Purchasing &

Contracting Department

1117 Eisenhower Drive, Suite C, Savannah, Georgia 31406

(912) 790-1618

REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATION

RFQ NO. 26-0085-2

OLD RIVER ROAD WIDENING – PHASE I

VIRTUAL (WEBEX) PRE-QUALIFICATION CONFERENCE: 2:00

P.M., JULY 29, 2026

SOQ – PHASE 1 RECEIVED BY: 5:00 P.M., AUGUST 14, 2026

CHATHAM COUNTY, GEORGIA

OFFICE OF THE PURCHASING DIRECTOR

1117 EISENHOWER DRIVE, SUITE C

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31406

(912) 790-1619

DATE: July 10, 2026 RFQ NO.: 26-0085-2

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS

This is an invitation to submit qualifications to supply Chatham County with the professional services as indicated herein. Proposals for Phase I shall be submitted online on the County’s procurement portal http://chathamcountyga.bonfirehub.com/portal up to 5:00 P.M., August 14, 2026. The Purchasing Director reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to waive formalities.

Instructions for preparation and submission of a proposal are contained in the Request for Statement of Qualifications package. Please note that specific forms for submission of a proposal are required. Proposals must be typed.

A Webex Pre-Qualification Conference has been scheduled for 2:00 PM, July 29, 2026 to discuss the specifications and resolve any questions and/or misunderstanding that may arise.

Meeting link:

https://chathamcountyga.webex.com/chathamcountyga/j.php?MTID=m591bce211c58babba78f423f113c7c18

Meeting number (access code): 2311 106 7985

Meeting password: hZJ2hKh7p9C

Join by phone: 1-415-655-0001

Join from a video system or application: Dial 23111067985@chathamcountyga.webex.com

Any changes to the conditions and specifications must be in the form of a written addendum to be valid; therefore, the

Purchasing Director will issue a written addendum to document approved changes.

Chatham County has an equal opportunity procurement policy. Chatham County seeks to ensure that all segments of the business community have access to providing services needed by County programs. The County affirmatively works to encourage utilization of disadvantaged and minority business enterprises in our procurement activities. The

County provides equal opportunity for all businesses and does not discriminate against any persons or businesses regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin or handicap. The County expects its contractors to make maximum feasible use of minority businesses and qualified minority employees. The terms “disadvantaged business;

minority business enterprise, women business enterprise, and minority person” are more specifically defined and explained in the Chatham County Purchasing Ordinance.

http://chathamcountyga.bonfirehub.com/portal https://chathamcountyga.webex.com/chathamcountyga/j.php?MTID=m591bce211c58babba78f423f113c7c18 sip:23111067985@chathamcountyga.webex.com

SECTION I

Statement of Qualifications

SOQ – 26-0085-2

OLD RIVER ROAD WIDENING

I. General Project Information:

Overview:

Chatham County in coordination with Effingham County, is soliciting Statements of Qualifications

(SOQs) from qualified consulting firms to provide engineering design services for the Old River Road

Widening Project. The project will be jointly funded by Chatham County and Effingham County on a

50/50 cost-sharing basis.

The project consists of widening approximately three (3) miles of Old River Road from a two-lane rural roadway to a four-lane divided facility extending from State Route 204 in Chatham County to Interstate 16 in Effingham County. The project will include roadway reconstruction, additional pavement structure, drainage improvements, safety and operational enhancements, access management, intersection improvements, traffic control features, utility coordination, bike shoulders and associated multimodal accommodations.

The project is anticipated to be funded through State and Federal transportation funds programmed in the

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Accordingly, the selected consultant and all subconsultants shall be prequalified with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), and all project development shall be performed in accordance with the current GDOT Plan Development Process (PDP), Plan

Presentation Guide (PPG), Electronic Data Guidelines (EDG), applicable FHWA requirements, and all other applicable State and Federal standards.

The project will be administered jointly by Chatham County and Effingham County and will require close coordination with GDOT, utility owners, regulatory agencies, local stakeholders, and the public throughout project development.

This will be a multiphase, project-specific contract.

II. Scope of Services:

The selected consultant shall provide all professional engineering, environmental, surveying, permitting, utility coordination, public involvement, and project management services necessary to develop the project through final construction plans and right-of-way acquisition documents in accordance with the GDOT

Plan Development Process.

The anticipated services include, but are not limited to, the following:

Phase I – Concept Development and Environmental Documentation:

• Review existing traffic data, crash data, existing roadway conditions, and other relevant project information.

• Conduct corridor planning and intersection studies to evaluate existing and future traffic operations, safety, access management, and geometric conditions.

• Perform required surveying, establish survey control, and prepare survey databases.

• Conduct geotechnical investigations and pavement recommendations.

• Prepare the Concept Report and supporting engineering analyses for GDOT approval.

• Complete required environmental studies and prepare environmental documentation in accordance with GDOT and FHWA requirements.

• Develop preliminary construction cost estimates and project schedules.

• Conduct stakeholder coordination and public involvement activities, including preparation for and participation in two (2) Public Information Open Houses, one located in Chatham County, and one located in Effingham County.

Phase II – Preliminary Engineering:

Develop preliminary construction plans consistent with GDOT requirements, including:

• Roadway geometric design.

• Drainage and hydraulic design.

• Pavement design.

• Traffic engineering, signing, pavement marking, and intersection traffic control improvements.

• Bicycle accommodations consistent with applicable GDOT design guidance.

• Utility coordination and utility relocation support.

• Erosion, sedimentation, and post-construction stormwater management.

• Preliminary right-of-way and easement plans.

• Preparation of design exceptions or design variances, if required.

• Preparation for and participation in the Preliminary Field Plan Review (PFPR), including response to review comments.

Phase III – Right-of-Way Plans:

• Prepare right-of-way plans in accordance with GDOT requirements.

• Prepare legal descriptions, plats, deed exhibits, and staking information.

• Perform right-of-way staking and revisions as necessary.

• Support Chatham County and Effingham County by preparing revisions resulting from design modifications or acquisition needs.

Phase IV – Final Design:

Prepare complete construction documents suitable for bidding, including:

• Final roadway, drainage, traffic control, signing, pavement marking, utility, erosion control, and stormwater plans.

• Maintenance of traffic and staged construction plans.

• Final construction cost estimates.

• Technical specifications and special provisions.

• Final design reports and supporting calculations.

• Preparation for and participation in the Final Field Plan Review (FFPR).

• Resolution of review comments and preparation of final bid-ready plans and electronic deliverables in accordance with GDOT requirements.

• Preparation of revisions, amendments, or construction support revisions as required prior to advertisement.

III. Project Management:

The consultant shall provide overall project management throughout the duration of the contract, including:

• Monthly progress meetings with Chatham County, Effingham County, and GDOT.

• Monthly progress reports and meeting minutes.

• Project schedule updates.

• Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) reviews for all deliverables.

• Coordination of subconsultants.

• Maintenance of project documentation and deliverable tracking.

IV. Optional Right-of-Way Acquisition Services:

The selected consultant shall have the capability to provide right-of-way acquisition services, if authorized by Chatham County and Effingham County, in accordance with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and

Real Property Acquisition Policies Act (Uniform Act), applicable FHWA requirements, and GDOT policies.

Optional services may include appraisal coordination, appraisal review, acquisition support, relocation assistance, property owner coordination, preparation of acquisition documents, and other services necessary to facilitate right-of-way acquisition. These services shall be performed only upon written authorization by the County and may be negotiated as an additional service under the contract.

The PRIME consultant MUST be prequalified by GDOT in the area classes listed below:

3.01 Rural Roadway Design

The Team (either the Prime Consultant and/or one or more of their subconsultant team members) MUST be prequalified in the area classes listed below:

1.02 Urban Area and Regional Transportation Planning

1.06a NEPA Documentation

1.06b History

1.06d Noise Studies

1.06f Archaeology

1.07 Attitude, Opinion and Community Value Studies

1.10 Traffic Projections

3.06 Traffic Operation Studies

3.07 Traffic Operations Design

3.12 Hydrologic Studies

5.01 Land Surveying

5.02 Engineering Surveying

5.08 Overhead/Subsurface Utility Engineering

6.01a Soils and Foundations

9.01 Erosion, Sedimentation and Pollution Control Plan (ESPCP) Preparation

The Key Team Leads MUST be prequalified in the area classes listed below:

3.01 Rural Roadway Design

1.06 Environmental

1.07 Attitude, Opinion and Community Value Studies

1.10 Traffic Projections

SECTION II

Instructions & Conditions

I. Firms that respond to this RFQ and are determined by Chatham County to be sufficiently qualified, may be deemed eligible, and invited to offer a technical approach and/or possibly present and/or interview for these services. All respondents to this R F Q are subject to instructions communicated in this document and are cautioned to completely review the entire RFQ and follow instructions carefully. Chatham County reserves the right to reject any or all Statements of Qualifications or Technical Approach, and to waive technicalities and informalities at the discretion of Chatham County. Statement of

Qualifications (SOQs) Phase I shall be submitted online on the County’s procurement portal http://chathamcountyga.bonfirehub.com/portal up to 5:00 P.M., August 14, 2026.

A. IMPORTANT- A RESTRICTION OF COMMUNICATION IS IN EFFECT FOR

THIS PROJECT.

From the advertisement date of this solicitation until successful respondents are selected and the award is made official and announced, firms are not allowed to communicate about this solicitation or scope with any staff of Chatham County, except for the submission of questions as instructed in the RFQ, or with the contact designated in

RFQ Section VIII.C., or as provided by any existing work agreement(s). For violation of this provision, Chatham County reserves the right to reject the submittal of the offending respondent.

B. Non-Discrimination and DBE Requirements.

Chatham County in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 78 Stat.

252, 42 USC 2000d--42 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of

Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, part 21, Nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such

Act, hereby notifies all proposers that it will affirmatively ensure that any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, minority business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated http://chathamcountyga.bonfirehub.com/portal against on the grounds of race, color, sex, or national origin in consideration for an award.

Chatham County has not adopted a DBE overall goal for all federally funded projects.

Chatham County will monitor and assess each consultant services submittals for their

DBE participation and/or good faith effort in promoting equity and opportunity in accordance with the Chatham County MBE/WBE program. For more information on the

Chatham County MBE/WBE program please contact:

Chatham County Minority and Women Business Department

(912) 652-7860

1117 Eisenhower Drive, Suite 101

Savannah, Georgia 31406

D. Scope of Services

Under the terms of the resulting Agreements, the selected consultants will provide full engineering design services, as well as associated engineering related services, for the project identified. The anticipated scope of work for the projects/contracts are included in Section I General Project Information.

E. Contract Term and Type

Chatham County anticipates one (1) Multi-Phase Project Specific contract to be awarded to one (1) firm. Chatham County anticipates that the Contract Type will be paid via Lump Sum, Cost Plus Fixed Fee, Cost per Unit of Work or Specific Rate of

Compensation. As a Multi-Phase Project Specific contract, it is the County’s intention that each Agreement will remain in effect until successful completion of the preliminary engineering phase of the projects.

F. Contract Amount

The Multi-Phase Project Specific contract amount will be determined via negotiations with the County. If the County is unable to reach a satisfactory agreement and at reasonable rates to be paid for the services to be provided, the County reserves the right to terminate negotiations with the highest scoring finalist and begin negotiations with the next highest scoring finalist.

II. Selection Method:

A. Method of Communication

All general communication of relevant information regarding this solicitation will be made via the Georgia Procurement Registry (GPR) under RFQ-26-0084-2. All firms are responsible for checking the GPR on a regular basis for updates, clarifications, and announcements. C h a t h a m C o u n t y reserves the right to communicate via electronic mail with the primary contact listed in the Statements of Qualifications. Other specific communications will be made as indicated in the remainder of this RFQ.

B. Phase I - Selection of Finalists

Based on the Statements of Qualifications submitted in response to the projects/contracts listed in this RFQ, the Selection Committee will review the

Experience and Qualifications and Resources and Workload Capacity listed in

Section IV. Selection Criteria for Phase I. The Selection Committee will discuss the top submittals and the final rankings of the top submittals will be determined. From the final rankings of the top submittals, the Selection Committee will identify three (3) to five

(5) firms which will be shortlisted.

C. Finalist Notification for Phase II

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

D. Phase II - Finalists Response on Technical Approach, MBE/WBE/DBE and Past

Performance

Chatham County will request a Technical Approach of the three (3) to five (5) finalist firms for the project/contract. Chatham County reserves the right to request a presentation/interview on any project/contract as determined in its best interests;

however, this additional requirement shall typically be reserved for the most complex projects. Each finalist firm shall be notified in writing and informed of the Technical

Approach due date. Any additional detailed Technical Approach instructions and requirements, beyond that provided in Section V. Selection Criteria for Phase II, for the finalists will be provided in the Finalist Notification. All members of the Selection

Committee will review the Technical Approach (and will attend the presentation/interview if so chosen). Firms shall not address any questions, prior to the award announcement, to anyone other than the designated contact.

E. Final Selection

Final selection will be determined by carrying the scores from Phase I forward for each

Finalist and by evaluating the Technical Approach, MBE/WBE/DBE Participation and Past Performance criteria for Phase II. The Selection Committee will discuss the

Finalist’s Phase II Responses and the final rankings will be determined.

Negotiations will then be initiated with the top-ranked firm(s) to finalize the terms and conditions of the contract(s), including the fees to be paid. In the event a satisfactory agreement cannot be reached with the highest-ranking firm(s), Chatham County will formally terminate the negotiations and possibly enter into negotiations with the second highest- ranking firm, and so on in turn until a mutual agreement is established and

Chatham County awards a contract. The final form of the contract shall be developed by Chatham County.

III. Schedule of Events:

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

PHASE I DATE TIME

a. Chatham County issues public advertisement of RFQ 26-0081-2 July 10, 2026 -------

b. Pre-Qualification Conference July 29, 2026 2:00 PM

c. Deadline for submission of written questions and requests for clarification

August 4, 2026 12:00 PM

d. Deadline for submission of Statements of Qualifications August 14, 2026 5:00 PM

e. Chatham County completes evaluation and issues notification and other information to finalist firms

August 31, 2026 5:00 PM

PHASE II

f. Deadline for submission of written questions from finalists September 8, 2026 12:00 PM

g. Phase II Response of Finalist firms due September 15, 2026 5:00 PM

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

Qualifications

A. Project Manager, Key Team Leader(s) and Prime’s Experience and Qualifications –

30% (30 points)

The Selection Committee will evaluate all firms on their Experience and Qualifications, which shall account for a total of thirty (30%) percent of the total evaluation (30 points).

The following criteria for scoring Phase I of the evaluation will be utilized to determine which firms are shortlisted:

1. Project Manager education, registration, relevant engineering experience and relevant project management experience.

2. Key Team Leaders’ education, registration, relevant technical experience, and relevant experience in design and engineering services related to the project.

3. Prime Consultant’s experience in delivering projects of similar complexity, size, scope, and function.

B. Project Manager, Key Team Leader(s) and Prime’s Resources and Workload

Capacity – 20% (20 points)

The Selection Committee will evaluate all firms on their Resources availability and

Workload Capacity which shall account for a total of twenty (20%) percent of the total evaluation (20 points). The following criteria for scoring the Resources and

Workload Capacity will be utilized to determine which firms are shortlisted:

1. Project Manager Workload

2. Workload capacity of Key Team leader(s)

3. Resources dedicated to delivering project

4. Ability to Meet Project Schedule

V. Selection Criteria for Phase II - Criteria for Evaluation of Technical Approach, MBE/WBE/DBE Participation and Past Performance

A. Technical Approach – 35% (35 points)

The Selection Committee will evaluate the shortlisted firms (Finalists) on their

Technical Approach, which shall account for a total of thirty (35%) percent (35 points).

The Selection Committee shall utilize the following additional criteria for scoring Phase

II of the evaluation to determine the highest ranked/most qualified (NOTE: Scores from Phase I will be carried forward and combined with the scores from the Phase

II to determine the final ranking of Finalists):

1. Provide any unique technical approaches your firm offers relative to addressing anticipated design concepts, use of any alternative methods for delivery (if applicable), and/or management of the project.

2. Identify any unique challenges of the project and how your firm intends to mitigate these challenges, including quality control, quality assurance procedures.

3. Provide any specific qualifications, skills, knowledge of the project and project area which may uniquely benefit the firm and project, and your ability and willingness to meet time requirements.

B. MBE/WBE/DBE Participation – 10% (10 points)

Commitment in the level of MBE/WBE/DBE business/firms, subcontractors, consultants and employees. Approach to meeting and exceeding the MBE/WBE/DBE requirements. History of MBE/WBE/DBE awarded utilization in the past.

C . Past Performance – 5% (5 points)

The Selection Committee may consider information provided via references provided for relevant projects and knowledge any selection committee member has of performance on relevant projects. The Selection Committee will consider all factors in their totality.

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

Response

The Statements of Qualifications submittal must be submitted in accordance with the instructions provided in Section VIII, and must be organized, categorized, using the same headings and numbered and lettered exactly as outlined below, and must be responsive to all requested information. For the sections in which page number limits are stated, each section with a stated limit must begin on a new page and end on the last page allowed for the section.

It is not allowed to begin new sections on a page allowed for a previous section, if applicable. This will enable the County to ensure compliance with the page limitations.

Cover page – Each project/contract submittal must have a separate cover page for each copy of each submittal for each project/contract and each must list the RFQ#, RFQ Title, and the proposing firm’s full legal name.

A. Administrative Requirements

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

1. Basic company information:

a. Company name.

b. Company Headquarter Address.

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

d. Company website (if available).

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

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

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

2. Certification Form - Complete the Certification Form (Exhibit “I” enclosed with RFQ) and provide a notarized original within the firm’s Statement of

Qualifications. This is to be submitted for the Prime ONLY.

3. Attachments A thru G (enclosed with RFQ), including Attachment C, Georgia

Security and Immigration Compliance Act Affidavit – Complete the form and provide a notarized original within the firm’s Statement of Qualifications. This is to be submitted for the Prime ONLY.

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

B . Experience and Qualifications

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

a. Education.

b. Registration (if necessary and applicable.)

c. Relevant engineering experience.

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

This information is limited to five (5) pages maximum.

2. Key Team Leaders - Provide experience of Key Team Leaders (defined as those individuals who oversee project areas. For each Key Team Leader identified provide:

a. Education.

b. Registration (if applicable)

c. Relevant experience in the applicable resource area of the most relevant projects.

This information is limited to two (2) page maximum for each Key Team Leader.

Respondents submitting more than two (2) pages for each Key Team Leader identified will be subject to disqualification. Respondents who provide more Key

Team Leaders than what is outlined in the requirement will be subject to disqualification as this would provide an advantage over firms who complied with the requirement and had the required number of Key Team Leaders. Respondents who do not provide the required Key Team Leaders will be subject to disqualification as this does not meet the requirements of the project and therefore would deem the respondent and its team unqualified for the award.

3. Prime Experience - Provide information on the prime’s experience and ability in delivering effective services for projects of similar complexity, size, scope, and function, which demonstrate the firm's capabilities to provide services for

Chatham County. For each project, the following information should be provided:

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

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

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

d. Client(s) current contact information including contact names, telephone numbers and e-mail address.

e. Involvement of Key Team Leaders on the projects.

This information is limited to three (3) pages maximum.

C. Resources/Workload Capacity

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

a. Organizational chart which identifies the project manager, prime, Key

Team Leaders, support personnel, and reporting structure. This chart may be submitted on a 11” x 17” page. (Excluded from the page count)

b. Primary Office - Identify and discuss the primary office which will be responsible for handling the specific project and the number and types of staff within the office and how this office could benefit the project and promote efficiency.

This information to be included on the page with the Narrative on

Additional Resource Areas and Ability.

c. Narrative on Additional Resource Areas and Ability – Respondents are to provide information regarding additional resource areas identified as important to the project, to discuss how the key areas will integrate and work together on the project, to discuss any information which is pertinent to these areas, to provide a narrative regarding how the organization of the team, including the PM and Key Team Leaders can deliver the project on schedule given their workload capacity. (Chatham County recognizes that some individuals may be able to meet the schedule while carrying heavier project loads.) Respondents may discuss the advantages of your team and the abilities of the team members which will enable the project to meet the proposed schedule. If there is no proposed schedule, discuss the advantages of the team and the abilities of the team members which will enable the project to move as expeditiously as possible.

Respondents submitting more than the t h r e e (3) pages allowed (combined for

C1.b. and C1.c.) will be subject to disqualification.

2. Project Manager Commitment Table - Provide a list of ALL projects (GDOT, other governments and private contracts – Information may be validated and any firm determined not to be listing all projects may be subject to disqualification) on which the proposed project manager is currently committed, to enable the

County to ascertain the project manager’s availability. Utilize a table similar to the following format with a minimum of all criteria indicated to provide the requested information:

3. Key Team Leader Project Commitment Table - Provide a table similar to the below, with a minimum of all criteria indicated, which identifies ALL projects the Key

Team Leaders are committed on to enable the County to ascertain the available capacity.

Project Manager

PI/Project # for

GDOT

Projects/Name of Customer for Non- GDOT Projects

Role of

PM

on Project

Project Description

Current P h a s e of Project

Current S t a t u s of Project

Monthly Time Commitment in Hours

Key Team Leader

PI/Project # for GDOT Projects/Name of Customer for Non- GDOT Projects

Role of Key Team Leader on Project

Project

Description Current Phase of Project

Current Status of Project

Monthly Time

Commitment in Hours

This information is limited to the organization chart (excluded from page count), one (1) page combined of text (for both the Primary Office and Narrative on Resource Areas and Ability), and the tables.

V. Instructions for Preparing Technical Approach, MBE/WBE/DBE Participation and Past Performance Response – Phase II Response

The following information will only be requested of the shortlisted firms. The Selection

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

The Phase II response must be submitted in accordance with the instructions provided in

Section IX, and must be organized, categorized using the same headings, and numbered and lettered exactly as outlined below, and must be responsive to all requested information.

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

This will enable the County to ensure compliance with the page limitations.

Phase II Cover Page – Each submittal must have a separate cover page for each copy of each Phase II submittal and each must indicate the response is for Phase II, list the RFQ#, RFQ Title, and proposing firm’s full legal name.

A. Technical Approach

1. Provide any unique technical approaches your firm offers relative to addressing anticipated design concepts, use of any alternative methods for delivery (if applicable), and/or management of the project.

2. Identify any unique challenges of the project and how your firm intends to mitigate these challenges, including quality control, quality assurance procedures.

3. Provide any specific qualifications, skills, knowledge of the project and project area which may uniquely benefit the firm and project, and your ability and willingness to meet time requirements. This information will be limited to a maximum of three

(3) pages.

*Item 3 is the only item in this section with the 3-page limit.

B. MBE/WBE/DBE Participation

Commitment in the level of MBE/WBE/DBE business/firms, subcontractors, consultants and employees. Approach to meeting and exceeding the MBE/WBE/DBE requirements.

History of MBE/WBE/DBE awarded utilization in the past.

C. Past Performance

No additional information should be submitted to fulfill this requirement.

Information from the relevant projects listed as well as information on file with the

County will be used to fulfill this requirement.

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

VI. Instructions for Submittal for Phase I – Statements of Qualifications

A. There is one (1) electronic version submittal required. The Submittal must follow the format and meet the content requirements identified in Section VI, entitled

Instructions for Content and Preparation of Statements of Qualifications –

Phase I Response.

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

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

Preparation of Statements of Qualifications – Phase I Response only. Hyperlinks or embedded video are not allowed.

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

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

Labeling information provided in submittals “proprietary” or “confidential”, or any other designation of restricted use will not protect the information from public view.

Subject to the provisions of the Open Records Act, the details of the proposal documents will remain confidential until final award.

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

C. Questions and Requests for Clarification

Questions about any aspect of the RFQ, or the project, shall be submitted in writing via e-mail to: Sabrina Tippett, e-mail: stippett@chathamcounty.org. The deadlines for submission of questions relating to the RFQ are the times and dates shown in the

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

IX. Instructions for Submittal for Phase II – Technical Approach, MBE/WBE/DBE and Past Performance Response

THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE INTENDED SOLELY FOR THOSE FIRMS

IDENTIFIED AND NOTIFIED AS FINALISTS. Final Instructions will be provided to the Finalists in the notification.

Please note that each project/contract will follow an individual schedule which meets the availability of each Selection Committee. For this reason, the Notice to Selected Finalists and resulting Phase II responses may be on different schedules for each project/contract.

A. There is one (1) electronic version submittal required. The Submittal must follow the format and meet the content requirements identified in Section VII, entitled

Instructions for Preparing Technical Approach, WBE/MBE/DBE

Participation and Past Performance Response – Phase II Response. See

Attachment 1 for a summary of how the submittals should be prepared.

B. Submittals must be typed on standard (8½” x 11”) paper. The pages should be mailto:stippett@chathamcounty.org.

numbered; however, submittal pages will be counted by section to determine compliance with page limits. Responses are limited to the page counts indicated in each section using a minimum of size 11 font. Page counts will be determined by pages with print on them, not by the physical piece of paper. Each Statement of

Qualifications shall be prepared simply and economically as indicated above.

Colored displays, and promotional materials are not desired. Emphasis must be on completeness, relevance, and clarity of content.

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

Approach and Past Performance Response-Phase II Response only. Hyperlinks or embedded video are not allowed.

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

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

All expenses for preparing and submitting responses are the sole cost of the party submitting the response. C h a t h a m C o u n t y is not obligated to any party to reimburse such expenses. All submittals upon receipt become the property of Chatham County .

Labeling information provided in submittals “proprietary” or “confidential”, or any other designation of restricted use will not protect the information from public view.

Subject to the provisions of the Open Records Act, the details of the proposal documents will remain confidential until final award.

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

C. Questions & Requests for Clarification

Questions about any aspect of the Phase II Response for Finalists, shall be submitted in writing via e-mail to: Sabrina Tippett, e-mail: stippett@chathamcounty.org or as directed in the Notice to Selected Finalists, if different. The deadlines for submission of questions relating to the Phase II Response will be identified in the

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

X. Chatham County Terms and Conditions

A. Statement of Agreement

With the submission of a SOQ, the respondent agrees that he/she has carefully examined the Request for Qualifications, and agrees that it is the respondent’s mailto:stippett@chathamcounty.org%20 responsibility to request clarification on any issues in any section of the Request for

Qualifications with which the respondent disagrees or needs clarified. The respondent also understands that failure to mention these items during the question period or in the

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

The respondent also understands that failure to provide required information may result in disqualification. Failure to provide administrative information may not result in disqualification. At Chatham County’s discretion, the County may notify the respondent that administrative information is not provided or there was an error in the information provided, and the County will allow a respondent to provide an update to the administrative information. However, the exception to this is the provision of the required GEORGIA SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION

COMPLIANCE ACT AFFIDAVIT (Attachment C), which by Georgia Law requires disqualification of the response. The above changes mentioned to administrative information would be considered allowable as these would be limited to changes which do not affect the information which the evaluators use to score the respondents. Failure of a respondent to provide the specific administrative information as required in the notice will result in disqualification. Any respondent who provides changes in addition to the information requested in the notice shall be subject to disqualification. Failure of a respondent’s SOQ to provide any information pertaining to a respondent and its team’s qualifications, of any type, will subject the SOQ to disqualification. The

County will not allow updates to qualifications to be provided to avoid disqualification as this would allow a respondent to modify its SOQ and alter the information which evaluators would score. The above changes related to qualifications would not be allowable as these would allow changes which do affect the information which the evaluators use to score the respondents SOQ.

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

Chatham County does not generally desire to enter into “joint-venture” agreements with multiple firms. In the event two or more firms desire to “joint-venture”, it is strongly recommended that one incorporated firm propose and maintain status as the Program

Management firm with the remaining firms participating as major firms. Any joint-venture, proposed and established as a separate business entity, should have its own set of books and supporting documentation sufficient for an audit trail. Transactions should be recorded consistent with the joint- venture agreement, and care must be taken to ensure that the joint-venture bears its equitable share of the costs. Therefore, “unpopulated joint-ventures” would not have an adequate accounting system suitable for cost reimbursement contracts.

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

Sub-Consultants shall generally be considered any team member which is performing any service which typically requires prequalification, which is subject to the Audit and

Accounting System Requirements, and whose services are billed as costs. Sub-

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

C. Audit and Accounting System Requirements

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

1. Firm(s) should have an accounting system in place to meet requirements of 48

CFR Part 31 and, in the case of non-profit organizations, OMB Circular A-122.

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

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

D. Submittal Costs and Confidentiality

All expenses for preparing and submitting responses are the sole cost of the respondent submitting the response. Chatham County is not obligated to any respondent to reimburse such expenses. All submittals upon receipt become the property of the County. Labeling information provided in submittals as “proprietary” or “confidential”, or any other designation of restricted use will not protect the information from public view. Subject to the provisions of the Open Records Act, the details of the proposal documents will remain confidential until a final award.

E. Award Conditions

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

F. Prohibited Interests

a. Conflict of Interest. The Consultant and its subconsultants warrant that it presently has no interest and shall acquire no interest, direct or indirect, that would conflict in any manner or degree with the performance of its services hereunder. The Consultant further agrees that, in the performance of the Contract no person having any such interest shall be employed.

b. Interests of Public Officials. No member, officer, or employee of Chatham County, Georgia, during his tenure shall have any interest, direct or indirect, in this Contract or the proceeds thereof.

G. Right to Cancel or Change RFQ

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

It is the responsibility of all firms interested in submitting Statement of Qualifications

(SOQs) for this advertisement to routinely check the posting on the Georgia Procurement

Registry for any revisions to this RFQ.

H. Substitutions, Alternates, Exceptions, and Extensions

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

I. Insurance Provisions, General:

The selected consultant shall be required to procure and maintain for the duration of the contract insurance against claims for injuries to persons or damages to property which may arise from or in connection with the performance of the work hereunder by the consultant, his agents, representatives, employees or subconsultants. .It is every contractor’s responsibility to provide the County Purchasing and Contracting Division current and up-to-date Certificates of Insurance for multiple year contracts before the end of each term. Failure to do so may be cause for termination of contract.

1. General Information that shall appear on a Certificate of Insurance:

I. Name of the Producer (Contractor’s insurance Broker/Agent).

II. Companies affording coverage (there may be several).

III. Name and Address of the Insured (this should be the Company or

Parent of the firm Chatham County is contracting with).

IV. Summary of all current insurance for the insured (includes effective dates of coverage).

V. A brief description of the operations to be performed, the specific job to be performed, or contract number.

VI. Certificate Holder (This is to always include Chatham County).

Chatham County as an “Additional Insured”: Chatham County invokes the defense of “sovereign immunity.” In order not to jeopardize the use of this defense, the County is not to be included as an “Additional Insured” on insurance contracts.

2. Minimum Limits of Insurance to be maintained for the duration of the contract:

A. Commercial General Liability: Provides protection against bodily injury and property damage claims arising from operations of a Contractor or Tenant. This policy cl coverage includes: premises and operations, use of independent contractors, products/completed operations, personal injury, contractual, broad form property damage, and underground, explosion and collapse hazards.

Minimum limits: $1,000,000 bodily injury and property damage per occurrence and annual aggregate.

B. Worker's Compensation and Employer’s Liability: Provides statutory protection against bodily injury, sickness or disease sustained by employees of the

Contractor while performing within the scope of their duties. Employer’s Liability coverage is usually included in Worker’s Compensation policies, and insures common law claims of injured employees made in lieu of or in addition to a

Worker’s Compensation claim. Minimum limits: $500,000 for each accident, disease policy limit, disease each employee and Statutory Worker’s Compensation limit.

C. Business Automobile Liability: Coverage insures against liability claims arising out of the Contractor’s use of automobiles. Minimum limit: $1,000,000 combined single limit per accident for bodily injury and property damage.

Coverage should be written on an “Any Auto” basis.

Additional Coverage for Specific Procurement Projects:

A. Professional Liability: Insure errors or omission on behalf of architects, engineers, attorneys, medical professionals, and consultants.

Minimum Limits: $1 million per claim/occurrence

Coverage Requirement: If claims-made, retroactive date must precede or coincide with the contract effective date or the date of the Notice to Proceed. The professional must state if tail coverage has been purchased and the duration of the coverage.

J. How to Submit an Objection: Objections from Offerers to this Request for

Statement of…