Water and Sewer System Expansion and Improvements

The Rabun County Water and Sewer Authority is soliciting Statements of Qualifications (RFQs) from professional engineering design firms through a qualifications-based selection process governed by the Brooks Act to provide comprehensive engineering services for water and sewer system expansion and improvements. The procurement encompasses preliminary engineering reports, final design, surveying, permitting, bidding, and construction phase services including construction administration, inspection, and project closeout. Projects will initially focus on sanitary sewer collection, pumping, and treatment systems, with potential future expansion to water distribution and storage facilities. Qualified firms must demonstrate extensive experience with federally funded projects, strong cost control capabilities, current workload capacity, appropriate Errors and Omissions Insurance coverage, and clean litigation histories. Key evaluation criteria include firm history and mission alignment with Rabun County, familiarity with the local community, qualifications and licensure of key personnel, proposed scope and service delivery approach, experience managing federal funding sources, and performance during virtual interviews with the top three to four ranked firms. Submission requirements include one digital copy and three hard copies directed to Brendan Thompson, PE, General Manager, at 137 Hiawassee Street, Clayton, Georgia 30525, with a deadline of 4:00 PM EST on Friday, February 20, 2026; proposals received after this time will not be considered.

The procurement is structured to identify firms capable of supporting a three-year contract period with potential for additional project contracts and amendments as federally and state-funded opportunities arise. Selected engineering firms must demonstrate full compliance with federal regulations under 2 CFR 200 and applicable federal and state contract provisions, including civil rights protections under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Fair Housing Act. Projects will be funded through multiple federal and state sources including the Appalachian Regional Commission, Community Development Block Grants (multiple variants), the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, and the United States Department of Agriculture. No specific set-aside designations or disadvantaged enterprise restrictions are noted in the procurement documents. Award values or budget ranges are not specified in the available documentation. Firms interested in submitting qualifications can access required formats and additional details through the Authority's website at www.rcwsa.org/rcwsa-happenings/current-projects/.