Jail Addition Architecture RFQ (Phase I)

Bulloch County Board of Commissioners has initiated a two-phase procurement process to secure architectural design professional services for the Bulloch County New Jail Addition Project. Phase I consists of soliciting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from interested firms with relevant experience to provide architectural design services. The RFQ, issued on November 17, 2025, seeks to identify qualified firms based on a comprehensive evaluation of qualifications, experience, firm stability, and suitability for the project. Respondents are required to submit one original and five copies of their SOQ in a sealed envelope by December 19, 2025, at 3:00 PM EST, with a strict 50-page limit including exhibits and appendices. Questions regarding the RFQ must be submitted by December 1, 2025, and responses will be provided by December 3. The SOQ must clearly demonstrate the firm's capabilities in public building design, adherence to accessibility standards, environmental considerations, and experience with correctional or similar secure facilities, reflecting the complexity and public safety relevance of the project. The project scope is framed by a detailed jail addition study completed in March 2025, which recommends a phased construction approach to meet Bulloch County's current and future detention needs with an estimated project cost ranging from approximately $60 million to $66 million, inclusive of soft costs. Selected firms from Phase I will be invited to participate in Phase II, which will include submission of detailed proposals in response to a Request for Proposals (RFP). Evaluation criteria for Phase I emphasize 45% weight on relevant project experience and qualifications, 30% on the firm's apparent suitability, including workload and specialized capabilities, and 25% on organizational stability and financial strength. The county reserves the right to reject any or all responses or waive informalities at its discretion. Firms must perform a minimum of 75% of architectural work in-house to ensure quality and accountability. The procurement process enforces strict compliance requirements including anti-collusion affidavits, use of E-Verify for federal employment verification, and non-discrimination policies to promote equity and transparency. The point of contact for all procurement communications is Kristie King, Chief Financial Officer at Bulloch County. The overall selection will be based on a best-value trade-off approach, focusing on technical merit rather than cost, and reflecting the county’s commitment to securing qualified design professionals capable of delivering a critical public safety infrastructure project.