RFP Professional Engineering Services

The City of Hiawassee, Georgia was soliciting proposals for professional engineering and architectural design services for the Lake Chatuge Boardwalk and Accessible Fishing Pier project under an Appalachian Regional Commission grant, with proposals due March 6, 2023. The contract was awarded to Rood Design Studio on May 25, 2023; this procurement is now closed.

Responding firms were required to be licensed to practice engineering or architecture in Georgia and demonstrate at least five years of prior experience on similar projects with proven success in ARC and Georgia Department of Community Affairs grant programs. The scope encompassed complete engineering and architectural design services for an 814-foot boardwalk with accessible fishing platforms and sidewalk connections between Mayors Park and Lloyds Landing, including project analysis, utility investigation and coordination, detailed design and construction documents, permitting and regulatory approvals, construction cost estimation, tender administration, contract administration with on-site inspection during construction, and warranty period services. The project timeline required design completion to allow construction finish by September 2024, establishing approximately 18 months from contract inception to project completion.

Proposals were submitted in three sealed copies using a two-envelope system separating technical and fee proposals. The technical proposal was limited to 30 pages and required firm history, ARC/DCA grant experience, key personnel qualifications, project references, project understanding and recommendations, and scope of services with detailed schedules. Fee submissions included lump-sum charges for design, geotechnical investigation, and contract administration during construction, plus an hourly rate for on-site inspection (estimated at 4 hours daily for 40 days).

Evaluation was scored on 100 points across five criteria: firm experience (25 points), team experience (20 points), methodology (20 points), project schedule (15 points), and fees (20 points), with the lowest fee proposal receiving maximum points and others prorated accordingly. The selected consultant was required to maintain $3 million in Commercial General Liability Insurance and $3 million in Professional Liability Insurance, naming the City as an additional insured.