Phoenix Academy Kitchen Renovations

The Atlanta Independent School System is soliciting a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) to provide comprehensive preconstruction and construction services for the renovation of the Phoenix Academy Kitchen, a shared-use training facility supporting both culinary arts instruction and APS Nutrition Department operations. The project scope includes combining existing kitchen and classroom spaces, replacing interior finishes with durable materials, installing new mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems to commercial kitchen standards, upgrading ventilation and classroom technology infrastructure, and coordinating the installation of owner-furnished kitchen equipment. The selected Construction Manager must hold a valid General Contractor's license (Qualifying Agent, NOT Limited Tier) and comply with all APS Design Guidelines, Standard Specifications, and the Standard Construction Management Agreement. The evaluation process consists of two phases: Phase 1 scoring based on company qualifications and experience (35 points), methodology and approach (45 points), and percentage of fees and general conditions (20 points); Phase 2 presentations and interviews will be re-scored on presentation quality (80 points) and fees (20 points). The preconstruction fee is $60,000, with task-based lump-sum payments due April 30, 2026 ($10,000 for Schematic Design and $20,000 for Design Development) and May 15, 2026 ($15,000 each for 80% Construction Documents and Bidding/GMP Submittal). The construction phase will operate under a Guaranteed Maximum Price structure with the GMP submission due May 31, 2026. A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for February 16, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET at Phoenix Academy (256 Clifton Street SE, Atlanta, GA 30317), with an optional site visit at 1:30 p.m.; all questions must be submitted via Bonfire by February 19, 2026, with responses posted by February 25, 2026. Proposals are due online via the Bonfire portal no later than 11:00 a.m. ET on March 10, 2026, with an administrative review on March 11, initial shortlist evaluation on March 17, interviews on March 19 (if applicable), and board recommendation on April 13, 2026. Construction is targeted to commence June 15, 2026, with substantial completion by December 31, 2026.

The solicitation includes Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) participation requirements, with selected firms expected to prioritize MWBE outreach efforts and provide comprehensive subcontractor utilization disclosure. Local preference of five additional evaluation points applies to businesses registered in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, or Gwinnett counties or their municipalities for at least twelve months prior to proposal submission. All contractors must comply with E-Verify federal work authorization requirements, with mandatory E-Verify compliance for any vendor providing labor or services exceeding $2,499. Contractors must also submit to and pass a criminal background check, coordinate with federal funding compliance requirements including Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements and the Copeland Anti-Kickback Act, comply with Georgia House Bill 87 immigration verification requirements, and furnish performance and payment bonds each in an amount equal to the total contract value. The selected Construction Manager must provide Commercial General Liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 general aggregate, Business Automobile Liability insurance with $1,000,000 combined single limit, and Umbrella/Excess Liability insurance with $25,000,000 limits. The total stated cost limitation for the project is $1,628,900, with liquidated damages assessed at $2,000 per day for each day the Construction Manager fails to achieve Substantial Completion beyond the Contract Time. The contract will be governed by Georgia law with jurisdiction in Fulton County.