26RFP07012026K-DB Design Professional Services for the Fulton County Jail Special Purpose Faciity

Fulton County, Georgia is requesting proposals from Joint Venture teams of at least two independent architectural and engineering firms for design professional services on a new 1,800-bed, 780,000 square-foot Special Purpose Detention Facility in Atlanta, with proposals due August 27, 2026 and a mandatory pre-proposal conference and site visit on August 10. Single-firm submissions are non-responsive. The project is subject to a federal consent decree and must incorporate behavioral health and trauma-informed design principles while meeting Georgia State Building Codes and American Correctional Association standards.

Design services span site analysis, conceptual through construction-level documents, construction administration through closeout, and specialized disciplines including detention design, medical and mental health facility design, acoustic design, security systems integration, and landscape design. The delivery method is Construction Manager At-Risk (CMAR). The initial contract term is five years with one two-year renewal option, commencing upon Notice to Proceed anticipated for Fall 2026, with construction documents expected by Spring 2028 and substantial completion by Spring 2031.

Evaluation uses a 100-point scale: project approach (30 points), project team qualifications (20 points), relevant project experience (20 points), availability of key personnel (13 points), local preference (5 points), service-disabled veterans preference (2 points), and cost proposal (10 points). Shortlisted proposers will present on September 22–23, 2026, with Board of Commissioners award consideration scheduled for October 21, 2026.

Fulton County requires E-Verify registration, Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance affidavits, professional licensing documentation, and proof of insurability prior to contract execution. Joint Venture agreements must be executed before a notary and specify each member's capital investment, profit and loss allocation, and management control sharing. Subcontracting participation goals are 16.83% MBE and 3.41% FBE; the prime contractor must demonstrate good faith outreach to certified minority and female business enterprises and cannot self-perform 100% of subcontracting opportunities. Attendance at the mandatory August 10 site visit is required; the County provides transportation for two representatives per Joint Venture.