Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan

The Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority (VLPRA) is soliciting bids from qualified planning and consulting firms to develop a Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan. This primary policy and planning document will establish a shared community vision, assess current service levels against national benchmarks, inventory existing facilities and open spaces, and identify gaps in geographic access and equity. The selected consultant will be responsible for recommending a prioritized, fiscally realistic capital improvement program and supporting eligibility for state and federal grants, such as the Georgia Recreational Trails Program and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Key deliverables include a detailed project work plan, a phased implementation matrix spanning up to ten years, printed and electronic final plan documents, presentation boards, and GIS data. Bids must be submitted by September 10, 2026, at 10:00 A.M. EST, and must be delivered in a sealed envelope with the bid number clearly marked on the outside. The selection process is based on the best overall value, with evaluation weighted heavily on firm qualifications and experience (20%), community engagement approach (20%), and project team qualifications (15%). The contract will utilize a fixed-fee compensation method, requiring a not-to-exceed fee for the base scope and itemized pricing for optional services. Selected firms must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including professional services liability and automobile liability of $1,000,000, and must comply with the Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act. Legal disputes are to be handled via mediation with exclusive venue in Lowndes County, Georgia.