Request for Qualifications

ARC & GEFA Funded Projects and

Annual On-Call Engineering Services

Project: 20262 – Sewer Line Expansion Project (ARC) Project: 20263 – Water System Improvements (GEFA)

Lumpkin County Water & Sewerage Authority 194 Courthouse Hill, Annex A

Dahlonega, Georgia 30533

(706) 867-6580

Issue Date: April 22, 2026 SOQ Due Date: May 28, 2026

April 22, 2026

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Contents Section 1: Introduction

Summary Solicitation Open Records

Section 1.1: General Project Information

ARC Project GEFA Project Annual On-Call Engineering Services

Section 2: Consultant Services Description of Needs Description of Consulting Services Responsibilities of LCWSA

Section 3: Procurement Process Acknowledgement of RFQ Submittal of Questions and Requests for Clarification Communications RFQ Schedule of Events

Section 4: Submittal Requirements Submittal and Due Date Format Content

Section 5: Evaluation and Selection Evaluation Criteria Selection Process

Section 6: Additional Terms and Conditions Restriction of Communication Submittal Costs and Confidentiality Award Conditions Statement of Agreement

Section 7: Additional Required Content Forms

Attachment A Attachment B

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Section 1: Introduction Summary The Lumpkin County Water & Sewerage Authority (“Owner” or “LCWSA”) is soliciting Statements of Qualifications from professional firms interested in providing Engineering Services for the following (“Projects”):

• Project No. 20262 – Sewer Line Expansion Project (ARC)

• Project No. 20263 – Water System Improvements (GEFA)

• Annual On-Call Engineering Services

This Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) seeks to identify potential providers of the above-mentioned services. One or more firms that respond to this RFQ and who are determined by the Owner to be especially qualified, may be deemed eligible and may be invited to discuss and negotiate 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 Owner reserves the right to reject any or all statements of qualifications, and to waive technicalities and informalities at the discretion of the Owner.

Please Note: The issuance of this RFQ invokes a Restriction of Communication on potential respondents, which, if violated, may result in proposal rejection. (See Section 6 for details.)

It is the responsibility of the qualified consultant to be aware of and familiar with applicable local, state, and federal grant compliance requirements associated with such projects, including Federal Labor Standards, Equal Opportunity, and Accessibility Requirements.

Solicitation This Request for Qualifications for the Project invites Statements of Qualifications (SOQ), from Consultants according to the requirements set forth in this RFQ, including the format and content guidelines specified. SOQs will be reviewed and evaluated by the LCWSA selection team and ranked in the order of most qualified using the criteria and process described herein.

Upon completion of the evaluation process, LCWSA will notify all Respondents. Those scored as most qualified will be interviewed, prior to consideration of Project award(s). Based on the needs projected in the development and implementation of the Project, we may seek multiple awards.

Open Records All materials submitted in connection with this RFQ will be public documents and subject to the Open Records Act and policies of the LCWSA. All such materials shall remain the property of LCWSA.

If the Consultant has notified the Owner Contact that the Consultant’s submittal contains trade secrets, proprietary commercial or financial information, which is privileged and confidential, we will make every effort to protect those portions of the submittal. The title page and each page containing proprietary information must be marked.

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Section 1.1: General Project Information

ARC PROJECT

Project No. 20262 Project Name: Sewer Line Expansion Project Project Location: 122 Ethan Allen Drive, Dahlonega, Georgia 30533 Funding Agency: Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Project Description

LCWSA will apply for Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) funds to construct safe and sanitary sewer infrastructure to support existing and future businesses in the Lumpkin County Industrial Park located at 122 Ethan Allen Drive, Dahlonega, GA 30533, creating opportunities for development and economic diversification. The Consultant(s) will be required to prepare a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) for the application, and, if awarded, serve as the Engineer of record, providing planning, permitting, studies, survey, engineering, design, and construction phase services for the implementation of the project.

The project is anticipated to include a minimum of approximately 1,300 linear feet of sanitary sewer extension from an existing LCWSA trunk sewer into the existing industrial park. The project design will include an alternatives analysis to evaluate installation of gravity sewer versus installation of a low-pressure sewer force main system. Additional or alternative alignments may also be evaluated to increase service accessibility within the industrial park. Improvements may include gravity sewer, low-pressure sewer force mains, and associated appurtenances necessary to provide reliable wastewater service. All work is anticipated to be completed within public rights-of-way and/or easements, with no work proposed on private property.

It is the responsibility of the qualified consultant to be aware of and familiar with local, state, and federal grant compliance requirements of such projects (i.e., Federal Labor Standards, Equal Opportunity and Accessibility Requirements).

Project Goals

• Support economic development and industrial growth

• Expand wastewater service access

• Provide reliable and regulatory-compliant infrastructure

• Promote job creation and economic diversification

Project Schedule

All dates are estimates and subject to change.

• Preliminary Engineering Report (PER): July 10, 2026

• Design: 2026–2027

• Construction: 2027–2028

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GEFA PROJECT

Project No. 20263 Project Name: Water System Improvements Project Location: Multiple Sites, Lumpkin County, Georgia Funding Agency: Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) Project Description

LCWSA has received a funding award through the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) related to the Hurricane Helene Resiliency Program to support development of critical water infrastructure improvements. This project is anticipated to include construction of a new 1.0 million gallon ground storage tank, development of a supplemental groundwater well, and extension of approximately 9,800 linear feet of water distribution infrastructure to improve system redundancy, resiliency, and service capacity. The selected Consultant(s) may be tasked with providing engineering services for planning, permitting, design, and construction phase services associated with these improvements, as well as coordination with GEFA funding and compliance requirements.

It is the responsibility of the qualified consultant to be aware of and familiar with local, state, and federal grant compliance requirements of such projects (i.e., Federal Labor Standards, Equal Opportunity and Accessibility Requirements).

Project Goals

• Improve system resiliency and redundancy

• Ensure continuity of service during emergency events

• Expand water system capacity

• Strengthen long-term water supply reliability

Project Schedule

All dates are estimates and subject to change.

• Planning / Preliminary Engineering: 2026

• Design: 2026–2027

• Construction: 2027–2028

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ANNUAL ON-CALL ENGINEERING SERVICES

In addition to the above projects, the selected Consultant(s) may be retained to provide on-call engineering services to support LCWSA’s Capital Improvement Program, development review activities, and general engineering needs.

The selected Consultant(s) may also be asked to provide support for other grant-funded infrastructure projects through funding sources including the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA), the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, the Redevelopment Fund (RDF) Program, the Employment Incentive Program (EIP), the Economic Development Administration (EDA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and any other federal or state funding sources.

It is the responsibility of the qualified consultant to be aware of and familiar with local, state, and federal grant compliance requirements of such projects (i.e., Federal Labor Standards, Equal Opportunity and Accessibility Requirements).

Annual On-Call Engineering Services Agreement Renewal

Annual On-Call Engineering Services Agreement(s) executed as a result of selection will be for one (1) year beginning on or about July 2026, and may be renewed up to four (4) successive, one-year periods, for a total of five (5) years, contingent upon the appropriation of funds by the LCWSA Board in the annual fiscal-year budget which runs from Jan 1 through Dec 31. Written notice shall be given approximately ninety (90) days before the expiration date of each agreement period.

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Section 2: Consultant Services

Description of Needs LCWSA has an immediate need for professional engineering services to support implementation of the ARC-funded Sewer Line Expansion Project (Project No. 20262) and the GEFA-funded Water System Improvements Project (Project No. 20263), including planning, permitting, preliminary engineering, design, funding coordination, and construction phase services. These projects represent priority components of LCWSA’s ongoing Capital Improvement Program and are intended to support economic development, system resiliency, and long-term infrastructure reliability.

In addition to these project-specific needs, LCWSA anticipates ongoing demand for general consulting and on-call engineering services in support of development review, system evaluations, capital planning, permitting coordination, and other water and wastewater infrastructure initiatives that may arise during the term of the agreement. Selected Consultant(s) may also support other grant-funded projects pursued by LCWSA under federal or state funding programs.

Description of Consulting Services Consulting Services broadly includes surveying, planning, engineering and permitting services. Our project needs can be summarized into the following task areas and sample subtasks:

• Topographic surveys: Survey in support of engineering and construction

• Ecological and environmental permitting: Biology, NEPA, USACOE, EPD activities

• Water resource planning: Watershed activities, water and wastewater demand projections

• Water and sewer hydraulic modelling: Capacity analysis, flow monitoring

• Conceptual and preliminary engineering studies

• Facilities for treatment, storage and distribution of water supply

• Water and wastewater lines and pumping stations (engineering, design, services during construction)

• Owner’s Representative: Review of engineering design and reports by others, value engineering

Responsibilities of LCWSA LCWSA, through our Executive Director or assigned project manager(s), will administer the services and work cooperatively with the selected firms to fulfill our Owner responsibilities in a timely manner. We will facilitate the firms’ efficient performance of services. Our commitments include:

• Clearly outlining project requirements;

• Timely reviewing the work products and deliverables;

• Issuing timely responses to the Consultant;

• Furnishing existing studies, drawings, utility locates, plans, specifications, shop drawings, data, information and other documents to assist the consultant in their assigned Tasks;

• Funding the Project(s) and rendering timely compensation.

• Reimbursing for permitting fees, as needed.

• Assisting in obtaining permits, as needed.

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Section 3: Procurement Process Acknowledgement of RFQ Each potential Respondent should acknowledge via email, to the Owner Contact listed below, no later than 5:00 p.m., May 6, 2026, that it has received the RFQ. Identify and provide full contact information for the firm’s primary point of contact for any future documents, notices, and addenda associated with this RFQ.

Submittal of Questions and Requests for Clarification Questions about any aspect of the RFQ, or the Projects, must be submitted via email to the Owner Contact.

The deadlines for submission of questions related to the RFQ are the times and dates shown in the RFQ Schedule of Events below. Respondents are cautioned to review and adhere to the Restriction of Communication (See Section 6).

Communications The Owner Contact will act as the sole point of contact for this RFQ and will administer the RFQ process.

All communications should be submitted in writing via email, and specifically reference this RFQ. This RFQ is subject to revision after the date of issuance via written Addenda. Any such addenda will be distributed directly to known Respondents via email. All questions and responses will be shared by Addenda with all parties having acknowledged the RFQ.

Please direct questions to the Owner Contact as follows:

Mr. Sean Phipps, P.E.

Executive Director

LCWSA

194 Courthouse Hill, Annex A Dahlonega, GA 30533 Phone: (770) 482-2562 Email: sean.phipps@lumpkincounty.gov

RFQ Schedule of Events 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 Georgia. The Owner reserves the right to adjust the schedule as the Owner deems necessary.

Owner Issues public advertisement of RFQ for a period of 30 days (minimum).

April 22, 2026

Deadline for Acknowledgement of RFQ May 6, 2026 5:00 PM

Deadline for Written Questions / Request for Clarifications

May 13, 2026 5:00 PM

Deadline for submission of Statements of Qualifications

May 28, 2026 5:00 PM

Owner completes evaluation, post results and issues Notification to Finalist Firms

June 3, 2026 ------

Selection Committee interviews Finalist Firms June 8 – June 11, 2026 TBA

Final Selection and Award June 16, 2026 ------mailto:sean.phipps@lumpkincounty.gov

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Section 4: Submittal Requirements Submittal and Due Date Respondents shall deliver (3) complete copies and a memory drive containing the digitally published version (PDF) of the SOQ to the Owner Contact at the address noted above no later than May 28, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. local time.

Each Respondent assumes full responsibility for timely submittal of its SOQ at the required location.

The Respondent shall furnish and sign all information required by the RFQ. An authorized agent of the company must sign on behalf of the firm.

Format We value brevity. Please provide twelve (12) pages or less, (excluding resumes, reference project sheets and appendices), conveying the Respondent’s transmittal letter, qualifications, experience, and project management approach. An 11 X 17-inch sheet size may be used for a team chart or other exhibit and will count as 1 page.

All other items required or called for should be located in the appendices. Limit total page count to 30 or less, 8.5 X 11-inch equivalent, minimum 11-point font.

Content Letter of Interest Provide a 1-page Letter of Interest describing how the Authority will benefit with your firm as a trusted advisor. In the letter, please acknowledge receipt of any and all Addenda.

Team and Qualifications The twelve (12) pages should demonstrate how your firm’s team, qualifications, and experience fill our project needs.

Qualifications Respondents should possess and demonstrate a minimum of 20 years of firm / key team member experience in the water and wastewater arena for municipal, public or private agencies. Engineering Respondent’s key team members, including the Project Manager and Project Engineer(s), should be licensed Professional Engineers in the State of Georgia.

Experience The SOQ must describe the experience of the firm and Project team members on projects relevant to the Tasks described in the Categories of Consultant Services. The Respondent should include reference projects to demonstrate relevant experience.

Respondents should have a minimum of 20 years of progressive project experience in water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Respondents should also have experience with local, state, and federal grant compliance requirements such as Federal Labor Standards and Equal Opportunity and Accessibility Requirements.

Within the past ten (10) years, Respondents should have successfully completed at least thirty (30) similar or comparable projects for municipal clients in the Southeastern United States. The Respondent should have completed at least fifteen (15) similar or representative projects for municipal water agencies in Georgia in the last 5 years.

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Statement of Suitability Provide any information that may serve to differentiate the firm from other firms in suitability for the projects. Suitability may include, but is not limited to, the firm’s fit to the project and/or needs of the Owner, any special or unique qualifications for the projects, current and projected workload, the proximity of office to the project locations, and any services that may be particularly suitable to the projects.

Resumes Include resumes for key team members in the Appendix. Resumes should be 1-page maximum length.

Reference Project(s) Each project description shall contain the following information:

• Owner

• Owner contact information (including email address)

• Role of firm

• Year completed

• Description of the project demonstrating relevance to the Authority’s needs

• Experience with local, state, and federal grant compliance requirements

• Key team members involved in the relevant projects, along with a concise description of the role and responsibilities of each.

Value Added Services Along the same lines as the Statement of Suitability, explain a service offered by your firm that fits a niche or is a differentiator from the competition. Our ideas, presented as “food for thought” only, might include:

• Easement / right-of-way services

• In-house services as opposed to sub-consultants

Compensation and Fee Negotiation Billing rates, fee schedules, and cost proposals shall not be included in the Statement of Qualifications.

Compensation for services will be negotiated with the highest-ranked firm(s) following completion of the qualifications-based selection process, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal procurement requirements.

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Section 5: Evaluation and Selection Evaluation Criteria A selection team comprised of LCWSA Staff and/or Board representatives will evaluate and rank the responsive SOQs that best satisfy the Project requirements. The selection team will apply the evaluation criteria below.

Evaluation Criteria Value

Team and Qualifications 40

Experience and Past Performance 30

Statement of Suitability 20

Value Added Services 10

Selection Process After evaluation of Statements of Qualifications, LCWSA will shortlist the highest-ranked firms (typically three to five) and invite those firms to participate in interviews as part of a two-step qualifications-based selection process. Following interviews, firms will be ranked, and the top-ranked Respondent(s) will be selected for contract award or invited to enter negotiations for the final terms of the Owner’s Agreement for Professional Services. If the Owner determines that the top-ranked Respondent(s)’s proposed terms are not advantageous to the Owner, the Owner may terminate negotiations and proceed to the next-highest ranked Respondent.

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Section 6: Additional Terms and Conditions Restriction of Communication From the issue date of this (RFQ) solicitation until a successful respondent is selected and the selection is announced, respondents are not allowed to communicate about this solicitation or the projects for any reason with any members of the Selection Committee, the Owner, except for submission of questions as instructed in the RFQ or as provided by any existing work agreement(s). For violation of this provision, the Owner reserves the right to reject 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 Georgia Open Records Act, the details of the proposal documents will remain confidential until final award.

Award Conditions This request is not an offer to contract or a solicitation of bids. This request and any statement of qualifications submitted in response, regardless of whether the statement of qualifications is determined to be the best statement of qualifications, 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 Qualifications and to reject any or all statements of qualifications submitted in responses. Upon receipt and review of responses, the Owner will determine the party(s) and statement(s) of qualifications 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.

Statement of Agreement With submission of a statement of qualifications, the party submitting a statement of qualifications agrees that they have carefully examined the solicitation, and the party submitting a statement of qualifications agrees that it is their responsibility to request clarification on any issues in any section of the solicitation with which they disagree or need clarification. The party submitting a statement of qualifications also understands that failure to mention these items in the statement of qualifications will be interpreted to mean that they are in full agreement with the terms, conditions, specifications and requirements in the therein. With submission of a statement of qualifications, the party submitting a statement of qualifications hereby certifies that: (a) that this statement of qualifications is genuine and is not made in the interest or on behalf of any undisclosed person, firm, or corporation; (b) that the party submitting a statement of qualifications has not directly or indirectly included or solicited any other party submitting a statement of qualifications to put in a false or insincere statement of qualifications; (c) that the party submitting a statement of qualifications has not solicited or induced any person, firm, or corporation to refrain from sending a statement of qualifications.

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Section 7: Additional Required Content Forms Include the items described in Attachment A and return them in the SOQ’s Appendix including:

• Firm’s comments, if any, on the proposed agreement for consulting services.

• Provide Sample Certificate of Insurance meeting requirements found in agreement.

Respondents are required to complete the forms in Attachment B and return them in the SOQ including:

• Consultant’s Affidavit (E-Verify)

• SAVE Affidavit

• W-9

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Attachment A

• Proposed Agreement for General Consulting Services between Owner and Consultant

• Insurance Requirements (As described in the Agreement for General Consulting Services)

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Attachment B Mandatory Forms - The following forms must be completed and returned with the Respondent’s proposal in the SOQ’s Appendix:

• Consultant’s Affidavit (E-Verify)

• SAVE Affidavit

• W-9

AGREEMENT FOR GENERAL CONSULTING SERVICES

This Agreement is made and entered into effective date of , by and between the Lumpkin County Water and Sewerage Authority (LCWSA), and

, (CONSULTANT) for the PROJECT referred to as:

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the OWNER has periodic need of professional advice and consulting services;

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the covenants and promises to be carried out by each party herein, it is agreed by and between the parties that the OWNER shall and does hereby employ said CONSULTANT to provide certain professional advice and consulting services as follows:

ITEM A - CONSULTANT’S SERVICES

The specific services which the CONSULTANT agrees to furnish and the terms the CONSULTANT agrees to follow are set forth herein:

1. For each major task or project, the OWNER shall provide to the CONSULTANT a detailed description of the services to be performed. The CONSULTANT shall respond describing its proposed work procedure, schedule and estimated fee to complete the described services. If this response is acceptable, the OWNER shall issue a written Task Order to the CONSULTANT containing the agreed upon description of the work and consulting services fee. Each Task Order shall be numbered consecutively, shall reference this AGREEMENT, and shall be deemed an authorization for the CONSULTANT to proceed with the work when signed by the OWNER, unless otherwise stated. The provisions of this AGREEMENT shall control with respect to each Task Order. Each Task Order, after execution by both parties to this AGREEMENT, shall be incorporated into and become a part to this AGREEMENT. See Exhibit A for the Task Order format.

2. Signature by the authorized representative of the OWNER on each Task Order shall constitute authorization to proceed by the CONSULTANT for services defined by that Task Order.

ITEM B – TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF AGREEMENT

The parties hereto do mutually agree as follows:

1. Governing Law. This AGREEMENT and the Attachments hereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, County of Lumpkin, in which the work is delivered. If dispute arises out of or relates to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, and the dispute is not resolved through mediation, the parties agree that venue for any litigation will be in the courts of Lumpkin County, Georgia and the parties hereby waive any right to initiate any action in, or remove any action to, any other jurisdiction.

2. Engagement. LCWSA hereby engages the CONSULTANT and the CONSULTANT hereby agrees to perform the professional services hereinafter set forth.

3. Services. The CONSULTANT shall perform, in a professional manner, all services described in the Scope of Services attached as Exhibit B, and incorporated by reference herein (collectively the “Scope of Services”).

4. Time of Performance. The CONSULTANT will commence work within ten (10) calendar days after (1) the date of execution of this Agreement and (2) receiving written Notice to Proceed from LCWSA. Work will be delivered to LCWSA based on the approved Project Schedule contained in Exhibit B. If LCWSA requests modifications to the services of the Project, or if CONSULTANT’S services extend past the proposed completion date, the CONSULTANT’S time of performance may be extended by mutual agreement in writing signed by the signees to this Agreement.

5. Compensation. CONSULTANT agrees to perform the Services, and the LCWSA agrees to compensate the

CONSULTANT for same as follows:

a. LCWSA shall compensate the CONSULTANT according to the charges, amounts and terms set forth in EXHIBIT C.

b. Statements. The CONSULTANT shall submit monthly statements for acceptable, completed work, based on the project effort and expenses charged through the last day of its fiscal month during the PROJECT duration.

c. Payments. LCWSA shall make monthly payments for completed work in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act found in Georgia Law after receipt of monthly Statements rendered by the

CONSULTANT.

6. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated prior to completion of the PROJECT as follows:

a. Termination for Cause. If, through any cause, the CONSULTANT shall fail to fulfill in a timely and proper manner any material obligations under this Agreement, or if the CONSULTANT shall violate any of the covenants, agreements, or stipulations of this Agreement, LCWSA shall thereupon give written notice to the CONSULTANT of such failure, violation or breach. If CONSULTANT has not or cannot remedy such failure, violation or breach within ten (10) calendar days of the giving of such notice by LCWSA, LCWSA shall thereupon have the right to terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to the CONSULTANT of such termination and specifying the effective date thereof.

b. Termination by Mutual Consent. This Agreement may be terminated at any time by mutual written consent of the parties, the effective date to be agreed upon by the parties. If this Agreement is terminated by mutual consent, and CONSULTANT timely provides all required documentation of SERVICES performed prior to termination to LCWSA, CONSULTANT shall be paid for all such Services within thirty (30) days of the effective date of termination. The parties may terminate this Agreement by mutual consent for reasons including but not limited to material changes in the conditions under which this Agreement was entered into, the Scope of Services or the nature of the PROJECT, and the failure of the parties to reach agreement on the compensation and schedule adjustment necessitated by such changes.

7. Force Majeure. Any default in the performance of this Agreement caused by any of the following events and without fault or negligence on the part of the defaulting party shall not constitute a breach of contract: labor strikes, riots, war, acts of governmental authorities, or natural catastrophe. Delay or failure to perform is excused only during continuance of such force majeure and the affected party will provide written notice of such force majeure and act diligently to remove or eliminate the force majeure.

8. Suspension of Services. If the PROJECT or CONSULTANT’S Services are suspended for any reason other than the fault of CONSULTANT for more than thirty (30) calendar days in the aggregate, CONSULTANT may be compensated for services performed prior to the suspension. In addition, there shall be an adjustment in the PROJECT schedule based on the delay caused by the suspension. If the PROJECT is suspended for more than ninety (90) calendar days for any reason, in the aggregate, either party may, at its option, terminate this Agreement upon providing written notice to the other party.

9. Representatives and Notices. Each party has designated below the signatures herein, a representative who is authorized to act on behalf of that party and receive notices under this Agreement. Such representatives have complete authority to act on behalf of their principals in respect to all matters arising under this Agreement.

All notices, consents and approvals required to be given hereunder shall be in writing. All such required notices shall be deemed to be properly given and received within two (2) business days if made in writing and sent via statutory overnight delivery with an exact copy being sent simultaneously via email addressed to the designated representative below. As needed, each party may notify the other party of a change in the street and / or email address for notice providing written notice of the revised street and / or email address.

10. CONSULTANT’S Responsibilities. The CONSULTANT represents that it has or will secure, at its own expense, all necessary qualified personnel to perform the Services under this Agreement. CONSULTANT represents that it has access to the experience and capability necessary to perform the Services with the reasonable skill and diligence required by customarily accepted professional practices and procedures for such Services. Such personnel shall not be employees of or have any contractual relationship with LCWSA. All of the Services required hereunder will be performed by the CONSULTANT or under its supervision and all personnel engaged in the Services shall be fully qualified and shall be authorized or permitted under State and local law to perform such Services.

In performing the Services and receiving compensation under this Agreement, CONSULTANT shall operate as an independent contractor and shall not act as or be an employee of LCWSA.

The SERVICES performed by CONSULTANT shall be subject to the inspection and review of LCWSA at all times but such inspection and review shall not relieve CONSULTANT from its responsibility for the proper performance of the Services.

11. LCWSA Responsibilities. LCWSA shall provide to CONSULTANT an outline of the requirements of the

PROJECT, including the PROJECT budget and time constraints. LCWSA will make available to the CONSULTANT relevant information or data pertinent to the PROJECT which is in LCWSA’s possession.

However, LCWSA does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of the information and data furnished and the CONSULTANT will independently check and / or verify all such information as it relates to the SERVICES provided.

12. Reports, Audits & Confidentiality. The CONSULTANT, at such times and in such forms as LCWSA may require, shall furnish LCWSA such periodic reports as it may request pertaining to the SERVICES performed pursuant to this Agreement, the costs and obligations incurred or to be incurred in connection therewith, and any other matters covered by this Agreement. The CONSULTANT shall maintain accounts and records, including personnel, property and financial records, adequate to identify and account for all costs pertaining to this Agreement. These records will be made available for audit purposes to LCWSA or its authorized representative and will be retained for three years after the expiration or termination of this Agreement. All of the reports, information, data, etc. prepared or assembled by CONSULTANT under this Agreement are confidential and the CONSULTANT agrees that they shall not be made available to any individual or organization without the prior written approval of LCWSA or a validly issued subpoena.

13. Ownership of Documents. All documents prepared or furnished by CONSULTANT pursuant to this Agreement are instruments of CONSULTANT’S professional service, and CONSULTANT shall retain an ownership and property interests therein, including all copyrights, unless otherwise agreed in writing by CONSULTANT and LCWSA. Regarding construction drawings, CONSULTANT grants LCWSA a license to use instruments of CONSULTANT’S professional service for the purpose of constructing, occupying, or maintaining the

PROJECT.

LCWSA shall have the option to purchase copies of all finished or unfinished documents, data, studies, surveys drawings, maps, models, photographs, and reports prepared by the CONSULTANT under this Agreement, and Scope of Services for the price of Ten Dollars ($10.00). Reuse or modification of any such documents by LCWSA, without CONSULTANT’S written permission, shall be at LCWSA’s sole risk. Documents are defined as reports, drawings, specifications, record drawings, plats, and other deliverables defined in the SERVICES, whether in printed or electronic format.

14. Third Party Reliance Upon Documents. CONSULTANT’S performance of the SERVICES, as set forth in this Agreement, is intended solely and exclusively for the benefit and use of LCWSA. No other person or entity may claim under this Agreement as a third party beneficiary, unless otherwise required by law, court order, or for use in connection with legal or administrative proceedings, mediation or arbitration. No third party may rely upon CONSULTANT’S documents unless CONSULTANT has agreed to such reliance in advance and in writing.

15. Use of Electronic Media. Copies of documents that may be utilized by LCWSA may be printed copies (also known as hard copies) or electronic copies that are signed or sealed by CONSULTANT. Construction Drawings shall be signed and sealed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia Administrative Code. Files in electronic formats, or other types of information furnished by CONSULTANT to LCWSA such as text, data, or graphics, are only for convenience of LCWSA. Any conclusion or information obtained or derived from such electronic files will be at the user’s sole risk.

16. Assignability. This Agreement shall not be assigned or transferred by either the CONSULTANT or the

LCWSA without the prior written consent of the other.

17. Insurance. Before any SERVICES are provided under this Agreement, CONSULTANT shall procure and maintain at a minimum the following insurance coverage and limits during the life of the Agreement:

a. Statutory Workers Compensation Insurance: a minimum of $500,000 or greater amount if required by Georgia law.

b. Commercial General Liability Insurance: coverage for personal and bodily injury, including death, and property damage in the amount of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and not less than $2,000,000 in the aggregate.

c. Automobile Liability Insurance: for bodily injury, including death, and property damage for all owned, hired and non-owned automobiles in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence.

d. Professional Liability Insurance: of $1,000,000 per claim and $2,000,000 in the aggregate.

e. Certificates: Upon request, CONSULTANT shall provide certificates of insurance evidencing coverage required above. Each certificate shall provide that the coverage therein afforded shall not be cancelled except with thirty (30) days prior written notice to LCWSA.

18. Indemnification. CONSULTANT shall indemnify and hold LCWSA harmless from and against judgements, losses, costs, expenses, and damages to the extent caused by the negligent acts or omissions of CONSULTANT in the performance of professional services pursuant to this AGREEMENT. In the event judgements, losses, costs, expenses, and damages are caused by the joint or concurrent negligence of CONSULTANT and LCWSA, they shall be borne by each party in proportion to its negligence.

19. Waiver of Consequential Damages. Regardless of any other term of this Agreement, in no event shall either part be responsible or liable to the other for any incidental or other indirect damages.

20. Limit of Liability. CONSULTANT’S liability for all of the aforesaid matters is limited to the proceeds recovered from the insurance carried by CONSULTANT and within the monetary limits of the insurance specified in Article 17 hereto.

21. Standard of Care. CONSULTANT will provide professional services so as to minimize errors and omissions through the use of a Quality Assurance Plan approved by LCWSA. CONSULTANT will employ that degree of care and skill ordinarily exercised by CONSULTANTS practicing in the same or similar locale as the project, on projects of a similar scope and nature.

22. Dispute Resolution. If a dispute arises out of or relates to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, the parties agree first, prior to litigation or any other form of dispute resolution, to try in good faith to settle the dispute by mediation. In addition:

a. If a dispute is greater than $10,000, the parties shall submit the dispute to mediation with JAMS mediation services.

b. Venue: the venue for all mediations shall be in Covington, Georgia, unless the parties otherwise agree.

23. Successors. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit or and be binding upon the successors of the parties.

24. Waiver. No action taken pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the party taking such action of compliance with any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement in this Agreement. The waiver by any party of a breach of any provision or condition contained in this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or of any other conditions.

25. Section Headings. The section and other headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

26. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement which is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be prohibited or unenforceable shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating or rendering unenforceable the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

27. Entire Agreement. This Agreement (and its attached Exhibits) constitutes and contains the entire, integrated agreement of the parties, and shall supersede any and all prior negotiations, correspondence, understandings and agreements between the parties, respecting the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement may be amended only in writing, and signed by an authorized agent of each party.

28. Authority & Understanding. The individual executing this Agreement on behalf of a corporation or other entity warrants that he or she is authorized to do so and that this Agreement constitutes the legally binding obligation of the corporation or other entity that the individual represents. By signing this Agreement, the parties acknowledge that they have read each and every page of this Agreement before signing same and that they understand and assent to all the terms thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the CONSULTANT and LCWSA have executed this Agreement as of the date written below.

LUMPKIN COUNTY WATER & SEWERAGE

AUTHORITY

CONSULTANT:

Printed:

Signature

Printed:

Signature

Title: Title:

Date: Date:

Street / contact address for giving notices: Street / contact address for giving notices:

Designated Representative: Designated Representative:

Name: Name:

Title: Title:

Phone: Phone:

Email: Email:

EXHIBIT A

TASK ORDER NO. 201____ - _____

TO THE AGREEMENT FOR GENERAL CONSULTING SERVICES

For:

This Task Order, made and entered into by and between LUMPKIN COUNTY WATER & SEWERAGE AUTHORITY hereinafter called the "OWNER" and hereinafter called the "CONSULTANT", shall be incorporated into and become a part of the AGREEMENT FOR GENERAL CONSULTING SERVICES (the "AGREEMENT") entered into by the parties hereto on .

A. PURPOSE

This Task Order authorizes and directs the CONSULTANT to proceed with assisting the OWNER in providing:

B. CONSULTANT’S SCOPE OF SERVICES

The Scope of Services, dated , is described within Item A. Purpose, and is referenced as Exhibit B, attached hereto. As each task arises, CONSULTANT will develop a brief, concise, written Scope of Services and estimated labor hours and costs for any and all tasks. CONSULTANT will not proceed with said tasks until written authorization is made by the OWNER. Email communication shall be deemed sufficient for written authorization.

C. CONSULTANT’S COMPENSATION

As consideration for providing the services described within Item B. Consultant’s Scope of Services, of this Task Order, the OWNER shall pay the CONSULTANT in accordance with the AGREEMENT. The specific method of compensation for services provided under this Task Order is enumerated in the Agreement for General Consulting Services and included in Exhibit C, attached hereto. The total value of work under this Task Order shall not exceed $ without advanced written authorization from the OWNER.

EXHIBIT A (CONT.)

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Task Order on this, the day of , 201____.

LUMPKIN COUNTY WATER & SEWERAGE

AUTHORITY

CONSULTANT:

Printed:

Signature

Printed:

Signature

Title: Title:

Date: Date:

EXHIBIT B

SCOPE OF SERVICES

(Delete this page if Scope of Services is provided in the Task Order)

Project Summary:

Project Schedule:

See Attached Project Schedule

Commencement Date: or within 10 calendar days from Notice to Proceed

Estimated Completion Date: or months from Notice to Proceed

EXHIBIT C

COMPENSATION

(Delete this page if Compensation is provided in the Task Order)

Project Summary:

CONSULTANT’S AFFIDAVIT OF EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY

STATE OF GEORGIA

LUMPKIN COUNTY

By executing this affidavit, the undersigned Contractor verifies its compliance with O.C.G.A. 13-10-91, stating affirmatively that the individual, firm, or corporation which is engaged in the physical performance of services on behalf of Lumpkin County Water and Sewerage Authority has registered with, is authorized to use and uses the Federal work authorization program commonly known as E-Verify, or any subsequent replacement program, in accordance with the applicable provisions and deadlines established in O.C.G.A. §13-10-91. Furthermore, the undersigned Contractor will continue to use the Federal work authorization program throughout the contract period.

The undersigned further agrees that, should it employ or contract with any Subcontractor(s) in connection with the physical performance of services pursuant to this contract with the Lumpkin County Water and Sewerage Authority, Contractor will secure from such Subcontractor(s) similar verification of compliance with O.C.G.A.

13-10-91. Contractor further agrees to maintain records of such compliance and provide a copy of each such verification to the Lumpkin County Water and Sewerage Authority at the time the Subcontractor(s) is retained to perform such service. Contractor hereby attests that its Federal work authorization user identification number and date of authorization are as follows:

E-Verify Company ID Number

Date of Authorization

Name of Contractor

Name of Project

I (We) hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed on the day of , 2026, in (City), (State).

Signature of Authorized Officer or Agent

Printed Name and Title of Authorized Officer or Agent

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN BEFORE ME ON THIS THE DAY OF , 2019

Notary Public

My Commission Expires:

SAVE AFFIDAVIT

STATE OF GEORGIA

LUMPKIN COUNTY

By executing this affidavit under oath, as an applicant for a public benefit, as referenced in O.C.G.A. §50-36-1, administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the undersigned applicant verifies one of the following with respect to my ability to enter into a contract with the Lumpkin County Water and Sewerage Authority:

1) I am a United States citizen.

OR

2) I am a legal permanent resident of the United States.

OR

3) I am an otherwise qualified alien or non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act and lawfully present in the United States with an alien number issued by the Department of Homeland Security or other federal immigration agency. My alien number issued by the Department of Homeland Security or other federal immigration agency is:

The undersigned applicant also hereby verifies that he or she is 18 years of age or older and has provided at least one secure and verifiable document, as required by O.C.G.A. §50-36-1(f)(1), with this affidavit.

The secure and verifiable document provided with this affidavit can best be classified as:

In making the above representation under oath, I understand that any person who knowingly and willfully makes a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation in an affidavit shall be guilty of a violation of O.C.G.A §16-10-20, and face criminal penalties as allowed by such criminal statute.

Executed this the day of , 2026 in (City), (State).

*Signature of Applicant

Printed Name of Applicant

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN BEFORE ME ON THIS THE DAY OF , 2018.

NOTARY PUBLIC

My Commission Expires: