Playground Renovations and Infrastructure Upgrades

Habersham County Board of Education is requesting proposals for Design/Build playground renovations and infrastructure upgrades at eight elementary schools in Georgia, with proposals due October 27, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., and a mandatory pre-submittal conference and site visits on October 12, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. at Habersham County Schools Central Office Annex.

The scope encompasses furnishing and installing 24 complete playground systems across Baldwin, Clarkesville, Cornelia, Demorest, Fairview, Hazel Grove, Level Grove, and Woodville Elementary Schools—three systems per school serving grade groupings K–1, 2–3, and 4–5. Each playground must occupy a minimum of 10,000 square feet with 80% dedicated to active play and 20% shaded areas. All equipment must be new, commercial-grade, and compliant with Georgia House Bill 371 inclusivity requirements, CPSC safety standards, ASTM International standards, and ADA accessibility. The Design-Builder is responsible for all surveying, engineering, civil design, permitting, and construction management on a turnkey basis, and must provide a minimum five-year installation warranty plus coordinate all manufacturer warranties for equipment and surfacing systems.

Compensation is structured as Actual Cost plus a Fixed or Percentage Fee, with separate preconstruction and construction fees. The contract will follow AIA Document A141 for Design-Build and AIA Document A201-2007 for General Conditions, with Owner modifications.

The selection process is two-step. Step 1 evaluates proposals on five criteria weighted equally at 20% each: firm stability, experience and qualifications, suitability, design and management plan quality, and fee proposal. Three firms advance to Step 2 for interviews and fee negotiations, beginning with the highest-ranked firm. Design and preconstruction services commence immediately upon contract execution; construction services follow thereafter. The Design-Builder is anticipated to be selected November 10, 2026. Attendance at the mandatory pre-submittal conference is required.