RFQ2027-07 Government Complex Design Services

BARROW COUNTY REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
RFQ Number: RFQ2027-07
RFQ Title: Government Complex Design Services
Due Date and Time: October 15, 2026 @ 2:00 PM (local time)
ISSUING DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
Issue Date: September 16, 2026
Barrow County Board of Commissioners Phone: 770-867-1977
Historic Courthouse Website: www.barrowga.org
30 North Broad Street
Winder, GA 30680
INSTRUCTIONS TO CONSULTANTS
Return Qualifications Submittal to: Mark Face of Envelope/Package:
RFQ Number: RFQ2027-07
Barrow County Name of Company or Firm
Board of Commissioners Special Instructions:
Historic Courthouse Deadline for Written Questions
Abril Olivas, County Clerk October 5, 2026 by 12:00 PM (local
30 North Broad Street time)
Winder, GA 30680 Email questions to Cindy Clack,
Purchasing Manager at
cclack@barrowga.org
IMPORTANT: SEE STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS
CONSULTANTS MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING
Consultant Name/Address: Authorized Consultant Signatory:
(Please print name and sign in ink)
Consultant Phone Number: Consultant Fax Number:
Consultant Federal I.D. Number: Consultant Email Address:
CONSULTANTS MUST RETURN THIS COVER SHEET WITH RFQ RESPONSE

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTRACTOR AFFIDAVIT AND AGREEMENT (must be returned with RFQ submission)
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
SECTION 1: PROJECT OVERVIEW AND INSTRUCTIONS
SECTION 2: RFQ STANDARD INFORMATION
SECTION 3: SCOPE OF PROJECT
SECTION 4: CONSULTANT PROPOSALS
SECTION 5: EVALUATION CRITERIA
SECTION 6: STANDARD CONTRACT INFORMATION
STANDARD CONTRACT
ETHICS ORDINANCE

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MUST BE RETURNED WITH QUALIFICATIONS SUBMITTAL
CONTRACTOR AFFIDAVIT AND AGREEMENT
STATE OF GEORGIA
BARROW COUNTY
By executing this affidavit, the undersigned contractor verifies its compliance with O.C.G.A. 13-10-
91, stating affirmatively that the individual, firm, or corporation which is engaged in the physical
performance of services on behalf of Barrow County has registered with, is authorized to use and
uses the federal work authorization program commonly known as E-Verify, or any subsequent
replacement program, in accordance with the applicable provisions and deadlines established in
O.C.G.A. 13-10-91. Furthermore, the undersigned contractor will continue to use the federal work
authorization program throughout the contract period and the undersigned contractor will contract
for the physical performance of services in satisfaction of such contract only with subcontractors
who present an affidavit to the contractor with the information required by O.C.G.A. 13-10-91(b).
Contractor hereby attests that its federal work authorization user identification number and date of
authorization are as follows:
_________________________________
eVerify Number I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that
the foregoing is true and correct.
_________________________________ Executed on ______, ___, 202__ in _____(city),
Date of Authorization ______(state).
_________________________________ _________________________________
Name of Contractor Signature of Authorized Officer or Agent
_________________________________ _________________________________
Government Complex Design Services Printed Name and Title of Authorized Officer
or Agent
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN BEFORE ME ON
Barrow County THIS THE ______ DAY OF
Name of Public Employer ______________,202__.
_________________________________
NOTARY PUBLIC
[NOTARY SEAL]
My Commission Expires:
_________________________________

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Task Date
Issue RFQ September 16, 2026
Deadline for Questions October 5, 2026 by 12:00 p.m. (local time)
Answers Released by the County No later than October 9, 2026 by 5:00 p.m.
(Addendum) (local time)
By 2:00 p.m. (local time) on October 15,
Qualifications Submittals Due
2026
NOTE: PLEASE CHECK THE COUNTY WEBSITE (https://www.barrowga.org/) FOR
ADDENDA AND SCHEDULE UPDATES.

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SECTION 1: PROJECT OVERVIEW AND INSTRUCTIONS
1.0 BACKGROUND AND STATEMENT OF INTENT
Barrow County is requesting qualifications submittals from qualified consultants to provide
professional architectural, engineering, and related design services for four (4) projects: (1)
the Courthouse and Detention Facility Expansion and Renovation, (2) a new standalone
Sheriff's Headquarters Building, (3) a new standalone County Administration Building, and (4)
comprehensive Site Master Planning for the overall government complex.
Consultants submitting qualifications must comply with all general and special requirements
of the RFQ information and instructions enclosed.
1.1 SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT
From the date this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is issued until a consultant is
selected, consultants are not allowed to communicate with any County staff or elected
officials regarding this procurement, except at the direction of Cindy Clack, Purchasing
Manager. Any unauthorized contact may disqualify the consultant from further
consideration. Contact information for the single point of contact is as follows:
Purchasing Department: Cindy Clack, Purchasing Manager
E-mail Address: cclack@barrowga.org
1.2 REQUIRED REVIEW
A. Review RFQ.
Consultants should carefully review the instructions; mandatory requirements,
specifications, standard terms and conditions, and standard contract set out
in this RFQ and promptly notify the procurement office identified above via e-
mail of any ambiguity, inconsistency, unduly restrictive specifications, or error
which they discover upon examination of this RFQ.
B. Form of Questions.
Consultants with questions or requiring clarification or interpretation of any
section within this RFQ must submit their questions in writing via email to the
purchasing office referenced above on or before 12:00 P.M. (local time) on
October 5, 2026. Each question must provide clear reference to the section,
page, and item in question. Questions received after the deadline may not
be considered.
C. County's Answers.
The County will provide an official written answer to all questions no later than
October 9, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. (local time). The County's response will be by formal
written addendum. Any other form of interpretation, correction, or change to this
RFQ will not be binding upon the County.
D. Standard Contract.

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By submitting a response to this RFQ, consultant agrees to acceptance of the
County's standard contract. Much of the language included in the standard
contract reflects requirements of state law. Requests for exceptions to the
standard contract terms, or any added provisions must be submitted to the
purchasing office referenced above by the date for receipt of written/e-mailed
questions or with the consultant's RFQ response and must be accompanied by
an explanation of why the exception is being taken and what specific effect it
will have on the consultant's ability to respond to the RFQ or perform the
contract. The County reserves the right to address non-material, minor,
insubstantial requests for exceptions with the highest scoring consultant during
contract negotiation. Any material, substantive, important exceptions requested
and granted to the standard terms and conditions and standard contract language
will be addressed in any formal written addendum issued for this RFQ and will
apply to all consultants submitting a response to this RFQ.
E. Mandatory Requirements.
To be eligible for consideration, a consultant must meet the intent of all mandatory
requirements. The County will determine whether a consultant's RFQ response
complies with the intent of the requirements. RFQ responses that do not meet the
full intent of all requirements listed in this RFQ may be subject to point reductions
during the evaluation process or may be deemed non-responsive.
1.3 Reserved
1.4 SUBMITTING QUALIFICATIONS SUBMITTALS
Consultants must organize their qualifications submittals into sections that follow the
following format.
A. Submittal Requirements.
Qualifications Submittals shall include the following:
1. Barrow County request for qualifications cover page (information entered and
signed: first page of this document)
2. Barrow County Qualifications letter (information entered)
3. Qualifications Submittal:
Each Qualifications Submittal Shall be:
a. No more than ten (10) single sided pages (five pages if double sided)
1. Cover page(s), table of contents, tabs, and required forms do not
count toward the page limit
b. Minimum of 11 point font
c. Flash Drive (electronic PDF format) copy
d. Stapled or spiral-bound. No binders
Each Qualifications Submittal Shall Contain:
a. Design Team - include project staffing, qualifications of the
design team, what sets the team apart, and indicate the single
point of contact for the prime consultant that will handle all

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aspects of the project and communication
b. Work Plan - provide an anticipated project schedule including
projected start date and durations (earliest available date for your
firm to begin), any anticipated challenges, any innovative
approaches, and explain how the team will work together to deliver a
seamless design that incorporates each building and overall site
improvements
c. Related Projects and References
1. Describe at least 3 similar projects with references and the
degree of involvement of the team
4. Applicable Addenda Acknowledgement Forms (if necessary)
5. Professional Services Agreement
a. All consultants submitting qualifications must review the
Professional Services Agreement (the "Agreement") included in this
package to indicate a willingness to comply with its terms and
conditions. Upon selection of the successful consultant, the
Agreement will be executed by both parties, with the negotiated
scope of services and compensation incorporated as an exhibit.
Consultants must organize their qualifications submittal into sections that follow the format
of Section 1.4.
B. Failure to Comply with Instructions.
Consultants failing to comply with these instructions may be subject to point
deductions. The County may choose not to evaluate, may deem non-
responsive, and/or may disqualify from further consideration any
qualifications that do not follow this RFQ format, are difficult to understand,
are difficult to read, or are missing any requested information.
C. Copies Required and Deadline for Receipt of Qualifications Submittals.
One original and five (5) copies of each submittal (plus a flash drive) should be
provided to the County. Qualifications Submittals must be received at the
County Clerk's Office at the Barrow County Historic Courthouse prior to
2:00 P.M., (local time), October 15, 2026. Emailed responses to requests
for qualifications submittals are not acceptable.
*Important to remember when submitting digital files:
1. Mark all Flash Drives with Consultant's name and RFQ number and
title.
2. All digital files must be in Portable Document Format (PDF).
3. Use caution in creating the electronic files. If the County is unable to
open files due to data-corruption, password or encryption error,

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etc., the Consultant's qualifications submittal may be considered
incomplete.
4. NOTE: All digital copies must include exactly the same information
as provided in the hard copy "Original".
D. Late Qualifications Submittals.
Regardless of cause, late qualifications submittals will not be accepted and
will automatically be disqualified from further consideration. It shall be the
consultant's sole risk to assure delivery to the receptionist's desk at the
designated office by the designated time. Late qualifications submittals will
not be opened and may be returned to the consultant at the expense of the
consultant or destroyed if requested.
1.5 CONSULTANT'S CERTIFICATION
A. Understanding of Specifications and Requirements.
By submitting a response to this RFQ, consultant agrees to an understanding of
and compliance with the specifications and requirements described in this RFQ.
1.6 COST OF PREPARING QUALIFICATIONS SUBMITTALS
A. County Not Responsible for Preparation Costs.
The costs for developing and delivering responses to this RFQ and any
subsequent presentations of the qualifications submittal as requested by the
County are entirely the responsibility of the consultant. The County is not liable for
any expense incurred by the consultant in the preparation and presentation of
their qualifications submittals.
B. All Timely Submitted Materials Become County Property.
All materials submitted in response to this RFQ become the property of Barrow
County and are to be appended to any formal documentation, which would
further define or expand any contractual relationship between the County and
consultant resulting from this RFQ process.

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SECTION 2: RFQ STANDARD INFORMATION
2.0 AUTHORITY
This RFQ is issued under the authority of Barrow County. The RFQ process is a procurement
option allowing the award to be based on stated evaluation criteria. The RFQ states the
relative importance of all evaluation criteria. No other evaluation criteria, other than as
outlined in the RFQ, will be used.
2.1 CONSULTANT COMPETITION
The County encourages free and open competition among consultants. Whenever possible,
the County will design specifications, qualifications submittal requests, and conditions to
accomplish this objective, consistent with the necessity to satisfy the County's need to
procure technically sound, cost-effective professional services.
2.2 RECEIPT OF QUALIFICATIONS SUBMITTALS AND PUBLIC INSPECTION
A. Public Information.
All information received in response to this RFQ, including copyrighted material,
is deemed public information and will be made available for public viewing and
copying after the time for receipt of qualifications has passed, and the award has
been made, with the following four exceptions: (1) bona fide trade secrets meeting
confidentiality requirements that have been properly marked, separated, and
documented; (2) matters involving individual safety as determined by Barrow
County; (3) any company financial information requested by Barrow County to
determine Consultants responsibility, unless prior written consent has been
given by the consultant; and (4) other constitutional protections.
B. Procurement Officer Review of Qualifications Submittals.
Upon opening the submittals received in response to this RFQ, the procurement
office will review the qualifications submittals and separate out any information
that meets the referenced exceptions in Section 2.2(A) above, providing the
following conditions have been met:
1. Confidential information is clearly marked and separated from the rest of the
submittal.
2. An affidavit from a consultant's legal counsel attesting to and explaining the
validity of the trade secret claim is attached to each submittal containing
trade secrets. Please contact Honor Motes for additional information.
Information separated out under this process will be available for review only by
the procurement office, the evaluation committee members, and limited other
designees. Consultants must be prepared to pay all legal costs and fees
associated with defending a claim for confidentiality in the event of a "right to
know" (open records) request from another party.

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2.3 CLASSIFICATION AND EVALUATION OF QUALIFICATIONS SUBMITTALS
A. Initial Classification of Qualifications Submittals as Responsive or Nonresponsive.
Qualifications Submittals may be found nonresponsive at any time during the
evaluation process or contract negotiation if required information is not provided,
the submittal does not comply with RFQ requirements, or the submittal is not
responsive to the scope, format, or specifications described in the RFQ. If a
qualifications submittal is found to be nonresponsive, it will not be considered
further.
B. Determination of Responsibility.
The procurement office will determine if a consultant has met the standards of
responsibility. Such a determination may be made at any time during the
evaluation process and through contract negotiation if information surfaces
that would result in a determination of nonresponsive.
C. Evaluation of Qualifications Submittals.
The evaluation committee will evaluate the remaining qualifications submittals
and recommend whether to award the contract to the highest scoring consultant
or, if necessary, to seek discussion/negotiation in order to determine the highest
scoring consultant. All responsive qualifications submittals will be evaluated
based on stated evaluation criteria. In scoring against stated criteria, the
County may consider such factors as accepted industry standards and a
comparative evaluation of all other qualified RFQ responses. These scores will
be used to determine the most advantageous offering to the County.
D. Completeness of Qualifications Submittals.
Selection and award will be based on the consultant's qualifications submittals
and other items outlined in this RFQ. Submitted responses may not include
references to information located elsewhere, such as Internet websites or
libraries, unless specifically requested. Information or materials presented by
consultants outside the formal response or subsequent
discussion/negotiation, if requested, will not be considered, will have no
bearing on any award, and may result in the consultant being disqualified from
further consideration.
E. Opportunity for Discussion/Negotiation and/or Oral Presentation.
After receipt of all qualifications submittals and prior to the determination of the
award, the County may initiate discussions with one or more consultants should
clarification or negotiation be necessary. Consultants may also be required to
make an oral presentation to clarify their RFQ response or to further define their
approach. In either case, consultants should be prepared to send qualified
personnel to Barrow County, Georgia to discuss technical and contractual
aspects of the submittal. Oral presentations, if requested, shall be at the
consultant's expense.