Date Posted: 1/23/2026

Request for Qualifications

To Provide Materials Testing Services for

Path 400 Trail Extension (Windsor Parkway to N of Baroque Circle - Phase II) Fulton County PI No. 0021223

RFQ-26-026

Qualifications Due: February 24, 2026 https://sandysprings.bonfirehub.com/projects/218401/details

The City of Sandy Springs

One Galambos Way Sandy Springs, Georgia 30328

v. 9-18-19

RFQ-26-026 012126

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

26-026

Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) Services for PI0021223, Path 400 Trail Extension – Phase II

I. General Project Information

A. Overview

The City of Sandy Springs (the City) is soliciting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from qualified firm(s) or organization(s) to provide Materials Testing Services for PI0021223, Path 400 Trail Extension – Phase II.

This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeks to identify potential providers for the Scope of Services for each project/contract listed in Exhibit I. Firms that respond to this RFQ, and are determined by the City to be sufficiently qualified, may be deemed eligible, and invited to offer technical approach and/or possibly present and/or interview for these services. All respondents to this RFQ are subject to instructions communicated in this document, and are cautioned to completely review the entire RFQ and follow instructions carefully. The City reserves the right to reject any or all Statements of Qualifications or technical approach, and to waive technicalities and informalities at the discretion of the City.

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

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 the City including the Mayor and City Council Members, 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, the City reserves the right to reject the submittal of the offending respondent.

C. Scope of Services

Under the terms of the resulting Agreements, the selected consultants will provide Materials Testing services for PI0021223, GA 400 Muli-Use Path Extension. The anticipated scope of work for the project/contract is included in Exhibit I.

D. Contract Term and Type

The City anticipates one (1) Project Specific Contract to be awarded to one (1) firm, for the project/contract identified.

The City anticipates that the Contract Type will be paid via Cost Plus Fixed Fee methodology. The Agreement will remain in effect for three (3) years with the option to extend the contract for up to a maximum of five (5) years.

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-26-026 and via Bonfire. All firms are responsible for checking the GPR on a regular basis for updates, clarifications, and announcements. The City 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 this RFQ, the Selection Committee will review the Experience and Qualifications and Additional Resources and Challenges 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.

All firms must meet the minimum requirements as listed in Section IV.A. below.

C. Finalist Notification for Phase II

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

D. Phase II - Finalists Response on Technical Approach and Past Performance

The City will request a Technical Approach of the three (3) to five (5) finalist firms for the contract. The City reserves the right to request a presentation/interview on any contract as determined in its best interests; however, this additional requirement shall typically be reserved for the most complex contracts. 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 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), the City 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 the City awards a contract. The final form of the contract shall be developed by the City.

III. Schedule of Events

The following Schedule of Events represents the City’s best estimate of the Schedule that will be followed. All times indicated are prevailing times in Atlanta, Georgia. The City reserves the right to adjust the Schedule as the City deems necessary.

PHASE I DATE TIME

a. The City issues public advertisement of RFQ-26-026 1/23/2026 2:00 PM

b. Deadline for submission of written questions and requests for clarification 2/6/2026 5:00 PM

c. Deadline for submission of Statements of Qualifications

2/24/2026 2:00 PM

d. The City completes evaluation and issues notification and other information to finalist firms

TBD

PHASE II

e. Deadline for submission of written questions from finalists TBD 2:00 PM

f. Phase II Response of Finalist firms due TBD 2:00 PM

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

A. Area Class Requirements and Certification

Presented teams must be prequalified in the indicated Area Class(es) in order to be evaluated. Required proof of prequalification shall be submitted as indicated in Section VI.B.4. below. All Submittals will be pre-screened to verify that the Prime consultant has the required Area Class(es) and that the overall team has the required Area Class(es).

Any submittal in which the Prime consultant or the overall team area class requirements are not met will be disqualified from further consideration.

Each submittal will require a certification to allow the City to analyze risks in determining if any Firm should be ineligible for award. The certification shall cover a wide variety of information. Any firm which responds in any potentially concerning manner must provide additional information as directed herein for consideration by the City to determine if Firm is eligible for award.

B. Construction Project Manager, Key Team Leader(s), Key Team Member, and Prime’s Experience and Qualifications – 40%

The Selection Committee will evaluate all firms on their Experience and Qualifications, which shall account for a total of forty (40%) percent of the total evaluation. 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 project management experience including relevant training, experience in utilizing GDOT specific processes, manuals, or guidance.

2. Key Team Leaders’ education, registration, relevant experience and training, and relevant experience in utilizing

GDOT specific processes, manuals, or guidance.

3. Key Team Member’s education, registration, importance in the overall delivery of the project/contract, relevant technical experience, and relevant experience in utilizing GDOT specific processes, manuals, or guidance.

4. Prime Consultant’s experience delivering projects of similar complexity, size, scope and function, and experience managing internal and sub-consultant resources to adequately staff projects on an as-needed basis.

C. Additional Resources and Challenges – 20%

The Selection Committee will evaluate all firms on their Additional Resources and approach to providing materials testing services on this type of project which shall account for a total of twenty (20%) percent of the total evaluation.

The following criteria for scoring the Resources will be utilized to determine which firms are shortlisted:

1. Identify and provide a brief description of additional resources, excluding the Project Manager, Key Team Leaders and Key Team Member used to staff the contract

2. Describe how the additional resources identified will help achieve performance measures.

3. Ability to move/balance/reallocate resources within assigned area

V. Selection Criteria for Phase II - Criteria for Evaluation of Technical Approach and Past Performance

A. Technical Approach – 30%

The Selection Committee will evaluate the shortlisted firms (Finalists) on their Technical Approach, which shall account for a total of thirty (30%) percent. 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. Special or unique qualifications for delivering the Scope of Work.

2. Management of funds and appropriate staff types and levels.

3. Detailed plan for adjusting resources allocation, if necessitated by a reduced or increased construction work plan.

4. Firm’s detailed approach to assist the City in meeting Performance Measures including, but not limited to, project closeout, asphalt smoothness, bridge steel deck cover, and completing construction projects within budget and on schedule.

5. Firm’s recruitment and retention plan.

6. Types of reviews the firm will conduct to ensure the firm is in compliance with Scope of Services.

7. Proposed quality control/quality assurance procedures.

8. Ability to gather resources in the contract area, knowledge of the contract area, and ability to move, balance, and reallocate resources within the contract area.

9. Ability to manage project from Notice to Proceed through project closeout.

B. Past Performance – 10%

The Selection Committee may consider information provided via references provided for relevant projects, knowledge any selection committee member has of performance on relevant projects, and performance evaluations or knowledge presented on City and GDOT projects. The Selection Committee will consider all factors in their totality and score from 0 to 10 when arriving at a final score for the Past Performance.

VI. Instructions for Content and Preparation of Statements of Qualifications – Phase I Response

The Statements of Qualifications submittal must be submitted in accordance with the instructions provided in

Section VIII, and must be organized, categorized using the same headings (in red), and numbered and lettered exactly as outlined below, and must be responsive to all requested information.

For the sections in which page number limits are stated, each section with a stated limit must begin on a new page and end on the last page allowed for the section. It is not allowed to begin new sections on a page allowed for a previous section, if applicable. This will enable the City to ensure compliance with the page limitations.

Cover page – Each submittal must have a separate cover page for each copy of each submittal and each must list the

RFQ#, RFQ Title, proposing firm’s full legal name and the specific project contract being submitted on to include the Project Numbers, PI Numbers, County(ies), and Description.

A. Administrative Requirements

It is required to submit the information below for each copy of each submittal. This is general information and will not be scored but may be used to determine eligibility for selection. Under Administrative Requirements section, only submit the information requested; additional information will be subject to disqualification of your firm.

1. Basic company information:

a. Company name.

b. Company Headquarter Address.

c. Contact Information - Name and all contact information (telephone number(s) and e-mail address) of primary proposing contact (this will be the individual with whom the City will direct all communications).

d. Company website (if available).

e. Georgia Addresses - Identify and provide addresses for the offices located in the State of Georgia.

f. Staff - List the number and disciplines of staff members employed in each office in the State of Georgia.

g. Ownership - Provide form of ownership, including state of residency or incorporation, and number of years in business. Is the Offeror a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability Corporation, or other structure?

2. Certification Form - Complete the Certification Form (Exhibit “II” enclosed with RFQ), and provide a notarized original within the firm’s Statement of Qualifications. This is to be submitted for the Prime ONLY.

3. Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Affidavit – Complete the form (Exhibit “III” enclosed with RFQ), and provide a notarized original within the firm’s Statement of Qualifications. This is to be submitted for the Prime

ONLY.

4. Addenda - Signed cover page of any Addenda issued for the Prime ONLY.

B. Experience and Qualifications

1. Project Manager - Provide information pertaining to the project manager, including but not limited to:

a. Education.

b. Type, number, and state(s) where registered, (if necessary and applicable.)

c. Relevant engineering experience

d. Relevant project management experience for projects of similar complexity, size, scope, and function.

e. Relevant training.

f. Relevant experience utilizing GDOT specific processes, manuals, or guidance (Standard Specifications, Construction Manual, Sampling and Inspection Manual, etc.)

This information is limited to two (2) pages maximum.

2. Key Team Leaders - Provide experience of Key Team Leaders (defined as those individuals who oversee project areas determined as particularly important to each specific project, refer to the Project Description in Exhibit I, specifically Section 7 for the list of Key Team Leaders for each Project). For each Key Team Leader identified provide:

a) Roadway Testing Technician:

i. One (1) year transportation experience or equivalent combination of training and materials testing related experience is desired.

ii. Two (2) years of experience with nuclear gauge equipment for compaction control.

iii. GDOT Roadway Testing Technician (RTT), Quality Control Technician Level I, and Concrete

iv. Sampling and Testing Certifications are required.

v. Qualifications for Roadway Qualified Consultant Testing Technician:

Working Level Technician – Shall possess two (2) to five (5) years of construction materials sampling and testing experience. Roadway Testing Technician, Asphalt Quality Control Technician Level 1, and Field Concrete Certifications. Demonstrate proficiency performing assigned duties on roadway and plant sampling and testing with minimal oversight. Testing Management Operations Supervisor will have final approval of advancement to the next level.

Advanced Level Technician – Five (5) years or more of testing roadway construction materials experience required. Independently perform assigned duties covering roadway construction projects with minimal supervision. Roadway Testing Technician, Asphalt Quality Control Technician Level 1, and Field Concrete Certifications required. OMAT Testing Management Operations Supervisor will determine if technician is qualified for advancement.

b) Laboratory Testing Technician: One (1) year transportation experience or equivalent combination of training and materials testing related experience is desired.

Working Level Technician – Technician must have obtained two (2) of the four (4) following certifications – Binder, NCAT Mix Design, Soil Aggregate, and Concrete Strength Testing, and have two (2) years of experience testing construction materials in an AASHTO resource Accredited Laboratory.

Advanced Level Technician – Technician must have three (3) or more years experience testing construction materials in an AASHTO resource Accredited Laboratory and obtain four (4) of the following certifications – Binder NCAT Mix Design, Soil Aggregate, Concrete Strength Testing, or Concrete Strength Testing certification. Or, the technician must possess three (3) years experience testing soils, aggregate, cement, steel or other construction materials within a laboratory setting.

Possess concrete testing certification, aggregate certification, soils certification.

NOTE: All references to qualified technicians in the Scope of Services indicates that the technicians possess Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Certification as a Roadway Testing Technician (RTT) and Laboratory Testing Technician (LTT). Georgia Department of Transportation Certification as Level I Quality Control Technician (Level I QCT) and Georgia Department of Transportation Certification to sample and test concrete.

All technicians are expected to receive training and required certifications prior to beginning work on this contract.

a. Education.

b. Type, number, and state(s) where registered, (if necessary and applicable).

c. Relevant construction engineering and inspection, traffic control, and erosion control experience on highway and bridge construction projects, and GDOT or other State Highway Agency experience in the applicable resource area.

d. Relevant construction engineering and inspection based training.

e. Relevant experience utilizing GDOT specific processes, manuals, or guidance (Standard Specifications, Construction Manual, Sampling and Inspection Manual, , etc.) which are specific to the key team leader’s area.

This information is limited to one (1) page maximum for each Key Team Leader identified in Section 7 of Exhibit I. Respondents submitting more than one (1) page for each Key Team Leader identified will be subject to disqualification. Respondents who provide more Key Team Leaders than what is outlined in the requirement will be subject to disqualification as this would provide an advantage over firms who complied with the requirement and had the required number of Key Team Leaders. Respondents who do not provide the required Key Team Leaders will be subject to disqualification as this does not meet the requirements of the project and therefore the respondent and its team could be deemed unqualified for the award.

3. Quality Management Manager/Team – Provide qualifications of one (1) key team member (defined as a team member not included as the Quality Management Manager and/or Team, including, but not limited to:

a. Education.

b. Type, number, and state(s) where registered, (if necessary and applicable).

c. Relevant technical experience.

d. Relevant experience utilizing GDOT specific processes, manuals, or guidance (PDP, Design Policy, Environmental Procedures Manual, etc.) which are specific to the key resource area.

e. Relevant QA/QC review experience of similar size, complexity, scope and funcitions

This information is limited to one (1) page maximum.

4. Prime Experience - Provide information on the prime’s experience and ability in delivering effective services for projects of similar complexity, size, scope, and function which demonstrate the firm's capabilities to provide services for the City. For each project, the following information should be provided:

a. Client name, project location and dates during which services were performed.

b. Description of overall project and services performed by your firm.

c. Duration of project services provided by your firm, and overall project budget.

d. Experience utilizing GDOT specific processes, manuals, or guidance (Standard Specifications, Construction

Manual, Bridges Manual, Environmental Procedures Manual, etc.).

e. Experience managing project from Notice To Proceed through project closeout.

f. Client(s) current contact information including contact names, telephone numbers and email address.

g. Involvement of Key Team Leaders on the projects.

This information is limited to two (2) pages maximum.

5. Area Class Summary Form and Notice of Professional Consultant Qualifications - Prime Consultants are defined as the firm submitting the Statement of Qualifications and the firm with whom the City will contract. The Team is defined as the Prime Consultant and their sub-consultants, who are considered team members. Prime Consultants and their sub-consultant team members must meet the Area Class requirements listed in Exhibit I.

In regards to the required Area Classes, respondents should submit a summary form (example provided in Exhibit IV) which details the required area classes for the Prime Consultant and all sub-consultants or joint-venture of consultants on the team listed in the Statement of Qualifications. The area classes and firm’s meeting the area classes listed on the summary form must meet all required area classes or the team will be disqualified. If a team member’s prequalification will expire prior to the due date of the SOQs, documentation must be provided which shows that the firm has submitted its application for prequalification prior to the SOQ due date. The team must maintain its prequalification certification in order to be considered eligible for award if selected. Additionally, respondents should submit the Notice of Professional Consultant Qualifications (for the Prime

Consultant and all sub-consultants for each project) issued by GDOT and attach after the Area Class summary form.

This information is limited to the one (1) page for the Area Class table (unless the project needs require an extensive list of area classes) and the required Notice of Professional Consultant Qualifications.

C. Additional Resources and Challenges

1. Overall Resources - Provide information regarding the overall resources dedicated to delivering the specific project, including:

a. Organizational chart which identifies the construction project manager, prime, Key Team Leaders, support personnel, and reporting structure. This chart may be submitted on a 11” X 17” page. (Excluded from the page count).

b. Primary Office - Identify and discuss the primary office which will be responsible for handling the specific contract and the number and types of staff within the office and how this office could benefit the contract and promote efficiency. This information to be included on the one (1) page with the Narrative on Additional Resource Areas.

c. Narrative on Additional Resource Areas – Respondents are to provide information regarding additional resource areas identified as important to the project, to discuss how the key areas will integrate and work together on the project, to discuss any information which is pertinent to these areas, to provide a narrative regarding how the organization of the team, including the Construction Project Manager, Key Team Leaders, and Key Team Member can deliver the project. Respondents may discuss the advantages of the team and the abilities of the team members which will assist the City in achieving its performance targets. Respondents submitting more than the one (1) page allowed (combined for C.1.b and C.1.c), will be subject to disqualification.

d. Identify Additional Resources – Respondents are allowed one (1) page to provide information on additional resources, outside of the Project Manager, Key Team Leaders and Key Team Member, providing a brief description of the resource and describe how the additional resources identified will help address construction engineering and inspection, traffic control, and erosion control challenges. Respondents submitting more than the one (1) page allowed will be subject to disqualification.

The information for Overall Resources is limited to the organization chart, [one (1) page of text to include both C.1.b. Primary Office and C.1.c. Narrative on Additional Resource Areas], and one (1) page of text for Identify Additional Resources.

VII. Instructions for Preparing Technical Approach and Past Performance Response – Phase II Response

The following information will only be requested of the shortlisted firms. The Selection Committee will evaluate the shortlisted firms using the information provided as requested below (NOTE: Scores from Phase I will be carried forward to Phase II).

The Phase II response must be submitted in accordance with the instructions provided in Section IX, and must be organized, categorized using the same headings (in red), and numbered and lettered exactly as outlined below, and must be responsive to all requested information. For the sections in which page number limits are stated, each section with a stated limit must begin on a new page and end on the last page allowed for the section. It is not allowed to begin new sections on a page allowed for a previous section, if applicable. This will enable the City to ensure compliance with the page limitations.

Phase II Cover page – Each submittal must have a separate cover page for each copy of the Phase II submittal and each must indicate the response is for Phase II, list the RFQ#, RFQ Title, proposing firm’s full legal name and the specific project contract being submitted on to include the Project Numbers, PI Numbers, County(ies), and Description.

A. Technical Approach

1. Special or unique qualifications for delivering the Scope of Work.

2. Management of funds and appropriate staff types and levels.

3. Detailed plan for adjusting resources allocation, if necessitated by a reduced or increased construction work plan.

4. Firm’s detailed approach to assist the City in meeting Performance Measures including, but not limited to, project closeout and completing construction projects within budget and on schedule.

5. Firm’s recruitment and retention plan.

6. Types of reviews the firm will conduct to ensure the firm is in compliance with Scope of Services.

7. Proposed quality control/quality assurance procedures.

8. Ability to gather resources in the contract area, knowledge of the contract area, and ability to move, balance, and reallocate resources within the contract area.

9. Ability to manage project from Notice to Proceed through project closeout.

This information will be limited to a maximum of five (5) pages.

B. Past Performance

No additional information should be submitted to fulfill this requirement. Information from the relevant projects listed as well as information on file with the City will be used to fulfill this requirement.

Past performance may be evaluated through the checking of project references for the proposed project manager as well as the firm. The City will check these references at random. For this reason, attention should be paid to the references provided to ensure that the contact information provided is accurate and the individual references are reachable. Other past performance information which may be utilized includes GDOT and City consultant performance ratings as well as knowledge that any member of the Selection Committee has pertaining to the past performance of the firm on any project.

VIII. Instructions for Submittal for Phase I - Statements of Qualifications

A. There is one (1) electronic version submittal required. The Submittal must follow the format and meet the content requirements identified in Section VI, entitled Instructions for Content and Preparation of Statements of Qualifications – Phase I Response. See Attachment 1 for a summary of how the submittals should be prepared.

B. Submittals must be typed on standard (8½” x 11”) paper. The pages should be numbered, however, submittal pages will be counted by section to determine compliance with page limits. Responses are limited to the page counts indicated in each section using a minimum of size 11 font. Page counts will be determined by pages with print on them, not by the physical piece of paper. Each Statement of Qualifications shall be prepared simply and economically as indicated above. Colored displays, and promotional materials are not desired. Emphasis must be on completeness, relevance, and clarity of content.

NOTE: Additional pages other than what has been specified above in each section should not be included and will be grounds for disqualification. Submittals are limited to the information requested in Section VI.

Instructions for Content and Preparation of Statements of Qualifications - Phase I Response only. Hyperlinks or embedded video are not allowed.

Statements of Qualifications submittals must be a PDF document for each project/contract. Each PDF document must follow the naming convention for electronic records as follows: the proposing firm’s full legal name, RFQ#, RFQ Title and the specific project contract number being submitted.

Statements of Qualifications submittals must be a PDF document for each project/contract. Each PDF document must follow the naming convention for electronic records as follows: the proposing firm’s full legal name, RFQ#, RFQ Title and the specific project contract number being submitted on. To submit your Statement of Qualification click the following Link:

Contract 1: https://sandysprings.bonfirehub.com/projects/218401/details

If a firm is responding to multiple projects/contracts, each submittal must be e-mail separately using the naming convention for electronic records, and submission link provided. Upon successful receipt of the electronic submittal, the system will send a receipt confirmation e-mail to the sender. If you do not receive an email receipt confirmation for your submittal within one (1) hour of your submittal, please contact Purchasing at cdonley@sandyspringsga.gov.

No submittals will be accepted after the time and date set for receipt.

All expenses for preparing and submitting responses are the sole cost of the party submitting the response. The City is not obligated to any party to reimburse such expenses. All submittals upon receipt become the property of the City.

Labeling information provided in submittals “proprietary” or “confidential”, or any other designation of restricted use will not protect the information from public view. Subject to the provisions of the Open Records Act, the details of the proposal documents will remain confidential until final award.

The City reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to waive any technicalities associated with this submittal if deemed in the best interest of the State.

Statements of Qualifications submitted via facsimile or e-mail will be rejected. All expenses for preparing and submitting responses are the sole cost of the party submitting the response. The City is not obligated to any party to reimburse such expenses. All submittals upon receipt become the property of the City. Labeling information provided in submittals “proprietary” or “confidential”, or any other designation of restricted use will not protect the information from public view. Subject to the provisions of the Open Records Act, the details of the proposal documents will remain confidential until final award.

The City reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to waive any technicalities associated with this submittal if deemed in the best interest of the City.

C. Questions and Requests for Clarification

Questions about any aspect of the RFQ, or the project, shall be submitted in writing via e-mail to: Purchasing, email:

cdonley@sandyspringsga.gov or through the Bonfire. The deadlines for submission of questions relating to the RFQ are the times and dates shown in the (Schedule of Events- Section III). From the issue date of this solicitation until a successful proposer is selected and the award is made official and announced, respondents are subject to the Restriction of Communication in Section I.B.

IX. Instructions for Submittal for Phase II – Technical Approach and Past Performance Response

THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE INTENDED SOLELY FOR THOSE FIRMS IDENTIFIED AND NOTIFIED AS FINALISTS.

Final Instructions will be provided to the Finalists in the notification.

A. There is one (1) electronic version submittal required. The Submittal must follow the format and meet the content requirements identified in Section VII, entitled Instructions for Preparing Technical Approach and Past Performance Response - Phase II Response. See Attachment 1 for a summary of how the submittals should be prepared.

B. Submittals must be typed on standard (8½” x 11”) paper. The pages should be numbered, however, submittal pages will be counted by section to determine compliance with page limits. Responses are limited to the page counts indicated in each section using a minimum of size 11 font. Page counts will be determined by pages with print on them, not by the physical piece of paper. Each Statement of Qualifications shall be prepared simply and economically as indicated above. Colored displays, and promotional materials are not desired. Emphasis must be on completeness, relevance, and clarity of content.

NOTE: Additional pages other than what has been specified above in each section should not be included and will be grounds for disqualification. Submittals are limited to the information requested in Section VII. Instructions for Preparing Technical Approach and Past Performance Response-Phase II Response only. Hyperlinks or embedded video are not allowed.

Technical Approach submittal must be a PDF document for each project/contract. Each PDF document must follow the naming convention for electronic records as follows: the proposing firm’s full legal name, RFQ#, RFQ Title and the specific project contract being submitted on. To submit your Technical Approach click the following Link:

Contract 1: https://sandysprings.bonfirehub.com/projects/218401/details

Technical Approach must be received by the City prior to the deadline indicated in Notice to Selected Finalists.

Responses submitted via facsimile or e-mail will be rejected. All expenses for preparing and submitting responses are the sole cost of the party submitting the response. The City is not obligated to any party to reimburse such expenses. All submittals upon receipt become the property of the City. Labeling information provided in submittals “proprietary” or “confidential”, or any other designation of restricted use will not protect the information from public view. Subject to the provisions of the Open Records Act, the details of the proposal documents will remain confidential until final award.

The City reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to waive any technicalities associated with this submittal if deemed in the best interest of the City.

C. Questions and Requests for Clarification

Questions about any aspect of the Phase II Response for Finalists, shall be submitted in writing via e-mail to: e-mail:

cdonley@sandyspringsga.gov or Bonfire, or as directed in the Notice to Selected Finalists, if different. The deadlines for submission of questions relating to the Phase II Response will be identified in the Notice to Selected Finalists.

From the issue date of this solicitation until a successful proposer is selected and the award is made official and announced, respondents are subject to the Restriction of Communication in Section I.B.

X. City Terms and Conditions

A. Statement of Agreement

With the submission of a SOQ, the respondent agrees that he/she has carefully examined the Request for Qualifications, and agrees that it is the respondent’s responsibility to request clarification on any issues in any section of the Request for Qualifications with which the respondent disagrees or needs clarified. The respondent also understands that failure to mention these items during the question period or in the SOQ will be interpreted to mean that the respondent is in full agreement with the terms, conditions, specifications and requirements in the therein.

With submission of a SOQ, the respondent hereby certifies: (a) that this SOQ is genuine and is not made in the interest or on behalf of any undisclosed person, firm, or corporation; (b) that respondent has not directly or indirectly included or solicited any other respondent to put in a false or insincere SOQ; (c) that respondent has not solicited or induced any person, firm, or corporation to refrain from sending a SOQ.

The respondent also understands that failure to provide required information may result in disqualification. Failure to provide administrative information may not result in disqualification. At the City’s discretion, the City may notify the respondent that administrative information is not provided or there was an error in the information provided, and the City will allow a respondent to provide an update to the administrative information. However, the exception to this is the provision of the required GEORGIA SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION COMPLIANCE ACT AFFIDAVIT, which by Georgia Law requires disqualification of the response. The above changes mentioned to administrative information would be considered allowable as these would be limited to changes which do not affect the information which the evaluators use to score the respondents. Failure of a respondent to provide the specific administrative information as required in the notice will result in disqualification. Any respondent who provides changes in addition to the information requested in the notice shall be subject to disqualification. Failure of a respondent’s SOQ to provide any information pertaining to a respondent and its teams qualifications, of any type, will subject the SOQ to disqualification. The City will not allow updates to qualifications to be provided to avoid disqualification as this would allow a respondent to modify its SOQ and alter the information which evaluators would score. The above changes related to qualifications would not be allowable as these would allow changes which do affect the information which the evaluators use to score the respondents SOQ.

B. Joint-Venture Proposals, Sub-Consultants, and Vendors

The CIty does not generally desire to enter into “joint-venture” agreements with multiple firms. In the event two or more firms desire to “joint-venture”, it is strongly recommended that one incorporated firm propose and maintain status as the Program Management firm with the remaining firms participating as major firms. Any joint-venture, proposed and established as a separate business entity, should have its own set of books and supporting documentation sufficient for an audit trail. Transactions should be recorded consistent with the joint-venture agreement, and care must be taken to ensure that the joint-venture bears its equitable share of the costs. Therefore, “unpopulated joint-ventures” would not have an adequate accounting system suitable for cost reimbursement contracts.

However more traditional “populated joint-ventures” are welcomed. A populated joint-venture is where an alliance is brought to life by infusing it with working capital, employees, and control systems. The alliance implements all necessary business systems, including payroll processing, purchasing, property control, etc. The alliance will develop its own indirect rate structure and calculates its own indirect cost rates, based on the direct and indirect costs it incurs.

Sub-Consultants shall generally be considered any team member which is performing any service which typically requires prequalification, which is subject to the Audit and Accounting System Requirements, and whose services are billed as costs. Sub-Consultant Team Members must be written into the resulting Agreement and are subject to all terms and conditions in the Agreement. Vendors shall be considered any team member which is performing any service which typically does not require prequalification, which is not subject to the Audit and Accounting System Requirements, and whose services are billed as direct expenses. Vendors may not be written into the resulting Agreement and may not be subject to all terms and conditions in the Agreement.

C. Non-Discrimination Requirements

The City of Sandy Springs 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.

D. Audit and Accounting System Requirements

The City reserves the right to reject any proposal with firms that do not meet the following requirements:

1. Firm(s) should have an accounting system in place to meet requirements of 48 CFR Part 31 and, in the case of non-profit organizations, OMB Circular A-122.

2. Any firm that currently has an aggregate contract amount exceeding $250,000 should have submitted their yearly

CPA overhead audit.

3. Firm(s) should have no significant outstanding deficient audit findings from previous contracts with the City that have not been resolved.

4. The prime is responsible for being reasonably assured that all sub-consultant(s) presented as a part of the proposed team are similarly in compliance with the above requirements.

E. Submittal Costs and Confidentiality

All expenses for preparing and submitting responses are the sole cost of the respondent submitting the response.

The City is not obligated to any respondent to reimburse such expenses. All submittals upon receipt become the property of the City. Labeling information provided in submittals as “proprietary” or “confidential”, or any other designation of restricted use will not protect the information from public view. Subject to the provisions of the Open Records Act, the details of the proposal documents will remain confidential until a final award.

F. Award Conditions

This request is not an offer to contract or a solicitation of bids. This request and any proposal submitted in response, regardless of whether the proposal is determined to be the best proposal, is not binding upon the City and does not obligate the City to procure or contract for any services. Neither the City nor any respondent submitting a response will be bound unless and until a written contract mutually accepted by both parties is negotiated as to its terms and conditions and is signed by the City and a respondent containing such terms and conditions as are negotiated between those parties. The City reserves the right to waive non-compliance with any requirements of this Request for Qualifications and to reject any or all proposals submitted in responses. Upon review of responses, the City will determine the respondent(s) proposal that in the sole judgment of the City is in the best interest of the City (if any is so determined), with respect to the evaluation criteria stated herein. The City then intends to conduct negotiations with such respondent(s) to determine if an acceptable contract may be reached.

G. Debriefings

In lieu of Pre-Award and Post-Award debriefings, it shall be the City’s policy to provide the “Selection Package” at the time of the Selection Announcement (also referred to as the Announcement of Entering into Negotiations). The “Selection Package” will include the scores and comments of phases for all firms who responded and will typically be provided as a PDF file and e-mailed. Previously, pre-award debriefings only provided the scores and comments of the firm. It shall be the policy of the City that all debriefings will typically be conducted in writing.

H. Right to Cancel or Change RFQ

The City reserves the right to cancel any and all Request for Qualifications where it is determined to be in the best interest of the City to do so. The City reserves the right to increase, reduce, add or delete any item in this solicitation as deemed necessary.

It is the responsibility of all firms interested in submitting Statement of Qualifications (SOQs) for this advertisement to routinely check the posting on the Georgia Procurement Registry for any revisions to this RFQ.

I. Substitutions, Alternates, Exceptions, and Extensions

No substitutions or alternates will be accepted for this solicitation. Any respondent submitting substitutions or alternates will be considered non-responsive and will not be considered for award.

EXHIBIT I-1

Project/Contract

1. PI Number: 0021223

2. County: Fulton

3. Description: Construction Engineering and Inspection services for Path 400 Trail Extension – Phase II

4. Required Area Classes:

Prime Consultants are defined as the firm submitting the Statement of Qualifications and the firm with whom the City will contract. The Team is defined as the Prime Consultant and their sub-consultants, who are considered team members.

The Prime Consultant and Team members must be prequalified in the Area Class identified below in Section 5.

Respondents should submit a summary form (example provided in Exhibit IV) which details the required area class for the Prime Consultant and all sub-consultants or joint-venture of consultants on the team listed in the Statement of Qualifications. The area class listed on the summary form must meet the required area class or the team will be disqualified. The Prequalification Expiration Date must be current by the deadline stated for this RFQ.

a) The Prime Consultant MUST be prequalified by GDOT in the area classes listed below:

Number Area Class 6.04(a) Laboratory Testing of Roadway Construction Materials 6.04(b) Field Testing of Roadway Construction Materials

b) The Team (either the Prime Consultant and/or one or more of their sub-consultant team members) MUST be prequalified by GDOT in the area classes listed below:

Number Area Class 6.04(a) Laboratory Testing of Roadway Construction Materials 6.04(b) Field Testing of Roadway Construction Materials

5. Scope:

The Consultant shall provide Materials Testing Services for GA 400 Muli-Use Path Extension – Phase II. This GDOT Federal-aid project will provide an extension of the existing trail with a 12’ multi-use trail along the east side of SR

400. This phase of the project will connect with Segment 1 (currently under construction), at Windsor Parkway and extend north of Baroque Circle, meeting up with Segment 3 of the Path (currently under construction). This segment of the Path is approximately 1 mile long and includes multiple retaining walls. It is estimated that the project will begin construction in June 2026 and the project duration is 1095 calendar days.

The awarded geotechnical firm must have GDOT Certified Technicians on staff (documentation to be provided and completion of the GDOT OMAT-LAP form required) to perform the testing required on this project and ensure that all testing and reporting is in accordance with GDOT’s Sampling and Inspection Manual. Per the attached plans, Bid Schedule, and Special Provisions, please provide a quote and a preliminary testing schedule for the material testing elements necessary for this project, to include, but not limited to, the following:

o Earthwork o Foundations o Concrete o Reinforcing Steel o Masonry o Retaining Walls

The construction contract performance period is 1,095 days.

The Consultant agrees to:

1) Observe the Contractor’s work to determine the progress and quality of work, identify discrepancies, report significant discrepancies to the City, and direct the Contractor to correct such observed discrepancies.

2) Attend conference(s) required to carry out the contract.

3) Become familiar with the standard construction practices of the GDOT, the construction plans and contract(s) for the project, and the Contractor’s proposed schedule of operations prior to beginning field services under the contract.

4) Assign a sufficient number of technically qualified and experienced personnel to the project to perform the services required under the contract, in a timely manner to avoid delay to the Contractor.

5) Notify the Construction Manager immediately of any unanticipated project conditions.

6) Withdraw any personnel or halt any services no longer required, at the request of the City, or within a reasonable time after the lack of need becomes apparent to the Consultant.

7) Perform consultant field operations in accordance with the GDOT regulations and accepted safety practices.

8) Provide for Consultant personnel transportation equipped with appropriate safety equipment, communication devices, hard hat, high visibility vests, and incidentals as are needed to accomplish the services required under the contract.

9) Act as Inspector as provided in the Specifications, Special Provisions, and The Source of the State of Georgia Department of Transportation.

10) Sample materials, concrete and asphalt, to be incorporated in the work, and reject Contractor’s work and materials not meeting the Specifications, Special Provisions, or the Source of the State of Georgia Department…