RFQ 2026_013.pdf

RFQ# 2026-013

THE PROJECT: The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners Procurement Department (County) is requesting competitive sealed Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from qualified professional Consulting Firms to provide comprehensive, dedicated Program Management Services in support of the County’s Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) Program for the Cherokee County Community Development Agency in accordance with the specifications and requirements described herein.

There will be an optional, non-mandatory pre-submittal meeting to provide the opportunity for potential respondents to ask questions. Attendance is not required for the submission of SOQs and will not be considered in the evaluation. Any questions raised and responses provided during the conference, along with meeting minutes, will be issued in writing by addendum and shall become part of this solicitation. The meeting will be held at the Cherokee County Administrative Offices, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton, GA 30114, 10:00 am – 11:00 am in Cherokee Hall.

All times in the solicitation are local times to Cherokee County, Georgia in the Eastern Time Zone.

This Request for Opportunity Description is one of two documents making up this solicitation. The second document is Cherokee County Standard Solicitation Terms and Conditions, which contains all the standard forms potentially required to accompany a submission. Both of these documents together constitute the entire solicitation at the time of issuance.

The County reserves the right to reject any or all SOQs, to waive technicalities and to make a selection and final award as deemed to be in the best interest of the County, including using any form of contract it deems most advantageous to the County.

SCHEDULE ON THE NEXT PAGE

Cherokee County Board of Commissioners Purchasing Department

1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton, GA 30114 Phone: (678) 493-6000

Fax: (678) 493-6035

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Solicitation Requirements & Instructions, SCHEDULE:

Issued February 11, 2026

Pre-Submittal Meeting February 27, 2026 (From 10:00 am - 11:00 am)

Pre-Submittal Meeting Minutes and Q&A Due March 6, 2026

Questions Due March 9, 2026 (by 4:00 pm)

Answers Due March 16, 2026

Submittals Due March 24, 2026 (at 10:00 am)

Anticipated Award Date April 21, 2026

*NOTE: DATES NOT BOLDED ABOVE ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

THE EXPECTED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

This solicitation is for the performance of professional services only. No physical goods or products are required to be delivered under this contract.

Performance of Services The period of performance shall begin upon execution of a Professional Services Agreement or issuance of a Notice to Proceed (NTP), as determined by the County. Services shall be provided on a continuous basis in accordance with the requirements of the Statement of Work and this solicitation.

The initial term of the contract shall be for one (1) calendar year. The contract may automatically renew for up to five (5) additional one-year terms, subject to satisfactory performance, continued program needs, and availability of funding, in accordance with County requirements.

Option to Extend The County reserves the right to extend the period of performance through the exercise of renewal options as described above. Any renewal shall be at the County’s sole discretion and in accordance with the terms of the executed agreement.

SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS:

Interested Firms should carefully review the requirements defined herein and provide complete and accurate submissions that should include the following items (Only Items marked with an ‘X’ are required for this solicitation): (Failure to submit all required items may result in a determination that the SOQs is non-responsive)

Information and Addenda Acknowledgement Form (Appendix A) Non-Influence and Non-Collusion Affidavit (Appendix B) E-Verify Affidavit (Appendix C) References1 (Appendix D) Acceptance of County’s Standard Agreement2, as below: (Appendix E)

Professional Services Agreement (Sample provided)

Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters Primary Covered Transactions (Appendix F)

Evidence of/ability to provide Insurance at the limits identified herein3 Certifications, Licenses or Registrations as required by law and/or as requested Firm’s SOQs, including all information required under this solicitation 4 Any other requirements as requested under the scope of work

Appendices A–F are included in the Cherokee County Standard Solicitation Terms and Conditions document.

Cost proposals shall not be submitted with this solicitation. Following evaluation and ranking based on qualifications, the County will negotiate a fair and reasonable fee with the highest-ranked Firm.

Notes:

1The County reserves the right to contact not only those references provided, but may also use previous performance for the County, other contacts it identifies, and other sources of information believed to be viable to evaluate capability, viability and performance.

2If Acceptance of County’s Standard Agreement is checked, all work/items defined herein are to be quoted according to these requirements. Copies of these agreements can be located at the County’s Procurement web page.

3Insurance levels requested are those identified in the County’s Standard Agreement, section “I.”

4SOQs will be evaluated and ranked based on the evaluation criteria set forth herein. Failure to provide information necessary for the County to properly evaluate a submission may result in a lower ranking or a determination that the submission is non-responsive. The Firm’s submission shall include, at a minimum, the Firm’s profile and relevant experience; project understanding and technical approach; identification of the proposed Program Manager and other key personnel; a Key Personnel and Staffing Plan including an organizational chart; resumes demonstrating relevant experience; and past performance information and references, as required under this solicitation.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Cherokee County, through the Board of Commissioners Procurement Department, is soliciting competitive sealed SOQs from qualified professional consulting Firms to provide comprehensive, dedicated program management services in support of the County’s Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) Program. The selected Firm will serve as the County’s TSPLOST Program Manager and act as the County’s Owner’s Representative, providing continuous professional oversight, coordination, and management services for a multi-year transportation capital improvement program approved by Cherokee County voters.

The TSPLOST Program is a transportation-only funding initiative dedicated to roadway and mobility improvements throughout Cherokee County and, where applicable, in coordination with participating municipalities receiving a portion of TSPLOST funding. Projects may include roadway widenings, intersection improvements, resurfacing, bridge replacements, new road construction, sidewalks, multi-use trails, and related planning or feasibility studies.

Certain projects may traverse County and municipal boundaries or be delivered in partnership with one or more municipalities and may require coordination through intergovernmental agreements (IGAs), joint project delivery frameworks, shared funding arrangements, and collaborative governance structures.

The Program Manager will be responsible for actively coordinating with participating municipalities and other intergovernmental partners to support planning, scheduling, funding coordination, project delivery, reporting, and compliance requirements associated with TSPLOST-funded projects.

The current TSPLOST Program consists of approximately sixty-six (66) individual transportation projects with an estimated total program value of approximately $282 million. Projects vary in size, complexity, and delivery phase and may advance at different times throughout the program lifecycle.

These figures are provided for informational purposes only and are subject to change based on funding availability and County priorities.

The Program Manager will provide dedicated, full-time program management services and will function as an extension of County staff in support of the TSPLOST Program. Services are expected to be continuous and program-wide in nature and will support all phases of project delivery from planning and preconstruction through construction and closeout.

Responsibilities are anticipated to include overall program administration; schedule, budget, and risk oversight; coordination with County departments, municipalities, and external stakeholders;

development and monitoring of project delivery strategies; and preparation of program-level reporting and documentation. The Program Manager will work closely with the Cherokee County Community Development Agency, SPLOST/Roadway Capital Program staff, Finance staff, and other designated County representatives.

The Program Manager shall be dedicated to the TSPLOST Program on a full-time basis for the duration of the contract term and shall function as an embedded extension of County staff. The primary duty location for the Program Manager shall be Cherokee County offices.

While certain work activities may occur at project sites or the Firm’s offices as appropriate, the Program Manager shall be regularly and routinely present at County offices, as directed by the County, to support day-to-day coordination, meetings, workshops, reviews, and presentations to County leadership and the Board of Commissioners.

The Program Manager will be responsible for supporting and administering the County’s existing on-call and task order contracts for related professional services. This responsibility may include developing and refining scopes of work, preparing cost estimates and schedules, coordinating technical requirements, managing on-call consultant’s performance, and overseeing day-to-day activities associated with task orders issued under County-held contracts. The Program Manager may also support the issuance, evaluation, and administration of task orders in accordance with applicable County procurement requirements and established procedures. All task orders shall be issued by the County, and the Program Manager shall not have authority to bind the County or execute contracts.

The Program Manager will support preconstruction activities such as design coordination, consultant oversight, right-of-way and easement coordination, and compliance with applicable local, state, and federal requirements, including Georgia Department of Transportation standards. This may include supporting County-led right-of-way acquisition and condemnation processes through coordination with legal counsel, appraisers, and project stakeholders, as well as tracking acquisition activities, schedules, and related documentation. For projects that advance to construction, the Program Manager may provide or coordinate construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services, including construction oversight, documentation, quality control, and coordination with contractors, utilities, and regulatory agencies.

The Program Manager will coordinate with County departments, municipalities, consultants, contractors, and other stakeholders, and will utilize existing County on-call and term contracts for related professional services, as directed by the County. All authority to issue task orders and execute contracts shall remain with the County.

The County intends to select one (1) Firm capable of providing a dedicated, experienced program management team with sufficient capacity to support the day-to-day management and delivery of the TSPLOST Program throughout the contract term. Services will be provided on a continuous basis rather than on an individual task-order basis, with priorities and specific responsibilities evolving over time in response to program needs, funding availability, and County objectives.

The Program Manager will act in an advisory and coordination capacity only and shall not have authority to bind the County, approve expenditures, execute contracts, or otherwise obligate the County. All final decisions related to project scope, budget, schedule, procurement, and contract execution shall remain with the County.

The Program Manager is intended to supplement and support County staff and existing professional services providers and shall coordinate closely with County departments, on-call consultants, contractors, and other stakeholders involved in the delivery of TSPLOST-funded projects.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

To be considered responsive and eligible for evaluation, proposers must meet the following minimum requirements. SOQs that fail to demonstrate compliance with any of the minimum requirements may be deemed non-responsive and removed from further consideration.

1. Professional Experience The proposer must demonstrate experience providing program management or owner’s representative services for transportation, roadway, or infrastructure capital improvement programs of comparable size, complexity, and scope.

2. Program Size and Complexity The proposer must demonstrate experience managing or supporting a multi-project capital program involving multiple concurrent projects and coordination among public agencies, Firms, contractors, and other stakeholders.

3. Key Personnel Availability The proposer must identify a proposed Program Manager and any additional key personnel, if applicable, with relevant experience performing services similar to those described in this RFQ, and demonstrate the ability to provide sufficient capacity to support the County’s TSPLOST Program.

4. Licensing and Legal Eligibility The proposer must be legally authorized to do business in the State of Georgia and capable of entering into a Professional Services Agreement with Cherokee County. If the proposer proposes to directly perform or subcontract services that require professional licensure under Georgia law (e.g., engineering, surveying, appraisal), such services shall be performed by individuals or Firms properly licensed to do so.

5. Responsibility and Compliance The proposer must not be debarred, suspended, or otherwise prohibited from doing business with any federal, state, or local government entity and must be capable of entering into a Professional Services Agreement with Cherokee County.

SELECTION PROCESS:

This procurement will be conducted using a qualifications-based selection (QBS) process. Firms will be evaluated and ranked based solely on qualifications in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth herein. Cost proposals will not be submitted or evaluated as part of the initial SOQs. Following final ranking, the County will enter into negotiations with the highest-ranked Firm to establish a fair and reasonable fee.

EVALUATION CRITERIA, WEIGHTS, AND FACTORS:

SOQs will be evaluated by the Selection Committee based on the evaluation criteria and factors set forth below. Evaluation factors identify the general areas of consideration under each criterion and are not intended to be exhaustive. The criteria are intended to support a qualifications-based ranking of Firms. Interviews, if conducted, will not be separately scored and will be used solely to confirm and clarify information submitted in the SOQs, including approach, qualifications, staffing, past performance and understanding of the TSPLOST Program. Only SOQs determined to be responsive and responsible will be evaluated using the following criteria:

ORGANIZATION OF STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS:

Firms shall organize and label their SOQs in the same order and structure as the Evaluation Criteria set forth in this RFQ. Each section of the SOQ should clearly correspond to the applicable evaluation factor and address the paragraph and associated subfactors identified by the County. SOQs that are not clearly organized or labeled in accordance with the Evaluation Criteria may be more difficult to evaluate and may result in a lower score. The County shall not be responsible for locating or interpreting information that is not clearly identified within the appropriate evaluation section.

Evaluation Criteria Weight

Project Understanding and Technical Approach 35%

Firm’s Experience and Qualifications 25%

Key Personnel Experience and Qualifications and Staffing Plan

30%

Past Performance and References 10%

1. Project Understanding and Technical Approach (35%) The County will evaluate each Firm’s understanding of the TSPLOST Program, the County’s objectives, and the scope of continuous program-wide management services required under this solicitation.

Consideration will be given to the Firm’s ability to clearly demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the complexities associated with managing a multi-year, multi-project transportation capital improvement program and to present a well-defined, practical, and effective technical approach for delivering the required services. The evaluation will also consider the Firm’s proposed methods for program coordination, communication, schedule and budget management, risk identification and mitigation, and integration with County staff, municipalities, Firms, contractors, and other stakeholders. Emphasis will be placed on approaches that demonstrate proactive management, flexibility, and the ability to support the successful delivery of TSPLOST-funded projects in alignment with County priorities and funding requirements.

• Demonstrated understanding of the TSPLOST Program and County objectives

• Understanding of the scope of program management services

• Approach to program coordination, oversight, and communication

• Methods for managing schedule, budget, and risk

• Approach to supporting and administering task orders for third-party Firms

• Ability to coordinate effectively with County staff, municipalities, and external stakeholders

2. Firm Experience and Qualifications (25%) The County will evaluate each Firm’s experience and qualifications in providing program management and related professional services for transportation or capital improvement programs of similar scope, scale, and complexity. Consideration will be given to the Firm’s demonstrated ability to manage multi-year, multi-project programs; coordinate effectively with public agencies, Firms, contractors, and other stakeholders; and successfully support planning, design, right-of-way, and construction activities. The County will also consider the Firm’s familiarity with TSPLOST, SPLOST, or comparable funding programs; experience working with local governments and transportation-related agencies;

and overall organizational capacity, resources, and expertise to support the successful delivery of the TSPLOST Program throughout the contract term.

• Experience managing multi-year, multi-project transportation or capital improvement programs

• Experience with TSPLOST, SPLOST, or similar funding programs

• Experience working with local governments and transportation related agencies

• Experience coordinating design, right-of-way, and construction activities

• Demonstrated ability to manage programs of similar size, scope, and complexity

3. Key Personnel Experience and Qualifications and Staffing Plan (30%) Firms shall identify the key personnel proposed to perform the services described in this RFQ, including the individual proposed to serve as the Program Manager and any other primary team members, if applicable. SOQs shall include an organizational chart and a staffing plan identifying roles, responsibilities, reporting relationships, and anticipated level of effort for each key position. Resumes shall be provided for the proposed Program Manager and other key personnel and shall clearly demonstrate relevant experience performing program management services of similar scope, complexity, and scale. The County intends to evaluate SOQs based in part on the specific individuals proposed. Continuity of key personnel is critical to the success of the TSPLOST Program.

Any requirements related to substitution or replacement of key personnel following award will be addressed in the Professional Services Agreement.

• Qualifications and experience of the proposed Program Manager

• Qualifications and experience of other key personnel

• Relevance of proposed personnel experience to the services described in this RFQ

• Staffing availability and capacity to support County needs

• Proposed organizational structure and lines of responsibility

4. Past Performance and References (10%) The County will evaluate each Firm’s past performance on projects and programs of similar scope, scale, and complexity, with emphasis on the quality of services provided, the ability to meet schedules and budgets, and overall client satisfaction. Consideration will be given to the Firm’s demonstrated performance in providing program management or related professional services for public-sector clients, including local governments or transportation-related agencies. Experience providing program management services for SPLOST, TSPLOST, or similar voter-approved capital improvement programs will be considered favorably but is not required. The County may consider information obtained through submitted references, prior experience with the County (if applicable), and other relevant performance information available to the County in assessing the Firm’s reliability, responsiveness, and ability to successfully perform the services required under this solicitation.

• Quality of work performed on similar projects

• Ability to meet schedules and budgets

• Client satisfaction based on references or prior work

• History of performance with Cherokee County, if applicable

INTERVIEWS:

Interviews may be conducted at the discretion of the Selection Committee if additional clarification is needed to confirm approach, qualifications, staffing, past performance and understanding of the TSPLOST Program. If conducted, interviews will allow the Committee to further assess the proposed program management team, the Firm’s understanding of the TSPLOST Program, and the Firm’s approach to delivering program management services, including coordination, staffing, and administration of related services in support of County priorities.

Interview participation does not guarantee award and will be used for confirmation and clarification purposes only. Interviews are not intended to re-score SOQs or alter the qualifications-based ranking, but to validate information submitted and to support the County’s determination of whether to proceed to negotiations with the highest-ranked Firm.

Cherokee County reserves the right to:

1. Conduct interviews with one or more Firms.

2. Proceed directly to final ranking and negotiations without interviews; or

3. Terminate discussions and proceed with the next-ranked Firm if interviews or subsequent negotiations are unsuccessful.

If interviews are conducted, Firms selected for interviews will be notified of the scheduled date and time, format, and interview expectations.

COST PROPOSAL REVIEW AND NEGOTIATION:

Cost proposals shall not be submitted as part of the initial SOQs. Following completion of the qualifications-based evaluation and final ranking of Firms, the County will request a cost proposal from the highest-ranked Firm. The County will then enter into negotiations with the highest-ranked Firm to establish a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable fee that is consistent with the Firm’s proposed staffing plan, technical approach, and understanding of the scope of services.

If the County is unable to successfully negotiate a contract with the highest-ranked Firm, the County may formally terminate negotiations and proceed to negotiate with the next highest-ranked Firm, continuing this process until an agreement is reached or the solicitation is cancelled.

Nothing herein shall obligate the County to enter into an agreement with any Firm, and the County reserves the right to reject all submissions if it is determined to be in the County’s best interest.

COUNTY RIGHTS AND RESERVATION OF RIGHTS:

References may be contacted if deemed necessary by the evaluation team.

SOQs will be evaluated and scored based on the evaluation criteria set forth above. Failure to provide information necessary for the County to properly evaluate a submittal may result in a lower evaluation or a determination that the submittal is non-responsive. The County may utilize scoring as part of the evaluation process; however, Firms will ultimately be ranked based on qualifications.

In addition to evaluation and ranking, the County reserves the right to determine Firm’s responsibility.

The County may reject the submittal of any Firm who has previously failed to perform satisfactorily, failed to complete contracts on time, or who, upon investigation, is determined not to be responsible or capable of performing the services required under this solicitation.

The County further reserves the right to reject any or all submittals; to waive informalities or irregularities; to request clarification or additional information; to modify the scope of services; or to cancel this solicitation in whole or in part, if determined to be in the best interest of the County.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS:

Firms shall disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest related to the services described in this RFQ, including relationships with Firms performing or seeking to perform work on TSPLOST-funded projects.

Firms are advised that the selected Program Manager will occupy a position of trust and influence with respect to the administration, coordination, and oversight of TSPLOST-funded projects and related professional services.

Firms shall disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest, including organizational conflicts of interest, that could arise from their proposed role as Program Manager. This includes, but is not limited to, situations where the Firm or its affiliates currently hold, or may seek to perform work under, County on-call or task order contracts related to planning, design, right-of-way, construction engineering and inspection, or other professional services associated with the TSPLOST Program.

The County reserves the right to evaluate disclosed conflicts and to require appropriate mitigation measures as a condition of award. Such measures may include, but are not limited to, recusal from specific activities, limitations on participation in task order development or evaluation, establishment of internal firewalls, or exclusion from performing certain work.

The Program Manager shall not participate in the development, evaluation, recommendation, or oversight of any task order or contract under which the Program Manager, its affiliates, or subcontractors would perform the work, unless expressly authorized in writing by the County.

Failure to disclose conflicts of interest may result in disqualification or termination of negotiations.

COSTS OF SOQS PREPARATION:

All costs associated with the preparation and submission of a SOQs shall be the sole responsibility of the Firm. The County shall not reimburse any Firm for SOQs preparation or interview-related expenses.

ANTICIPATED CONTRACT FORM:

The selected Firm will be required to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with Cherokee County. The County’s standard terms and conditions, together with this RFQ and the selected Firm’s SOQs, will form the basis of the final contract.

PUBLIC RECORDS AND OPEN RECORDS ACT:

SOQs submitted in response to this RFQ may be subject to public disclosure pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act. Firms are responsible for identifying any portions of their SOQs claimed to be confidential or proprietary.

HOW AND WHERE TO SUBMIT SOQS:

The County has two methods for receiving SOQs that are mutually exclusive; either electronically or by physical receipt. The box with the “X” below indicates how and where SOQs are to be submitted.

The County will NOT accept SOQs by fax, or e-mail unless authorized, in writing, by the Procurement Director. The solicitation submission deadline will be strictly enforced; no late SOQs will be accepted for any reason, please plan accordingly.

A. Electronic Submissions Only:

SOQs are to be submitted electronically ONLY to BidNet Direct. Physical copies are not to be submitted unless approved in advance by the Purchasing Director.

SOQs and all requested documentation to be provided electronically should in the Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) as ONE file unless otherwise indicated in these solicitation instructions.

Documents provided in response to this solicitation are to be named according to the following naming convention:

a. [Solicitation Number]_[Vendor Name]_[Document Type] Example: “2017-111_ABC Company_SOQs”

QUESTIONS/ADDENDA:

Only written inquiries will be permitted during the solicitation period. Questions are to be submitted via BidNet Direct for this solicitation no later than the date and time indicated in the Schedule, as may be amended. Answers will be posted via formal Addendum and only released as part of the solicitation documents on BidNet Direct. All interested parties are instructed to monitor BidNet Direct on a regular basis throughout the solicitation period. The final date for posting of Addenda is per the Schedule, as may be amended.

STATEMENT OF WORK AND / OR SPECIFICATION:

TSPLOST PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES

A. PURPOSE

Cherokee County is soliciting SOQs from qualified Firms that specialize in providing comprehensive program management services for Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) program management.

B. CONTRACT PERIOD

The term of a contract awarded through this RFQ shall be from contract execution until December 31, 2026. The contract may be renewed according to the terms stated herein for five (5) additional one (1) year periods to begin on January 1st and expire on December 31st each optional renewal term.

The contract shall terminate absolutely and without further obligation at such time as appropriated and otherwise unobligated funds are no longer available to satisfy the obligations of the County under this contract. The County does not guarantee a specific volume of work beyond the services described herein, as program needs may evolve over time.

If, at any time, the County determines it is in its best interest to discontinue use of these services the County reserves the right to cancel this Agreement by giving thirty (30) days advance written notice.

The pricing for the 2026 calendar year shall remain as bid for the entire year and throughout each optional renewal year.

C. BACKGROUND

Cherokee County desires to engage with a Firm (hereinafter referred to as “Firm” to provide professional program management team services for various projects included on the enclosed 2026 TSPLOST Project List, located on pages 21-23 of this RFQ, approved by Cherokee County voters on November 4, 2025. A map of the approved TSPLOST projects is located on page 24 of this RFQ.

TSPLOST is a one-percent sales tax that is exclusively used for road maintenance and improvements. This sales tax shall be imposed for a period of time not to exceed six (6) years and for an estimated amount of four hundred fifty-five million ($455,000,000.00) dollars. Of these funds, approximately sixty-two (62%) percent shall be apportioned to Cherokee County while the remaining thirty-eight (38%) percent shall be apportioned to the cities of Woodstock, Canton, Holly Springs, Ball Ground, Waleska, Nelson and Mountain Park. The County will partner with these municipalities to deliver a number of TSPLOST projects which traverse both municipal and county boundaries.

Unlike other special purpose sales taxes in Georgia, TSPLOST can only be used for transportation purposes. In fact, state law mandates that TSPLOST dollars be kept in a separate account away from other funds for auditing requirements and a detailed list of expenses be published once a year.

In Cherokee County "transportation purposes" pertains to intersection improvements, road widenings, new roads, sidewalks and multiuse trails, road reconstruction, bridge replacements, resurfacing, and studies.

D. SCOPE OF WORK

The awarded Firm shall ensure that all documents processed include at a minimum the project number, subject, date, parties to and from, and document type including but not limited to: correspondence and letters, emails, memos, meeting minutes, procedures, reports, reviews, contracts, estimates, schedules, submittals, transmittals, and requests for information.

All information is to be held confidential and at no time during the performance of services under this agreement shall the Firm disseminate any information to the public without prior County approval.

TASK 1 - TSPLOST PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

The awarded Firm shall act as the Cherokee County Transportation (TSPLOST) Program

Manager (“TSPLOST Program Manager”) for assigned County Transportation Special Purpose

Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) projects. Other County/Municipal Joint projects may be added upon discretion of the County. The Firm shall report directly to the Community Development

Agency Director and work closely with the Transportation Director and SPLOST/Roadway

Program Director. (See contract organizational chart on page 25 in this RFQ).

The TSPLOST Program Manager’s overall mission shall be to assist the County in the prioritization, planning, reviewing, integration, coordination and oversight of the designated

TSPLOST projects that contribute to the achievement of the County’s vision, objectives and desired results. The TSPLOST Program Manager shall provide “cradle to grave” project delivery services for assigned projects and/or project activities. With all responsibilities, the TSPLOST

Program Manager shall, at all times, serve as the “Owner’s Rep” for Cherokee County, ensuring the County is receiving the best value for every dollar spent, maximizing efficiencies with projects, achieving a high level of service, and delivering projects on schedule and under budget.

The TSPLOST Program Manager shall coordinate with the CFO, SPLOST/Roadway Program

Director and other county staff as required to monitor and if necessary adjust the budget and schedule of the TSPLOST program of projects.

It is anticipated that the TSPLOST Program Manager shall be embedded on a regular basis with

County staff at the County Administrative Offices in Canton and will be provided with appropriate resources in support of tasks outlined in this scope of work. The TSPLOST Program

Manager will be expected to provide all equipment, materials and labor required to complete the scope of work when working remotely or in the field. Should the selected TSPLOST Program

Manager leave the position for any reason, the County shall select the individual who will replace the incumbent from qualified candidates proposed by the Firm. Qualified candidates must have comparable education and experience to the incumbent. The County has the final decision on the candidate selected as the TSPLOST Program Manager.

TSPLOST PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION SERVICES SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE

LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:

• Review and validate an initial County TSPLOST program delivery strategy. The delivery strategy provides high-level assumptions on the cost and schedule of TSPLOST project activities as well as the procurement assumptions for design.

Refined project level budget and schedule information shall be produced at the end of this exercise; which shall also be periodically updated and reported upon. The Firm shall coordinate with appropriate county staff to monitor TSPLOST cash flow and adjust the delivery strategy accordingly when necessary.

• Work closely with County staff to draft Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) with partner municipalities on jointly funded TSPLOST projects.

• Participate and serve as staff lead on periodic project status meetings with design Firms and County staff for assigned TSPLOST projects.

• Prepare and distribute regular status reports (internally and externally) through a

“dashboard” progress report to be updated at least quarterly for the 2026 TSPLOST program, inclusive of County and city projects. Work closely with the County Communications Division to provide project information as well as program accomplishments, including publications, visualizations/imaging, document sharing, and other creative communication methods for various stakeholders. Completing a TSPLOST Annual Report, inclusive of city projects, as well. The TSPLOST Annual Report shall be issued annually by January 15 for the preceding fiscal year.

• Represent the County at TSPLOST Citizen Oversight Committee meetings. These meetings could include citizen comments during any hearings and other public meetings, as warranted. Assist in the creation of agenda item materials for each meeting, as warranted and assigned. Provide materials to the Community Development Agency Director, SPLOST/Roadway Program Director and Transportation Director in advance of each meeting. The Firm may also be required to present to the Board of Commissioners, stakeholder groups, and other entities, as assigned.

• Maintain all appropriate files, reports, record-keeping program and archive systems.

All acquisition files, maps, reports, and files are the property of Cherokee County and will be available for inspection by designated County staff and GDOT upon notice. Assist with back-office workflows (such as Firm invoicing) as necessary.

• Assist SPLOST/Roadway Program Director and other county staff with grant writing for federal and state funding opportunities for TSPLOST transportation projects.

The County and the TSPLOST Program Manager shall agree that all work product produced during the term of the Agreement including but not necessarily limited to all ideas and concepts as may be conceived, developed or written either individually or jointly in collaboration with others, shall belong to and be the sole exclusive property of the County.

TASK 2 - TSPLOST PROJECT PRECONSTRUCTION SERVICES

The TSPLOST Program Manager shall work under the general supervision of the Community Development Agency Director or his designee(s) to produce quality preliminary and final project plan sets for assigned projects in support of timely TSPLOST program delivery. Additionally, this position shall coordinate with appropriate staff and County contractors to secure Right-of-way and easements necessary for TSPLOST project construction. It is expected that the TSPLOST Program Manager will provide and guide the work of these Firm project managers and Key Team Leads (KTLs) to accomplish these tasks.

Project preconstruction services shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Plan, schedule and track the delivery of assigned TSPLOST projects. Review and refine high-level project cost estimates for TSPLOST-funded projects and project activities on a periodic basis.

• Develop scope of work documentation in support of task order issuance for project design activities via the County’s existing on-call contract pool as well as standalone, project specific RFQs when deemed necessary. The TSPLOST Program Manager will be required to utilize existing on-call contracts held by the County, which currently include the following transportation disciplines:

o Rural Roadway Design o Highway/Structures Design o Bicycle/Trails/Pedestrian Facilities Design o Traffic Engineering o Transportation Planning

• Support the development, coordination, and administration of task orders for County on-call contracts for environmental services, materials testing, and land surveying services, as directed by the County

• Conduct desktop and field plan review activities before Right-of-way authorization and construction letting (e.g. Preliminary Field Plan Review and Final Field Plan Review activities). All design deliverables shall be in Georgia Department of Transportation

(GDOT) format and follow GDOT’s Plan Presentation Guide.

• Assist design Firms and county staff with all utility relocation and coordination activities as appropriate.

• Coordinate with County staff, GDOT staff and other Firms, of all project phases, including planning, engineering, environmental, Right-of-way acquisition, utility coordination/relocations, plan review and construction through contract closeout to ensure that project schedules are maintained and impacts to the overall program budget and schedule are monitored and reported.

RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION OVERSIGHT SERVICES SHALL INCLUDE THE

FOLLOWING:

• Manage the work of project Right-of-way agents employed by the County to secure real property, easements and related tasks in support of the delivery of the TSPLOST program.

• Assist County staff during the project conceptual stage including site reconnaissance and identification of Right-of-way impacts, recommending Right-of-way plan changes to reduce impact where feasible.

• Develop task order documentation for procurement of project Right-of-way activities via the County’s existing on-call contract. The TSPLOST Program Manager will be expected to utilize existing on-call contracts held by the County, which currently include the following disciplines:

o Right-of-way appraisal services o Right-of-way acquisition services

• Assist with procuring additional services from independent contractors, if needed.

All appraisals shall be prepared in accordance with State guidelines.

• Comply with Federal Highway Administration Uniform Act 49 CFR Part 24- Transportation and 23 CFR-Highways on projects with federal funding awards or on projects designated by the County to be considered for federal funding in the future.

• When necessary, meet with project Right-of-way agent and property owners on location to answer questions about project scope and schedule. Work with property owners to address any concerns and take project revision requests to project designer in support of securing agreements for Right-of-way and/or easements.

• Work closely with County staff, legal counsel, and commissioners to initiate the condemnation process when all reasonable efforts to secure a mutual agreement on project Right-of-way have been exhausted.

• Maintain all applicable data, costs, acquisition information, special stipulations, negotiation status, etc. within each project file, ensuring that accurate, up-to-date information is always available to County staff and team members.

TASK 3 – CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AND INSPECTION SERVICES

Under close coordination with the County Construction Manager, the TSPLOST Program Manager or his designee shall provide construction management and Construction Engineering & Inspection services for assigned TSPLOST projects. Construction Management shall include responsibility for managing all of the construction projects in the 2026 TSPLOST project list, including administration, inspection, and materials sampling and testing necessary to ensure construction and payment in accordance with the GDOT “Standard Specifications,” “Construction Manual,” and “Sampling and Testing Manuals” as well as the contract documents for each project. The Firm must be pre-qualified by the GDOT for construction management of roads and bridges. Personnel assigned to the project shall be capable and experienced in construction inspection, sampling, and testing of road and bridge construction. Services shall include, but not be limited to the following:

▪ Perform constructability plan reviews and utility coordination throughout all project phases.

▪ Perform inspections and create videos documenting all existing conditions within project limits prior to construction starting and the contractor’s notice to proceed being issued by Cherokee County.

▪ Review bid documents for all projects, reporting concerns to the County Construction

Manager and the Procurement Liaison. Offer suggestions for modification of the plans and specifications to ensure a smooth and successful project. The Firm shall also assist with preparation of contract special provisions.

▪ Review construction cost estimate, provided by the County’s sub-contractors, based on conceptual, preliminary plans, and ensure the final engineers’ estimates are aligned with preset project budgets.

▪ Upon request by the County, assist in the review of the bids/offers received and recommend acceptance/rejection of lowest responsible bid to the County.

▪ After the award, attend the pre-construction meetings scheduled with the designated County staff, contractors, utilities, and other interested parties to discuss the construction schedules, submittals, project requirements, etc. Transcribe and distribute meeting minutes.

▪ Review all submittals including schedules, job mixes, shop drawings, traffic control, and erosion control plans.

▪ Schedule and conduct monthly (at a minimum) coordination meetings on all projects to:

o Review progress on each construction phase.

o Identify, develop, and initiate means to correct problems in maintaining the critical path schedule.

o Coordinate efforts of the contractor and utilities and resolve any issues pertaining to the progress and quality of construction.

o Monitor progress on any outstanding Right-of-way parcels and special stipulations.

o Minutes of the coordination meetings shall be transcribed and distributed.

▪ Analyze all claims or requests for change orders and negotiate prices as necessary. If additional items, funding, or contract time are requested, a detailed recommendation for acceptance/rejection must be submitted to the County for review and final approval.

All change orders shall be reviewed and approved by either the County Manager or Board of Commissioners. Executed original documents shall be filed within the County project file. A copy shall be submitted to the County’s Firm and contractor as well as pertinent County staff.

▪ Review monthly payment applications submitted by the County’s contractor for accuracy. Submit to the designated County staff, who will then submit to the County Finance Department to process payment.

▪ Provide experienced and qualified staff whose duties will include day-to-day review of the construction acceptability, direction to the contractor’s superintendent, and supervision and assignment of inspection and testing personnel to demonstrate an “eyes in the field” approach, with final approval from the designated County staff.

▪ Provide qualified inspection and testing personnel in numbers necessary to ensure that the projects are constructed in reasonably close conformity with the plans, specifications, permits, and other contract provisions. All inspection, sampling, and testing frequencies will be as required by the Georgia Department of Transportation’s “Construction” and “Sampling and Testing” manuals as modified by the County’s “Sampling and Testing Guide” and shall be reported on the appropriate GDOT forms as required.

▪ Maintain Inspection Daily Reports to allow the inspector to keep detailed, accurate records of the contractor’s daily operations and significant events that affect the work.

▪ Maintain sampling and testing logs for each pay item showing the status of testing and materials certification as the work progresses.

▪ Maintain a submittal log providing transmittal, review, and approval/rejection dates of all submittals in order to ensure that no avoidable delays occur.

▪ Monitor the relocation of all utilities and work performed under force account agreements and maintain appropriate accounting records. The Firm shall promptly advise the County of any omissions, substitutions, defects, and deficiencies in the work and any corrective actions taken.

▪ Coordinate contract administration with designated County staff. Maintain up to date documentation of the projects, including providing and maintaining all letters, submittals, reports, resolution of problems, etc.

▪ In addition to inspection of other construction activities, the project engineer and inspector shall closely monitor the contractor’s Maintenance of Traffic and Erosion and Sedimentation Control activities to ensure the public’s safety and strict compliance to the plans, specifications, and applicable regulations. Project engineers and inspectors must have and maintain appropriate certifications.

▪ Provide liaison for the County to resolve property owners’ inquiries during construction.

Coordinate with designated County staff for all citizens or agencies having questions or concerns about the construction. Submit written reports of all inquiries including any actions taken within one week of the initial contact.

▪ Provide initial, monthly, and final photos and electronic video of the construction highlighting any problem areas.

▪ Conduct final inspection of completed projects with the County and other interested agencies and prepare final punch list. Assure that final punch list work is completed in a timely fashion.

▪ Prepare final statement and certification and final materials certificate to designated

County staff to close out the projects. The Firm shall present all records and documentation prepared in the course of the project to the County in an electronic format at the conclusion of the Firm’s assignment to the project.

▪ It is not anticipated that an inspector will be required on all projects at all times when work is progressing, except during critical activities such as paving, concrete placement, traffic shifts, etc. However, the inspector (or project engineer) must be on the project at least once every day while work is progressing. The inspector must be on the project long enough to monitor all phases of construction as work progresses to determine that the contractor’s equipment and personnel are capable of producing the specified work and that the completed construction meets the requirements of the plans and specifications, as well as inspection and verification of traffic control and erosion control.

▪ The County expects field personnel to further utilize mobile work-stations and other technologies to the…