Date Posted: 1/6/2023

Request for Qualifications

To Provide

Passenger Rail Service Development Plan – Atlanta to Savannah

RFQ-484-020623

Qualifications Due: February 6, 2023

Georgia Department of Transportation One Georgia Center

600 West Peachtree Street, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30308

v. 5-19-22

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

484-020623

Passenger Rail Service Development Plan – Atlanta to Savannah

I. General Project Information

A. Overview

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is soliciting Statement of Qualifications (SOQs) from a qualified firm(s) or organization(s) to provide consultant services for the Passenger Rail Services Development Plan – Atlanta to Savannah.

This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeks to identify potential providers for the Scope of Services for the project/contract listed in Exhibit I. Firms that respond to this RFQ, and are determined by GDOT 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. GDOT reserves the right to reject any or all Statements of Qualifications or Technical Approach and to waive technicalities and informalities at the discretion of GDOT.

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 GDOT including the Commissioner and GDOT Board Members, 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, GDOT reserves the right to reject the submittal of the offending respondent.

C. The Georgia Department of Transportation Board has adopted a 15% overall annual goal for DBE participation in all federally funded projects. This goal is not to be considered as a fixed quota, set aside, or preference. The DBE goal can be met by prime contracting, sub-contracting, joint-venture, or mentor/ protégé relationship.

Georgia Department of Transportation 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 state of Georgia, Department of Transportation Disadvantage Business Program Plan.

For more information on the GDOT DBE Program please contact:

Georgia Department of Transportation Equal Opportunity Division One Georgia Center, 7th Floor 600 West Peachtree Street, NW

Phone: (404) 631-1972

D. Scope of Services

Under the terms of the resulting Agreement, the selected consultant will provide Passenger Rail Services Development Plan – Atlanta to Savannah, for the GDOT Project identified. The anticipated scope of work for the project/contract is included in Exhibit I.

In addition, GDOT desires that the Consultant can provide, either with its forces or through a sub-consultant team member, comprehensive services necessary to fulfill all preliminary engineering services which may arise during the project cycle.

E. Contract Term and Type

GDOT anticipates one (1) Multi-Phase, Project Specific contract to be awarded to one (1) firm, for the project/contract identified. GDOT anticipates that the Payment Type may be Lump Sum, Cost Plus Fixed Fee, Cost per Unit of Work, or Specific Rate of Compensation. As a Project Specific contract, the Department intends that the Agreement will remain in effect until the successful completion of the projects, and may choose to utilize the selected consultant for use on construction revisions as necessary.

F. Contract Amount

The Multi-Phase, Project Specific contract amount will be determined via negotiations with the Department. If the Department is unable to reach a satisfactory agreement and at reasonable rates to be paid for the services to be provided, the Department 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-484-020623. All firms are responsible for checking the GPR regularly for updates, clarifications, and announcements. GDOT 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, 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 GDOT regarding the Phase II – Technical Approach response.

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

GDOT will request a Technical Approach of the three (3) to five (5) finalist firms for the project/contract. GDOT 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, before 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(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), GDOT 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 GDOT awards a contract. The final form of the contract shall be developed by GDOT.

III. Schedule of Events

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

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

A. Area Class Requirements and Certification

Presented teams must be prequalified in the indicated Area Class(es) to be evaluated. Required proof of prequalification shall be submitted as indicated in Section VI.B.5. below. 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 a certification to allow the Department to analyze risks in determining if any Firm should be ineligible for award. The certification shall cover a wide variety of information. Any firm that responds in any potentially concerning manner must provide additional information as directed herein for consideration by GDOT to determine if the 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 experience, relevant project management experience, experience in utilizing GDOT-specific processes, manuals, or guidance.

2. Key Team Leaders’ education, registration, relevant technical experience, and relevant experience in utilizing

GDOT-specific processes, manuals, or guidance.

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

PHASE I DATE TIME

a. GDOT issues public advertisement of RFQ-484-020623 1/6/2023 ----------

b. Deadline for submission of written questions and requests for clarification 1/20/2023 2:00 PM

c. Deadline for submission of Statements of Qualifications

2/6/2023 2:00 PM

PHASE II

d. GDOT completes the evaluation and issues notifications 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

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.

V. Selection Criteria for Phase II - Criteria for 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 Phase II to determine the final ranking of Finalists):

1. Detail your specific approach to managing a project for applications and potential acceptance into the Federal

Railroad Administration (FRA) Corridor Identifications and Development Program (Corridor ID Program).

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

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, and categorized using the same headings (in red), 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 Department 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, proposing firm’s full legal name, and the specific project contract being submitted on to include the Project Numbers, PI Numbers, County(ies), and Description.

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 the 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 Department 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 a 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 “II” enclosed with RFQ), and provide a notarized original within the firm’s Statement of Qualifications. This is to be submitted for Prime ONLY.

3. Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Affidavit – Complete the form (Exhibit “III” enclosed with RFQ), and provide a notarized original within the firm’s Statement of Qualifications. This is to be submitted for Prime

ONLY.

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

B. Experience and Qualifications

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

a. Education.

b. Registration (if necessary and applicable.)

c. Relevant experience.

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

e. Relevant experience utilizing GDOT-specific processes, manuals, or guidance [Plan Development Process

(PDP), Environmental Procedures Manual, 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 Exhibit I, specifically Section 7 for the list of Key Team Leaders for each Project). For each Key Team Leader identified provide the:

a. Education.

b. Registration (if necessary and applicable.)

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

d. Relevant experience utilizing GDOT-specific processes, manuals, or guidance (PDP, Environmental

Procedures Manual, etc.) which are specific to the key team leader’s area.

This information is limited to one (1) page maximum for each Key Team Leader identified in Section 7 of each Exhibit 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 requirements of the project and therefore would deem the respondent and their 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 GDOT. 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. Experience utilizing GDOT-specific processes, manuals, or guidance (PDP, Environmental Procedures

Manual, etc.)

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

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 GDOT 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 Exhibit 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 Exhibit IV) which details the required area classes for the Prime Consultant and all sub-consultants or joint-venture of 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 will expire before the due date of the SOQs, documentation must be provided which shows that the firm has submitted its application for prequalification before the SOQ due date. The team must maintain its prequalification certification to be considered eligible for the award if selected. Additionally, respondents should submit the Notice of Professional Consultant Qualifications (for the Prime Consultant and all sub-consultants for each project) issued by GDOT and attached after the Area Class summary form.

This information is limited to 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 an 11” x 17” page).

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 an 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 is to be included on one (1) 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. (GDOT 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 Exhibit 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 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 Department 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:

Project Manager

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

Role of PM on Project

Project Description

Current Phase of Project

Current Status of Project

Monthly Time Commitment in Hours

3. Key Team Leader Project Commitment Table - Provide a table similar to the one below, with a minimum of all criteria indicated, which identifies ALL projects the Key Team Leaders (refer to the Project Description in Exhibit I, specifically Section 7 for the list of Key Team Leaders for each Project) are committed on to enable the Department to ascertain the available capacity.

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 of text to include both C1.b. Primary Office and C1.c. Narrative on Additional Resource Areas and Ability], and the tables.

VII. Instructions for Preparing Technical Approach 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, and categorized using the same headings (in red), 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 Department 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, proposing firm’s full legal name, and the specific project contract being submitted on to include the Project Numbers, PI Numbers, County(ies), and Description.

A. Technical Approach

1. Detail your specific approach to managing a project for applications and potential acceptance into the Federal

Railroad Administration (FRA) Corridor Identifications and Development Program (Corridor ID Program).

2. Identify any unique challenges of the project and how your firm intends to mitigate these challenges, including quality control, and 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 six (6) 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 Department 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 Department 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 GDOT consultant performance ratings as well as the knowledge that any member of the Selection Committee has about the past performance of the firm on any project.

VIII. 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. 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 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 videos are not allowed.

Statements of Qualifications submittals must be a PDF document for each project/contract. Each PDF document must follow the naming convention for electronic records as follows: the proposing firm’s full legal name, RFQ#, RFQ Title, and the specific project contract number being submitted.

To submit your Statement of Qualification click the following Links: https://solicitation.dot.ga.gov/

To review the manual for solicitation Submittal click the following Link:

https://dotauthoring.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/Pages/SolicitationTraining.aspx

Upon successful receipt of the electronic submittal, the system will send a receipt confirmation e-mail to the sender.

If you do not receive an email receipt confirmation for your submittal within one (1) hour of your submittal, please contact Temekia Arnold at tearnold@dot.ga.gov. Statements of Qualifications must be received by GDOT before the deadline indicated in the Schedule of Events (Section III of RFQ).

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

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 the final award.

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

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: Temekia Arnold, e-mail: tearnold@dot.ga.gov. 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.

https://solicitation.dot.ga.gov/ https://dotauthoring.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/Pages/SolicitationTraining.aspx https://dotauthoring.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/Pages/SolicitationTraining.aspx mailto:tearnold@dot.ga.gov

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. 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 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 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 videos are not allowed.

C. Technical Approach submittal must be a PDF document for each project/contract. Each PDF document must follow the naming convention for electronic records as follows: the proposing firm’s full legal name, RFQ#, RFQ Title, and the specific project contract being submitted.

To submit your Statement of Qualification click the following Links: https://solicitation.dot.ga.gov/

Upon receipt of the electronic submittal, the system will send a generic receipt confirmation e-mail to the sender. If you do not receive an email receipt confirmation for your submittal within one (1) hour of your submittal, please contact Temekia Arnold at tearnold@dot.ga.gov Technical Approach must be received by GDOT before the deadline indicated in Notice to Selected Finalists.

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

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 the final award.

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

D. Questions and Requests for Clarification

Questions about any aspect of the Phase II Response for Finalists shall be submitted in writing via e-mail to:

Temekia Arnold, e-mail: tearnold@dot.ga.gov, 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. GDOT Terms and Conditions

A. Statement of Agreement

With the submission of an SOQ, the respondent agrees that he/she 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 to be 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 the submission of an 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 an SOQ.

The respondent also understands that failure to provide the required information may result in disqualification.

Failure to provide administrative information may not result in disqualification. At the Department’s discretion, the Department may notify the respondent that administrative information is not provided or there was an error in the information provided, and the Department 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 that 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 about a respondent and its teams' qualifications, of any type, will subject the SOQ to disqualification. The Department 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 that evaluators would score. The above changes related to qualifications would not be allowable as these would allow changes that do affect the information which the evaluators use to score the respondents'

SOQ.

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

GDOT 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 indirect rate structure and calculates its 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. Non-Discrimination and DBE Requirements

The Georgia Department of Transportation 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.

The Georgia Department of Transportation Board has adopted a 15% overall annual goal for DBE participation in all federally funded projects. This goal is not to be considered as a fixed quota, set aside, or preference. The DBE goal can be met by prime contracting, sub-contracting, joint-venture, or mentor/ protégé relationship.

Georgia Department of Transportation 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 state of Georgia, Department of Transportation Disadvantage Business Program Plan.

For more information on the GDOT DBE Program please contact:

Georgia Department of Transportation Equal Opportunity Division One Georgia Center, 7th Floor 600 West Peachtree Street, NW

Phone: (404) 631-1972

D. Audit and Accounting System Requirements

GDOT reserves the right to reject any proposal from firms that do not meet the following requirements:

1. Firm(s) should have an accounting system in place to meet the 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 its yearly CPA overhead audit.

3. The firm (s) should have no significant outstanding deficient audit findings from previous contracts with GDOT 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.

E. Submittal Costs and Confidentiality

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

The Department is not obligated to any respondent to reimburse such expenses. All submittals upon receipt become the property of the Department. 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 Department and does not obligate the Department to procure or contract for any services. Neither the Department 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 Department and a respondent containing such terms and conditions as are negotiated between those parties. The Department 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 Department will determine the respondent(s) proposal that in the sole judgment of the Department is in the best interest of the Department (if any is so determined), concerning the evaluation criteria stated herein. The Department then intends to conduct negotiations with the such respondent(s) to determine if an acceptable contract may be reached.

G. Debriefings

Instead of Pre-Award and Post-Award debriefings, it shall be the Department’s policy 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. Previously, pre-award debriefings only provided the scores and comments of the firm. It shall be the policy of the Department that all debriefings will typically be conducted in writing.

H. Right to Cancel or Change RFQ

GDOT reserves the right to cancel any Request for Qualifications where it is determined to be in the best interest of the Department to do so. GDOT 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.

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. GDOT Code of Conduct About Conflict of Interest in the Award and Administration of Contracts

According to GDOT Policy 3A-17, any GDOT employee who leaves the employment of the Department and subsequently becomes employed with a consultant firm and whose duties while employed with the Department included the direct involvement with the negotiation, administration, or management of a contract in which the firm is either the primary consultant or a sub-consultant SHALL NOT be authorized to work on that contract as an employee of that firm for one (1) year after their employment ends.

Additionally, on July 1st of each year, any consulting firm that is under contract with the Department as a prime or sub-consultant shall provide to the Department's Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) a current list of all former Department employees employed by the firm and a document that certifies the responsibilities of those employees as it relates to the current contracts with the Department. This certification document shall attest to the fact that over the last year, no former Department employee that is employed by their firm has worked on a contract between the Department and their firm where that employee, when employed by the Department, had direct involvement with the selection, award and/or administration of the consultant contract. Any consultant firm entering into a contract with the Department for the first time as a prime or sub-consultant shall provide the initial required list of former Department employees and certification before the contract's effective date. If the Department's CPO determines at any point during a contract that an actual conflict exists as it relates to the above paragraph, then the CPO shall have the authority to issue a stop work order on that contract.

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EXHIBIT I

1. Project Number(s): N/A

2. PI Number(s): N/A

3. County(ies):

4. Description: Passenger Rail Service Development Plan – Atlanta to Savannah

5. Required Area Classes:

Prime Consultants are defined as the firm submitting the Statement of Qualifications and the firm with whom GDOT will contract. The Team is defined as the Prime Consultant and their sub-consultants, who are considered team members.

The Prime Consultant must be prequalified in the Area Classes identified below in Section 5. A. The Prime Consultant or sub-consultant team members must be prequalified in the Area Classes identified below in Section 5.B. Respondents should submit a summary form (example provided in Exhibit IV) that details the required area classes for the Prime Consultant and all sub-consultants or joint venture 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.

A. The Prime Consultant MUST be prequalified by GDOT in the area classes listed below:

Number Area Class

1.01 State-Wide Systems Planning

1.02 Urban Area and Regional Transportation Planning

B. 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

1.04 Mass and Rapid Transportation Planning

1.05 Alternate Systems Planning

1.06(a) NEPA Documentation

1.06(b) History

1.06(c) Air Studies

1.06(d) Noise Studies

1.06(e) Ecology

1.06(f) Archaeology

1.09 Location Studies

1.12 Major Investment Studies

2.02 Mass Transit Feasibility and Technical Studies

4.05 Bridge Inspection

5.01 Land Surveying

5.03 Geodetic Surveying

5.04(a) Aerial Photography/Conventional Aircraft

5.05 Aerial Photogrammetry

6. Scope:

The Consultant shall conduct a rail study to identify the service and infrastructure needs for a proposed Atlanta- Savannah Passenger Rail Corridor on an approximately 250 to 270-mile route between Atlanta and Savannah, GA.

The study area is estimated to be approximately 11,300 square miles. This is intended to be a corridor-level study that is intended to fulfill the project planning phase and initiate the project development phase of railroad capital project lifecycle stages, consistent with FRA’s Draft Guidance on Development and Implementation of Railroad Capital Projects (https://www.regulations.gov/document/FRA-2022-0035-0002). GDOT will administer the study as a “Project” through a grant agreement with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), as such the services performed in this study will be subject to Federal terms and conditions and procurement regulations. The grant agreement will include a Statement of Work (SOW) that will further define the scope of activities listed in this Statement of Services outline.

The study will prepare the proposed Atlanta-Savannah Passenger Rail Corridor for application and potential acceptance into the FRA’s Corridor Identification and Development Program (Corridor ID Program) https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/20/2022-27559/notice-of-solicitation-of-corridor-proposals-and-funding-opportunity-for-t he-corridor-identification

The outputs of this study are intended to be consistent with the service development plan (SDP) and the environmental review components of the CID Program. The proposed Atlanta-Savannah Passenger Rail Corridor would be subject to environmental review, pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970 (NEPA), potentially with an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The study may include the below elements.

For the purposes of this Statement of Services, the term “Project” means the completion by GDOT of a “Study” for the proposed Atlanta-Savannah Passenger Rail Corridor “Corridor” https://www.regulations.gov/document/FRA-2022-0035-0002 https://www.regulations.gov/document/FRA-2022-0035-0002 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/20/2022-27559/notice-of-solicitation-of-corridor-proposals-and-funding-opportunity-for-t%20he-corridor-identification https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/20/2022-27559/notice-of-solicitation-of-corridor-proposals-and-funding-opportunity-for-t%20he-corridor-identification https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/20/2022-27559/notice-of-solicitation-of-corridor-proposals-and-funding-opportunity-for-t%20he-corridor-identification…