1-RFQ 25-0086-5 Oglethorpe Library.pdf

Purchasing &

Contracting Department

1117 Eisenhower Drive, Suite C, Savannah, Georgia 31406

(912) 790-1618

REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF

QUALIFICATION

RFQ NO. 25-0086-5

DESIGN ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE

OGLETHORPE LIBRARY REPLACEMENT

PRE-QUALIFICATION CONFERENCE: 10:00A.M.,

JULY 24, 2025

SOQ – PHASE 1 RECEIVED BY: 5:00P.M., AUGUST 12,

CHATHAM COUNTY, GEORGIA

OFFICE OF THE PURCHASING DIRECTOR

1117 EISENHOWER DRIVE, SUITE C

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31406

(912) 790-1619

DATE: July 9, 2025 RFQ NO.: 25-0086-5

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF

QUALIFICATIONS

This is an invitation to submit qualifications to supply Chatham County with the professional services as indicated herein. Proposals for Phase I shall be submitted on-line on the County’s procurement portal http://chathamcountyga.bonfirehub.com/portal up to 5:00 P.M., August

12, 2025. The Purchasing Director reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to waive formalities.

Instructions for preparation and submission of a proposal are contained in the Request for

Statement of Qualifications package. Please note that specific forms for submission of a proposal are required. Proposals must be typed.

A Pre-Qualification Conference has been scheduled for 10:00 AM, July 24, 2025 to discuss the specifications and resolve any questions and/or misunderstanding that may arise. The conference will be held at 1117 Eisenhower Drive, Suite C, Savannah, GA 31406 in the Purchasing and

Contracting Conference Room. You are encouraged to attend.

Any changes to the conditions and specifications must be in the form of a written addendum to be valid; therefore, the Purchasing Director will issue a written addendum to document approved changes.

Chatham County has an equal opportunity procurement policy. Chatham County seeks to ensure that all segments of the business community have access to providing services needed by County programs. The County affirmatively works to encourage utilization of disadvantaged and minority business enterprises in our procurement activities. The County provides equal opportunity for all businesses and does not discriminate against any persons or businesses regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin or handicap. The County expects its contractors to make maximum feasible use of minority businesses and qualified minority employees. The terms

“disadvantaged business; minority business enterprise, women business enterprise, and minority person” are more specifically defined and explained in the Chatham County Purchasing Ordinance.

http://chathamcountyga.bonfirehub.com/portal

Statement of Qualifications

SOQ – 25-0086-5

DESIGN ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE OGLETHORPE LIBRARY

REPLACEMENT

I. General Project Information

A. Overview

Chatham County is requesting qualification proposals from qualified firms to perform engineering services for Design & Engineering Services for the Oglethorpe Replacement library. The County presents this "Request for Proposals - Quality Based Selection" (QBS) to describe its needs and those criteria which will be used to determine selection of services.

Project Overview and Background

Chatham County is seeking a qualified consulting firm to design and engineer a new library facility that can be built in the designated location for the Live Oak Public Libraries System. The library will replace Oglethorpe Library. The facility will have active circulation areas, popular children's departments, adult collections in a variety of formats, and space for public access computers. Additionally, the need for quiet study spaces, WIFI, community gatherings and multiple-use areas are all important. Popular materials will be displayed in an area that echoes the feel of a cafe, a more casual space that users can feel relaxed and comfortable.

Overall, the facility shall be 24,000 sq. ft. in size. Ideally, this can be on one floor. The majority of the facility will be public service although there will be a need for staff spaces including shipping/receiving area for materials that move throughout the system. Materials and finishes used throughout the building will be durable and low-maintenance; able to withstand the rigors of public use yet not look institutional. Each facility will be sensitive to and reflect its unique site neighborhood.

Chatham County is committed to sustainable development. The new facility must be LEED certified. Our minimum goal is a silver designation.

Project Location

Eisenhower Drive and Waters Avenue

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

The purpose of this program is to provide the design professionals with the information essential to the design of the Oglethorpe Library replacement. This program outlines some of the generally desirable characteristics of a contemporary public library in a flexible and cost effective manner. In addition, the building must anticipate future needs that can be met in a functional manner with the least possible disruption of service. The following sections will describe some of the basic design factors that must be included in the facility.

The project budget makes it imperative to design a building that maximizes the ratio of net to gross square footage. Valuable space must not be lost through improper location, dimensioning and spacing of architectural and structural elements such as columns, mechanical cores, duct shafts, equipment rooms, etc. Structural spans must be as long as economically possible to create large, open, unobstructed and flexible spaces. The bay size created by interior columns should be compatible with the standard 3 foot shelving module.

The design of the building envelope includes many considerations.

Materials used must be durable, resistant to vandalism, easy to maintain, and inexpensive to operate. The construction of the building enclosure-its color, levels of insulation and thermal mass-has a significant effect on energy efficiency. The architectural design team must consider these points throughout the design process. (See the California High Performance Schools

Best Practices Manual project online at http://www.chps.net for specific recommendations for energy efficiency practices and requirements. This manual also provides excellent information about "green" construction.)

Design Responsibility

The design of the library and its interior are the responsibility of design professionals including the architect and interior designer. It is expected that these individuals will work closely with the system's building team to ensure that the program's goals are achieved. Chief considerations include economical operations and maintenance over the life of the building.

It is the responsibility of the design professionals to delineate the overall design and layout of the facility for opening day. The plans that are rendered for the Library must also give direction as to the future expansion of the facility in areas such as the collection, general seating, multipurpose space, computer layout, and other service points that will increase with population growth and use.

The library's exterior should be designed to complement the neighborhood where the facility will be located and should use materials that are economical to construct, operate and maintain. The building should be constructed of standard components, which ensures ease of replacement in the future.

http://www.chps.net/ http://www.chps.net/

Design Parameters

The building should be distinctive in appearance yet fit well with the neighborhood. The new building should be inviting to the user, and the structure must be highly visible to approaching traffic. Potential users should be able to identify the entry and parking immediately, and have a sense of safety.

The interior and exterior of the building should be crafted to present a harmonious whole. As with most modern public libraries, the interior must be very flexible to adapt to changes in service philosophy and user needs. The interior should have as few interior walls as possible, except those which are essential, to provide for future alternations as necessary. No structural elements should be designed without carefully examining the impact on the building's flexibility and potential expansion as well as long term maintenance cost.

In general, the building should have no structural columns except where necessary to provide structural integrity for the facility. If, for economic reasons, columns are needed, considerations should be given to the standard sizes of shelving. All floors will have a uniform load bearing floor level of a minimum of 150 pounds per square foot.

Assignable and Non-Assignable Space

To avoid any confusion, this program will use the following definitions:

Net Square Feet will be used to indicate assignable space. This includes three feet of circulation space around objects such as tables and chairs; a 42" wide aisle space in front of stacks; a space of approximately 3' in front of public desks, workstations, and mounted systems including bulletin boards and display cases. 25 square feet per person will be calculated for each person seated at a table or desk. 10 sq. ft. per person will be allocated for fixed seating in a public meeting space with additional space for lecterns and special equipment needs.

Non-assignable space will include such things as structural elements including walls and columns, mechanical and electrical rooms, ducts, chases, public restrooms, janitor and custodial spaces, general circulation spaces other than those included in the net square footage, and transverse and perimeter aisles for shelving.

Collection Space

Converting the volumes to be housed in any part of the library requires conversion to estimated square feet. The square footage requirements will vary depending on the type of collection and height of the shelving desired. The conversion factor used is located in Appendix I. Each section of single faced shelving with a 42" aisle in front will require

15 net square feet.

In general, most of the collection space will be devoted to print materials, but there will be an emphasis on audio-visual materials as well. The reference collection will be limited in scope to general and homework resources; there will be many computers with

Internet access.

Future expansion in collection areas should be shown.

Overall Ambience

The general atmosphere created by the building's components must be inviting and very user friendly. It cannot be intimidating or formal in its design or treatments. To maximize user convenience and to increase staff productivity, the layout of the building should encourage the public to serve themselves whenever possible. This goal requires logical arrangement of the collections with easy-to-follow sequencing of subjects and authors. Transitions from one area to the next should be smooth. The circulation area should be very businesslike while browsing should be inviting and comfortable. The shelving layout should be easily identified so that users can find needed materials with a minimum of assistance. The library's Strategic Plan calls for our new facilities to be destination libraries.

Library users tend to identify with the interior of the building and how well it is laid out, how easy it is to get from one part of the library to another, and the ambience of the overall design. Effective interiors are essential; each function of the library should be designed appropriately.

Whatever the purpose of their visit, users expect appropriate surroundings that promote the enjoyment and success of their visit. Lighting, acoustics, surroundings without noise or drafts, and comfortable furnishings lend a positive feel to the facility. 40dBa should be the general acoustic goal and consideration should be given to all sound reflective surfaces including the Children's Area and Reference.

Library Staff Needs

The ideal arrangement of service areas will eliminate potential barriers to supervision that would reduce visibility. Public restrooms, entry area of the building, and the multipurpose room should be visible from service points. How spaces are arranged and where functions are located will have a major impact on staff ability to assist library users.

Staff needs and expectations must also be met by the design. To some extent, these needs should parallel those of the public. Public desks will be carefully located for ease of service and supervision. Staff work areas should be designed for productivity and efficiency while also maintaining an atmosphere that is conducive to positive morale.

When possible, staff work areas should have windows and be located within proximity to service points.

Building design and layout, furniture, environmental considerations, and other characteristics should be engineered to maximize productivity. How spaces are arranged and where functions are located will have a profound effect on the ability of staff to assist users with a minimum of effort and time for travel.

Flexibility

A key element in the library design for the Oglethorpe Branch Library will be flexibility.

The library must be able to adapt to changes in patterns of use and service that will continue to develop during the lifetime of this building. Load bearing walls should be kept to a minimum. Column spacing should be as great as economically feasible while consistent with the 3' module established by standard sections of shelving. Architectural elements should be avoided. Mechanical, electrical and structural systems should be chosen which permit maximum flexibility in the rearrangement of spaces in the future.

Emphasis should be on wall space that can be used for wall shelving and display spaces.

All floors should have a uniform load bearing floor level minimum of 150 pounds per square foot. The project budget makes it imperative that the building be designed to maximize the ratio of net to gross square footage. Valuable floor space cannot be lost through improper location, dimensioning, and spacing of various structural elements.

Entrance and Exit

There can be only one public entrance, and it must be easily accessible to both pedestrians and those who arrive by car or bicycle. The public entrance should be fully visible to the circulation staff working at the desk. Emergency exits must also be visible and easily accessible in case of emergency. The public entrance also needs to be separated from the staff and delivery entrances so that there will be no confusion for the public. There will be at least two non-public doors-a separate staff entry and a double-wide door will be used by the courier service, for daily mail and box deliveries and pick-ups.

Book returns should be located under a covered walkway or drive-up so that books will be protected from weather problems. Staff should not have to cross parking lots to retrieve materials from the book return units. All thresholds in the building should be flat and easily crossed by book trucks.

Security and Life Safety

It is imperative that measures to protect the security of the staff and public using the facility are incorporated into the design. These may include electronic security to monitor for intruders, motion, glass breakage after hours, fire, and other hazards. Panic buttons should be incorporated in every public desk. Each of these systems should include automatic notification of fire and police departments. The local Fire Marshall will determine if the building will be sprinkled; if required, it will consist of dry piping.

The interior should be planned for supervision by limited staff. There must be no hidden corners. All doors will meet code requirements. They will be equipped with locks and will be keyed to a master key. Exterior doors will have deadbolt locks or appropriate hardware approved by the Fire Marshall to minimize unauthorized entry. All financial transactions will be centralized at one desk, equipped with a fireproof and vandal-proof safe with a slot so that the last person doesn't have to know the combination.

The facility's service room may have outside cable connections to the building's internal communications backbone. It must be dry at all times, not subject to flooding, and clear of all other equipment. A digital closed circuit TV security system will be used.

Monitors and cameras will be located once the final design is determined.

Environmental Conditions, Maintenance and Energy Efficiency

A. General considerations.

The design and orientation of the facility can make a huge difference in energy consumption. The building shell should be compact, requiring less energy for heating and cooling than complicated shapes. The long axis should have an East-West orientation to minimize solar gain in the summer and maximize solar gain in the winter. When site conditions permit, the building should be oriented so that major windows face either North or South. Solar orientation should guide the placement of building and site features. Landscaping should be used to shade windows on East and West facing building facades. Landscaping or shade structures should be used to shade paved areas to reduce the heat island effect. Landscaping can also reduce the impacts of heavy radiation loads on the roof and the East and West exposure in the summer.

Additional energy efficient measures may include:

A. ceiling fans in all public areas

B. Separate heating and cooling controls for areas of the building that may not be used all the hours of operation such as the multi-purpose room.

C. Passive solar design to integrate heating, cooling and daylight to maximize efficiencies and cost savings

The architectural staff must consider energy efficiency and operating costs, maintenance and repair costs, HVAC, illumination, building orientation, insulation and the use of landscape materials. In the initial design, architects should examine the amount of air coming into or leaving the building and make every effort to keep this to a minimum. Interior wall cavities;

chases for plumbing, electricity, and HVAC systems; and drop ceilings should be sealed or thermally isolated.

As an integral part of the building process, the architectural staff will be expected to evaluate HVAC systems available for heat, air conditioning, humidity control (40-60% humidity is desirable), dust control (dust is particularly damaging to computers), and fresh air ventilation.

Mechanical ventilation should meet code requirements of 20 cubic feet of continuous fresh air circulation per minute. All climate control units shall be accessible only to authorized staff. The architectural team should evaluate using alternative systems such as absorption cooling, thermal storage for heating and ground cooling, source heat pumps and/or infrared heating. An energy management system should be a basic part of the system.

Future maintenance and replacement costs must be a consideration in the election of all equipment, furniture, building materials, finishes, wall and floor coverings, fenestration, hardware, plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures, etc. High quality paint should be selected from standard colors offered by a standard paint manufacturer. Some of the oversights which cause future maintenance problems include: poorly placed electrical outlets, lighting fixtures that cannot be reached without scaffolding, windows which can't be cleaned easily, inaccessible shut-off valves for plumbing fixtures, restrooms without floor drains, entries without walk-off mats, floor coverings which are difficult to maintain, and a myriad of other details.

Achieving an energy efficient building is important because it reduces the long term cost of energy - an annual budget consideration. Energy efficiency begins with the building orientation and a design that maximizes the use of natural light while minimizing heat loss and gain. Large vertical spaces such as an atrium should be avoided. Energy controls should be included as a part of the HVAC system.

Vertical access elements such as elevators, stairs, HVAC ducts and electrical risers should be kept on the perimeter of the building to assure future flexibility.

B. Fenestration

Windows should be used to provide a view of the building's activities, featuring highlighted areas. At the same time, windows selected should be energy efficient with shaded glass a possibility. No windows should be used in the Multipurpose Room. It would be desirable to have some operable windows, particularly in the workroom area, so that natural ventilation can be provided when the HVAC fails. Windows add to the attractiveness of a facility. It is desirable to use windows in the entry of the facility and in staff areas. Overhangs or clerestory windows that permit natural indirect light may be considered.

C. Illumination

The factors that determine good functional lighting design in libraries include not only the amount of light energy available for specific visual tasks, but also the direction of the light relative to the eye, the brightness of objects surround the task object and within the field of view, and the surface reflection and light-diffusing characteristics of the task object. Glare can result from light reflecting off a computer screen from overhead lights, bright light sources or bright windows. Low glare lighting is an essential design element in a library.

Electric lighting is one of the major energy uses in a library. By using efficient equipment, effective controls, and careful design, energy savings are possible. Lighting requirements shall conform to the IES Handbook's recommendations for levels of lighting in library. The Quality of lighting is particularly important, more so than the intensity. For most general reading surfaces, the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (! ESNA) recently (1999) revised its recommended lighting design procedure.! ESNA now suggests that the recommended horizontal illuminance level for classroom and office space be 30–40-foot candles of maintained intensity; reading areas at 30–40-foot candles; study areas or rooms at

50-foot candles measured horizontally at desktop. Restrooms, storage, utility rooms and hallways may vary from 15 to 30 foot-candles. Large multipurpose rooms should average 30–

40-foot candles with all lights on and with separately controlled lighting for the podium or front of the room. The lighting should be dimmable or switchable to produce approximately 5-foot candles. For flexibility, there may be several different types of lighting used in the room such as down lights, coves, perimeter lighting, wall washers, etc.)

Task lighting for specific surfaces and jobs should be incorporated in all work areas. The architectural team should minimize the number of different types of light bulbs or tubes used in the building. Fixtures should have replacement tubes that are easily available.

Library book stacks must be adequately lit so that patrons can find books on the shelves.

Evenness of illumination across the stack face is more important than achieving a high lighting level at any one single point. ! ESNA suggests 70 foot candles of maintained intensity to provide adequate lighting to prevent eyestrain, and insuring a minimum of 25 foot candles at floor level.

There are four approaches to stack lighting:

■ Parallel, where rows of linear fixtures are located directly above the stacks.

■ Perpendicular, where rows of fixtures run perpendicular to the stacks.

■ Indirect where lighting is aimed upward rather than downward, and is bounced off the ceiling. The resulting light is diffuse and non-directional.

■ Hybrid schemes where different approaches are combined with rows of direct indirect fixtures suspended perpendicular to the stacks.

Glare reduction is another issue to be considered, particularly with placement of computers. Light sources that are too bright must be controlled to avoid causing discomfort.

Common glare problems include overhead glare coming from direct lighting sources, reflected imaging on computer monitors, and direct glare from skylights or uncontrolled windows.

The building should employ a combination of lighting options. The combination offers an attractive and inviting environment in which objects have shape without harsh shadows. Direct lighting is light directed downward into an area and provides higher illumination levels. This is particularly good for staff work areas where task lighting is useful and in stack areas. Indirect lighting is when light is bounced off the ceiling and distributed throughout the space. We find this lighting scheme very pleasant. Indirect lighting supplies a higher quality of light at lower light levels. Motion-sensor controls may be a good choice to use in areas with low use such as offices.

Parabolic fixtures or ambient lighting should be used where specified. A dual level switching capability enables the staff to evaluate the amount of lighting necessary and to switch to appropriate levels. All controls for the public area with the exception of the Multipurpose Room should be located in the Staff Work Area of the building. The ability to use multi-level switching allows staff to use one, two, or four florescent tubes. Dimming switches should be provided in the

Computer Center, Conference Room, Board Room, Story Hour Room and Multipurpose Room.

Lighting fixtures shall deliver uniform levels of lighting and shall be easy to maintain, quiet, economical and energy efficient. The number of different types of lighting fixtures must be kept to a minimum-five is the maximum number preferred; the ease of purchasing replacement bulbs must be considered; and re lamping should be a consideration. A reasonable effort should be made to write specifications so that similar lamp types are consolidated into as few different types as practical.

Exterior lighting of the facility is essential. Security considerations require that the goal of the exterior lighting system will be to provide a uniform level of lighting outside with minimal shadows. Basic parking lot lighting requires 0.6 foot candles as a minimum measured horizontally on pavement, to achieve a 4:1 average to minimum ration with no spill light on adjacent properties.

The system should be vandal-proof with concealed wiring. The transition from the building to the exterior parking and staff areas should be designed for maximum safety. The staff entry and parking may be located at the rear of the facility, and staff entering or exiting should have full visibility of the area as they exit. Other energy-savings measures may include the following:

1. Electronic high power factor ballasts in all fluorescent fixtures; these are energy efficient with less flicker and ambient noise

2. Use Reduced Light Output (RLO) ballasts where lower light levels will suffice

3. Lamps with a color rendering index (CRI) of 84 or more

4. Tungsten halogen flood lamps rather than incandescent flood lamps

5. High pressure sodium fixtures in parking lots and building exterior

6. Motion detector/infra-red-light sensors for rest rooms and other areas of sporadic use

Another approach to be considered is daylight harvesting. This system requires that fluorescent dimming ballasts adjust energy output according to the amount of natural lighting that is available. This system may work in conjunction with energy management systems, daylight sensors, or time clocks.

Selection of fixtures should be made with a view to low operating cost, ease of maintenance, and are easily procured from local sources. Whenever possible, fixtures should be designed to be serviced without special equipment or scaffolding. In addition, designers should make every effort to limit the number of different bulbs used in the facility to no more than five.

B. Plumbing.

Limiting water consumption helps to control energy use. In public restrooms, it is desirable to restrict water flow to 1 gallon per minute. Water heaters should have an energy efficiency factor

(EF) of0.93 for electric units or 0.62 or more if gas. Water heaters should be on timers to minimize heating during non-peak hours. Include infra-red self-activation features for both sinks and toilet fixtures. Hand dryers should also be self-activating. The merit of waterless urinals should be investigated.

In addition, water cut off valves should be in easily located positions for emergency access and never in a ceiling. All floors in restroom areas will be equipped with a drain. Hose bibs with removable handles should be located on each of the exterior walls of the building. The design team should discuss landscape needs with the library director and county facilities staff.

C. Electrical Power Supply.

Providing adequate electrical power, which shall meet all applicable building code requirements, is essential. As libraries become more and more technologically oriented, the need for additional power grows. 110v electrical outlets should be distributed throughout the building along perimeter walls at 6-8 foot intervals. Key areas such as the circulation desk, reference area, and other highly computerized areas may need additional outlets to handle the electrical needs.

Each structural column in the facility should have a duplex electrical outlet on each side of the column. Because we anticipate the addition of even more technology, providing access to electricity, data, and telecommunications are important. Separate switches are required for office areas, and master controls for the building should be located in the staff work area.

All electrical equipment within a building must be grounded at appropriate points. The purpose for this is to provide a path in the event of a fault within a piece of equipment. It also ensures that any individual in contact with the equipment will be protected from electric shock.

One common approach to this is to use isolated grounding which protects the equipment and indicates that the power receptacles are providing clean power for computers and other technology.

Within the library building there will be many different types of equipment, any one of these which could affect the quality of power and the operation of equipment. The solution is to isolate certain loads from the power supplying the telecommunications/data equipment. Surge suppression should also be considered. Lightning strikes on the incoming supply may cause an electrical surge or spike of power. By planning for transient voltage surge suppression, the library will be protected. The library staff will provide information about need for standby power and an uninterruptible power supply during the early design phase.

D. Communications, Data Management, and Computers

This is one of the most important components of the new library facility. There are some design principles that will enable the library to respond to future needs. The Live Oak Public

Libraries uses the integrated library system SIRSI. This is propriety software used for our circulation system. In addition, users have come to expect access to the Internet, e-mail, Galileo, and other electronic resources. Bearing in mind that library technology is changing rapidly, the facility plan should be very flexible. The following points must be considered:

1. Computers will be located throughout the building. They will be connected to one another through a LAN. A "backbone" of fiber optic cabling will be installed horizontally in cable tracks or conduit, connecting to other parts of the building.

2. Wireless technology will be used where appropriate.

3. Columns provide numerous terminations for electricity and network access.

Change is anticipated in the future; the floor layout may include a conduit grid that will create access points as needed. Horizontal pathways will be left to the designer to ensure full flexibility and access. Some of the options used include under-floor ducts, flush ducts, multi-channel raceways, cellular floors, trench ducts, raised flooring with access through modular panels, and perimeter pathways.

4. Specifications for cabling, connectors, hubs and other peripherals must be compatible with the most current equipment and will be established at the time of final design. The number of nodes, hubs, and parts composing the network can be doubled or tripled without rewiring. A star topology structured cabling system should be considered.

5. 600 amp electrical service or higher is required to meet future power demands.

Parallel port connectors and duplex power outlets are integrated into work surfaces.

6. Work closets in wiring closets should be plumed for future growth. Include ventilation for file-server maintenance areas.

7. All offices should have a minimum of two (2) data and phone outlets, located on opposite walls near electrical outlets. Every workstation should have voice/data parallel ports and task lighting.

8. In meeting spaces, provide access to parallel port connectors, outlet boxes for power supply, signal/control for satellite and cable television, and other equipment as specified.

9. The library will use the 3M intelligent library system which tracks an item through checkout, security, and return. Further details on this system will be provided by 3M.

10. Wiring for computers requires design for both power distribution and low voltage transmission such as telephone lines.

11. Special power and communication centers should be identified and receive special design attention early in the planning process (checkout locations, reference work areas, staff work areas, multipurpose rooms, security systems, etc.)

Cable management is an important part of the modern library design. There are a number of methods to deal with this including poke-throughs, duct systems, and raised access floors.

While initially more expensive, raised floor systems provide an open floor space below the floor level that makes it much easier to bring cabling to specific areas. Future upgrades are much easier.

A system with up to 125 mm raised flooring offers space for telecom, electrical connectivity, and building control systems. The floor must be stable to withstand foot traffic and book carts.

A shallow cable tray system would also be used with the raised floor system to organize telecom cables and to maintain designated routes for end-to-end termination points. The selected system must conform to the requirements of ISO 9002.

G. Acoustics

When noise levels in the library are high, staff and patrons lose the ability to intelligibly understand one another. Typical sources of noise are outdoor sounds, loud HVAC systems, and internal noise from other spaces.

40dBa should be the general goal for the library. Additional acoustic consideration is needed for all sound reflexive surfaces, particularly in the Children's Area and in Reference.

Segregation of activities will assist in reducing noise transfer.

Acoustical baffles should be considered in areas where conversation is essential and difficult to contain. Special attention should be given to restrooms and the staff room to keep noise from transferring to nearby areas and the lobby. Areas with mechanical equipment and ductwork should be well insulated and placed to keep noise and vibration to a minimum.

Parking

Parking is adjacent to the facility. Additional parking may be required.

Signage and Visual Display

A good system allows the library to communicate information effectively to its users. It is important for signage to respond to the user's needs to progress from general information to more specific as well as to provide directional information. Graphics and signage are integral parts of the interiors package. They should be coordinated with the interior layout to provide full information and direction within the library building. All signage should be made of durable materials. Every effort should be made to use standard terminology. The building directory should be near the lobby to orient visitors to specific locations within the building. Regulatory signs should be kept to a mm1murn.

Signage will comply with ADA requirements in terms of the size of lettering, Braille, and other considerations. All signage will convey a user-friendly atmosphere. Digital signage should be considered.

Interior bulletin boards will be located in the children's area, young adult section, and staff work areas. A whiteboard system will be used in the multipurpose and conference rooms along with an art display system, such as Walker. Built-in display units will be located in the entry.

The exterior sign which will meet any local sign ordinances should be lighted and large enough to be read from the street. It will identify the library and its entrance for car traffic and pedestrians. At the main entry to the facility, a sign with hours of operation and other information is needed. In addition, a directional sign for deliveries may be needed.

Furnishings and Equipment

Planning for the furniture in the library should begin early in the project. Planning the furniture and equipment for the project requires careful scheduling and budgeting. Whenever possible, performance standards should be reviewed for all items selected, with functionality and durability being the prime features to examine. The Business and Institutional Furniture

Manufacturer's Association provides a list of available standards for furnishings at www.bifrna.org/standards. This site lists the American National Standard for the following:

general purpose office chairs, lateral files, vertical files, lounge seating, desk products, panel systems, and the ergonomics guidelines for VDT furniture.

All equipment and furniture selected for the Islands Branch/Garden City Libraries will harmonize with the overall architectural style of the building. It must provide an inviting environment and contribute to the efficiency of the library program. The following elements are required:

1. High pressure laminates on all reading table surfaces, no aprons

2. Minimum use of upholstery on reading chairs

3. Durability http://www.bifrna.org/standards http://www.bifrna.org/standards

4. Comfort

5. Cost

6. No sharp comers or points on furnishings and desks particularly in the children's area

7. Ease of cleaning

8. Technology requirements will be integrated into the furniture

The architect, interior designer, and director or a designate will work together to select appropriate furniture and equipment and to plan layouts. Ceiling fans, lighting plans, outlets and computer/data outlets cannot be finalized until the furniture layouts are approved.

In addition to functionality and cost, appropriateness to the over-all design is important. If the furniture is custom, then some of the materials used in the millwork and architectural design should be used in the furniture.

In looking at the life of furnishings, durability is a key factor. If the material cannot stand up to heavy use or wear, or it cannot be easily repaired, it should not be used. Some woods are harder than others, some types show fewer scratches, some paints are superior to others, and some laminates have special coatings or embedded metal particles to increase their lifespan.

Maintenance instructions should be provided at installation for all furnishings.

Handicapped Accessibility

This building must meet all current requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Of particular concern are the entry and exit, doorways, restrooms, water fountain, hardware on doors, signage, parking, and aisles between stacks. Reserved handicapped accessible parking will be located as close to the building entry as possible. All programs and activities will be accessible, so this may mean providing assistive devices in various spaces, appropriate signage, accessible furniture and equipment, and special needs materials and equipment.

Firms that respond to this RFQ and are determined by Chatham County to be sufficiently qualified, may be deemed eligible, and invited to offer a technical approach and/or possibly present and/or interview for these services. All respondents to this R F Q are subject to instructions communicated in this document, and are cautioned to completely review the entire RFQ and follow instructions carefully. Chatham County reserves the right to reject any or all Statements of Qualifications or Technical Approach, and to waive technicalities and informalities at the discretion of Chatham County. Statement of Qualifications (SOQs) Phase I shall be submitted on-line on the County’s procurement portal http://chathamcountyga.bonfirehub.com/portal up to 5:00 P.M., August 12, 2025.

B. IMPORTANT- A RESTRICTION OF COMMUNICATION IS IN EFFECT FOR

THIS PROJECT.

http://chathamcountyga.bonfirehub.com/portal

From the advertisement date of this solicitation until successful respondents are selected and the award is made official and announced, firms are not allowed to communicate about this solicitation or scope with any staff of Chatham County, except for the submission of questions as instructed in the RFQ, or with the contact designated in

RFQ Section VIII.C., or as provided by any existing work agreement(s). For violation of this provision, Chatham County reserves the right to reject the submittal of the offending respondent.

C. Non-Discrimination and DBE Requirements.

Chatham County in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 78 Stat.

252, 42 USC 2000d--42 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of

Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, part 21, Nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such

Act, hereby notifies all proposers that it will affirmatively ensure that any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, minority business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, sex, or national origin in consideration for an award.

Chatham County has not adopted a DBE overall goal for all federally funded projects.

Chatham County will monitor and assess each consultant services submittals for their

DBE participation and/or good faith effort in promoting equity and opportunity in accordance with the Chatham County MBE/WBE program.

For more information on the Chatham County MBE/WBE program please contact:

Chatham County Minority and Women Business Department

(912) 652-7860

1117 Eisenhower Drive, Suite 101

Savannah, Georgia 31406

D. Scope of Services

Under the terms of the resulting Agreements, the selected consultants will provide full engineering design services, as well as associated engineering related services, for the project identified. The anticipated scope of work for the projects/contracts are included in Section I General Project Information.

E. Contract Term and Type

Chatham County anticipates one (1) Project Specific contract to be awarded to one

(1) firm. Chatham County anticipates that the Contract Type will be paid via Lump Sum, Cost Plus Fixed Fee, Cost per Unit of Work or Specific Rate of Compensation. As a

Project Specific contract, it is the County’s intention that each Agreement will remain in effect until successful completion of the preliminary engineering phase of the projects.

F. Contract Amount

The Project Specific contract amount will be determined via negotiations with the

County. If the County is unable to reach a satisfactory agreement and at reasonable rates to be paid for the services to be provided, the County reserves the right to terminate negotiations with the highest scoring finalist and begin negotiations with the next highest scoring finalist.

II. Selection Method

A. Method of Communication

All general communication of relevant information regarding this solicitation will be made via the Georgia Procurement Registry (GPR) under RFQ-25-0086-5. All firms are responsible for checking the GPR on a regular basis for updates, clarifications, and announcements. C h a t h a m C o u n t y reserves the right to communicate via electronic-mail with the primary contact listed in the Statements of Qualifications. Other specific communications will be made as indicated in the remainder of this RFQ.

B. Phase I - Selection of Finalists

Based on the Statements of Qualifications submitted in response to the projects/contracts listed in this RFQ, the Selection Committee will review the

Experience and Qualifications and Resources and Workload Capacity listed in

Section IV. Selection Criteria for Phase I. The Selection Committee will discuss the top submittals and the final rankings of the top submittals will be determined. From the final rankings of the top submittals, the Selection Committee will identify three (3) to five

(5) firms which will be shortlisted.

C. Finalist Notification for Phase II

Firms selected and shortlisted as finalists will receive notification and final instructions from Chatham County regarding the Phase II – Technical Approach response.

D. Phase II - Finalists Response on Technical Approach, MBE/WBE/DBE and Past

Performance

Chatham County will request a Technical Approach of the three (3) to five (5) finalist firms for the project/contract. Chatham County reserves the right to request a presentation/interview on any project/contract as determined in its best interests;

however, this additional requirement shall typically be reserved for the most complex projects. Each finalist firm shall be notified in writing and informed of the Technical

Approach due date. Any additional detailed Technical Approach instructions and requirements, beyond that provided in Section V. Selection Criteria for Phase II, for the finalists will be provided in the Finalist Notification. All members of the Selection

Committee will review the Technical Approach (and will attend the presentation/interview if so chosen). Firms shall not address any questions, prior to the award announcement, to anyone other than the designated contact.

E. Final Selection

Final selection will be determined by carrying the scores from Phase I forward for each

Finalist and by evaluating the Technical Approach, MBE/WBE/DBE Participation and Past Performance criteria for Phase II. The Selection Committee will discuss the

Finalist’s Phase II Responses and the final rankings will be determined.

Negotiations will then be initiated with the top-ranked firm(s) to finalize the terms and conditions of the contract(s), including the fees to be paid. In the event a satisfactory agreement cannot be reached with the highest-ranking firm(s), Chatham County will formally terminate the negotiations and possibly enter into negotiations with the second highest- ranking firm, and so on in turn until a mutual agreement is established and

Chatham County awards a contract. The final form of the contract shall be developed by Chatham County.

III. Schedule of Events

The following Schedule of Events represents the County’s best estimate of the Schedule that will be followed. All times indicated are prevailing times in Chatham County, Georgia. C h a th am Co u n ty reserves the right to adjust the Schedule as the county deems necessary.

PHASE I DATE TIME

a. Chatham County issues public advertisement of RFQ-25-0086-5

July 10, 2025 ----------

b. Pre-Qualification Conference July 24, 2025 10:00 AM

c. Deadline for submission of written questions and requests for clarification

August 5, 5:00PM

d. Deadline for submission of Statements of Qualifications August 12, 5:00 PM

e. Chatham County completes evaluation and issues notification and other information to finalist firms

August 26, 5:00 PM

PHASE II

f. Deadline for submission of written questions from finalists September 2, 5:00PM

g. Phase II Response of Finalist firms due September 9, 5:00PM

IV. Selection Criteria for Phase I - Criteria for Evaluation of Statements of

Qualifications

A. Project Manager, Key Team Leader(s) and Prime’s Experience and Qualifications –

30% (30 points)

The Selection Committee will evaluate all firms on their Experience and Qualifications, which shall account for a total of thirty (30%) percent of the total evaluation (30 points).

The following criteria for scoring Phase I of the evaluation will be utilized to determine which firms are shortlisted:

1. Project Manager education, registration, relevant engineering experience and relevant project management experience.

2. Key Team Leaders’ education, registration, relevant technical experience, and relevant experience in design and engineering services related to the project.

3. Prime Consultant’s experience in delivering projects of similar complexity, size, scope, and function.

4. Discuss LEED certifications.

B. Project Manager, Key Team Leader(s) and Prime’s Resources and Workload

Capacity – 20% (20 points)

The Selection Committee will evaluate all firms on their Resources availability and

Workload Capacity which shall account for a total of twenty (20%) percent of the total evaluation (20 points). The following criteria for scoring the Resources and

Workload Capacity will be utilized to determine which firms are shortlisted:

1. Project Manager Workload

2. Workload capacity of Key Team leader(s)

3. Resources dedicated to delivering project

4. Ability to Meet Project Schedule

V. Selection Criteria for Phase II - Criteria for Evaluation of Technical

Approach, MBE/WBE/DBE Participation and Past Performance

A. Technical Approach – 35% (35 points)

The Selection Committee will evaluate the shortlisted firms (Finalists) on their

Technical Approach, which shall account for a total of forty (40%) percent (40 points).

The Selection Committee shall utilize the following additional criteria for scoring Phase

II of the evaluation to determine the highest ranked/most qualified (NOTE: Scores from Phase I will be carried forward and combined with the scores from the Phase

II to determine the final ranking of Finalists):

1. Provide any unique technical approaches your firm offers relative to addressing anticipated design concepts, use of any alternative methods for delivery (if applicable), and/or management of the project.

2. Identify any unique challenges of the project and how your firm intends to mitigate these challenges, including quality control, quality assurance procedures.

3. Provide any specific qualifications, skills,…