQ until the Apparent Successful Proposer is selected and a Design-Build Agreement is executed, Respondents are not allowed to communicate about this Project or its procurement with any staff of GDOT, including the Commissioner, State Transportation Board (the “Board”), and consultants supporting GDOT staff (and including those consultants listed in Section II.B (Restricted Firms and Affiliates)), except for submission of questions as instructed in this RFQ per Section VIII (Questions).

A. Conflicts of Interest

For the purposes of this RFQ, a “Conflict of Interest” has the meaning given in the Design-Build Manual available on the GDOT Design-Build website. Generally, and without limiting the foregoing definition, a Conflict of Interest exists in a situation where a person or entity who, because of other activities, secondary interests, or relationships with other persons or entities involved: 1) is unable or potentially unable to render impartial assistance or advice to GDOT;

2) is or might be otherwise impaired in its objectivity in performing the contract work; or 3) has an unfair competitive advantage. Refer to 23 C.F.R. § 636.116 regarding Design-Build Organization Conflict of Interest.

In soliciting the Design-Builder for the Project, GDOT intends to comply with all applicable laws pertaining to prevention, mitigation, and where feasible, remediation of any Conflicts of Interest, which laws include (but are not limited to):

• O.C.G.A § 45-10-1, et seq. (Codes of Ethics and Conflicts of Interest);

• GDOT Policy 3A-17 (Code of Conduct Pertaining to Conflict of Interest in the Award and Administration of Contracts);

• GDOT Policy 4020-1 (Procurement, Contract Development and Management of Professional Services for Architectural and Engineering Work);

• GDOT Policy 7115-2 (Sub-Recipient Monitoring Policy);

• 23 C.F.R. § 636.116 (What Organizational Conflict of Interest Requirements Apply to Design-Build Projects?);

• 49 C.F.R. § 18.36(b)(3) (Procurement Standards for Grantees and Subgrantees; Conflicts of Interest); and

• 49 C.F.R. § 172.7(b)(4) (regarding Conflicts of Interest).

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In addition, GDOT intends, and by participating in this procurement, Respondents acknowledge the obligation, to comply with GDOT’s policies regarding Conflicts of Interest and ethics, as set forth in the Design-Build Manual.

Respondent shall, in assembling its team, identify and divulge to GDOT in its “Statements of Disclosure” any known or discovered Conflicts of Interest or potential Conflicts of Interest, both direct and indirect, and relationships, affiliations, or other involvement of an individual person or entity that appears to pose a Conflict of Interest, directly or indirectly. In submitting its SOQ, Respondent acknowledges a continuing duty through the procurement to identify and divulge any such known, discovered, potential, or perceived Conflicts of Interest, both direct and indirect. In discharging such obligation, Respondent shall identify and divulge to GDOT any such Conflicts of Interest as among Respondent and any of its team members (i.e., intended to be among the Design-Build Team and identified by name).

Respondents shall notify GDOT at the email address in Section VII (Instructions Regarding Submission of Statements of Qualifications), with written notification promptly thereafter, but in no case later than the date set forth in Section IV (Procurement Schedule) to the address in Section VII (Instructions Regarding Submission of Statements of Qualifications), of any such known, discovered, potential, or perceived Conflicts of Interest, both direct and indirect, with respect to any member of Respondent’s team, and include in such notification a detailed proposed course of action to remedy the identified Conflict of Interest.

If GDOT becomes aware of a conflict, the Contracting Officer (or designee) will have the right, but not the obligation, to notify the Respondent and request a response to the Contracting Officer with Respondent’s (or the affected team member’s) proposed course of action to remedy any identified conflict(s).

GDOT shall endeavor in its actions to be reasonable, consistent and act in good faith in issuing notices, warnings, grants of remedy, disqualifications, dismissals, and declarations of a Conflict of Interest. At no time shall a Respondent or any team member be allowed to continue in this procurement when Conflicts of Interest are determined to exist unless and until corrective action plans are developed, approved, and implemented, in GDOT’s discretion.

GDOT, by and through its “Conflict Committee,” as established under the Design-Build Manual, will determine whether the proposed course of action for remedy is accepted or rejected, and will respond in writing to the Respondent, to include such other actions upon which GDOT may condition any acceptance.

Without limiting any of GDOT’s rights stated in the Design-Build Manual, Respondents acknowledge that GDOT may find a Respondent non-responsive, dismiss, or disqualify a Respondent if GDOT determines that a Respondent has not been forthcoming about any such known, discovered, potential, or perceived Conflicts of Interest, whether direct or indirect.

For avoidance of doubt, Respondent shall be obligated under this Section II.A (Conflicts of Interest) when any team member or individual person is identified by name, and affiliated with Respondent (or Respondent as Proposer) or as among the Design-Build Team, at any point in the procurement, such that determinations with respect to Conflicts of Interest can be made. At no point may any individual person or entity be among the Design-Build Team unless a Conflicts of Interest assessment, and if applicable, determination has been made. If ultimately selected as the Design-Builder for the Project, Respondents acknowledge that, as a condition to execution of the Design-Build Agreement, (1) Respondents (as Proposers) will be required to complete or update, as applicable confidentiality and Conflict of Interest forms, and assessments, and (2) if applicable, all Conflict of Interest determinations shall have been completed and dispositions communicated.

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B. Restricted Firms and Affiliates

Further to Section II.A (Conflicts of Interest), a list of restricted firms (and to include any affiliates) known at this time include:

• Arcadis

• Blue Cypress Consulting, LLC

• Edwards-Pitman Environmental

• Epic Insurance Brokers & Consultants

• Grice Consulting Group, LLC

• Gude Management Group, LLC

• HNTB Corporation

• JAT Consulting Services, Inc.

• Lucie Content

• Luster National, Inc.

• RKUA, LLC

• Southeastern Engineering, Inc.

• Terracon

The above list of restricted firms (and affiliates) is intended to supplement applicable State law, including O.C.G.A §§ 45-10-20 through 45-10-28, and federal laws and regulations, including NEPA, related to organizational Conflicts of Interest. To the extent applicable to the Project, such laws may preclude certain firms and their affiliates from participating on a Respondent team.

However, this disclosure may not address all of the real or perceived conflicts that may exist at the time of the solicitation.

C. Participation on more than one Respondent Team

1. Respondent Teams

Except as expressly permitted under this Section II.C (Participation on more than one Respondent team), and without limiting the other procurement rules set forth in this Section I.G (Procurement Rules), Major members of one Respondent’s team (i.e., intended to be among the Design-Build Team) are forbidden from participating, in any capacity, on another Respondent’s team during the course of the procurement.

In addition, entities that are under direct or indirect common ownership or have the same upstream parent may not be on separate Respondent teams, proposed Design-Build Teams, or act as guarantor on separate Respondent-proposed or proposed Design-Build Teams.

If a Respondent is not shortlisted following SOQ evaluations, then members of the unsuccessful Respondent’s presented Design-Build Team(s) are, thereafter, free to participate on Shortlisted Proposer Design-Build Teams, subject to the other requirements of this RFQ (e.g., not previously disqualified from participation, subject to organizational Conflicts of Interest, etc.).

Notwithstanding the foregoing,

a. Upon a Respondent’s (or potential or proposed Respondent team member’s) request, GDOT may, in its sole discretion, permit a subcontractor or subconsultant entity to participate on more than one Respondent team so long as Respondents exercise reasonable care in ensuring all other constraints and restrictions under this procurement are observed and the integrity of the procurement, by way of precluding the risk of

RFQ 484-02192026DB Page 12 of 47 collusion among Respondents, is maintained. Any such request shall describe the proposed roles on the Respondent team(s) and the contractual relationship relative to the Lead Contractor or the Lead Design Consultant. Respondents are advised that GDOT’s review may, in its sole discretion, involve the Conflict Committee (as defined in the Design Build Manual).

b. Subcontractors and subconsultants that are not in direct contractual privity with the Lead Contractor or the Lead Design Consultant may be identified as members of more than one Respondent team without need for GDOT’s prior permission, with similar constraints and restrictions as mentioned above (i.e., requiring that Respondents exercise reasonable care, etc.).

c. Respondents are encouraged to request review of any team member that has informed the Respondent of its intent to participate as a team member on another Respondent’s team, whether such team member is a Major team member on either team.

2. Individual Persons

Individuals serving Key Personnel roles on one Respondent’s team may not serve Key Personnel roles on another Respondent’s team.

Notwithstanding the foregoing,

a. Upon a Respondent’s request, GDOT may, in GDOT’s sole discretion, permit individuals serving non-Key Personnel roles to switch from one Respondent’s team to non-Key Personnel roles on another Respondent’s team;

b. Upon a Respondent’s request and in response to GDOT’s requests for additional information, representations, and warranties, GDOT also may, in GDOT’s sole discretion, consider allowing certain Key Personnel roles on more than one Respondent team to be filled by the same individual person;

c. provided, however, that, in either case, the Lead Contractor Project Manager, Lead Design Consultant Project Manager, Engineer of Record, and Construction Manager Key Personnel roles shall be exclusive to each Respondent.

Nothing in this Section II.C (Participation on more than one Respondent team) shall be construed to supersede the restrictions relating to Conflicts of Interest and participation by any individual person or entity identified under Section II.B (Restricted Firms and Affiliates). Respondent team composition constitutes a material representation by the Respondent to GDOT.

D. Changes in Respondent Organization

Following submission of SOQs, GDOT will not permit Respondents to add, delete, or substitute team members presented to GDOT in a SOQ nor permit Respondents to reorganize or change their teams following submission of a SOQ, or to permit the same, except, in each case, with GDOT’s prior, written consent. For avoidance of doubt “team members” in this context means entities or individual persons (identified in Volume 1 of its SOQ), or both.

GDOT may, however, permit changes involving individual persons or entities (or both) on Respondent’s team in certain limited circumstances where the change would result in a Respondent team presenting persons and entities that are equal to or better than that originally presented.

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Changes without GDOT’s prior, written approval will result in disqualification of the Respondent from any further participation in the procurement.

Respondent may seek GDOT’s consent by submitting a request to GDOT at the email address in Section VII (Instructions Regarding Submission of Statements of Qualifications).

GDOT will act reasonably in its determination, should any sought change be requested and arise directly out of the retirement, death, disability, incapacity, injury, or voluntary termination of employment of any individual person, or the insolvency, bankruptcy, or debarment/suspension, or any entity, in which case, Respondents seeking a change should include information both as to the proposed changed individual person or entity, but also evidence of the foregoing.

E. Restricted Communications

Respondents must conduct the preparation of their SOQs with professional integrity and free of brokering and lobbying activities. Except as specifically permitted by this RFQ, Respondents, and their respective agents and consultants are not permitted to contact or communicate either directly or indirectly regarding the subject matter of this RFQ, with:

1. representatives of GDOT and the Board;

2. any individual person in the office of the Governor of the State of Georgia; or

3. the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Any verified allegation that a Respondent or an agent or consultant of the foregoing has attempted to, or has made such contact or otherwise attempted to influence the evaluation, ranking and selection of Shortlisted Proposers may be cause for GDOT, in its sole discretion, to disqualify the Respondent from submitting a SOQ, to disallow any such agent or consultant from further participation with the Respondent’s team, or to discontinue further consideration of such Respondent and to return its SOQ.

Following the selection of the Shortlisted Proposers, GDOT may permit certain communications and contacts. The RFP and other written communications from GDOT will specify the rules and parameters of such permitted contacts and communications. To the extent that any Respondent intends at any time to initiate contact with the general public, other agencies or authorities regarding the Project, the nature and substance of such intended contact must be approved in writing by GDOT (to be obtained through the Contracting Officer at the email address set forth in Section VII (Instructions Regarding Submission of Statements of Qualifications)) prior to the commencement of such activities.

For purposes of clarity, Respondents may, however, contact utility owners and other stakeholders, not otherwise restricted under this Section II.E (Restricted Communications), in an effort to develop its SOQ.

F. Open Records Laws

Respondents should obtain and thoroughly familiarize themselves with the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. §§ 50-18-70 et seq.) and other State and federal laws pertaining to “trade secrets”, exceptions to disclosure, confidentiality and public information (collectively, the “Open Records Laws”). GDOT will not advise a Respondent as to the nature or content of documents or other records entitled to protection from disclosure under the Open Records Laws, as to the interpretation of such laws, or as to the definition of “trade secret”. Each Respondent will be solely responsible for all determinations made by it under applicable laws. Each Respondent is

RFQ 484-02192026DB Page 14 of 47 advised to contact its own legal counsel concerning the effect of applicable Open Records Laws to that Respondent’s own circumstances.

All documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, computer based or generated information, data, data fields, or similar material prepared and maintained or received written correspondence, exhibits, data fields, or similar material submitted to GDOT (“Records”) during the procurement, including any part of the SOQs, are the property of the State, will not be returned to the submitting parties, and are subject to the Open Records Laws.

In no event will the State or GDOT, or any of their officers, advisors, or representatives, be liable to a Respondent or any team member, or any of their respective members, managers, officers, advisors, or representatives, for the disclosure of all or a portion of any Record(s) submitted in response to this RFQ.

Nothing contained in this provision shall modify or amend requirements and obligations imposed on GDOT or any other State entity by the Open Records Laws or other applicable law, and the provisions of the Open Records Laws or other laws shall control if there is a conflict between the procedures described above and the applicable law.

G. Reserved

III. Selection Process

A two-phase, Best Value selection process will be used to award the Project to the Apparent Successful Proposer.

A. Selection of Shortlisted Proposers (Phase I)

Qualified representatives of GDOT will evaluate the SOQs submitted in response to this RFQ in accordance with selection criteria published in this RFQ. To be eligible for evaluation, Respondents must first meet the minimum requirements stated in Section V (Instructions for Preparing the Statement of Qualifications) (i.e., be responsive to this RFQ), and if responsive, must pass all pass/fail criteria listed in Section VI.A (Administrative Minimum Requirements (Pass/Fail)) and Section VI.B (Qualifications Minimum Requirements (Pass/Fail)).

If responsive, and if the SOQ passes all pass/fail criteria, then GDOT will evaluate the SOQ substantively against the qualitative evaluation criteria set forth in Section VI.C (Qualitative Evaluation Criteria (Best Value)). Evaluators, as members of the Technical Review Committee, will assign points for each category using the criteria identified in Section VI.C (Qualitative Evaluation Criteria (Best Value)). The scores of all evaluators will be totaled for each SOQ to determine a final ranking. GDOT will shortlist up to five Shortlisted Proposers. The Shortlisted Proposers will be the highest ranked Respondents.

Upon concurrence of the Chief Engineer of the selection of Shortlisted Proposers, the list of Shortlisted Proposers will be published to the GPR Website.

Each Shortlisted Proposer will be eligible to submit an Administrative Proposal, Technical Proposal and Price Proposal in response to, and as defined under, the RFP.

B. Selection of Team (Phase II)

The identification of the Apparent Successful Proposer (as defined under the RFP) will be based on the highest overall score as among Shortlisted Proposer who presented Proposals meeting the requirements described in Rules 672-18.01 through 672-18.13.

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If supporting substantive technical information sought by the RFP (“Technical Proposal”) is responsive and also passes all pass/fail criteria presented under the RFP, then GDOT will evaluate the Technical Proposal substantively against the qualitative evaluation criteria set forth in the RFP. Evaluators, as members of the Technical Review Committee, will assign points for each category using the criteria identified in the RFP. The scores of all evaluators will be totaled for each Technical Proposal and entered into the “Best Value Evaluation Spreadsheet” (as defined in the RFP).

Thereafter, GDOT will conduct a public opening of Price Proposals, whereupon the Price Proposal values will be entered into the “Best Value Evaluation Spreadsheet” (as defined in the RFP), alongside each Shortlisted Proposer’s Technical Proposal evaluation score, where such Proposer’s Technical Proposal was responsive and passed all pass/fail criteria. Upon verification of the calculations within such spreadsheet, GDOT will announce the “Best Value Scores” in order of highest to lowest. The identification of the “Apparent Successful Proposer” (as defined under the RFP) will be based on the highest “Best Value Score”, which adds the weighted Technical Proposal score and the weighted Price Proposal score, as described in Rule 672- 18.09, all as more specifically set forth in the RFP.

The Technical Review Committee will provide an award recommendation to GDOT, which will take the recommendation under advisement when making the final decision for award of the Design-Build Agreement.

Upon concurrence of the Chief Engineer of the selection of the Apparent Successful Proposer, the Apparent Successful Proposer will be identified and published both to the GPR Website and GDOT’s Design-Build website.

IV. Procurement Schedule

The following Procurement Schedule represents GDOT’s best estimate of the schedule that will be followed. All times indicated are prevailing times in Atlanta, Georgia.

PROCUREMENT SCHEDULE

a. GDOT issues Public Notice Advertisement (PNA) 12/18/2025 ----------

b. GDOT issues Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 2/19/2026 -----------

c. Deadline for the submission of written questions 3/3/2026 2:00 PM

d. Deadline for submission of known, discovered, potential, or perceived Conflicts of Interest, both direct and indirect, with respect to any member of Respondent’s team

3/16/20261 2:00 PM

e. Deadline for PDMS Access Requests (Form A) 3/19/2026 2:00 PM

f. Deadline for submission of Statements of Qualification (SOQs) 3/26/2026 11:00 AM

g. GDOT issues the list of Shortlisted Proposers 4/22/2026 -----------

h. GDOT issues the Request for Proposals (RFP) to the Shortlisted Proposers

4/29/2026 -----------

i. Receipt of Proposals from Shortlisted Proposers 8/27/2026 11:00 AM

j. Opening of Price Proposals 9/18/2026 11:00 AM

1 This does not abrogate the continuing duty described in Section II.A (Conflicts of Interest).

RFQ 484-02192026DB Page 16 of 47

V. Instructions for Preparing the Statement of Qualifications

Generally, each SOQ shall be prepared simply and economically, providing straightforward, concise delineation of the Respondent’s capabilities. Colored displays and promotional materials are not desired and will not be evaluated. Emphasis must be on completeness, relevance, and clarity of content.

The Statement of Qualifications must be organized and assembled in the following sequence.

Section Reference

Description Page limit

VII.2.d Cover 1

VII.2.d Transmittal letter 2

VII.2.d Table of Contents 1

Administrative Minimum Requirements Tab

VI.A.5 Form B (Basic Company Information) Respondent basic company information

1 (or 1 for each consortium or JV member, or 1 for each joint bidder)

VI.A.5 Form B (Basic Company Information) Lead Contractor basic company information

1 (or 1 for each consortium or JV member, or 1 for each joint bidder)

VI.A.5 Form B (Basic Company Information) Lead Design Consultant basic company information

1 (or 1 for each consortium or JV member, or 1 for each joint bidder)

VI.A.1 Contractor Certificate (s) of Qualification As required; for all qualifying firms

VI.A.3 Matrix listing GDOT Prequalified Area Classes by Respondent team firm

As required; for all qualifying firms

VI.A.2 Notice of Professional Consultant Qualifications As required; for all qualifying firms

VI.A.4 Certificate (Exhibit II) 1 (Lead Contractor – or 1 for each JV member, or 1 for each joint bidder)

VI.A.4 Certificate (Exhibit II) 1 (Lead Design Consultant – or 1 for each JV member, or 1 for each joint bidder)

VI.A.6 Form C (Statements of Disclosure (Conflict of Interest)) for Lead Contractor, Lead Design Consultant, and any Major subcontractors and/or Major subconsultants

As required; per each firm

VI.A.7 Form E (Industrial Safety Record) No more than 2 pages for each entity

Qualifications Minimum Requirements Tab

VI.B.1 Organization chart 1 (may be no larger than 11x17)

RFQ 484-02192026DB Page 17 of 47

Section Reference

Description Page limit

VI.B.2 Organizational narrative 1

VI.B.3 Form D (Resume Form) No more than 3 pages for each Key Personnel

VI.B.3 Key Personnel availability statement 1 from each firm with respect to its Key Personnel

VI.B.4 Lead Contractor experience and qualifications 3

VI.B.5 Lead Design Consultant experience and qualifications

VI.B.9 Certificate(s), conforming to Form G (Financial Capacity, Strength, and Ability Certificate) regarding the financial capacity of the Respondent, the Lead Contractor, and the Lead Design Consultant, and each Major subcontractor and Major subconsultant (see notes within section reference, if Lead Contractor or Lead Design Consultant are the Respondent)

1 for each entity (or 1 for each consortium or JV member for each entity, or 1 for each joint bidder)

VI.B.10 Certificate and Acknowledgment (bond), in Form F (Certificate and Acknowledgment); or letter from bank or financial institution

1 for each, and for each entity, with additional pages evincing rating

Suitability Tab

VI.B.7 Narrative regarding risks and approach 2

VI.B.8 Narrative regarding suitability 1

Back cover 1

Respondent shall consecutively number pages within an identified section, and in alignment with the table of contents. Numbering is not required on any section dividers, or on required Exhibits or Forms as detailed in Section VI.

VI. Evaluation Criteria

Further to the evaluation process described in Section III (Selection Process), SOQs will first be evaluated for responsiveness (i.e., generally that the SOQ conforms to the instructions regarding content, organization, assembly, and format). Those SOQs not responsive to this RFQ may be excluded from further consideration, and the Respondent will be so notified.

Responsive SOQs will be evaluated against the pass/fail criteria set forth below. GDOT may elect, in its sole discretion, to evaluate SOQ responsiveness and SOQs against the pass/fail criteria separately or in conjunction with each effort. GDOT may also exclude from consideration any Respondent that submitted a SOQ that contains a material misrepresentation.

SOQs must pass all of the pass/fail criteria, in order for the submitting Respondent to be further evaluated in accordance with the qualitative criteria described below and eligible to be shortlisted.

Upon review of the SOQs, GDOT, in its sole discretion, will determine whether Respondent’s qualifications, as reflected in its SOQ and with respect to the evaluation criteria (pass/fail and

RFQ 484-02192026DB Page 18 of 47 substantive), as stated herein, are in the best interests of GDOT for this Project. GDOT reserves the right to revise the evaluation criteria or methodology by issuing an amendment prior to the deadline for submission of the SOQ.

A. Administrative Minimum Requirements (Pass/Fail)

Without limiting the requirements pertaining to the content, organization, assembly, and format outlined above, Respondents must:

1. Submit with the SOQ the “Certificate(s) of Qualification” for (a) (if an entity or if a JV certified by GDOT2) the Lead Contractor or, if Lead Contractor is a JV not certified by GDOT, then for each JV member of Lead Contractor, and (b) all Major subcontractors of the Design-Build Team listed in the Respondent’s SOQ. Such Certificate(s) of Qualifications must be current by the deadline for submission of the SOQ.

2. Submit with the SOQ the “Notice of Professional Consultant Qualifications” for (a) the Lead Design Consultant (or each of its JV members) and (b) all subconsultants of the Design-Build Team listed in the Respondent’s SOQ. Such Notice of Professional Consultant Qualifications must be current by the deadline for submission of the SOQ.

3. Submit a matrix listing which members of the Respondent’s team (proposed Design-Build Team) are prequalified under each GDOT Prequalified Area Class.

a. The Lead Design Consultant must be prequalified by GDOT in the Area Class(es) listed below:

Number GDOT Prequalified Area Class

4.02 Major Bridge Design

b. The Lead Contractor (see Section VI.A.5), Lead Design Consultant, and/or one or more of the subconsultant or subcontractor team members must be prequalified by GDOT in the Area Classes listed below:

Number GDOT Prequalified Area Class

1.06 (a) NEPA Documentation

1.06 (b) History

1.06 (e) Ecology

1.06 (f) Archaeology

1.06(g) Freshwater Aquatic Surveys

1.07 Attitude, Opinion, and Community Value Studies

3.01 Rural Roadway Design

3.02 Urban Roadway Design

3.06 Traffic Operations Studies

3.08 Landscape Architecture

3.10 Utility Coordination

3.12 Hydraulic and Hydrological Studies (Roadway)

3.15 Highway Lighting and Outdoor Lighting

4.04 Hydraulic and Hydrological Studies (Bridges)

2 A Lead Contractor may be a consortium of joint bidders as permitted by Rule 672-5-.13, or a JV, each subject to the submittal requirements identified in this RFQ (i.e., each member must submit all forms, meet all qualifications/prequalifications, etc., for “the” Lead Contractor).

RFQ 484-02192026DB Page 19 of 47

Number GDOT Prequalified Area Class

5.01 Land Surveying

5.02 Engineering Surveying

5.08 Overhead/Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE)

6.01 (a) Soil Survey Studies

6.02 Bridge Foundation Studies

6.03 Hydraulic and Hydrologic Studies (Soils & Foundations)

6.05 Hazardous Waste Site Assessment Studies

9.01 Erosion, Sedimentation and Pollution Control Plan (ESPCP) Preparation

9.02 Rainfall and Runoff Reporting

9.03 Field Inspections for Compliance of Erosion and Sedimentation Control Device Installations

• Prequalification information may be found as follows:

• general information is accessible at the following weblink:

https://www.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/pages/prequalification.aspx

• information for contractors is accessible at the following weblink:

https://www.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/pages/ConstructionContractors.aspx

• information for engineers is accessible at the following weblink:

https://www.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/pages/EngineeringConsultantQualification.aspx

• Prequalification will be required to be current during the term of the Design-Build Agreement, and no prequalification’s may expire prior to the date for receipt of Proposals (as described in Section IV (Procurement Schedule), as may be adjusted in the RFP), and through the term of the Design-Build Agreement.

• Respondent’s team must have an identified team member (to be among the Design-Build Team) that is prequalified for each of the foregoing GDOT Prequalified Area Classes.

• The ultimate Design-Builder, if a special purpose vehicle, may not need to be prequalified in any of the foregoing GDOT Prequalified Area Classes, as determined by GDOT in its sole discretion.

4. Complete and submit the Certificate (Exhibit II) for the Lead Contractor and the Lead Design Consultant, in each case which shall include one for each JV member, or one for each joint bidder, as applicable, and provide a notarized copy(ies) in the electronic SOQ package.

5. Provide basic company information for the Respondent, the Lead Contractor and for the Lead Design Consultant by submitting a completed Form B (Basic Company Information) for each such entity. For JV entities that have not undertaken at least two projects together, each entity should submit its qualifications separately. JV submittals are subject to the page limit identified in Section V (Instructions for Preparing the Statement of Qualifications).

GDOT reserves the right to require Respondent to provide, or obtain and provide, additional information on JV submittals, as well as other organizational documents, certificates, resolutions, or other information relating to any of the foregoing for any entity on Respondent’s team. If solicited, and without limiting the provisions Section II.F (Open Records Laws), Respondent shall provide, or shall cause its relevant team member(s) to https://www.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/pages/prequalification.aspx https://www.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/pages/ConstructionContractors.aspx https://www.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/pages/EngineeringConsultantQualification.aspx

RFQ 484-02192026DB Page 20 of 47 provide, all such information in compliance with, and within the period stated, in the solicitation by GDOT.

6. Provide Statements of Disclosure from their Lead Contractor, Lead Design Consultant, and any Major subcontractors and/or Major subconsultants, which will allow GDOT to evaluate possible Conflicts of Interest. Respondents must provide, in their own format, a statement of all actual or potential legal or other Conflicts of Interest possibly created by participation in the selection process or by other involvement in the Project. Respondents shall provide information as to the nature of their relationship(s) with any parties with whom there may exist a potential conflict. See Form C (Statements of Disclosure (Conflict of Interest)). A list of restricted firms (to include affiliates) known at this time is included in Section II.B (Restricted Firms and Affiliates). For more information, see Section II.A (Conflicts of Interest).

Respondents are advised, both on Form C (Statements of Disclosure (Conflict of Interest)) and in such Section II.A (Conflicts of Interest) of its continuing disclosure obligation.

7. Provide a completed Form E (Industrial Safety Record) for each of the Lead Contractor and any Major subcontractor anticipated to perform any construction work for the Project, if selected, in each case not to exceed two pages.

B. Qualifications Minimum Requirements (Pass/Fail)

Respondents must provide the following:

1. An organization chart indicating proposed participating team member firms and identified personnel (including Key Personnel and their proposed role in the Project and reporting structures). All Key Personnel must be identified by name and team member firm, and his/her function indicated (see below). All Key Personnel must be separate individual people unless specified below.

The Lead Design Consultant Project Manager and the Engineer of Record must be licensed as a Professional Engineer (PE) in Georgia and expressly identified as such on the organizational chart and related materials.

Respondents must include the employee names and resumes forms for each of the Key Personnel listed below, whose roles and responsibilities will be further defined in the RFP (which, where within, generally conform to those in the Design-Build Manual):

a. one individual person to act as the Lead Contractor Project Manager, who shall be assigned to the project on a full-time basis starting with the issuance of NTP1 through Substantial Completion (as defined under the RFP). See the forthcoming RFP for additional requirements.

b. one individual person to act as the Lead Design Consultant Project Manager, who shall be assigned to the project on a full-time basis starting with the issuance of NTP1 until NTP3, then as needed to perform his or her duties until Final Acceptance (as defined in the RFP). See the forthcoming RFP for additional requirements.

c. one individual person to act as the Engineer of Record, who may also be the Lead Design Consultant Project Manager, who shall be assigned to the project on a full-time basis starting with the issuance of NTP1 until NTP3, then as needed to perform his or her duties until Final Acceptance. See the forthcoming RFP for additional requirements.

RFQ 484-02192026DB Page 21 of 47

d. one individual person to act as the Construction Manager, who shall be assigned to the project on a full-time basis starting with the issuance of NTP3 through Substantial Completion. See the forthcoming RFP for additional requirements.

GDOT may require additional Key Personnel under the RFP. Furthermore, except as may be further clarified in the RFP, all Key Personnel positions are full-time positions, except as follows:

Respondents are advised that the “Technical Provisions” of the Design-Build Agreement will require that, with respect to Key Personnel positions that are not full-time, individual persons filling those Key Personnel positions, where not available to the Project will nonetheless be expected to be accessible by GDOT, all as more fully set forth in such Technical Provisions.

2. A brief…