Playground Renovations and Infrastructure Upgrades

Request for Proposal (RFP)
to provide
Professional Services
For
Habersham County School District
Playground Renovations and Infrastructure Upgrades at the following schools:
Baldwin Elementary, Clarkesville Elementary, Cornelia Elementary,
Demorest Elementary, Fairview Elementary, Hazel Grove Elementary,
Level Grove Elementary, and Woodville Elementary
Interested parties may obtain RFP documents from the Habersham County
School District website
and the Georgia Procurement website.
OWNER:
Habersham County School District
P. O. Box 70
132 Stanford Mill Road
Clarkesville, Ga 30523
The Habersham County Board of Education reserves the right to
reject any and all proposals and to waive technicalities.
Solicitation Issue Date: September 23, 2026
Proposal Packages Due: October 27, 2026, 10:00 a.m.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION
2. CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONAL SERVICES REQUIREMENTS
3. CONTRACT INFORMATION
4. SELECTION PROCESS
5. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
6. MANDATORY PRE-SUBMITTAL CONFERENCE
7. SUBMITTAL OF QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR CLARIFICATION
8. STEP 1: SUBMITTAL REVIEW PROCESS
9. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING SUBMITTAL PROPOSAL
10. SUBMITTAL OF D/B FEE PROPOSAL
11. SUBMITTAL OF PROPOSAL AND D/B FEE PROPOSAL
12. STEP II: INTERVIEW AND FEE NEGOTIATION PROCESS (for Finalists only).
13. PRESENTATION/ INTERVIEW INFORMATION
14. FINAL EVALUATION AND SELECTION
15. ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
16. EXHIBIT "A" - GENERAL SCOPE OF WORK
17. EXHIBIT "B" - D/B FEE PROPOSAL
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REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Design/Build (DB) Services for
Habersham County School District
Playground Renovations and Infrastructure Upgrades at the following schools:
Baldwin Elementary, Clarkesville Elementary, Cornelia Elementary,
Demorest Elementary, Fairview Elementary, Hazel Grove Elementary,
Level Grove Elementary, and Woodville Elementary
The Habersham County Board of Education (HCBOE), (Owner) is soliciting proposals from Construction
Professionals/firms interested in providing Design/Build (D/B) services for the construction of listed projects in
Habersham County, Georgia. This Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks to identify potential providers of the
above mentioned services. All respondents to this RFP are subject to instructions communicated in this
document, and are cautioned to completely review the entire RFP and follow instructions carefully. The Owner
reserves the right to reject any proposals, and to waive technicalities and informalities at their discretion.
1. GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION
Project Description: Refer to EXHIBIT "A" - GENERAL SCOPE OF WORK.
Project Delivery Method
The Delivery Method for the Project will be Design/Build (D/B).
During pre-construction, the D/B will be responsible for the designing, construction, pricing, value
engineering, as well as maintainability and constructability issues.
Project Budget
As part of the D/B services, D/B will evaluate the Owner Scope of Work and determine a developmental budget
for the project, and prioritize the needs. The final budget/Stated Cost of Limitation (SCL) will be determined by
the prioritization of the Work, and the available funding. The Scope of Work may be revised by the Owner due
to programmatic requirements, funding availability, or other circumstances.
Project Schedule
The selection of the D/B is anticipated to be finalized on November 10, 2026. Design and preconstruction
services are expected to begin immediately upon execution of the contract with the D/B. Construction services
are expected to begin upon contract execution. All of the dates herein are estimates which are subject to
change. Work described may begin as early as November 11, 2026, with completion dates to be determined.
The existing facilities will be occupied during construction; therefore, phasing will be required.
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2. CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONAL SERVICES REQUIREMENTS
The D/B will be expected to work expeditiously to design the project as requested and provide all needed
design and construction services which may include, without limitation, technical review, cost verification,
cost evaluation, value engineering, schedule development, and schedule evaluation, in addition to management
of the construction. In addition, the D/B will be responsible for methods of construction, safety, and the
scheduling and coordination of the work of all construction and miscellaneous contracts required for
completion of the project within its predetermined budget and schedule. The successful D/B will be required to
work collaboratively with the Owner's consultants.
3. CONTRACT INFORMATION
The contract format will be an Actual Cost plus a Fixed or percentage Fee. During Pre-Construction, the D/B
will be responsible for pricing, value engineering, and maintainability and constructability issues. Construction
will commence with the release of distinct work packages based on the design documents. The D/B shall select
all construction subcontracts by competitive selection using cost and other factors, with Owner approval of
each subcontractor.
Form of Agreement
The agreement between the Owner and the D/B shall be the "AIA Document A141-current edition - Standard
Form of Agreement Between Owner and Design-Builder for a Traditional Design-Build Project", along with
the Owner's modifications. The General Conditions for the project shall be as described in "AIA Document
A201-2007 - General Conditions of the Contract for Construction", along with the Owner's modifications and
Supplementary Conditions. The General Requirements of the D/B contract and general conditions are not open
for negotiation. The construction services will be on an actual cost basis with all savings under the GMP,
including unused contingency, returned to the Owner.
4. SELECTION PROCESS
Selection of the D/B will be a qualification/fee proposal evaluation process. Selection of the D/B will be a
two-step process. The first step will be a qualification-based process, which will result in three (3) firms being
selected for the second step. The second step will be an interview and negotiation based process beginning
with the top ranked firm.
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5. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
The following Schedule of Events represents the Owner's best estimate of the schedule that will be followed.
All times indicated will be current standard time in Clarkesville, Georgia. The Owner reserves the right to
adjust the schedule as the Owner deems necessary.
RFP Estimated Time Line:
6. MANDATORY PRE-SUBMITTAL CONFERENCE
A pre-submittal conference and site visits will be conducted by the Owner and attendance of interested firms is
Mandatory. The conference shall begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, October 12, 2026 at Habersham
County Schools, Central Office Annex, 144 Holcomb Street, Clarkesville, GA 30523. A proposer will be
disqualified from the selection process due to failure to arrive for the pre-bid conference by the scheduled start
time. Failure to attend the pre-bid mandatory conference and all site visits will automatically result in
disqualification from the selection process.
7. SUBMITTAL OF QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR CLARIFICATION
It is the responsibility of each respondent to examine the entire RFP, seek clarification in writing, and review
its submission for accuracy before submitting the document. Questions about any aspect of the RFP, or the
project, shall be submitted in writing (e-mail only) to: facilityproposals@habershamschools.com
8. STEP 1: SUBMITTAL REVIEW PROCESS
Step I - Submittal Review
This RFP is issued for the purpose of acquiring Proposals from prospective D/Bs. A selection will be made by a
Selection Committee consisting of representatives of the Owner. The Selection Committee will receive and
review Proposals submitted in response to this RFP. To be deemed eligible for evaluation, firms must meet the
following minimum qualifications:
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Minimum Qualifications Required (evaluated on a pass/fail basis by the selection committee)
* The firm or its principals are not currently ineligible, debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded
from bidding or contracting by any state or federal agency, department, or authority.
* Firm must have sufficient bonding capacity for anticipated total cost of work. Provide a letter or
other supporting documentation from a bonding company indicating the firm's capacity to bond the
project.
* Firm must have a current Contractor's Public Liability Insurance policy and must be insurable in at
least the following amounts: Bodily injury, including death- limits of $1,000,000 for each accident.
Property damage- limits of $2,000,000 for each accident and $10,000,000 for the aggregate of
operations. (The Owner reserves the right to require additional limits and/or coverage for the actual
contract). Provide your current insurance certificate.
* Firm must have all necessary, valid and current licenses to do business in the State of Georgia.
Provide a copy of your GC license, business license and Georgia Certificate of Existence.
* Firm must demonstrate sufficient cash flow to undertake the project as evidenced by a current ratio
(current assets/current liabilities) of 1.0 or higher.
* The firm must demonstrate a commitment to safety with regard to Worker's Compensation by
having an Experience Modification Rate (EMR) over the past three years of 1.2 or less.
* The firm or its principals have not been terminated for cause or currently in default on any public
works contract.
* Firms are required to perform a comprehensive criminal history background check to include both
GCIC and NCIC on any employee who will be working on school property.
The firms must provide a sworn statement attesting to compliance with the minimum criteria listed above and
provide supporting documentation as requested further in the process in accordance with Section 9.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING SUBMITTAL
The Selection Committee will then evaluate the submittals which have met the minimum qualifications.
Criteria for Evaluation of Submittal:
20% Factor: Stability of the firm, including the firm's corporate history, resources, form of ownership,
litigation history, financials, etc. Section 9A. Stability.
20% Factor: Firm's relevant project Experience and Qualifications, including the demonstrated ability of firm
in effective design and experience with comparable playground projects of similar type and complexity,
school/public-sector work, qualifications of the design and construction team, references, project history, and
ability to manage design-build delivery. Section 9B. Experience and Qualifications and Section 9C. Qualifications
and Experience of Proposed Project Team
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20% Factor: Firm's Ability/Suitability to provide equipment and services for project as stipulated.
Section 9D. Statement of Suitability and Section 16. EXHIBIT "A" - GENERAL SCOPE OF WORK
20% Factor: Quality of Proposed Design and Management Plan: The firm's cost and schedule of design and
management plans; Firm's approach for managing changes within the stated cost and schedule limitations.
Firm's approach for competitively administering and evaluating bid packages, including the firm's plan for
competitively selecting subcontractors. The firm's subcontractor management plan; The firm's quality
assurance program and plan; The firm's close-out plan; The firm's work force plan; The firm's safety plan and
site logistics plan for the proposed project and the firm's ability to minimize disruption to school operations
schedule. Section 9E. Design and Management Plan
20% Factor: Evaluation of the submitted Fee Proposal, as submitted.
Section 17. EXHIBIT "B" - D/B FEE PROPOSAL
9. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING SUBMITTAL PROPOSAL
Each submittal shall be identical and include a transmittal letter. Submittals must be typed on standard (8- 1/2"
x 11") paper. The pages must be numbered. A table of contents, with corresponding tabs, must be included to
identify each section. Responses are limited to forty (40) double-sided pages or less using a minimum of an
11-point font. Any exhibits, affidavits or other enclosure information called for may be included in an appendix
and will not count toward the limit. Tab sheets also do not count toward the limit. Each submittal shall be
prepared simply and economically, providing straightforward, concise delineation of respondent's capabilities.
Emphasis must be on completeness, relevance, and clarity to content.
To expedite the review of submittals, it is essential that respondents follow the format and instructions
outlined below. The content of all Proposals must be categorized and numbered as outlined below and be
responsive to all requested information:
PROPOSAL
9A. Stability
9A.1- Provide basic company information: Company name, address, name of primary contact, telephone
number, fax number, e-mail address, and company website (if available). If the firm has multiple offices, include
information about the parent company and branch office separately. Identify the office from which project will
be managed and proximity to the project site. Provide form of ownership, including state of residency or
incorporation, and number of years in business. For joint venture entities that have not undertaken at least two
projects together, each firm should submit its proposal separately. Joint submittals are Subject to the same
submittal page limit.
9A.2- Briefly describe the history of your firm(s). Provide general information about the firm's establishment,
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personnel resources, including disciplines and numbers and classifications of employees, and locations and
staffing of offices that will be directly involved with this Project.
9A.3- Please disclose whether or not the firm has been involved in any litigation with an Owner or Architect
during the past five (5) years. List any active or pending litigation and provide a thorough explanation of its
scope. List any claims against your firm or against Owners where your firm is named.
9A.4- List the firm's annual average gross revenue for each of the past 5 years. Supply main financial and
banking references.
9A.5- Please provide information as to whether or not your firm has ever been removed from a contract for
cause OR failed to complete a contract as awarded?
9A.6- The firm, in order to be deemed eligible for further evaluation, will issue the following statement
asserting that the firm meets the minimum qualifications required for this project (supporting information is
requested and can be included as an Appendix in the Proposal). The SIGNED statement shall read as follows:
a. We certify our firm, or its principals are not currently ineligible, debarred, suspended, or
otherwise excluded from bidding or contracting by any state or federal agency, department, or
authority.
b. We certify that our firm has sufficient bonding capacity for anticipated total cost of work.
Provide a letter or other supporting documentation from a bonding company indicating the
firm's capacity to bond the project.
c. We certify our firm has a current Contractor's Public Liability Insurance policy, and our firm
is insurable in the following amounts: Bodily injury, including death limits of $1,000,000 for
each accident. Property damage- limits of $2,000,000 for each accident and $10,000,000 for the
aggregate of operations. (The Owner reserves the right to require additional limits and/or
coverage for the actual contract.) Provide your current insurance certificate.
d. We certify our firm has all necessary, valid and current licenses to do business in the State of
Georgia. Provide a copy of your GC license, business license and Georgia Certificate of
Existence.
e. We certify we have sufficient cash flow to undertake the project as evidenced by a current
ratio (current assets/current liabilities) of 1.0 or higher.
f. We certify a commitment to safety with regard to Worker's Compensation by having an
Experience Modification Rate (EMR) over the past three years of 1.2 or less. Firm must
provide a letter or other supporting documentation.
g. We certify the firm, or its principals have not been terminated for cause or are currently in
default on any public works contract.
h. We certify our firm will perform a comprehensive criminal history background check to
include both GCIC and NCIC on any employee who will be working on school property.
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9B. Experience and Qualifications
9B.1- Provide information on the firm's experience on projects of similar function, and complexity (similar
type of construction). Describe 3-5 projects, in order of most relevant to least relevant, which demonstrate the
firm's capabilities to perform the project. For each project, provide the following information:
i. Project name, location and dates during which services were performed.
j. Brief description of project and physical description (delivery method, cost, square footage,
number of stories, type of foundation, structural system, envelope, site area).
k. Services performed by your firm.
l. Provide any Owner-written letters of reference/recommendation about the firm's
performance on the project.
m. Owner/Architect contact information.
n. Explanation as to how the highlighted project relates to the current Project being considered.
If the firm has multiple offices, indicate the office responsible for each highlighted project.
9C. Qualifications and Experience of Proposed Project Team
9C.1- Describe your firm's proposed organization for the construction design and management team including,
project executive, project director, project manager, superintendent, cost estimator, etc., who will manage the
project. Please designate the specific individuals to fill the following key roles on your team:
o. Superintendent(s)
p. Design Professionals
q. Project Manager
r. Project Executive / Project Director
s. Cost Estimator
t. Other (please describe, if applicable)
9C.2- Please provide, for each of the above personnel, a current resume listing relevant project experience,
percentage of the person's time to be committed to this project, current and projected workloads, and his/her
office location in relation to project location.
9C.3- Please identify the individual who, from project start to finish, will be the leader of your design and
construction team and the principal point of contact between your firm and the Owner, the Architect, and
other consultants. Provide detailed information on the qualifications of this individual and the direction,
authority, and management tools that will be provided to the individual by the firm. Provide information on
his/her current and projected workloads, and his/her office location in relation to project location. This
individual's competence, his/her leadership, location, and his/her ability to achieve customer satisfaction will
be heavily considered in the selection of a construction design and management firm.
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9C.4- Provide an organizational chart showing the lines of responsibility and accountability for your team and
proposed sub-consultants. If a joint venture, identify responsibility relationships, where there may be past
experience at such relationships, and levels of experience.
9C.5- Provide examples of your recent experience as D/B or CM at Risk including the demonstrated ability of
your firm in effective design and experience with comparable playground projects of similar type and
complexity, including the following information:
t. Provide photographs of similar projects your firm/team completed in the past five (5) years.
u. Provide a written reference from the Owner (with current contact information) familiar
with your performance on each of the above projects. Provide a Program Manager reference
(if applicable).
v. List the individuals who served as the Project Executive/Director, Project Manager,
Superintendent, and Cost Estimator on the projects. Please note whether these individuals
are still employed with your firm.
w. Indicate those projects where an architect, engineering consultant, and D/B served a
corporate or public client as a team.
x. Provide information about the two most recent similar projects your firm has completed.
Include the total quantity of change orders and net total cost increase of change orders to
the project. Summarize the actual schedule performance relative to the initial project
schedule. For each project, provide the name of an Owner's representative (with a current
phone number) who is most familiar with your performance on the project.
9D. Statement of Suitability
9D.1- Provide any information that may serve to differentiate your firm from other firms regarding suitability
for the project. Suitability may include, but is not limited to, the firm's fit to the project and/or needs of the
Owner, any special or unique qualifications for the project, current and projected workloads, the proximity of
main office to project location, and any techniques or methodologies offered by the firm that may be
particularly suitable for this project type.
9D.2- Provide information on any special services you can provide to this project.
9E. Design and Management Plan
9E.1- With regard to your firm's expected role in the project, please provide:
* a statement of your definition of the role,
* your anticipated level of design, management responsibility and accountability for
project concerns.
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