555_25_341_S_Rec Athletics MP_PC RFQ_RFP.pdf

Kennesaw State University, 555-25-341, Sports & Recreation and Athletics Facilities Master Plan, PC RFQ

Kennesaw State University

Request for Qualifications (Step I) and

Request for Fee Proposal & Interviews

(Step II)

To Provide

Professional Consultant Services for

Project No. 555-25-341

“Sports & Recreation and Athletics Facilities Master Plans”

Kennesaw and Marietta, Georgia

Solicitation Issue Date: February 6, 2026

Qualifications Packages Due: February 23, 2026

Kennesaw State University, Project No. 555-25-341 Sports & Recreation and Athletics Facilities Master Plans, PC RFQ 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

STEP I - REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

1. GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION

2. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANT SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

3. SCOPE OF SERVICES

4. QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW PROCESS

5. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (STEP I)

6. SUBMITTAL OF QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR CLARIFICATIONS

7. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS

8. SUBMITTAL OF STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS

9. FINALIST NOTIFICATION

STEP II – REQUEST FOR FEE PROPOSALS (from Qualified Finalists) & INTERVIEWS

1. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (STEP II)

2. PRE-PROPOSAL SITE VISIT

3. SELECTION PROCESS

4. SUBMITTAL OF FEE PROPOSALS

5. PRESENTATION / INTERVIEW INFORMATION

6. ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

EXHIBITS

a. Exhibit A - Certification Form

b. Exhibit B - Certificate of Insurance and Minority Status

c. Exhibit C - Project Team Composition

d. Exhibit D - Design Professional Fee Proposal Form

e. Exhibit E - Contractor Affidavit

f. Exhibit F – Proposer’s Disclosure Statement

g. Exhibit G - Maps of KSU Kennesaw and Marietta Campuses

h. Exhibit H - Sports & Recreation Department External Program Review (EPR) (2024)

i. Exhibit I - KSU Campuswide Transportation Study

Kennesaw State University, Project No. 555-25-341 Sports & Recreation and Athletics Facilities Master Plans, PC RFQ 2

STEP I

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

IMPORTANT: Read the document carefully, the selection requirements have changed!

Professional Consultant Services

Project No. 555-25-341

“Sports & Recreation and Athletics Facilities Master Plans” Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw and Marietta, Georgia

Kennesaw State University (“KSU”) as (“Owner”), is soliciting statements of Qualifications from firms interested in providing Professional Consultant (“PC”) services for master planning for a project known as Project No. 555-25-341, “Sports & Recreation and Athletics Facilities Master Plans” at

Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw and Marietta, Georgia. This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeks to identify potential providers of the above-mentioned services. Some firms that respond to this

RFQ, who are determined by the Owner to be especially qualified, may be deemed eligible and may be invited to 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. KSU reserves the right to reject any or all statements of qualifications or proposals, and to waive technicalities and informalities at their discretion.

1. GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION

Project Background Kennesaw State University (KSU) is a large and rapidly growing public institution that values equitable access to high-quality recreation, fitness, and athletic opportunities. It is standard practice to maintain dedicated facilities for Sports and Recreation that meet NIRSA benchmarks and athletic facilities that support NCAA Division I programs and align with peer institutions.

These facilities play a critical role in supporting:

• Student engagement and retention

• Wellness and academic success

• Recruitment and performance of student-athletes

• Community partnerships and institutional visibility

Kennesaw State University (KSU) seeks a qualified consultant firm, selected through a Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) process, to develop two coordinated but distinct master plans in a process managed and facilitated by the KSU Office of Planning, Design, and Construction:

• A Sports & Recreation Master Plan (key client/stakeholder: KSU Department of Sports and Recreation

Kennesaw State University, Project No. 555-25-341 Sports & Recreation and Athletics Facilities Master Plans, PC RFQ 3

• An Athletics Facilities Master Plan (key clients/stakeholders: KSU Athletics Association

(KSUAA)

These master plans will be developed in parallel by the same consultant team, with clearly defined scopes and stakeholder groups, but in an integrated and collaborative process to ensure alignment in vision, space planning, scheduling, infrastructure, land use, and branding strategies across the Kennesaw and Marietta campuses.

The purpose of both plans is to establish a long-term strategy for enhancing KSU’s indoor and outdoor recreational, fitness, wellness, and intercollegiate athletic facilities. Together, these plans will:

• Align with the 2024 KSU Strategic Plan (https://www.kennesaw.edu/president/strategic-plan/index.php), 2016 Master Plan (https://campus.kennesaw.edu/offices-services/planning-construction/docs/master-plans/2016-master-plan.pdf), 2020 Presidential Master Plan Update (https://campus.kennesaw.edu/offices-services/planning-construction/docs/master-plans/2020-master-plan.pdf ) and the Sustainability Master Plan (https://online.fliphtml5.com/sfyur/mydq/#p=1 ) ;

• Reflect the recommendations of Sports & Recreation Department 2024 External Program Review (EPR);

• Address strategic goal for enhancing national prominence with the Division I athletics programs;

• Support projected enrollment growth, as well as community engagement, with recreation and sports programs; and

• Identify synergies and resolve shared facility governance challenges.

By developing each plan in tandem, the University will be positioned to support both student wellbeing and community life (through Sports & Recreation) and competitive excellence and student-athlete development (through KSU Athletics).

Project Description The master plans will be developed in a collaborative but distinct framework, with the following expectations:

• Dedicated planning and engagement tracks for Sports & Recreation and Athletics stakeholders;

• Regular joint workshops to share findings, explore shared-use strategies, and align on land use, infrastructure, and brand identity;

• Integrated recommendations for campus-wide connectivity, wayfinding, and support spaces;

• A shared implementation roadmap that accounts for priority, funding pathways, and project phasing across both departments.

SCOPE ONE: SPORTS & RECREATION MASTER PLAN

1. Facility Inventory and Assessment

• Conduct a comprehensive inventory of all existing indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, including gymnasiums, courts, swimming pools, fitness areas, multipurpose rooms, sport fields, trails, and support spaces.

• Evaluate each facility’s physical condition, usage levels, accessibility, and functional limitations (e.g. ADA compliance, safety and security, access management),

• Identify deficiencies relative to national standards (e.g., NIRSA benchmarks) and recommend strategies to close those gaps.

2. Stakeholder Engagement and Operational Analysis

• Facilitate broad engagement with plan stakeholders, including:

o Campus community:

Students

Kennesaw State University, Project No. 555-25-341 Sports & Recreation and Athletics Facilities Master Plans, PC RFQ 4

Faculty and Staff Employee Fitness Centers users Alumni o KSU department units listed below (but not limited to):

Event & Venue Management (EVM) Wellbeing, Health Promotion & Physical Education Sports and Recreation Campus Operations departments (Plant Operations, Landscape &

Grounds, Building Services, Emergency Management, etc.)

University Information Technology Services Campus Police/Public Safety Department of Exercise Science and Sport Management Parking and Transportation

Environmental Health & Safety Sustainability

Planning, Design & Construction

• Assess overlapping use and allocation conflicts in shared indoor and outdoor sports and recreation facilities.

• Lead structured conversations around field/facility governance models and access policies (e.g., Public Private Venture (PPV) planning).

3. Participation and Program Needs Analysis

• Analyze current and projected demand across all Sports & Recreation programs: aquatics, intramurals, club sports, fitness, Esports, adaptive recreation/recreation therapy, and outdoor adventures.

• Identify space, staffing, and scheduling gaps—particularly for drop-in recreation and early/late-hour access.

• Integrate findings from stakeholder interviews and engagement.

• Analyze accessibility, connectivity and transportation (e.g. Big Owl Bus).

4. Wayfinding and Visual Identity

• Recommend a comprehensive wayfinding and signage strategy for both indoor and outdoor spaces.

• Incorporate consistent branding, outdoor visual cues, and flexible signage options for staff-driven messaging (e.g., digital boards, seasonal displays).

• Ensure navigation and communication elements are aligned with KSU’s campus-wide visual standards.

• Incorporate recommendations for meaningful and visually engaging ways to acknowledge donors and sponsors, ensuring their contributions are recognized in a manner that aligns with the organization’s values and enhances visibility.

5. Strategic Alignment and Prioritization

• Benchmark all facilities and programming against NIRSA standards and incorporate findings from the Facilities Condition Assessment Report (FCAR).

• Structure the plan’s priorities around these benchmarks and assessments, ensuring alignment with the KSU Campus Master Plan.

• Evaluate existing and proposed projects and define a prioritization framework that reflects the goals outlined in the University Strategic Plan.

6. Flexible and Future-Proof Facility Design

• Recommend design strategies that are timeless, modular, and brand-aligned.

• Include guidance on reconfigurable spaces to accommodate rotating programming, pop-up events, and evolving student needs.

• Address aesthetics and functionality to support long-term use and adaptability.

Kennesaw State University, Project No. 555-25-341 Sports & Recreation and Athletics Facilities Master Plans, PC RFQ 5

7. Scenario Development

• Create actionable short-, mid-, and long-term development scenarios that may include:

o Facility renovations or expansions o New construction (e.g., gyms, fields, esports venues, employee fitness spaces, adaptive recreation) o Reallocation or repurposing of existing spaces o Expansion of wellness-related outdoor spaces, including walking/jogging/bike trails

(with connectivity to regional trail systems), fitness stations, reflection gardens, and sensory areas.

• Ensure all proposals align with the Campus Master Plan, land availability, and External Program Review (EPR) recommendations.

8. Cost Estimation & Phasing Strategy

• Provide order-of-magnitude cost estimates and project durations for each proposed initiative.

• Prioritize projects based on urgency, feasibility, and institutional impact.

• Outline a phased implementation plan that supports budget cycles and project sequencing.

9. Alignment with External Program Review (EPR)

• Ensure the plan incorporates key recommendations from the 2024 EPR, including:

o Expansion of indoor court space o Creation of dedicated outdoor recreation fields o Investment in facility support infrastructure (e.g., storage, restrooms, athletic training rooms, sensory rooms) o Refinement of organizational structure and reporting lines that meet the needs of the Department of Sports and Recreation.

10. Deliverables

• Draft Report for internal review by KSU stakeholders

• Final Master Plan Report (PDF format)

• Executive presentation to university leadership, facilities stakeholders, and the Sports & Recreation leadership team

SCOPE TWO: ATHLETICS FACILITIES MASTER PLAN

1. Facility Inventory and Assessment

• Conduct a comprehensive inventory of all KSU Athletics facilities, including stadiums, arenas, training spaces, practice fields, locker rooms, sports medicine areas, and support infrastructure.

• Evaluate each facility’s physical condition, competitive readiness, accessibility, and compliance with NCAA and ADA standards.

• Identify gaps in infrastructure and performance capabilities relative to peer institutions and NCAA Division I benchmarks.

2. Stakeholder Engagement and Operational Analysis

• Facilitate broad engagement with key stakeholders, including:

o Coaches and program directors (all men’s and women’s sports) o Student-athletes o Athletic training and medical staff o Strength and conditioning staff o KSUAA executive leadership o Facilities and operations staff o Fan experience, marketing, and event management personnel o Alumni, donors, and KSUAA Board members

Kennesaw State University, Project No. 555-25-341 Sports & Recreation and Athletics Facilities Master Plans, PC RFQ 6 o KSU Student body o Event & Venue Management (EVM) o Campus Operations departments (Plant Operations, Landscape & Grounds, Building Services, Emergency Management, etc.)

o University Information Technology Services o Campus Police/Public Safety o Parking and Transportation o Environmental Health & Safety o Sustainability o Planning, Design & Construction

• Identify operational constraints and overlapping use of facilities shared by different intercollegiate athletics functions and/or sports and recreation activities

3. Program Needs and Competitive Readiness

• Review findings of 2025 Conference USA facility audit and develop future facility needs across all NCAA sports programs, including training, competition, recruiting, and support services (Note: relevant sections of this audit will be made available to the final selected consultant.)

• Evaluate adequacy of existing spaces to support performance, academic balance, Title IX compliance, and anticipated conference-level competitiveness.

• Recommend strategic investments to elevate KSU Athletics' brand and student-athlete experience.

4. Athlete Support Services and Performance Zones

• Assess and recommend improvements to spaces supporting student-athlete wellbeing, including:

o Sports medicine and rehabilitation o Nutrition and fueling stations o Mental health and recovery spaces o Academic and tutoring centers

• Evaluate centralization and adjacencies of athlete support functions to increase efficiency and performance outcomes.

5. Fan Amenities, Venue Identity, and Game Day Experience

• Assess existing athletic venues for quality of fan experience, including seating, concessions, restrooms, wayfinding, and accessibility.

• Recommend enhancements to amplify home-field advantage, boost attendance, and improve game day operations.

• Align venue design and improvements with Athletics branding, donor recognition opportunities, and fan engagement strategies.

6. Strategic Alignment and Facility Prioritization

• Benchmark KSU facilities against peer and aspirational NCAA Division I programs.

• Incorporate findings from the Facilities Condition Assessment Report (FCAR) and KSU 2024 Strategic Plan.

• Develop a prioritization framework that balances student-athlete needs, institutional visibility, competitive goals, and budgetary feasibility.

7. Flexible and Future-Ready Facility Design

• Recommend adaptable facility strategies that accommodate evolving NCAA standards, sport-specific program growth, and multipurpose uses.

• Address facility aesthetics, technology integration, and long-term maintenance considerations.

Kennesaw State University, Project No. 555-25-341 Sports & Recreation and Athletics Facilities Master Plans, PC RFQ 7

• Consider opportunities for shared-use with Sports & Recreation where appropriate, ensuring clarity in access and scheduling.

8. Development Scenario Planning

• Create actionable short-, mid-, and long-term development scenarios that may include:

o Renovation or expansion of existing competition venues o New construction (e.g., training centers, indoor practice facilities, stadium enhancements) o Consolidation or reallocation of support spaces

• Ensure alignment with the Campus Master Plan, land availability, and university infrastructure planning.

9. Cost Estimation and Phasing Strategy

• Provide order-of-magnitude cost estimates and project durations for all recommended facility initiatives.

• Identify potential funding sources, including donor contributions, sponsorships, and university capital planning.

• Outline a realistic phasing plan that supports capital campaign milestones and minimizes operational disruption.

10. Integration with the KSU Strategic Plan and Athletics Mission

• Ensure all recommendations reflect the goals of the 2024 KSU Strategic Plan and the mission of KSU Athletics to “Build Champions in the Classroom, in Competition, and in Life.”

• Highlight strategies that support Title IX compliance, academic-athletic integration, and community engagement.

11. Deliverables

• Draft Athletics Facilities Master Plan for internal review by key clients/stakeholders and university leadership

• Final Master Plan Report (PDF format)

• Executive presentations for university leadership, Athletics stakeholders, and potential donor audiences

Sustainable Approach The project will incorporate the requirements of the Energy Efficiency & Sustainable Construction Act of 2008 (O.C.G.A. 50-8-18) and it is the desire of the Owner to incorporate sustainable design and construction concepts in the project where feasible to do so. KSU Sustainability Master Plan is provided for reference for finalists.

Professional Consultant Fee The Professional Consultant Base Fee is expected to fall between $325,000 and $350,000, which includes Basic services. Anticipated Professional Consultant service requirements include the services as listed in Item 3 below “Scope of Services”. The shortlisted firms are required to submit a fee proposal that also includes anticipated fees for any specialty consultants needed and all reimbursable expenses such as printing and travel prior to scheduled Finalist Interviews.

Project Schedule The Consultant shall complete the primary (draft) study deliverables within six (6) months of kickoff.

The Professional’s services are anticipated to commence prior to June 1, 2026, with final master plans and deliverable documents anticipated for completion by February, 2027. (All of the dates above are estimates which are subject to change. The fee structure for Professional Consultant services relative to the schedule, and fee amounts will be agreed upon by the Owner and the Professional Consultant prior to the start of professional services.)

Kennesaw State University, Project No. 555-25-341 Sports & Recreation and Athletics Facilities Master Plans, PC RFQ 8

2. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANT SERVICES REQUIREMENTS

The Owner is seeking the services of a planning/architectural/engineering/athletics consulting firm (the “Professional Consultant”) to provide all study services, including the development of plans and documentation. The Professional Consultant will provide the complete initial analysis, design development, and final documents. The successful Professional Consultant will contract with the Owner in a timely manner. The applying firm shall be an individual firm fulfilling all contractual obligations and performing a minimum of 50% of the master planning and design services (exclusive of engineering and specialty consultants) in-house. An associated firm (if desired) may provide up to 50% of the master planning and design services, allowing two or more firms to share in the design effort on an equal basis. The consultant team is expected to be in-person for major milestone engagement and presentations.

3. SCOPE OF SERVICES

It has been deemed appropriate to engage a professional services firm to provide comprehensive planning services for the proposed project.

Specific guidelines for the project include planning for design elements that are:

• attractive and contextual with the existing campus buildings and meet the design guidelines established in the campus master plan.

• energy-efficient and sustainable

• efficient and economical to construct and operate

• durable, comfortable, secure, and that achieve a high degree of value for the Institution

• “smart” systems with the flexibility to respond to rapidly evolving technology in the academic environment.

The scope of the Professional Consultant services at a minimum will include, but is not necessarily limited to, the items outlined below:

• Program Validation/Cost Model

• Existing Site Conditions Analyses

• Measured Drawings of Existing Site Conditions as Needed

• Visioning and/or Charrette engagement as Needed

• Conceptual Design

• Design Development

• Multiple Component Packages (if using CM at-Risk delivery method)

• Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Documents

• Construction Documents

• Construction Administration

• Interior Design

• High-level Material Finishes

• Signage

• High-level Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection and Communication Systems Review

• High-level Structural Review

• Detailed Third Party Cost Estimates at Design Milestones

• Code Review and Compliance

• Commissioning Support

Other services may include:

Kennesaw State University, Project No. 555-25-341 Sports & Recreation and Athletics Facilities Master Plans, PC RFQ 9

• High-level Architectural Programming

• High-level Civil Engineering

• High-level Parking/Traffic Design

• High-level Landscape and Irrigation Design

• Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment Review & Selection

• Laboratory Design

• Acoustical Design

• Audio/Visual/IT Design

• Wayfinding/Graphics

• Storm Water Management Permitting

• Budgeting/Cost Management

• Regular coordination with the Construction Professional during preconstruction, design and construction phases

• Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC)

• Coordination with consultants hired by Owner

• Other requirements as per the Professional Consultant’s contract

• *Surveying - topo, location of structures/site utilities/trees, construction limits

• *Testing Agency – geotechnical evaluation, material testing, special inspections

• *Environmental – Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, GEPA

*The Design Professional will be responsible for procuring and contracting for the services of this firm (costs will Professional Consultant be reimbursed by the Owner without cost mark-up).

4. QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW PROCESS

Selection of the DP will be a multi-step process generally following the steps outlined in the State Construction Manual.

Qualifications Review is initiated with this RFQ for the purpose of acquiring Statements of

Qualifications from prospective PC firms. A selection of finalist firms will be made by a Selection

Committee consisting of representatives of the Owner. The Selection Committee will receive and review Statements of Qualifications submitted in response to this RFQ and then evaluate the submittals based on the criteria for evaluation listed below:

Criteria for Evaluation of Statements of Qualifications

25% Factor: Stability of the firm, including the firm’s corporate history, growth, resources, form of ownership, litigation history, financial information, and other evidence of stability.

45% Factor: Firm’s relevant project experience and qualifications, including the demonstrated ability of firm in effective design of master planning of facilities comparable in complexity, size, and function, to the one contemplated hereby as well as Experience of the principal, lead designer, and project manager and team members on completed projects. Previous Performance of the firm including level of quality of the services of the firm to previous customers, customer’s statements of that quality, the firm’s ability to meet established time requirements, the firm’s response to project needs during design and construction, the firm’s control of design schedule, quality and budget. Evaluators may also consider personal or agency past experience with firms.

30% Factor: Firm’s apparent suitability to provide services for project the firm’s apparent fit to the project type and/or needs of the Owner, contract administration plan, proposed design timeline, any unique qualifications for the project, current and projected workloads, and the proximity of office to project location. Experience and proficiency

Kennesaw State University, Project No. 555-25-341 Sports & Recreation and Athletics Facilities Master Plans, PC RFQ 10 with the design of public buildings with regard to the areas of public safety and health, accessibility for persons with disabilities and special needs, and environmental concerns will be considered.

5. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS - (STEP I)

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

6. SUBMITTAL OF QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR CLARIFICATIONS

It is the responsibility of each respondent to examine the entire RFQ, seek clarification in writing, and review its submittal for accuracy before submitting the document. Once the submittal deadline has passed, all submissions will be final. The Owner will not request clarification from individual proposer regarding their submission but reserves the right to ask for additional information from all parties who have submitted qualifications. Questions about any aspect of the RFQ, or the project, shall be submitted by email to:

Theresa Neylon

Senior Campus Planner email: tneylon@kennesaw.edu

The deadline for submission of questions relating to the RFQ is the time and date shown in the Schedule of Events (Section 5). All relevant questions and requests for clarification received by the Institution in writing, prior to the deadline will be compiled, and answers will be posted on the Georgia Procurement Registry as an addendum to the original solicitation for services at http://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/PRSapp/.

7. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS

Interested firms shall submit/upload one (1) electronic copy in .pdf format of the complete

Qualifications package to a “Filedrop” file transfer website (see #8 below). Submittals must be prepared in a manner that fits a standard 8 ½” x 11” paper format when printed. Responses are limited to using a minimum of an 11-point font. The entire response shall not exceed 40 pages, including exhibits, affidavits or other enclosure information that may be included in an appendix. All pages count regardless of content. Submittals that include qualifications of more

RFQ Estimated Timeline

a. Owner issues public advertisement of RFQ 02/06/26 -----

b. Deadline for written questions/requests for clarification (see Section 6). 02/13/26 10:00am

c. Response to questions 02/18/26

d. Deadline for submission of Statements of Qualifications 02/23/26 10:00am

e. Owner completes evaluation, post results, and issues notification to finalist firms

02/26/26 -----

Kennesaw State University, Project No. 555-25-341 Sports & Recreation and Athletics Facilities Master Plans, PC RFQ 11 than one firm shall not exceed page limits. Submittals that exceed the page limit will be deemed non-responsive and will not be considered by the Selection Committee.

STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS

(DELIVERABLES “A”, “B”, “C” AND “D” FOR ALL FIRMS)

Emphasis should be on completeness, relevance, and clarity of content. The content of all

Statement of Qualifications must be categorized and numbered as outlined below, and responsive to all requested information.

A. Description and Resources of Firm A1 Provide basic company information: Company’s legal name, address, name of primary contact, telephone number, fax number, email address, and company website (if available).

If the firm has multiple offices, the qualification statement shall include information about the parent company and branch office separately. Identify office from which project will be managed and this office’s proximity to the project site. If applicable, indicate the year the local office was established and the number of persons staffing that office and their disciplines. 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 (LLC), or other structure?

A2 Briefly describe the history and growth of your firm(s). Provide general information about the firm's personnel resources, including disciplines and numbers of employees and locations and staffing of offices.

A3 Has the firm been involved in any litigation in the past five (5) years? Describe your experience with litigation with Owners and/or Contractors. List any active or pending litigation and explain. List any claims against your firm or against Owners where your firm is named.

A4 Provide the name of the insurance carrier, types of coverage and deductible amounts per claim.

A5 List the firm’s annual revenue for the past 5 years. List the parent office and the local office revenues separately, if applicable.

A6 Supply financial references and main banking references.

A7 Has the firm ever been removed from a design services contract or failed to complete a contract as assigned? If yes, provide an explanation.

A8 Complete and submit the Certification Form (Exhibit “A” provided with RFQ) and provide a scanned notarized copy with response with the firm’s Statement of Qualifications.

A9 Complete and submit a Certificate of Insurance and Minority Status Form (Exhibit “B” provided with RFQ) and provide a scanned notarized copy with response with the firm’s Statement of Qualifications.

A10 Complete and submit the Project Team Composition Form, including subconsultants (Exhibit “C” provided with RFQ). This is to identify composition of the project team.

A11 Complete the Contractor Affidavit Form (Exhibit “E” provided with RFQ) and provide a scanned notarized copy with response with the firm’s Statement of Qualifications in compliance with the Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act.

GEORGIA SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION COMPLIANCE ACT AFFIDAVIT(S)

“Contractor” in the following Affidavits shall mean “General Contractor”/ ”Contractor” for the purpose of compliance with O.C.G.A. § 13-10-91, (b).

For the purpose of completing the attached Affidavits, please insert the following:

• “Name of Public Employer” shall mean “Kennesaw State University, Owner”.

• “Name of Project” shall mean “Project No. 555-25-341 and “Sports & Recreation and Athletics Facilities Master Plans”

A12 Complete the Proposer’s Disclosure Statement (Exhibit “F” provided with RFQ) and include with firm’s Statement of Qualifications.

B. Experience and Qualifications

Kennesaw State University, Project No. 555-25-341 Sports & Recreation and Athletics Facilities Master Plans, PC RFQ 12

B1 Describe your proposed design team (including design partners) and include an organizational chart of the team indicating the percentages of time the individual will be committed to the project. Identify the primary point of contact. Designate the specific individuals who will fill key roles on the team. Provide resume for each of the proposed team members highlighting relevant project experience.

B2 Provide information on the firm’s experience on projects of similar type, size, function, and complexity. Describe no more than five (5) and no less than three (3) projects, in order of most relevant to least relevant, which demonstrate the firm's capabilities to perform the project at hand. (If a project listed was performed by an employee that previously worked at another firm, please indicate as such). For each project, the following information should be provided:

a. Sports & Recreation and Athletics Facilities Master Plans, location and dates during which services were performed.

b. Project delivery method (e.g. construction manager at risk, design-build, or design-bid-build).

c. Brief description and representative photo of project and physical description (square footage, number of stories, site area).

d. Describe services performed by your firm and (if multiple offices) the location of the office involved.

e. Respective Owner’s stated satisfaction in design and service of your firm. Provide any Owner-written letters of reference/recommendation about the firm’s performance on the project.

f. Owner’s/User contact information.

C. Design Approach

C1 Provide a statement of your definition of your firm’s proposed overall role in this project, your anticipated level of management responsibility and accountability for project concerns.

Describe your process for efficiently resolving issues and maintaining the project commitments while working collaboratively with the Owner, and others as applicable. Provide detailed procedures for routine solving of complex project issues without compromising your team commitments. Provide your proposed methods and plans of communication.

C2 Provide your proposed timeline covering the scope of design and a detailed work plan for the project. Each milestone must include the detailed steps describing the tasks to be done.

Describe systems and procedures your firm uses to manage the design schedule. Describe alternatives that may be explored to shorten the schedule.

C3 Describe your plan for applying sustainable design and principles into the project or any services not specifically mentioned herein. Explain the relevance of these services to this project and how they benefit the project.

D. Statement of Suitability D1 Provide any information that may serve to differentiate the firm from other firms in suitability for the project. Suitability may include, but not limited to, the size and resource of the firm as related to complexity of the Project. Describe any special or unique qualifications for the project; Provide current and projected workloads and the proximity of office to project location.

D2 Describe evidence of experience and proficiency with design of public buildings with regard to the areas of public safety, environmental, accessibility for persons with disabilities and special needs or other related concerns.

D3 Provide information on any special services offered by the firm that may be relevant and available for this project.

8. SUBMITTAL OF STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS

The Qualifications shall be uploaded as a one (1) complete package in .pdf format onto Kennesaw State University’s “Filedrop” file transfer website:

Kennesaw State University, Project No. 555-25-341 Sports & Recreation and Athletics Facilities Master Plans, PC RFQ 13 https://sendafile.kennesaw.edu/filedrop/~pZXO7G

Please do not send individual documents or sections separately. The file shall be titled in the format below:

EXAMPLE: (555-25-341-PC, ABC Company, Qualifications)

See the Liquid Files website https://docs.liquidfiles.com/ for User Guide instructions to transfer files. Please be advised there is a 250MB file size limitation.

Statements of Qualifications must be received electronically by the Owner prior to the deadline indicated in the Schedule of Events (Section 5 of the RFQ). Printed copies will not be accepted.

If difficulty is encountered during upload, contact Theresa Neylon at (470) 576-1562 or tneylon@kennesaw.edu for assistance or confirmation that the file was received. Firms are encouraged to verify their upload was successful at least 45 minutes prior to the deadline.

(Experience with the ftp site indicates that uploads do not always receive the confirmation statement that the file was successfully uploaded. For files ranging in size over 10mb, it could take more than two minutes to complete the upload.)

It is the sole responsibility of the Proposer to assure delivery by the specified deadlines; the Owner cannot accept responsibility for incorrect delivery, regardless of reason. No submittals will be accepted after the time stipulated above. Submittals will not be accepted via mail, courier, or fax.

Proposers are further reminded to include a completed CONTRACTOR AFFIDAVIT UNDER O.C.G.A. §13-10-91 (b)(1) with the Statement of Qualifications (See Exhibit “E”). FAILURE TO

PROVIDE THIS AFFIDAVIT WILL RESULT IN REJECTION OF PROPOSAL.

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

A list of firms submitting responsive Statements of Qualifications will be published on the Georgia Procurement Registry site.

9. FINALIST NOTIFICATION

Once the Selection Committee has completed the evaluation of the Statements of Qualifications, the finalist firms will be notified in writing. The shortlisted firms will be posted at the RFQ solicitation on the Georgia Procurement Registry.

STEP II

REQUEST FOR FEE PROPOSALS & INTERVIEWS

(From Finalists Firms)

Step II- PC Selection, will be initiated by invitation to finalists to submit Fee Proposals as instructed in the Owner’s Request for Qualifications (RFQ). Finalists will be those firms determined by the

Selection Committee to be especially qualified to perform as the Professional Consultant for this

Project in accordance with the qualification criteria herein. The Owner will issue a notice to finalists

Kennesaw State University, Project No. 555-25-341 Sports & Recreation and Athletics Facilities Master Plans, PC RFQ 14 to participate in an oral presentation/interview. The successful PC will be determined from the interviews and proposals received.

1. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (STEP II)

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

2. PRE-PROPOSAL VIRTUAL MEETING

A pre-proposal virtual meeting to review the site will be conducted by the Owner, and attendance of finalist firms is mandatory. The meeting time is given in the Schedule of Events (Step II). A virtual meeting invitation will be sent to the finalist firms. At the pre-proposal meeting, all finalist firms may be given any relevant available information that has previously been developed, such as programs, studies, preliminary plans, maps, etc. The Owner reserves the right to disqualify a proposer from the selection process due to a failure by a proposer to arrive for the site review meeting by the scheduled time. Failure to attend a mandatory site review meeting will automatically result in disqualification from the selection process.

3. SELECTION PROCESS

The Selection Committee will evaluate the finalist firms according to the criteria for the evaluation below:

Criteria for the Evaluation of Finalist Interviews:

50% Factor: Design Team Qualifications and Experience of the Proposed Project Team.

Experience of the principal, lead designer, project manager and team members on completed projects of similar size, type, and complexity. Previous Performance of the firm including level of quality of services of the firm to provide customers, customer’s statements of that quality, the firm’s ability to meet established time requirements, the firm’s response to project needs during design and construction, the firm’s control of design schedule, quality and budget and availability of project team for this project. The Selection Committee may use references from stakeholders from previous projects of the finalists, as well as information submitted in Step I of this selection process.

STEP II (Estimated Timeline)

a. Owner issues notice to finalist firms 02/26/26 ----------

b. Owner conducts Mandatory virtual site review meeting for finalist firms

02/27/26 1:00 PM

c. Deadline for Site Visit written questions/requests for clarification 03/05/26 10:00 AM

d. Responses to questions 03/10/26

d. Deadline for submission of Fee Proposals (day prior to interviews) 03/17/26 10:00 AM

e. Owner Interviews finalist firms 03/18/26 TBA

Kennesaw State University, Project No. 555-25-341 Sports & Recreation and Athletics Facilities Master Plans, PC RFQ 15

25% Factor: Design Plan / Methodology Presented: The design team’s project approach during planning and design, and firm’s presentation of the proposed planning process. The firm’s ability to assure success to complete the project within the time and cost budgeted.

25% Factor: Team Communications/Project Solutions: Committee’s overall impression of the firm(s) and it’s team members. The effectiveness in communication of the team members during the interview process, and the firm’s ability to effectively answer project questions and provide solutions during the interview.

4. SUBMITTAL OF FEE PROPOSALS

Fee Proposals will be solicited from the finalists invited to interview. Do not include any project proposal information. Firms must use the “Design Professional Fee Proposal” form (included as an Exhibit to this RFQ).

The Fee Proposal shall be password protected and uploaded as a one (1) complete package in .pdf format onto Kennesaw State University’s “Filedrop” file transfer website:

https://sendafile.kennesaw.edu/filedrop/~pZXO7G

Please do not send individual documents or sections separately. The file shall be titled in the format below:

EXAMPLE: (555-25-341-PC, ABC Company, Fee Proposal)

No fee proposal will be opened until one firm has been judged to be the highest ranked firm.

Following the interviews, the highest ranked firm will be contacted to provide the document password. Only the fee proposal from the highest ranked firm will be opened. Please understand that this proposal constitutes a starting point for negotiation toward an eventual agreement on fees.

5. PRESENTATION / INTERVIEW INFORMATION

Interview Format Firms selected to make presentations shall be notified by the Invitation to Interview letter issued by the Selection Committee Manager. The Invitation to Interview letter shall designate a place and time for the interview session. The time allotted to each firm to present and be interviewed will be in accordance with the State Construction Manual. The Invitation letter will specify the manner in which the presentations will be conducted.

• The interview will last a total of 45 minutes (30 minutes for the presentation, 15 minutes reserved for questions and answers). Teams will have 5 minutes prior to your interview to get your presentation set up. The Selection Committee will consist of representatives of the Owner.

• Electronic presentations, such as PowerPoint presentations are allowed.

• The Owner will typically have a screen and projector available in the interview room, and possibly a laptop computer. Nevertheless, presenters must be prepared with their own projector, flash drive and laptop computer in case unforeseen technical difficulties are encountered.

• The presentation may involve boards along with the oral presentation.

• All members of the Selection Committee will be present during all of the presentations.

• Firms are not allowed to address any questions to anyone other than the designated contact prior to the interview.

Interview Requirements

Kennesaw State University, Project No. 555-25-341 Sports & Recreation and Athletics Facilities Master Plans, PC RFQ 16

The primary intent of the formal interview process is to provide the Selection Committee with in-depth and clarifying information about the firm. Information provided should assist the Selection Committee in making an informed decision as to the proposer best suited for the work. All key personnel should be present at the interview.

Firms should focus their presentations on:

• Specific roles of your team members, their time devoted to this project, their current workload.

• Team members relevant experience and specific roles on this project.

• Proposed timeline covering the scope of design and a detailed work plan for the project. Each milestone must include the detailed steps describing the tasks to be done. Describe systems and procedures your firm uses to manage the design schedule. Describe alternatives that may be explored to shorten the schedule.

• Detailed plan for applying any services not specifically mentioned herein and explain the relevance of these services to this project and how they benefit the project.

• Unique characteristics or services the firm offers.

Please bring a copy of your interview presentation on a thumb-drive, as well as (1) printed copy of the presentation, to leave with the Selection Committee.

Firms are discouraged from reviewing general company history and past experience as submitted in Statements of Qualifications unless this information is particularly relevant to the presentation.

All key personnel should be present at the interview to discuss how the team will successfully complete the project.

Final Selection Upon completion of the evaluation and interview process by the Selection Committee, the firms will be ranked in descending order of recommendation. Negotiations will then be initiated with the best-qualified firm to finalize the terms and conditions of the contract. In the event a satisfactory fee agreement cannot be reached with the highest ranking firm, the Owner will formally terminate the negotiations in writing and enter into negotiations in turn with the second highest ranking firm and so on until a mutual agreement is established and the Owner awards a professional services contract. The Professional Consultant contract is based upon the Design Professional Contract Between Design Professional and Owner. Refer to the BOR website for the most current version :

https://www.usg.edu/facilities/services/contracts_and_agreements .

6. ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Restriction of Communication From the issue date of this RFQ and RFP solicitation until a successful proposer is selected and the selection is announced, proposers are not allowed to communicate about this solicitation or this

Project for any reason with any members of the Selection Committee, the Institution, or Board of

Regents, except for submission of questions as instructed in the RFQ and RFP, or during the proposer's conference (if applicable), or as provided by any existing work agreement(s). For violation of this provision, the Owner reserves the right to reject the proposal of the offending proposer.

Submittal Costs and Confidentiality

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

Kennesaw State University, Project No. 555-25-341 Sports & Recreation and Athletics Facilities Master Plans, PC RFQ 17

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

Reciprocal Preference Law For the purposes of evaluation only, a proposer that resides in the State of Georgia will be granted the same preference over proposers that reside in another State in the same manner, on the same basis, and to the same extent that preference is granted in awarding bids for the same goods or services by such other State to proposers that reside therein. For the purposes of this law, the definition of a resident proposer is one who maintains a place of business with at least one employee inside the State of Georgia. A P.O. Box address will not satisfy this requirement.

Joint-Venture Proposals

The Owner does not desire to enter into “joint-venture” agreements with multiple firms. In the event two or more firms desire to “team up” it is strongly recommended that one incorporated firm propose and maintain status as the contracted lead firm with the remaining firms participating as major consultants to the lead firm.

Minority and Small Business Enterprise

It is the policy of the State of Georgia that minority-owned business enterprises (MBE), woman-owned business enterprises (WBE) and small business enterprises (SBE), have a fair and equal opportunity to participate in the State purchasing process. Therefore, the Owner encourages all MBE, WBE and SBE to compete for contracts to provide goods, services, and construction, and encourages contractors to solicit MBE, WBE and SBE in procuring subcontractors and suppliers.

This desire on the part of the Owner is not intended to restrict or limit competitive bidding or to increase the cost of the work. The Owner supports a healthy free market system that seeks to include responsible businesses and provides ample opportunity for business growth and…