Ferguson Avenue Study

The Chatham County - Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission, on behalf of the Coastal Region Metropolitan Planning Organization and Chatham County, Georgia, is soliciting proposals for Engineering Design Consultant Services through a Request for Proposals for the Ferguson Avenue Study. The project involves a comprehensive corridor evaluation of Ferguson Avenue from Diamond Causeway to Skidaway Road, a 2.3-mile minor arterial serving residential areas, schools, and commercial destinations. The study will assess existing and future traffic capacity, operations, and safety conditions; evaluate the feasibility of incorporating pedestrian and bicycle facilities while maintaining roadway safety and functionality; analyze freight, commuter, and local traffic patterns; examine active transportation conditions; and evaluate tree canopy preservation, environmental context, drainage, and utility constraints. Deliverables will include a multimodal, pedestrian-focused, and freight-supportive improvement strategy that addresses safety, drainage, tree canopy preservation, and corridor mobility. Qualified proposers must be prequalified by the Georgia Department of Transportation and maintain professional liability insurance of at least $1,500,000 per occurrence. Proposals are due on June 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time, requiring five paper copies and one electronic PDF. Written questions must be submitted by May 15, 2026, with responses posted by May 22, 2026. Evaluation criteria include firm qualifications and team experience (40 percent), demonstrated understanding of scope and project approach (40 percent), and ability to meet the project development schedule (20 percent). The three highest-ranked firms will be selected for in-person presentations scheduled for the week of July 20, 2026, with consultant selection anticipated for the week of August 24, 2026, and contract award expected by the end of September 2026.

No specific set-aside designations or disadvantaged enterprise restrictions are identified in the procurement documents. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are listed for this new initiative. The project timeline is anticipated to run from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2028, with project budget support contingent upon the Metropolitan Planning Commission receiving adequate funds from the Georgia Department of Transportation. The estimated project budget is $200,000, subject to funding approval and availability. The contract award is contingent upon Metropolitan Planning Commission approval and execution, with the Executive Director & CEO authorized to proceed to subsequent firms should initial contract negotiations fail to reach agreement with the highest-ranked firm.