RFQ 46_020 Navajo Circle bid packet.pdf

POST OFFICE DRAWER 1435

GAINESVILLE, GA 30503

t: 770.535.8270 | f: 770.531.6711

FINANCIAL SERVICES DIRECTOR

Taylor Samples, CPA

ASSISTANT FINANCE DIRECTOR

Elizabeth White

PURCHASING MANAGER

Andy Youngblood

Hall County Government

FINANCIAL SERVICES

PURCHASING DIVISION

Request for Qualifications

RFQ #46-020

For the provision of

Navajo Circle (CR 1203) Life/Safety

Grade Separation Planning Study and Concept Development

PURPOSE: Hall County, Georgia, a municipal entity of the State of Georgia, is issuing this Request for Qualifications for highly experienced firms to provide Planning, Public

Involvement, and Concept Development Services (herein

“Services”) for the Navajo Circle (CR 1203) Life/Safety Grade

Separation Planning Study – Federal Railroad Administration Grant

(herein “Project”).

It is the County’s intention to award one (1) firm for all the Services listed herein.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

RFQ Post Date: Tuesday, July 29th, 2025

Bidder’s Demonstrations: Scheduled by invitation

Bidder’s Questions Due Date: Tuesday, August 12th, 2025

Response to Bidder Questions Due Date: Thursday August 21st, 2025

RFQ Due Date: Thursday, September 4, 2025, 2:00pm

OWNER INFORMATION: Hall County, Georgia, (herein

“County”, “Owner”) serves 217,267 residents and is principally located at the Hall County Government Center (HCGC), 2875 Browns

Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30504.

OWNER EXPECTATIONS: It is imperative that the County's program be managed, designed, and constructed with the utmost regard to cost, schedule, and quality control by all respondents. There is a clear expectation by the County and its residents that construction costs will be successfully managed within. The integrity, reputation, skills, and performance of the program management firms (herein

“Bidder”, “Contractor”, “Program Manager”) must be the highest caliber to maintain confidence in the project team(s).

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Table of Contents

Section I- General Project Information

Section II - Selection Method

Section III - Schedule of Events

Section IV - Selection Criteria for Phase I: Evaluation of Statements of Qualifications

Section V - Selection Criteria for Phase II: Evaluation of Technical Approach and Past

Performance

Section VI - Instructions for Content and Preparation of Statements of Qualifications-

Phase I Response

Section VII - Instructions for Preparing Technical Approach and Past Performance

Response – Phase II Response

Section VIII - Instructions for Submittal for Phase I - Statement of Qualifications

Section IX - Instructions for Submittal for Phase II – Technical Approach and Past

Performance Response

Section X – Terms and Conditions

Attachment I – Project Description/Scope of Work

Attachment II - Area Class Summary Example

Exhibit A - Mandatory Bid Response Form

Exhibit B - Contract for Services

Exhibit C - W-9 Form

Exhibit D - E-Verify Affidavit

Exhibit E - Ethics Affidavit

Exhibit F - Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Affidavit

Exhibit G - Title VI and Compliance with Federal Regulations Affidavit

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1. Section I- General Project Information

A. Overview

Hall County is soliciting Statement of Qualifications (SOQs) from qualified firms or organizations, to provide Planning, Public Involvement, and Concept Development

Services for the Navajo Circle (CR 1203) Life/Safety Grade Separation Planning Study –

Federal Railroad Administration Grant.

This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeks to identify potential providers for the Scope of

Services for the project listed in Attachment I. Firms that respond to this RFQ and are determined by Hall 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 RFQ are subject to instructions communicated in this document and are cautioned to completely review the entire RFQ and follow instructions carefully. Hall 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 Hall

County.

B. 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 Hall County including Commissioners, 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, Hall County reserves the right to reject the submittal of the offending respondent.

C. Scope of Services

Under the terms of the resulting Agreement, the selected consultant will provide Planning, Concept Development, and Public Involvement Services for the Hall County Project identified. The selected firm must have experience in and ability to commit to a multi-year program implementation. The anticipated scope of work for the project/contract is included in Attachment I.

D. Contract Term and Type

Hall County anticipates one (1) Multi-Phase Project Specific contract to be awarded to one (1) firm, for the project/contract identified. Hall County anticipates that the Contract

Type will be Lump Sum with Task Orders issued per project phase.

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E. Contract Amount

The Project Specific contract will be determined via negotiations with the County. If the

County is unable to reach a satisfactory agreement 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.

2. Section II - Selection Method

A. Method of Communication

All general communication of relevant information regarding this solicitation will be made via the Hall County webpage https://www.hallcounty.org/Bids.aspx under

RFQ# 46-020. All firms are responsible for checking the Hall County Purchasing webpage and the Georgia Procurement Registry (GPR) on a regular basis for

Addenda, updates, clarifications, and announcements. Hall County 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 project/contract 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 that will be shortlisted.

All firms must meet the minimum requirements as listed in Section IV.A. below.

C. Finalist Notification for Phase II

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

D. Phase II- Finalists Response on Technical Approach and Past Performance

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

https://www.hallcounty.org/Bids.aspx

5 | P a g e 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 those 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 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 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, Hall 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 Hall

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

County.

3. Section III – Schedule of Events

The following Schedule of Events represents Hall County’s best estimate of the

Schedule that will be followed. All times indicated are prevailing times in

Gainesville, Georgia. Hall County reserves the right to adjust the Schedule as it deems necessary.

PHASE I DATE TIME

a. Hall County issues public advertisement of RFQ 46-020 7/29/2025

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

8/12/2025 2:00 PM

c. Deadline for Hall County to respond to Bidder questions 8/21/2025 2:00 PM

d. Deadline for submission of Statements of Qualifications

9/4/2025 2:00 PM

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PHASE II

d. Hall County completes evaluation and issues notification and other information to finalist firms

TBD

e. Deadline for submission of written questions from finalists TBD 2:00 PM

f. Phase II Response of Finalist firms due TBD 2:00 PM

4. Section IV – Selection Criteria for Phase I: Evaluation of Statements of Qualifications

A. Area Class Requirements and Certification

Presented teams must be prequalified in the indicated Area Class(es) in order to be evaluated. Required proof of prequalification shall be submitted as indicated in Section

VI.B.4. All submittals will be pre-screened to verify that the Prime consultant has the required Area Class(es) and that the overall team has the required Area Class(es). Any submittal in which the Prime consultant or the overall team area class requirements are not met will be disqualified from further consideration.

Each submittal will require certification to allow the County to analyze risks in determining if any firm should be ineligible for the award. The certification shall cover a wide variety of information. Any firm which responds in any potentially concerning manner must provide additional information as directed herein for consideration by Hall County to determine if Firm is eligible for the award.

B. Project Manager, Key Team Leader(s) and Prime’s Experience and Qualifications-

30%

The Selection Committee will evaluate all firms on their Experience and Qualifications, which shall account for a total of thirty percent (30%) of the total evaluation. 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 transportation and/or railroad experience, relevant project management experience, experience in utilizing

Federal specific processes, manuals, or guidance (Federal Rail Administration, Public involvement, NEPA, Concept Development, Alternatives Analysis, Roadway

Design, Bridge Design, etc.).

2. Key Team Leaders’ education, registration, relevant technical experience, and relevant experience in utilizing Federal specific processes, manuals, or guidance

(Federal Rail Administration, Public involvement, NEPA, Concept Development, Alternatives Analysis, Roadway Design, Bridge Design, etc.).

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

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

Capacity -20%

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

Workload Capacity which shall account for a total of twenty percent (20%) of the total evaluation. 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 the project

4. Ability to meet project schedule

5. Section V – Selection Criteria for Phase II: Evaluation of Technical Approach and

Past Performance

A. Technical Approach – 40%

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

Approach, which shall account for a total of forty percent (40%). 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 planning, design and engineering 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.

Provide any specific qualifications, skills, knowledge which your firm has which could benefit the project, and your ability and willingness to meet time requirements.

A. Past Performance – 10%

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

0 to 10 when arriving at a final score for the Past Performance.

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6. Section 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 (in red), 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- The project/contract submittal must have a cover page and must list the

RFQ#, RFQ Title, proposing firm’s full legal name and the specific project contract being submitted on to include the Project Name, County, and Description.

A. Administrative Requirements

It is required to submit the information below for 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 the 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?

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2. Mandatory Bid Response Form - Complete the Bid Response Form (Exhibit A enclosed with RFQ) and provide a signed original within the firm’s Statement of

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

3. Contract for Services - The County and the selected Firm shall enter into a formal agreement; substantially in the form of the attached EXHIBIT B - CONTRACT FOR

SERVICES by counter signing the contract with an execution date. Contracts are only valid if they are countersigned by the County’s Chairman of the Board of

Commissioners. Bidders should sign the Contract and submit it with their bid response. All questions regarding the Scope of Services should be directed to the

Issuing Officer no later than Tuesday, August 12th, 2025. If there are no written objections, then the County will take this as an affirmative acceptance of the

Scope of Services as it is presented.

4. W-9 Form – Complete and sign W-9 Form attached in EXHIBIT C – W-9 FORM

5. E-Verify Affidavit - It is the policy of the County that unauthorized aliens shall not be employed to perform work on contracts involving the physical performance of services. Sign and notarize attached EXHIBIT D - E-VERIFY AFFIDAVIT and return with the proposal. This is to be submitted for the Prime ONLY.

6. Ethics Affidavit - Contractors, consultants, and vendors of any service or commodity to Hall County, Georgia (“County”) must read and affirm to adhere to the following ethics requirements for compliance with the Official Code

3.10.070 of Hall County – Ethics. Sign and notarize attached Exhibit E – Ethics

Affidavit and return with the proposal. This is to be submitted for the Prime ONLY.

7. Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Affidavit – Complete the form in attached Exhibit F - GEORGIA SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION COMPLIANCE

ACT AFFIDAVIT and provide a notarized original within the firm’s Statement of

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

8. Title VI and Compliance with Federal Regulations - Complete the form in attached Exhibit G - TITLE VI AND COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS and provide a signed original within the firm’s Statement of Qualifications. This is to be submitted for the Prime ONLY.

9. Addenda - Sign any Addenda issued for the Prime ONLY and include with proposal submittal.

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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.

e. Relevant experience utilizing federal specific processes, manuals, or guidance, bridge design, roadway design, and utility relocations/coordination (specifically railroad coordination) [Federal

Rail Administration, Public involvement, NEPA, Concept Development, Alternatives Analysis, Roadway & Bridge Design, etc.]

This information is limited to two (2) pages maximum.

2. Key Team Leaders - Provide experience of Key Team Leaders (defined as those individuals who oversee project areas determined as particularly important to each specific project, refer to the Project Description in Attachment I, specifically Section 5) for the list of Key Team Leaders for the Project. For each

Key Team Leader identified provide:

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.

e. Relevant experience utilizing federal specific processes, manuals, or guidance, bridge design, roadway design, and utility relocations/coordination (specifically railroad coordination) [Federal

Rail Administration, Public involvement, NEPA, Concept Development, Alternatives Analysis, Roadway & Bridge Design, etc.]

This information is limited to one (1) page maximum for each Key Team Leader identified in Attachment I. Respondents submitting more than one (1) page 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

11 | P a g e 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

Hall 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. Relevant experience utilizing federal specific processes, manuals, or guidance, bridge design, roadway design, and utility relocations/coordination (specifically railroad coordination) [Federal

Rail Administration, Public involvement, NEPA, Concept Development, Alternatives Analysis, Roadway & Bridge Design, etc.]

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

f. Involvement of Key Team Leaders on the projects.

This information is limited to two (2) pages maximum.

4. Area Class Summary Form and Notice of Professional Consultant Qualifications

- Prime Consultants are defined as the firm submitting the Statement of

Qualifications and the firm with whom Hall County will contract. The Team is defined as the Prime Consultant and their sub-consultants, who are considered team members. Prime Consultants and their sub-consultant team members must meet the Area Class requirements listed in Attachment I for each project on which they apply. In regards to the required Area Classes, for each project/contract on which they apply, respondents should submit a summary form (example provided in Attachment II) which details the required area classes for the Prime Consultant and all sub-consultants on the team listed in the Statement of Qualifications. The area classes and firms meeting the area classes listed on the summary form must meet all required area classes or the team will be disqualified. If a team member’s prequalification expires prior to the due date of the SOQ, documentation must be provided which shows that the firm has submitted its application for prequalification prior to the SOQ due date. The team must maintain its prequalification certification in order to be considered eligible for award if selected. Additionally, respondents should submit the Notice of Professional Consultant Qualifications (for the Prime

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Consultant and all sub- consultants for each project) issued by GDOT and attach after the Area Class summary form.

This information is limited to the one (1) page for the Area Class table (unless the project needs require an extensive list of area classes) and the required Notice of Professional

Consultant Qualifications. (The table may not be submitted on a 11” x 17” page).

C. Resources and Workload Capacity

1. Overall Resources - Provide information pertaining to 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 one (1) page with the Narrative on Additional Resource Areas and Ability.

c. Narrative on Additional Resource Areas and Ability – Respondents are also allowed 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. (Hall 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 as identified in Attachment I (where applicable). 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 one (1) page allowed (combined for C.1.b. and C.1.c.), will be subject to disqualification.

2. Project Manager Commitment Table - Provide a list of ALL projects (GDOT, FHWA, FRA, Hall County, 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

13 | P a g e with a minimum of all criteria indicated to provide the requested information:

3. 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 (refer to the Project Description in Attachment I, specifically Section 5 for the list of Key Team Leaders for each Project) are committed on to enable the County to ascertain the available capacity.

Project

Manager

Project

Name/GDOT

PI No

Role of

PM on

Project

Project

Description

Current

Phase of

Project

Current

Status of

Project

Monthly Time

Commitment in Hours

Key

Team

Leader

Project

Name/GDOT

PI No

Role of

PM 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 Additional Resource Areas and

Ability), and the tables.

7. Section VII – Instructions for Preparing Technical Approach and Past Performance

Response – Phase II Response

The following information will only be requested from 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):

Phase II response must be submitted in accordance with the instructions provided in Section IX, and must be organized, categorized using the same headings (in red), 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

14 | P a g e 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 – The submittal must have a separate cover page and must indicate the response is for Phase II, list the RFQ, RFQ Title, proposing firm’s full legal name and the specific project contract being submitted on to include the Project

Name, County, and Description.

A. Technical Approach

1. Provide any unique technical approaches your firm offers relative to addressing anticipated planning concepts, public involvement, Concept

Development & Alternatives Analysis, budget estimation, 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 and quality assurance procedures. Provide any specific qualifications, skills, and knowledge which your firm has which could benefit the project, and your ability and willingness to meet time requirements.

This information will be limited to a maximum of three (3) pages.

B. 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 includes County consultant performance ratings as well as knowledge that any member of the Selection Committee has pertaining to the past performance of the firm on any project.

8. Section VIII – Instructions for Submittal for Phase I - Statement of Qualifications

a. One (1) hard copy original submittal is required. Hard copies can be mailed or hand delivered to the Hall County Government Center (HCGC)- 4th Floor

Purchasing Division located at 2875 Browns Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA

30504. One (1) electronic version submittal on a USB drive is also required.

The Submittal must follow the format and meet the content requirements identified in Section VI, entitled Instructions for Content and Preparation of

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Statements of Qualifications – Phase I Response. See Attachment 1 for a summary of how the submittals should be prepared.

Hall County uses its County webpage https://www.hallcounty.org/Bids.aspx to administer the competitive solicitation process, including but not limited to soliciting RFQs, issuing addenda, and posting results . There is no charge to register and download the RFQ from the webpage. The County shall not be responsible for a firm's inability to submit an RFQ by the end date and time for any reason, including issues arising from the use of the County’s webpage or mailing delays.

It is the sole responsibility of the firm to ensure that all addenda are received and that their proposal is submitted on time.

b. Submittals must be typed as a standard (8½” x 11”) document. 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-point 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.

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

Hall 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.

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c. Questions and Requests for Clarification

It is the sole responsibility of each firm to notify the Issuing Agent to request modification or clarification of any ambiguity, conflict, discrepancy, omission, or other error discovered in this competitive solicitation. Requests for clarification, modification, interpretation, or changes must be received prior to the Question and Answer (Q & A) Deadline. Requests received after this date may not be addressed. All questions and requests for information received will be responded to by official written addendum issued by the

County and uploaded to the County webpage as an addendum to the

RFQ. Under no circumstances shall an oral explanation given by any

County official, officer, staff, or agent be binding upon the County and should be disregarded. All addenda are a part of the competitive solicitation documents, and each firm will be bound by such addenda. It is the responsibility of each firm to read and comprehend all addenda issued.

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.1.2.

9. Section IX – Instructions for Submittal for Phase II – Technical Approach 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 that 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. The Submittal must follow the format and meet the content requirements identified in Section VII, entitled Instructions for Preparing Technical

Approach and Past Performance Response - Phase II Response. See

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

Hall County uses its webpage https://www.hallcounty.org/Bids.aspx and the Georgia Procurement Registry (GPR) to administer the competitive solicitation process, including but not limited to soliciting RFQs, issuing addenda, posting results and issuing notification of an intended decision.

There is no charge to register and download the RFQ from the webpage.

The County shall not be responsible for a firm's inability to submit an RFQ by

17 | P a g e the end date and time for any reason, including issues arising from the use of the County’s webpage or mailing delays.

It is the sole responsibility of the firm to ensure that all addenda are received and that their proposal is submitted on time.

b. Submittals must be typed as a standard (8½” x 11”) document. 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 VII. Instructions for Preparing Technical Approach and Past Performance Response-Phase

II 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. Hall County is not obligated to any party to reimburse such expenses. All submittals upon receipt become the property of Hall 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.

Hall 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

It is the sole responsibility of each firm to notify the Issuing Agent to request modification or clarification of any ambiguity, conflict, discrepancy, omission, or other error discovered in this competitive solicitation. Requests for clarification, modification, interpretation, or changes must be received prior to the Question and Answer (Q & A) Deadline. Requests received after

18 | P a g e this date may not be addressed. All questions and requests for information received will be responded to by official written addendum issued by the

County and uploaded to the County webpage as an addendum to the

RFQ. Under no circumstances shall an oral explanation given by any

County official, officer, staff, or agent be binding upon the County and should be disregarded. All addenda are a part of the competitive solicitation documents, and each firm will be bound by such addenda. It is the responsibility of each firm to read and comprehend all addenda issued.

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.1.2.

10. Section X – Terms and Conditions

A. Statement of Agreement

With the submission of a SOQ, the respondent agrees that it has carefully examined the Request for Qualifications and agrees that it is the respondent’s 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 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 the

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, 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

19 | P a g e 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

Hall County will not enter into “joint venture” agreements with multiple firms.

C. Non-Discrimination Federal Compliance

Hall 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 against on the grounds of race, color, sex, or national origin in consideration for an award.

D. Audit and Accounting System Requirements

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

1. Firms 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. Firms should have no significant outstanding deficient audit findings from previous contracts with Hall County that have not been resolved.

4. 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.

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E. Submittal Costs and Confidentiality

All expenses for preparing and submitting responses are the sole cost of the respondent submitting the response. The 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.

F. 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.

G. Debriefings

County’s preference may be to provide the “Selection Package” at the time of the Selection Announcement (also referred to as the

Announcement of Entering into Negotiations). The “Selection Package” will include the scores and comments of phases for all firms who responded and will typically be provided as a PDF file and e-mailed. The

County may also hold in-person debriefings after award selection.

H. Right to Cancel or Change RFQ

Hall 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. Hall County reserves the right to increase, reduce, add or delete any item in this solicitation as deemed necessary.

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

Qualifications (SOQs) for this advertisement to routinely check the posting on the County’s website and/or the GPR for any revisions to this

RFQ.

I. 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.

J. General Requirements

i. The contractor shall be responsible for all work performed in support of this contract. Subcontractors shall perform no work unless pre-approved in writing by the County. Contractors must disclose any intended subcontractors within the bid at the time of bid submissions. If the bidder intends to use a subcontractor to fulfill one entire segment of this contract, then the bidder should submit to the County professional references for the subcontractor on jobs similar in size and scope. Once the County has awarded the contract, the contractor cannot change subcontractors without seeking written pre-approval from the County.

The County reserves the right to check all references and conduct background checks on any changes to subcontractors or workers performing work under this contract. The contractor shall be wholly responsible for the quality of its subcontractor’s work. The contractor shall not award more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the work to subcontractors on any project, without prior approval of the County

Representative.

ii. The contractor shall provide Services in Hall County, Georgia for the crossing of Navajo Circle at the Norfolk Southern Railroad (MP

0579.970/DOT 717786C).

iii. The County must pre-approve any change orders in writing. The

County may deny any work done before the issuance of a written change order. Contractor is not to accept any verbal change order(s) from the project manager. This will be considered out of scope and thus not compensated.

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Attachment I

Project Description/Scope of Work

1. Project Name: Federal Railroad Administration - Navajo Circle Life/Safety

Grade Separation Planning Project

2. County: Hall

3. Description: Provide al l project p lanning and scoping, Project

Management, Concept Development, and Alternatives Analys is for the Navajo Circle Crossing (MP 0579.970/DOT 717786C) Norfolk Southern Railway mainline single-track crossing and two-lane roadway in accordance with the

Federal Railroad Administration Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant.

4. Required Area Classes:

Prime Consultants are defined as the firm submitting the Statement of

Qualifications and the firm with whom Hall County will contract. The Team is defined as the Prime Consultant and their sub-consultants, who are considered team members. The Team must be prequalified in the Area

Classes identified below. The Prime Consultant or sub-consultant team members must be prequalified in the Area Classes identified below.

Respondents should submit a summary form (example provided in

Attachment II) which details the required area classes for the Prime

Consultant and all sub-consultants of consultants on the team listed in the

Statement of Qualifications. The area classes listed on the summary form must meet all required area classes or the team will be disqualified. The

Prequalification Expiration Date must be current by the deadline stated for this

RFQ.

The TEAM (either the Prime Consultant and/or one or more of their sub-consultant team members) MUST be prequalified by GDOT in the area classes listed below:

Number Area Class

1.06(a) NEPA Documentation

1.06(b) History

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1.06(c) Air Studies

1.06(e) Ecology

1.06(f) Archaeology

1.06(h) Bat Surveys

1.07 Attitude, Opinion and Community Value Studies

1.10 Traffic Projections

3.01 Two-Lane or Multi-lane Rural Roadway Design

3.02 Two-Lane or Multi-lane Urban Roadway Design

3.10 Utility Coordination

3.12 Hydraulic and Hydrological Studies (Roadway)

4.01 Minor Bridge Design

4.02 Major Bridge Design

5.01 Land Surveying

5.02 Engineering Surveying

5.08 Overhead/Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE)

6.01 Soil Survey Studies

6.02 Bridge Foundation Studies

9.01 Erosion, Sedimentation and Pollution Control Plan

(ESPCP) Prep.

5. Required Key Team Leaders:

a. Project Manager

b. Roadway Design Lead

c. Environmental/NEPA Lead

d. Utility Coordination Lead

6. Purpose and Need:

Since 2010, state action plans have been required to improve grade crossing safety for the top ten states across the United States with the highest reported number of highway-rail grade crossing incidents. Georgia has been listed as one of those states. Georgia has utilized many safety measures over the years to decrease railroad crossing injuries. However, with Hall

County’s population increase and Navajo Circle Railroad Crossing supporting

Georgia’s new Northeast Georgia Inland Ports Authority, excessive measures must…