26-FAC-008 Request for Qualifications Architectural Services

The Dougherty County School System (DCSS) issued Request for Qualifications 26-FAC-008 on March 27, 2026, to pre-qualify architectural firms for establishment of an approved vendor pool for future capital improvement projects. The procurement seeks qualified firms to provide architectural design and construction administration services for new construction projects, renovations, modifications, additions, and HVAC/plumbing fixture upgrades funded through Educational SPLOST (ESPLOST), Georgia Department of Education Capital Outlay, and other funding sources using a Design/Bid/Build delivery method with owner-provided third-party program management. Required qualifications include demonstrated experience on previous Georgia K-12 public school projects completed within the past five years, relevant project references, firm and staff qualifications, local participation capability, financial stability, and absence of prior litigation concerns. The evaluation process consists of two phases: initial package review scored on nine criteria totaling 70 points and interviews scored on seven criteria totaling 30 points for a combined 100-point evaluation, with emphasis on K-12 public educational experience in Georgia and relevant project experience of similar scope and size. Critical deadlines include a virtual pre-submittal meeting on April 13, 2026, written questions due by April 16, 2026, qualification package submission by April 30, 2026 at 2:00 PM EST to the Logistical Services Department at 601 Flint Avenue, Albany, Georgia 31701, evaluation from May 1-8, 2026, shortlisted firm notification on May 11, 2026, interviews scheduled for May 18-19, 2026, and board approval anticipated for May 28, 2026.

The RFQ encourages participation from local, minority-owned, and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs), though no specific set-asides or restrictions limiting responder eligibility are imposed. Firms must maintain Professional Liability Insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per claim for projects under $20,000,000, $2,000,000 for projects between $20,000,000 and $30,000,000, and $3,000,000 for projects exceeding $30,000,000, and must comply with Georgia's Security and Immigration Compliance Act and E-Verify requirements. DCSS intends to pre-qualify a manageable number of firms, historically five or fewer, based on combined evaluation and interview scores, with shortlisted firms already in the county's approved pool that have successfully completed past projects eligible for selection without undergoing interviews at DCSS's discretion. Compensation will be determined through the DCSS Architectural Services Fee Schedule calculated as a percentage of the Stated Cost Limitation (SCL) ranging from 8.00% for projects under $100,000 to 5.44% for projects exceeding $21,000,000, divided with 75% allocated for basic design services and 25% for construction administration services. The current ESPLOST VII Capital Improvement Program includes projects at Turner Elementary School, Lake Park Elementary School, Northside Elementary School, the Wrap Around Family Resource Center, and various schools' HVAC and plumbing upgrades; however, contracts will not be executed until funding is appropriated for specific projects and project schedules are established.