Quick Start EV Training Center - Newton County

The Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission, on behalf of the Technical College System of the State of Georgia and Quick Start, solicited Statements of Qualifications for design professional services on Project No. TCSG-397, a Quick Start EV Training Center in Newton County, Georgia, with RFQ submissions due December 5, 2022. The procurement has been awarded to Cooper Carry.

The scope comprises comprehensive architectural and engineering design services—programming, schematic design, design development, construction documents, and construction administration—for an 80,000 to 100,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art electric vehicle training facility designed to support manufacturing-focused workforce development aligned with an automotive OEM's production operations. The facility will accommodate up to 500 persons and incorporate ancillary spaces including a catering kitchen, modest retail vending area, and trainee breakroom. The project requires compliance with the Georgia Energy Efficiency & Sustainable Construction Act of 2008 and Georgia Peach certification, with sustainable design strategies including on-site renewable energy, all-electric systems, mass-timber applications, and carbon-accounting solutions targeting net-zero emissions. The design professional must demonstrate experience with public buildings, public safety, accessibility for persons with disabilities, and environmental concerns. The primary contracting firm must perform a minimum of 50 percent of the architectural design services in-house; associated firms may provide up to 50 percent of architectural services.

The preliminary construction cost limitation is $43 million. The project delivery method is construction manager at-risk with design professional and commissioning agent services. Design services commenced in the first quarter of 2023, with 75 percent of construction documents due by the end of the third quarter of 2023 and material completion targeted for the fourth quarter of 2024. The RFQ evaluation weighted firm stability at 25 percent, relevant experience and qualifications at 45 percent, and suitability to the project at 30 percent. The RFP evaluation focused on previous performance (15 percent), design team qualifications and experience (20 percent), quality of proposed design plan (15 percent), methodology (25 percent), and team communications and project solutions (25 percent).