SBE-055-DP Auditorium Renovation & Addition Georgia School for the Deaf

The Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission (GSFIC) on behalf of the State Board of Education (SBE) is soliciting Design Professional Services through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Project No. SBE-055, the Auditorium Renovation & Addition at the Georgia School for the Deaf in Cave Springs, Georgia, located in Barrow County. The procurement seeks qualified architectural and design firms to provide comprehensive design professional services for the renovation and expansion of an existing auditorium facility that will serve deaf and hard of hearing users while meeting current building codes and ADA requirements, with specific emphasis on "Deaf Space" principles including sensory reach, space and proximity, mobility, light and color, and acoustics. The facility will accommodate a minimum of 178 seats with six ADA-accessible spaces, improved stage and technology infrastructure, and flexible multi-purpose supporting spaces. The project will be delivered using the Design-Bid-Build method and will require design professional services, a commissioning agent, and a general contractor. Required qualifications for responding firms include current Georgia business registration, absence of debarment or suspension, and no prior termination for cause on public works contracts, with projects requiring compliance with the Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Construction Act of 2008 and Georgia Peach certification. Evaluation criteria are weighted at 25% for firm stability, 45% for project experience and team qualifications, and 30% for approach and suitability, with finalist firms further evaluated during interviews at 50% qualifications and experience, 25% project approach, and 25% overall impression. Key dates include the RFQ submission deadline of March 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM, finalist announcement by April 8, 2026, a mandatory pre-proposal site visit on April 15, 2026 at 10:30 AM, and remote interviews via Microsoft Teams on April 22, 2026, with design services anticipated to commence upon contract execution and material completion targeted for July 2027 and occupancy in August 2027.

The RFQ encourages participation from minority-owned business enterprises (MBE), woman-owned business enterprises (WBE), and small business enterprises (SBE), though no specific set-asides are designated in the procurement documents. The preliminary stated cost limitation for the construction phase is estimated at $4,200,000, subject to revision based on final programmatic requirements and funding availability; however, the specific contract value for design professional services is not identified in the available materials. Three firms have been shortlisted and advanced for further consideration: Altman + Barrett Architects, RLR (Robertson Loia Roof), and TVS (Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback), indicating a competitive selection process among pre-qualified design firms. Statements of Qualifications must not exceed 50 pages and must be submitted electronically in PDF format via the GSFIC Egnyte FTP site, with required exhibits including certification forms, contractor affidavits, and disclosure statements regarding any prior business transactions or conflicts of interest with GSFIC, the using agency, or the end-user institution. No incumbent vendors or existing contractors are identified in the available procurement documents.