2_27_25 EXPLORATION AND CONSTRUCTION TESTING .pdf

864 Broad Street – 4th Floor Augusta, Georgia 30901 – 1215

(706) 826-1000 Fax: (706) 826-4612

CHARLIE WALKER, JR.. Dr. MALINDA B. COBB BOBBY A. SMITH, CPA President Interim Superintendent of Schools Chief Financial Officer

TO: EXPLORATION AND CONSTRUCTION TESTING SERVICE FIRMS

FROM:

RICHMOND COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

DATE:

February 6, 2025

SUBJECT:

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS #25-178 “EXPLORATION AND

CONSTRUCTION TESTING SERVICES” for the Phase VII SPLOST building program.

You are invited to submit a written statement of qualifications to contract with the County Board of Education of Richmond County, Georgia, (herein after referred to as “Richmond County School System” or “Owner”) to provide exploration and construction testing services as described below.

Also note further requirements under the following general conditions:

STANDARD GENERAL CONDITIONS

(1) TIME AND PLACE: Request for qualifications will be received by the Richmond

County School System until 3:00 p.m. EST, on Wednesday, February 27, 2025 at 864 Broad Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901.

(2) LATE RFQS: Regardless of cause, late RFQs will not be accepted and will automatically be disqualified from consideration. It shall be solely the vendor’s risk to ensure delivery at the designated office by the designated time. Late RFQs will not be opened and may be returned to the vendor.

(3) RFQ FORMAT: All RFQs must be submitted in the format requested. All information must be completed with ink or typewritten when submitted. One paper copy of the RFQ is required and one digital copy via USB drive.

RICHMOND COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

FEBRUARY 6, 2025 #25-178 EXPORATION and

CONSTRUCTION TESTING

(4) SEALED PROPOSAL REQUIREMENT: Each Proposal must be submitted in a sealed envelope addressed to Dr. Malinda Cobb, Interim Superintendent of Schools, c/o Mr. Bobby A. Smith, Chief Financial Officer, Richmond County School System, 864 Broad Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901. Each sealed envelope containing a Qualifications Statement must be plainly marked on the outside Exploration & Construction Testing Services RFQ #25-178 and the envelope must bear on the outside the name and complete address of the vendor. If forwarded by mail, the sealed envelope containing the bid must be enclosed in another envelope addressed to Dr. Malinda Cobb, Interim Superintendent of Schools, c/o Mr. Bobby A. Smith, Chief Financial Officer, Richmond County School System, 864 Broad Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901, RFP #25-178. You are to submit one paper copy and one digital copy via USB drive.

(5) REJECTION OF RFQs: The Richmond County School System reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any and all RFQs received, to waive technicalities, or to negotiate any term(s) or provision(s) of such proposals as meet the requirements and specifications of this RFQ. Such rejection, waiver, or negotiation to be accomplished in any manner necessary to serve the best interests of the Richmond County School System. The Richmond County School System also reserves the right to be the sole judge of the suitability of any and all proposals for use by the Richmond County School System.

The Richmond County School System reserves the right to reject or otherwise disregard, in whole or in part, any ambiguous proposals or proposals which are uncertain as to terms or compliance with specifications.

(6) NON-WITHDRAWAL PERIOD: RFQs may not be withdrawn for a period of thirty

(30) days from the date of opening.

(7) STATE-MANDATED WALK AWAY PROVISION: In the event a contract is awarded for more than one year: 20-2-506 (b) (1)

“Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 20-2-506, notwithstanding any other provision herein this contract shall terminate absolutely and without further obligation on behalf of the School System at the close of each calendar year in which it was executed and at the close of each successive calendar year for which it may be renewed provided thirty

(30) days prior written notice is given by the School System to the vendor prior to the end of such calendar year.

In addition, this contract shall terminate immediately and absolutely at such time that appropriated and otherwise obligated funds are no longer available to satisfy the obligation of the School System under the contract.

This contract shall be deemed to obligate the School System for the sums payable during the calendar year the agreement was executed or in the event of a renewal by the School System for those sums payable at the end of any renewed calendar year.

The contract shall be deemed to have been automatically renewed for each applicable calendar year, not to exceed the initial term of contract, unless positive action is taken by the School System to terminate such contract herein as set forth.”

Jurisdiction and Venue “This contract shall be governed and constructed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, Richmond County. Venue and jurisdiction will be that of a court of competent jurisdiction in Richmond County, Georgia.

(8) CANCELLATION: In the event at any time during the contract period the vendor cannot provide acceptable service, the Richmond County School System reserves the right to make other temporary arrangements for exploration and construction testing services.

(9) DUTY TO PROTECT: The Contractor (or Vendor) shall not knowingly send any employee, agent or subcontractor personnel who is a registered sex offender or who has been convicted of sexual abuse to any school building or school property when students are attending school or a school related activity.

The Contractor (or Vendor) shall make periodic criminal history record inquiries as authorized by O.C.G.A. §35-3-34, as now written, or here-after amended; or allowed by all or any other laws allowing such inquiry, to identify these persons who have been convicted of sexual abuse or any other act which would require such person to be entered into a national or state sexual offender registry.

For the purpose of this policy, the term periodic shall mean that the criminal history record inquiries shall be made current upon the awarding of a successful bid on contract and checked no less than annually during the duration of the contract. See ATTACHMENT “A” for Sex Offender Acknowledgement Form.

(10) E-VERIFY: The Contractor agrees to comply with the requirements of A.R.S. § 41-4401.

a. The Contractor warrants compliance with all Federal immigration laws and regulations relating to employees and warrants its compliance with Section A.R.S. § 23- 214, Subsection A. (That subsection reads: “After December 31, 2007, every employer, after hiring an employee, shall verify the employment eligibility of the employee through the E-Verify program.)

b. A breach of a warranty regarding compliance with immigration laws and regulations shall be deemed a material breach of the contract and the Contractor may be subject to penalties up to and including termination of the contract.

c. The Owner retains the legal right to inspect the papers of any employee who works on the contract to ensure that the Contractor or its subcontractor(s) is/are complying with the foregoing warranty under paragraph (a).

See ATTACHMENT “B” for E-Verify Affidavit Form.

(11) SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENT: Bidder shall prohibit employees from using or displaying tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco, while the employee is on duty at the assigned location. There shall be no use of any tobacco products on any property of the Richmond County School System.

(12) AWARD METHOD: Contract will be awarded based on selection committee and approved by the Board of Education.

(13) TIME OF THE ESSENCE: Failure of the successful vendor to perform contracted service or deliver the merchandise within the required time shall constitute a material breach of contract. If a breach occurs, the vendor may be responsible for any damages the school system incurs.

(14) TAX EXEMPT: The Richmond County School System is exempt for State sales taxes. Bid prices shall exclude Federal or State taxes that can be eliminated in sales to public school systems in the state of Georgia.

(15) SERVICE REQUIREMENT: The successful vendor agrees to accomplish all work covered by these specifications.

(16) QUESTIONS, REQUESTS FOR CLARIFICATION, OR INTERPRETATIONS REGARDING

THIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL: All communications concerning this request for proposal must be submitted in writing by electronic mail to:

Richmond County School System Business Office Attn: Ms. Cecilia Perkins (706)826-1298 Email perkice@boe.richmond.k12.ga.us

Only written questions submitted by email will be accepted. No response other than what is written and distributed by the Business Office will be binding upon the Richmond County School System.

Originating departments may be called upon for clarification in their area of expertise at the discretion of the Business Office. Written responses to questions, requests for clarification, or interpretations will be furnished to all participating vendors.

All requests for clarification or interpretations must be submitted to the Business Office on or before the close of business February 20, 2025; 5:00 P.M.

(18) ADDENDUMS: In the event an addendum becomes necessary, it will originate in the

Business Office and will be distributed via the website www.rcobe.org/bids to all participating contractors. Any addenda issued during the time of the request for proposal distribution should be acknowledged by the participating contractor and attached to their response form.

(19) INSPECTION OF PUBLIC RECORDS: All information received from vendors shall be subject to inspection once the bid is awarded under Georgia Public Records Act.

mailto:perkice@boe.richmond.k12.ga.us http://www.rcobe.org/bids

The Richmond County School System invites all firms to submit written Statements of Qualifications in response to this Request for Qualifications (RFQ).

This RFQ document provides the information necessary for the procurement of Exploration and Construction Testing Services to provide the School System with qualified professionals who specialize in educational facilities construction and particularly K-12.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The purpose of this RFQ is to provide the Richmond County School System with Professional Exploration and Construction Testing Services for their facilities construction program.

Interested firms shall submit their signed statement of qualifications not later than 3:00p.m., EST p.m. on Wednesday, February 27, 2025. One paper copy and one digital copy via USB drive should be submitted in a sealed envelope to the following address below.

Dr. Malinda B. Cobb, Interim Superintendent of Schools c/o Mr. Bobby Smith, Chief Financial Officer 864 Broad Street Augusta, Georgia 30901

RFQ#25-178

Evaluation of qualifications will be based on the following weighted criteria:

1. Past Performance

2. Ability of Professional Personnel

3. Willingness to meet time and budget requirements

4. Location

5. Recent, current and projected workloads of the firms

6. Related experience on similar projects

7. Experience with and willingness to work with a Program Manager

REVIEW AND AWARD PROCESS

The Qualifications Proposals will be reviewed by the School System’s selection committee.

The committee will select firms to be short listed. Following the qualifications reviews, the committee will recommend the firms for the award. The Richmond County School System will then assign projects and negotiate a contract with the recommended firms.

Proposals must clearly respond to each requirement of this document. All responses must refer to each section of this document by number and address compliance and/or exceptions to that section. The Richmond County School System reserves the right to disqualify any proposals that do not follow such a format. Additional general narrative is welcome, but only in addition to this specific response.

HOLD HARMLESS

In submitting a proposal, the Proposer understands that the Richmond County School System will determine at its sole discretion which proposal(s), if any, are accepted. The Proposer waives any right to claim damages of any nature whatsoever, based on the selection process and any communications associated with the selection, and the final selection of the successful Proposer.

QUALIFICATIONS SUBMITTAL

GENERAL PREPARATION OF QUALIFICATIONS SUBMITTAL

PROPOSAL FORMAT

The Offeror shall prepare their submittal in the following format:

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION

Provide an executive summary highlighting the major points of the proposal (two pages maximum) signed by an officer of the company.

SECTION 2: PRINCIPAL’S EXPERIENCE & CREATIVITY

1. Experience in school exploration and construction testing services

2. Experience in meeting timelines and construction schedules with clearly established and proven methods for maintaining construction schedules.

SECTION 3: PRINCIPAL’S PERFORMANCE, PAST AND CURRENT

Provide references of school districts, special purpose districts, or county/state governments for whom you have provided exploration and construction testing services.

Give dates and other particulars of the jobs, contact persons and telephone numbers. It is preferred that these references be in close proximity to Richmond County or, at the least, within the state of Georgia.

SECTION 4: ABILITY & CAPABILITY OF KEY STAFF AND CONSULTANTS

1. Size of firm, number of partners, and number of clerical staff and range of services offered in-house.

2. Qualifications of partners and key staff with emphasis on school and public construction.

3. Reputation and professional standing.

4. Identify key consultants to be used on the project and provide qualifications of those key consultants.

SECTION 5: ACCESSIBILITY & MOB/WOB CONSIDERATIONS

1. Accessibility of firm to Richmond County. Identify the location of closest office in or near Richmond County.

2. Accessibility of consultants to Richmond County. Identify the location of consultant offices.

3. Identify whether the Of fe ror is a MOB/WOB (minority owned business/women owned business).

4. Identify past experience in using MOBs/WOBs as subcontractors or consultants.

SECTION 6: CURRENT/PROJECTED WORKLOAD

1. Offeror’s current workload and times frames for completion.

2. Offeror’s pending contracts and potential time frames for completion.

3. Demonstrated commitment to the District of key project personnel and clerical staff.

PROPOSER INFORMATION FORM

FIRM NAME:

STREET ADDRESS:

CITY: _____________________________________ STATE: _______________________________

ZIP: ______________________

OFFICE PHONE:

OFFICE FAX:

CONTACT NAME:

EMAIL OF CONTACT:

CELL PHONE OF CONTACT:

Person Submitting Statement:

(Typed or Printed)

Signature: _

Title: _

Date:

RFQs WILL BE RECEIVED UNTIL 3:00 P.M., FEBRUARY 27, 2025.

RICHMOND COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS #25-178

EXPLORATION AND CONSTRUCTION TESTING SERVICES

ATTACHMENT “A”

SEX OFFENDER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM

Read, sign and return this form to the Richmond County Board of Education along with bid proposal

The Contractor (or Vendor) shall not knowingly send any employee, agent or subcontractor personnel who is a registered sex offender or who has been convicted of sexual abuse to any school building or school property when students are attending school or a school related activity.

The Contractor (or Vendor) shall make periodic criminal history record inquiries as authorized by O.C.G.A. §35-3-34, as now written, or here-after amended; or allowed by all or any other laws allowing such inquiry, to identify these persons who have been convicted of sexual abuse or any other act which would require such person to be entered into a national or state sexual offender registry.

For the purpose of this policy, the term periodic shall mean that the criminal history record inquiries shall be made current upon the awarding of a successful bid on contract and checked no less than annually during the duration of the contract.

The Contractor (or Vendor) is certifying to the Richmond County Board of Education that periodic criminal history record checks are made by the company for all employees and that to the best of the Contractor’s (or Vendor) knowledge it has no employee or agent who has been convicted of a sex offense or who is a registered sex offender, who will be assigned to any school building or school property while students are attending school or a school related activity.

I have read and understand the above Richmond County Board of Education Policy regarding me or my company’s obligation as a contractor (or vendor). I further acknowledge that the failure to comply with the requirements to identify a sex offender, to comply with any part of this policy, to assign a sex offender to any school building or school property while students are attending school or a school related activity will constitute a breach of the contract.

Company Name:

Contractor/Vendor Signature Date Signed

Witness Signature Date Signed

RICHMOND COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS #25-178

EXPLORATION AND CONSTRUCTION TESTING SERVICES

ATTACHMENT “B”

E-VERIFY AFFIDAVIT

under O.C.G.A. § 13-10-91(b)(4)

Read, fill out and return this form to the Richmond County School System

By executing this affidavit, the undersigned Contractor verifies its compliance with Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), Pub. L. 99-603, stating affirmatively that the individual firm or corporation which is engaged in services on behalf of the Richmond County School System has registered with, is authorized to use and uses the federal work authorization program commonly known as E-Verify, or any subsequent replacement program, in accordance with the applicable provisions and deadlines established by federal law and regulation. Furthermore, the undersigned Contractor will continue to use the federal work authorization program throughout the contract period.

Contractor hereby attests that its federal work authorization user identification number and date of authorization are as follows:

Federal Work Authorization User Identification Number:

Date of Authorization:

Name of Project:

EXPLORATION and CONSTRUCTION TESTING

SERVICES

Solicitation Number (if applicable):

RFQ# 25-178

Name of Public Employer: Richmond County School System I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed on _______________________, _________, 202___ in ____________________ (city), ________ (state).

Signature of Authorized Officer or Agent

Printed Name and Title of Authorized Officer or Agent

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN BEFORE ME

ON THIS THE ___________________ DAY OF _____________________________________________ ,202_________.

NOTARY PUBLIC

My Commission Expires: ____________________________________________________________________________