GESPC _Addendum 1.pdf

Revised 02/11/11 SPD-SPR004

ADDENDUM NO. ONE

RFP Number: 51800-RFP-2024-000000065 RFP Title: Required University of Georgia - Guaranteed Energy Savings Performance Contract (GESPC)

Requesting State Entity: University of Georgia Date: 5/15/2024 Issuing Officer: Ben Fender RFP Initially Posted to GPR: 4/23/2024 email Address: Benjamin.fender@uga.edu Telephone: 706-542-7116

Note: In the event of a conflict between previously released information and the information contained herein, the latter shall control.

A. BID DUE DATE

The bid date remains the same, May 23, 2024 at 5:00 pm, legally prevailing time.

B. REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION

1. The RFP states: “Fee Proposals, IMPORTANT: Read this carefully, this section has changed!

Fee Proposals must be submitted at the conclusion of the interview session in a seal ed envelope. Firms must use the Cost worksheet , And include Exhibit A to this RFP”. Please provide a copy of Exhibit A and confirm that the Cost Worksheet and Exhibit A are not required with the proposal but at the interview session.

Exhibit A – Cost work sheet will be supplied to the short-listed group of ESPs.

Exhibit A is not a required part of this RFP submission and should be hand delivered in an opaque envelope per section 4.2 at the conclusion of the selected interview.

2. What are the prioritization criteria for the Investment Grade Audit (IGA) in terms of building age, operational hours, and accessibility?

The objective of this RFP is to select an ESP to provide the services outlined in this RFP to Owner for a proposed Guaranteed Energy Savings Performance Contract (GESPC) Project at Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

3. Will UGA provide comprehensive utility account information, including water, electricity, steam, and natural gas usage for the facilities under consideration?

Relevant detailed technical information, including utility information, will be provided during the Investment Grade Audit (IGA).

4. Would UGA please supply a comprehensive list of facilities that includes account numbers, building names, inventories of mechanical and electrical equipment, current control systems, and building square footage?

The table below includes a list of facilities under consideration. Relevant detailed technical information, including account numbers, inventories of mechanical and electrical equipment, and current control systems, will be provided during the

IGA.

Building UGA Building #

Yr.

Built

Conditioned SF Building Use

Dean Rusk 0045 1996 37,492 Classroom/Office/Dry Laboratories

Caldwell Hall 0046 1981 76,485 Classroom/Office/Dry Laboratories

Baldwin Hall 0050 1967 103,110 Classroom/Office/Dry Laboratories

Main Library 0054 1952 343,047 Libraries Brooks Hall 0055 1924 97,665 Classroom/Office/Dry

Laboratories Fine Arts 0060 1941 83,459 Assembly Centers/Coliseum Psychology 0064 1969 103,033 Classroom/Office/Dry

Laboratories Gilbert Hall 0640 1939 60,232 Classroom/Office/Tech

Research/Wet Lab Dawson Hall 1010 1932 81,726 Classroom/Office/Wet

Laboratories Food Science 1020 1958 66,850 Classroom/Office/Tech

Research/Wet Lab Marine Science and Dance

1030 1928 97,409 Classroom/Office/Tech Research/Wet Lab

Aderhold 1060 1971 202,005 Classroom/Office/Dry Laboratories

Miller Plant Science

1061 1972 160,255 Classroom/Office/Wet Laboratories

Ramsey Student Center

1690 1995 386,288 Health/Phys Ed/Recreation/Natatoriums

Performing Arts 1692 1995 51,203 Assembly Centers/Coliseum

CCRC 2419 2003 157,555 Classroom/Office/Tech Research/Wet Lab

5. Could you elaborate on the goals of this initiative, specifically in relation to energy efficiency, resilience, and the integration of renewable energy?

The objective of this RFP is to select an ESP to provide the services outlined in this RFP to Owner for a proposed Guaranteed Energy Savings Performance

6. Are there any regulatory or compliance requirements that the IGA will help the

University achieve?

See Question 5.

7. How will the results of the IGA be communicated to the University community, and will there be transparency in the decision-making process for implementing recommended measures?

a. After ESP performs the audit and submits the audit report, Owner, in its sole discretion, may elect to execute a GESPC with ESP, whereby ESP shall design, procure, fabricate, construct, install, commission, and test those ECMs that Owner selects, and in which ESP guarantees a set level of guaranteed savings.

8. Will UGA also consider the integration of smart technologies to enhance energy management and monitoring on campus?

See Question 7.

9. Does UGA have standard lighting specifications for the installation of new LED technology? If, yes please provide the specifications.

Detailed technical information, including any available UGA lighting upgrade programs, will be provided during the Investment Grade Audit.

10. Does UGA have a current lighting upgrade program for replacing old inefficient lighting with new LEDs?

11. Would UGA provide a copy of the GEFA application in Excel format that was submitted to GEFA for this project?

Detailed technical information, including a copy of the GEFA application, will be provided during the Investment Grade Audit.

12. If an ESP has provided information to UGA regarding this project or any of the facilities that will be addressed with this project over the past year, would you please provide that information and the name of the ESP that assisted UGA with this endeavor?

No ESP has provided information to UGA regarding this project over the past year. Any available detailed technical information will be provided during the Investment Grade Audit.

13. Would UGA please provide the most current M&V documentation report submitted to UGA by JCI regarding the current GESPC project that was implemented by JCI?

a. Relevant detailed technical information, including M&V documentation, will be

14. Has any form of audit been conducted during the past 2-years by either UGA or a 3-party?

a. Relevant detailed technical information, including available energy audit data, will be provided during the Investment Grade Audit.

15. Would you please provide a copy of any current or previous audit data that may have been provided to UGA even if it was a draft format?

Relevant detailed technical information, including available energy audit data,

16. Will you be providing the asset/building list soon?

See Question 4.

17. Also, can you give some direction as to the fee proposal. It was not included in the RFP.

See Question 1

18. Are the buildings individually metered for electricity, natural gas, domestic water, chilled water, and steam?

Relevant detailed technical information, including utility and metering data, will be provided during the Investment Grade Audit.

19. Can we get a listing of all current service contracts?

Relevant detailed technical information will be provided during the Investment Grade Audit.

20. Per walkthrough, over 100 buildings are using steam for heating. What is the status of return condensation lines and steam traps? What is your steam trap maintenance plan?

Relevant detailed technical information, including utility and infrastructure information, will be provided during the Investment Grade Audit.

21. What percentage of your facilities have been converted to LED lighting and does the University have a plan for converting any remaining fluorescent to LED?

22. Can we get an annual summary of the utility usage and costs?

Grade Audit.

Bldg.

Number Bldg. Name Area

Average Annual Utility Consumption (mmBtu)

Average Annual Utility Cost

0045 Dean Rusk 37,492 3,584 $85,766 0046 Caldwell Hall 76,485 4,491 $92,467 0050 Baldwin Hall 103,110 10,768 $175,444 0054 Main Library 343,047 16,856 $403,842 0055 Brooks Hall 97,665 2,165 $51,768 0060 Fine Arts 83,459 1,743 $61,869 0064 Psychology 103,033 22,425 $287,708 0640 Gilbert Hall 60,232 10,595 $227,603 1010 Dawson Hall 81,726 10,650 $147,968 1020 Food Science 66,850 3,038 $49,559

1030 Marine Science and Dance 97,409 13,574 $223,043

1060 Aderhold 202,005 22,714 $334,469

1061 Miller Plant Science 160,255 22,708 $497,703

1690 Ramsey Student Center 386,288 51,907 $1,264,695

1692 Performing Arts 51,203 68,179 $61,200

2419 CCRC 157,555 5,399 $441,894

23. Can we get square footage of the campus associated with the utility bills?

See Question 22.

24. Can you provide Copies of the most recent Utility Bills?

Relevant detailed technical information, including copies of UGA utility bills,

25. What Project Term UGA is looking for?

Georgia Code § 50-37-4.b: A guaranteed energy savings performance contract shall include a written guarantee that energy, water, waste-water, or operating cost savings or revenue increases will meet or exceed the cost of the energy conservation measures to be evaluated, recommended, designed, implemented, or installed under the contract within a 20 year period from the date of final https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2022/title-50/chapter-37/section-50-37-1/ acceptance of installation or implementation. The project term will be determined during the IGA.

26. Will UGA consider multiple ESCO’s for RFI?

The objective of this RFP is to select an ESP to provide the services outlined in this RFP to Owner for a proposed Guaranteed Energy Savings Performance

27. Can you please provide the total # of buildings for RFI?

28. Please provide the following rates.

a. $/kWh for electricity

b. $/MCF natural gas

c. $/kgal water

d. $/ton-hr for chilled water

e. $/Mlb for steam

f. $/Kw Rate

Relevant detailed technical information, including UGA utility rates, will be

29. Section 4.2 (Submittal Instructions and Fee Proposals) mentions paper. Do you also need hard copies submitted? If so, please provide the number needed.

Please refer to Section 4.2 of the revised Article 4, attached to this Addendum.

30. We do not see a #8 that is referenced in 4.2 (Submittal Instructions and Fee Proposals).

Article 4 – Proposal Deliverables and Submission has been revised and is attached to this Addendum

31. Can you please clarify the submittal instructions for this response?

1. Per Section 4.2, Submittal Instructions and Fee Proposals, first paragraph "Interested firms shall submit paper bids at 424 East Broad St. Athens, Ga 30602 of the complete proposal package per #8 Submittal of Project Proposals and Fee Proposals."

2. Per section 4.2 Submittal Instructions and Fee Proposals , third paragraph, "Three copies of the entire Proposal shall be submitted via three flash drives as a SINGLE PDF file. The single PDF file must be printable on standard (8½” x 11”) paper.

See Question 30

32. The RFP makes reference to Attachment E: SPD-SP054 Immigration and Security

Form which was not included with the RFP; can you please provide?

This document is attached to the Georgia Procurement Register as Attachment E-Verify From

33. Will a specific Attachment E (ESP’s Immigration and Security Form) be provided by UGA for those responding to the RFQ?

See Question 32

34. Could the Contractor Affidavit form (Exhibit B) please be posted to the procurement website for firms to download and complete?

See Question 32

35. Could you please provide a list of all ESPs that have met all requirements to be eligible to respond to this project.

The eligible ESPs are listed on the State of Georgia Website at the following link https://gefa.georgia.gov/energy-performance-contracting/prequalification-list https://gefa.georgia.gov/energy-performance-contracting/prequalification-list

36. Has a GESPC project application been submitted to the Board of Regents and Georgia Environmental Finance Authority for approval for this project? If so, what is the estimated dollar figure UGA is seeking approval for (Line 19 on the GESPC Application)?

Grade Audit. The objective of this RFP is to select an ESP to provide the services outlined in this RFP to Owner for a proposed Guaranteed Energy Savings Performance Contract (GESPC) Project at Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

37. Could you please provide a list of the names and job titles of the representatives that will make up the evaluation committee?

If a proposal passes the administrative/preliminary review, the Proposal will be forwarded for further Owner evaluation. A selection committee made up of qualified Owner representatives/stakeholders may be established by Owner, and the committee shall select no less than three and no more than five “finalist” ESPs for further consideration, but shall reserve the ability to select less finalists for additional consideration in the event a sparse quantity of responsive submittals are received.

A restriction of communication is in effect. Attempts to contact any Owner representative in connection with this RFP other than the Issuing Officer or failure to provide fully responsive submittal information may lead to disqualification.

Prohibited communication includes all contact or interaction including, but not limited to, telephonic communications, emails, faxes, letters, or personal meetings, such as lunch, entertainment, or otherwise. This restriction will remain in effect throughout the RFP phase of the project and subsequent phases until a contract is awarded or the procurement is cancelled.

38. In the past, the University System GESPC projects have been limited in term length. Does UGA anticipate a certain year limit to the term this project can be contracted for?

Georgia Code § 50-37-4.b: A guaranteed energy savings performance contract shall include a written guarantee that energy, water, waste-water, or operating cost savings or revenue increases will meet or exceed the cost of the energy conservation measures to be evaluated, recommended, designed, implemented, or installed under the contract within a 20 year period from the date of final acceptance of installation or implementation. The project term will be determined during the IGA.

39. Can you please provide a list of facilities being considered for this project?

See Question 4

40. Will the campus district chilled water and/or steam systems be included?

See Question 4

41. Can you please clarify if UGA would like 3 Flash Drives only or 3 Flash Drives +

3 Hard Paper Copies to be delivered?

Please refer to Section 4.2 of the revised Article 4, attached to this Addendum..

42. Under Section 4.2 on Pg. 9 of the RFP, it states that we shall submit paper bids, but further down it states three copies shall be submitted via three flash drives.

Can you confirm how you want our proposal to be submitted and how many copies are needed?

See Question 41

43. Under Section 4.1 Submittal Components, Item A.6, do we submit Resumes for Key Personnel only, to match the personnel information requested in https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2022/title-50/chapter-37/section-50-37-1/

A.8/Attachment C? Or should we provide a Resume for everyone listed on the Organization Chart?

Please refer to section 4.1, subsection 6. Which asks for the resumes and professional registration information for principle team which includes but is not limited to principal in charge, lead project manager, and all other key personnel.

44. Attachment E: ESP’s Immigration and Security Form is blank. Does this refer to the separate document with the RFP attachments labeled “E-Verify Form” or “Contractor Affidavit?”

See Question 21

ARTICLE 4. PROPOSAL DELIVERABLES AND SUBMISSION

4.1 Submittal Components

Preliminary Technical Proposals must include a Proposal Certification Form

(Attachment A), ESP Project History (Attachment B); ESP Team Member Qualification

(Attachment C); ESP’s Discipline Profile (Attachment D); and, ESP’s Immigration and

Security Form (Attachment E). The entire Proposal must be categorized and numbered as outlined below, and must be responsive to all requested information:

4.1.1 Preliminary Technical Proposal Deliverables:

A. Experience and Qualifications

1. Provide a signed and notarized Proposal Certification (Attachment A).

2. Provide basic company information: company name, primary address, name of primary contact, telephone number, email address, and company website. Identify office address from which project will be managed.

Provide form of ownership including state of residency or incorporation and number of years in business.

3. Provide brief summary of the firm's structure and resources including disciplines, number of employees, and locations and staffing of offices.

List any known/available information on mergers or planned acquisitions impacting the firm. Provide general information about any relationships and success with firms that specialize in financing of energy performance contracts similar to Owner’s prospective project.

4. Provide a statement describing potential conflicts of interest created by the firm or proposed team’s involvement in Owner’s project. Respondents should provide information as to the nature of relationship(s) with parties in such potential conflicts.

5. Provide a brief statement of the firm’s philosophy and practices in communicating with clients including philosophy on resolving contractual or other disputes.

6. Provide information pertaining to the principal personnel including, but not limited to, principal in charge, lead project manager, and all other key personnel. Include resumes and professional registration information for personnel identified. Provide an organization chart for the principal team and any known or likely subconsultants. Provide percentage of time commitment for proposed senior personnel and key members of team.

7. Provide all information requested in Attachment B, ESP Project History, and Client Reference. Provide project histories for three similar post-construction guaranteed energy savings projects that have been completed by ESP. Provide information on projects’ financing (financing firm and ESPs role in arranging financing). Information on projects with at least one full year of repayment history is preferred.

8. Provide the qualifications and experience of the individuals to be assigned to this project including a clear description of the roles and responsibilities each individual will have if your company is selected. The requested information must be provided using only the form Attachment C - ESP

Team Member Qualification.

9. Complete and submit Attachment D – ESP’s Discipline Profile.

10. Complete and submit Attachment E – ESP’s Immigration and Security

Form.

B. Suitability

1. Provide a brief statement of suitability for this project and information that serves to differentiate your ESP from other ESPs for the project. Include information on how your ESP typically works with facility staff and resolves project issues. Furnish evidence of the ESP’s fit for the project and/or needs of Owner, any special or unique qualifications for the project, or unique approaches to this particular project.

2. Supply current and projected workloads.

3. Describe ESP’s approach to selecting ECMs for facilities. Describe the criteria you use to evaluate whether an ECM is appropriate and feasible for particular facilities and for set levels of comfort.

4. Describe your measurement and verification (M&V) and training approach.

Describe your approach to commissioning installed or implemented ECMs and your ongoing maintenance and support practices.

5. Describe your approach to design, construction, and closeout and any special or enhanced capabilities offered by the ESP that may be particularly suitable for this project.

6. Describe ability to gather resources in vicinity to the project and/or any knowledge of the project history and/or project area, which may uniquely benefit the ESP and project.

7. Describe other services or techniques offered by the ESP that might be especially suitable for the project.

8. Provide evidence of the ESP’s understanding of the current facility conditions and any limitations of those conditions to efficient performance and any information that may serve to demonstrate ESP’s understanding of the facility conditions.

9. Based on ESP’s general observations of the facilities and the data provided, briefly discuss ECMs the firm has implemented at similar types of facilities and how that experience might apply to the facilities listed in the EOI.

4.2 Submittal Instructions and Fee Proposals

4.2.1 Submittal Instructions:

A. Interested firms shall submit the Submittal Components referenced in section 4.1 on a physical thumb drive, along with 2 copies, also on thumb drives, to 424 East

Broad St. Rm 301, Athens, Ga 30602 by 2:00 PM legally prevailing time, Athens, GA on Friday, May 21st 2024. Submittals must be prepared in a manner that when printed would typically fit on standard (8 ½ x 11”) paper. Responses are limited to using a minimum of an 11-point font. Numbers shall be written in

English words and in Arabic numerals. Submittals that include qualifications of more than one firm shall not exceed the page limit. (Proposals should not exceed

125 pages. Including all resumes, references, etc. Emphasis should be on completeness, relevance, and clarity of content. Submittals must incorporate tabs or bookmarks to facilitate easy access to information.

B. To expedite the review of submittals, it is essential that respondents follow the format and instructions outlined in this section. The content of all Project

Proposals must be categorized and numbered in the same format in which the information was requested, and must address in a responsible and responsive manner all requested information:

C. Three copies of the entire Proposal shall be submitted via three flash drives as a

SINGLE PDF file. The single PDF file must be printable on standard (8½” x 11”) paper. The pages of the submittals must be numbered as required in Section 4.1.

Responses are limited to 125 printable pages using a minimum of size 11 font.

One page of the Submittal Components shall be devoted to an organization chart

(requested in deliverable A-6). Additional information should not be added on this page.

D. Each submittal shall be prepared in a simple and straightforward manner.

Irrelevant graphics and unnecessary promotional information is not desired.

NOTE: All pages shall be included in the page limit EXCEPT for the front cover, table of contents, and tab divider/section title pages.

E. Thumb Drive submittals must be sealed in an opaque envelope or box, and reference PE-51800-RFP-2024-000000065 (University of Georgia - Guaranteed

Energy Savings Performance Contract (GESPC) 2024) The name of the proposing ESP and the words “PRELIMINARY TECHNICAL PROPOSAL” must be clearly indicated on the outside of all of the envelopes or boxes. Submittals must be physically received by Owner prior to the submittal deadline indicated in the schedule of events or as otherwise instructed by addenda.

F. Submittals shall be delivered to the exact address below:

Ben Fender

Procurement Specialist

University of Georgia

Procurement

Business Services Building

424 E Broad St. Rm 301

Athens, Georgia 30602

Email: Benjamin.Fender@uga.edu

G. Submittals received after the deadline indicated in section 4.2.1 A are subject to immediate rejection. Proposals submitted via facsimile or email will not be accepted. All submittals in response to this RFP and any addenda shall be considered Proposals. All submittals upon receipt become the property of Owner.

Labeling information provided in submittals “proprietary” or “confidential” or any other designation of restricted use will not be binding upon Owner or its representatives and will not protect the information from public view. Subject to the provisions of the Georgia Open Records Act, the details of the proposal documents will remain confidential until final award. All expenses for preparing and submitting responses are the sole cost of the party submitting the response.

Owner is not obligated to any party to reimburse such expenses.

H. Questions concerning this RFP must be submitted in writing in accordance with section 4.3 to the Issuing Officer identified in this RFP. No questions other than written questions will be accepted. No responses other than written responses should be considered. All ESPs must submit questions by the deadline identified in the schedule of events.

4.2.2 Fee Proposals:

A. Fee Proposals must be submitted at the conclusion of the interview session on a physical thumb drive, along with 2 copies, also on thumb drives. Firms must use the Cost worksheet that will be supplied to the shortlisted ESPs. No sealed fee proposal will be opened until one firm has been judged to be the top ranked firm.

Subsequently, only the fee proposal from that top ranked firm will be opened.

Please understand that this proposal constitutes a starting point for negotiation toward an eventual agreement on fees.

4.3 Submittal of Questions and Request for Clarification, and Extensions

4.3.1 Questions and Requests for Information

A. It is the responsibility of each respondent to examine the entire RFP, seek clarification in writing, and review its submittal for accuracy before submitting the document.

B. Questions about any aspect of the RFP, or the project, shall be submitted in writing (e-mail is preferable) to:

mailto:Benjamin.Fender@uga.edu

Ben Fender

Procurement Specialist

University of Georgia

Procurement

Business Services Building

Athens, Georgia 30602

Email: Benjamin.Fender@uga.edu

C. The deadline for submission of questions relating to the RFP is the time and date shown in the Schedule of Events 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/.

4.3.2 Submittal Deadline Extensions

A. Any proposer exceptions to the RFP requirements or requests for deadline extensions must also be communicated to the Owner by the deadline to be properly considered. Any requests for proposal deadline extensions must include the reason(s) for such a request. The Owner reserves the right to approve or reject such requests as the Owner deems necessary.

B. 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.

4.4 Reviewing, Revising or Canceling a Submitted Response

Bids are to be addressed to the Owner, at the address and room number stated in

Section 4.2. Bids must be placed in the hands of the Owner at the specified location by not later than the hour and date named in the Invitation to Bid. After that time, no bids may be received. It is the sole responsibility of the bidder to ensure the delivery of the bids to the required address.

4.5 Owner’s Right to Request Additional Information

Prior to contract award, Owner must be assured that the selected ESP has all of the resources to successfully perform under the contract. If, during the evaluation process, Owner is unable to assure itself of the ESP’s ability to perform, then Owner may request http://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/PRSapp/ any information deemed necessary to evaluate the ESP and its Proposal. If such information is requested, ESP will be notified through the Issuing Officer. ESP must respond and provide the requested information within the time specified in the request or, if not specified in the request, within seven business days of the date of the request.

4.6 Finalist Notification/Interviews

4.6.1 Finalist Notification

A. The names of the ESPs selected as finalists will be posted on the Georgia

Procurement Registry (http://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/PRSapp/) and each ESP will receive written notification (“Finalist Notification”) from the Issuing Officer that will address the necessary elements of the remainder of the selection process including requirements and instructions for interviews with Owner/selection committee.

B. Any additional deliverables required of the finalists will be described, and any additional specific criteria for the evaluation of the interviewees will be communicated in the finalist notification.

C. Owner may issue additional program/facility information, additional service requirements or standards for the project, along with other appropriate information, in the finalist notification.

4.6.2 Interview Format

A. Firms selected to make presentations shall be notified by the Invitation to Finalist

Notification issued by the Selection Committee Manager. The Finalist Notification 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.

B. The interview will be conducted in person and will last a total of 55 minutes (5 minutes for setup, 25 minutes for the presentation, 20 minutes reserved for questions and answers and the last 5 minutes for knock down). The selection committee will consist of representatives of the institution and the Board of

Regents Office of Real Estate and Facilities.

C. Additional interview questions will be submitted to solicitors before the meetings.

D. Electronic presentations, such as PowerPoint presentations, are allowed but should not comprise the entire presentation.

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

F. The presentation may involve flip charts or boards along with the oral presentation.

G. All members of the Selection Committee will be present during all of the presentations and interviews.

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

4.7 Final Selection

A. Upon completion of the evaluation of Project Proposals and interviews by the

Selection Committee, proposers will be ranked in descending order of recommendation. Only the Fee Proposal of the offeror with the highest-scoring

Project Proposal will be opened and reviewed by the Selection Committee.

B. In the event a satisfactory agreement cannot be reached with the highest-scoring firm, the Owner will formally terminate the negotiations in writing and open and review only the Fee Proposal of the second highest-scoring ranking firm, and so on until a mutually agreed upon fixed fee is established.