RFQ #2026-104 – Engineering Design Services for Stormwater Drainage Improvements

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
FOR
Engineering Design Services for Drainage Improvements
RFQ No.: 2026-104
Issued by:
Whitfield County Board of Commissioners
Whitfield County, Georgia

Request for Qualifications
Whitfield County invites sealed Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) from qualified professional
engineering firms to provide engineering design services for drainage improvements and
stormwater management in the Gillum Drive drainage basin in Dalton, Whitfield County,
Georgia. This procurement shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable federal, state,
and local public procurement laws and regulations.
SOQs will be received until the date and time listed below. Late submittals will not be accepted.
SOQs should be addressed to:
Whitfield County BOC Finance Dept.
C/O Brian McBrayer, 4th Floor
201 S. Hamilton St.
Dalton, GA 30720
Procurement Information
Item Information
RFQ Number 2026-104
Issue Date 09/04/2026
Final Questions Due 09/25/2026 at 6:00PM
Addenda Issued As Required; Final by 5:00PM on Monday, 09/28/2026
Proposal Due Date 10/05/2026 by 2:00PM EST
Submission Method Sealed Hard Copy (4 Copies)
Anticipated Award 10/12/2026
All questions regarding this RFQ must be submitted in writing to the person listed below. Verbal
responses shall not be binding.
Whitfield County Engineer:
Kent Benson, P.E.
kbenson@whitfieldcountyga.com

Project Description
The project consists of hydrologic analysis and engineering design services for drainage
improvements and stormwater management in the basin upstream of Gillum Drive in Whitfield
County. Also included are any required environmental studies, reports, and permitting.
The project was initially funded solely by local SPLOST sales tax funds. Whitfield County
contracted with Atlas, Inc. to perform topographic surveys of the basin and develop preliminary
conceptual sizing of drainage structures and channel improvements. This survey data will be
made available to the selected firm for its use in the design process.
After reviewing the preliminary concept, Whitfield County became aware of and applied for a
grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission. Our application has advanced to the final
selection round and we should know if we have been awarded the grant funds by the submittal
deadline of this RFQ.
ARC Grant funding would bring full Federal oversight to the project, including NEPA
requirements. If we do not receive the grant, the project will remain locally funded and the
environmental requirements will be reduced accordingly. The scope of the construction will
necessarily be reduced as well for budgetary reasons.
As part of the ARC grant application, Whitfield County submitted a Preliminary Engineering
Report which gave greater detail on project specifics. The PER is posted adjacent to this SOQ
on the County's website. Please refer to that document for further project specifics.
Scope of Services
The selected consultant(s) shall provide all professional services necessary to complete the
project, including but not limited to:
* Review existing data, studies, and concept drawings
* Conduct site visits and field investigations
* Conduct needed additional surveys
* Perform required environmental studies
* Develop preliminary and final concepts
* Coordinate with utility owners
* Produce bid-ready construction plans and easement/Right-of-Way plans
* Produce Engineer's opinion of probable cost
* Coordinate and obtain environmental permitting
* Participate in coordination meetings with Whitfield County and, if applicable, other
agencies
* Produce bid documents and support (review submittals, plan clarifications/errors)

Proposal Submission Requirements
SOQs shall be organized and clearly labeled. Provide four (4) hard copies of the SOQ. At a
minimum, include the following sections:
Qualifications and Experience
* Firm name, address, and legal structure
* Relevant experience with hydraulic/hydrologic studies and drainage/stormwater
management design on a comparable scale
* Description of at least three (3) comparable projects completed within the past 10 years
* Resumes of key personnel, including Project Manager
* Names and relevant experience of known and potential subcontractors
Project Understanding and Approach
* Understanding of project objectives
* Understanding of funding possibilities and their effects on design and environmental
requirements
* Proposed technical approach
* Identification of risks and mitigation strategies
Schedule
* Proposed project schedule with major milestones if awarded the project
Company Resources
* Demonstrate how the company's resources will allow the proposed schedule to be met
* In-house expertise that may not be evident in Qualifications and Experience
* Services that are offered in-house rather than by subcontract
Evaluation and Award
Whitfield County will award the project to a single firm. Proposals will be evaluated by a
selection committee using the following criteria:
Criterion Scoring %
Experience and Qualifications 35
Project Understanding 25
Proposed Schedule 20
Company Resources 20

Whitfield County reserves the right to:
* Request clarifications during the evaluation process
* Negotiate scope and fees with the selected firm(s)
* Award a contract in the best interest of the public
Contract Terms and Conditions
Compliance with Laws
The consultant shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and
regulations.
Non-Discrimination
The consultant shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability,
or any other protected class.
Insurance and Licensing
The selected firm must maintain required insurance and professional licenses prior to contract
execution.
Public Records
All proposals are subject to public disclosure under applicable public records laws. Original
proprietary work may be copyrighted so that disclosure is by in-person viewing only with no
document reproduction.
ARC Grant Requirements
If the project becomes partially funded by an ARC grant, there will be additional contract
sections to which the contractor must agree. These sections/forms for federally-funded
projects are posted adjacent to this RFQ on the County's website. Keep in mind these
forms are NOT required for submission of an SOQ, but they will be required in a contract
between the County and the selected firm.
Reservation of Rights
Whitfield County reserves the right to:

* Reject any or all proposals
* Waive technicalities or minor defects
* Cancel or reissue this solicitation
* Negotiate with the selected proposer(s)
Required Forms
The following forms must be completed and submitted with the proposal:
* Form A: Proposal Signature Page

Proposal Signature Page (Form A)
The undersigned certifies that the information contained in this proposal is accurate and that the
firm agrees to comply with all requirements of this bid packet.
Firm Name: _______________________________________________
Authorized Representative: __________________________________
Title: __________________________________
Signature: ______________________________________
Date: ___________________________