Engineering firm to provide on-call technical review and consulting services for zone and land use.

Agency:	Shawnee County
State:	Kansas
Type of Government:	State & Local
NAICS Category:	541330 - Engineering Services 541611 - Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services 541690 - Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Posted Date:	Aug 3, 2026
Due Date:	Aug 18, 2026
Solicitation No:	028-26
Original Source:	Please Login to View Page
Contact information:	Please Login to View Page
Bid Documents:	Please Login to View Page

Description

Request	Department	Description	Due Date
028-26	Counselors	Engineering firm to provide on-call technical review and consulting services for zone and land use.	8/18/2026 2:00 PM

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SHAWNEE COUNTY

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

(RFQ)

Quotation Number: 028-26

Date Issued:

08-03-2026

Closing Date:

08-18-2026, 2:00pm

Vendor Name: ______________________________

Address: ___________________________________

Phone Number:______________________________

THIS IS NOT AN ORDER

1. In communications, always refer to the above quotation number.

2. All prices and conditions must be shown. Additions or conditions not shown on this RFQ will not be

allowed.

3. Shawnee County reserve the right to accept or reject any part of, or all of, any proposal.

4. All prices quoted are to be less Federal Excise Tax and Kansas Sales Tax.

5. Price quoted shall remain firm for ninety (90) days after closing date.

*SHAWNEE COUNTY HAS AN ELECTRONIC BID SYSTEM*

All vendors are required to create an online portal account (www.snco.gov/purchasing) in order to receive

or submit proposals requests. All proposals must be submitted through the bid portal

INTRODUCTION

In Shawnee County Resolution No. R2026059 (attached hereto as Exhibit “A”) the Board of County

Commissioners found that data centers frequently present issues involving electric transmission and

distribution infrastructure, utility capacity, emergency response planning, fire suppression, hazardous

materials management, noise impacts, environmental impacts, transportation infrastructure, and other highly

technical matters requiring review beyond that ordinarily required for traditional conditional use permit

applications. The Board further found that review of data centers often requires substantially greater staff

time and frequently necessitates retention of outside engineers, planners, environmental consultants, utility

experts, noise specialists, fire protection consultants, traffic engineers, and other technical professionals.

Finally, the Board found it reasonable and necessary that applicants proposing such facilities bear the actual

costs of reviewing their projects so that County taxpayers are not required to subsidize project-specific

review expenses incurred for private development proposal.

Therefore, any fees or costs of the selected engineering firm will be paid by the data center applicant

and not the taxpayers of Shawnee County. However, firms must be free from conflicts of interest and

independent of applicants whose projects are subject to County review. This means that the selected

engineering firm will work for and report to Shawnee County and not the data center applicant.

Form Rev 7/2026

Page 1 of 12

In accordance with Resolution No. R2026059, the County is seeking qualifications from independent

engineering firms to provide on-call technical review and consulting services for zoning and land use

applications involving Data Centers. The selected firm will assist the County by conducting objective, third-

party reviews of engineering plans, studies, and supporting documentation; evaluating compliance with

applicable regulations and industry standards; and providing technical recommendations to County staff and

decision-making bodies.

1. SCOPE OF SERVICES The selected engineering firm shall serve as the County's independent technical

consultant and provide professional engineering services related to the review of zoning, land use, and

development applications for data centers. Services may include, but are not limited to:

1.1. Application Review

1.1.1. Review data center zoning and land use applications for completeness and technical

adequacy.

1.1.2. Evaluate engineering reports, plans, specifications, studies, and supporting documentation

submitted by data center applicants.

1.1.3. Review data center site plans for compliance with applicable zoning ordinances, development

standards, and adopted County plans.

1.1.4. Identify deficiencies, inconsistencies, or omissions in submitted materials.

1.2. Technical Review

1.2.1. Review civil, structural, electrical, geotechnical, environmental, storm water, transportation,

utility, and related engineering documents, as applicable.

1.2.2. Evaluate infrastructure capacity, including roadway access, water, wastewater, electric

transmission and distribution, telecommunications, and emergency services impacts.

1.2.3. Review drainage, grading, erosion and sediment control, floodplain impacts, and storm water

management.

1.2.4. Assess proposed mitigation measures and recommend additional conditions where

appropriate.

1.3. Technology-Specific Reviews For Data Centers

1.3.1. Review electrical infrastructure requirements, backup power systems, cooling systems, utility

demands, noise analyses, air emissions associated with backup generation, fuel storage, water

consumption, traffic, and operational impacts.

1.4. Code and Standards Compliance

1.4.1. Evaluate compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

1.4.2. Review consistency with applicable engineering standards, including current International

Building Code (IBC), International Fire Code (IFC) and other applicable industry standards.

1.5. Independent Technical Opinions

1.5.1. Prepare written technical review memoranda identifying findings, deficiencies,

recommendations, and suggested conditions of approval.

1.5.2. Provide independent engineering opinions without advocating for any applicant or interested

party.

(NOTE: Any such written finding, reports or opinions generated by firm shall be considered public

records subject to disclosure pursuant to the Kanas Open Records Act.)

1.6. Meeting Attendance

1.6.1. Attend meetings with County Land Use and Development Department (LUDev) staff.

Form Rev 7/2026

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1.6.2. Attend Planning Commission, Board of County Commissioners, and public meetings as

requested.

1.6.3. Present technical findings and respond to questions from County Planning Commission

members, County Commissioners and County staff.

1.6.4. Assist County Officials and staff with answering questions or concerns raised by the public.

1.7. Peer Review

1.7.1. Conduct independent peer review of applicant-prepared engineering studies.

1.7.2. Evaluate assumptions, methodologies, modeling, and engineering conclusions.

1.8. Expert Assistance

1.8.1. Provide expert engineering consultation during negotiations, hearings, appeals, and litigation

support, if requested.

1.8.2. Provide expert witness testimony when required.

1.9. On Call Services

1.9.1. Provide services on an as needed basis.

1.9.2. Meet review deadlines established by County.

2. REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION STATEMENTS

2.1. Contents of RFQ Proposal: firms are invited to submit RFQ Proposals that contain the

following information:

2.1.1 Introduction (transmittal letter)

a. A brief statement of the firm’s understanding of the scope of the work to be performed;

b. A confirmation that the firm meets the appropriate state licensing requirements to practice in

the State of Kansas;

c. A confirmation that the firm has not had a record of substandard work and has not engaged in

any unethical practices within the last five years;

d. A confirmation that the firm has reviewed Shawnee County Resolution No. 2026___

(attached hereto as “A”) and understands that although the selected firm’s fees and

expenses will be paid by the data center applicant, the selected firm will represent only the

County’s interests and will work at the sole direction and control of the County.

e. Any other information that the firm feels appropriate;

f. The signature of an individual who is authorized to provide information of this nature in the

name of the firm submitting the proposal.

2.2 Background and Experience:

2.2.1 Firm Profile – Describe your firm’s demographics, size and years in business.

2.2.2 Firm’s Experience – Describe your firm’s experience including experience with data center

design documents or similar projects.

2.2.3 Technical Expertise – Describe your firm’s experience reviewing one or more of the

following:

a. Data centers.

b. Electrical substations and transmission infrastructure.

c. Civil site development.

d. Storm water management.

e. Transportation impacts.

f. Environmental impacts, including but not limited to noise, light pollution, water use,

energy use and waste products of data centers.

Form Rev 7/2026

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g. Utility infrastructure.

h. Fire protection and life safety systems.

i. Environmental permitting.

2.2.4 References – Provide name, email, address and telephone numbers for at least three (3) recent

clients.

2.2.5 Describe the firm’s workload and current capacity to accomplish the work in the required time.

2.2.6 Describe the firm’s presence in and commitment to Shawnee County.

2.3 Personnel/Professional Qualifications

2.3.1 Staff Assignments – Identify the representative responsible for communication and project

completions.

2.3.2 Resumes or curriculum vitae of each primary staff member that would be assigned to this

project.

2.4 Fee Proposal

2.4.1 In accordance with Exhibit “A”, all fees and costs of the selected firm will be paid by the data

center applicant, not taxpayers. Consequently, fees and costs will be given substantially less

weight in the selection process.

2.4.2 The firm shall include a proposed fee schedule for the professional services described in this

RFQ. The fee schedule shall clearly identify the basis for all charges and, at a minimum,

include:

a. Hourly billing rates for all personnel classifications that may be assigned to County

projects, including principals, project managers, licensed professional engineers,

technical specialists, inspectors, administrative staff, and other personnel.

b. Rates for any specialty consultants or subcontractors that may be utilized (if known).

c. Rates or fees for attendance at meetings, public hearings, or court proceedings, if

different from standard hourly rates.

d. Reimbursable expenses and the basis for reimbursement, including travel, mileage,

copying, printing, postage, and other direct project costs.

e. Any other fees or charges that may be applicable to the services requested.

3. SELECTION CRITERIA:

3.1. General Qualifications: The selected firm must meet the following general qualifications to be

considered for award:

3.1.1. Be licensed and authorized to practice engineering in the State of Kansas.

3.1.2. Have a minimum of five (5) years of experience providing engineering consulting services to

local governments.

3.1.3. Demonstrate experience reviewing land development applications and zoning-related

engineering issues.

3.1.4. Employ licensed Professional Engineers with expertise appropriate to the proposed

assignments.

3.2. Independence and Conflict of Interest Requirements: To preserve the integrity and

impartiality of the County's review process, proposers shall satisfy the following requirements:

3.2.1. The proposing firm shall serve solely as an independent technical reviewer on behalf of the

County.

3.2.2. The proposing firm shall disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest

involving: Current data center applicants; Property owners; Developers; Utility providers;

Form Rev 7/2026

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Project investors; Equipment manufacturers; Engineering firms; Consultants; and Attorneys

associated with data center projects that may come before the County.

3.2.3. In order to be considered for award, The proposing firm shall not currently provide

engineering, consulting, permitting, design, owner's engineering, environmental, construction

management, or related professional services to any data center applicant or developer with an

active or pending application before the County involving a data center.

3.2.4. The firm shall disclose any work performed for such entities during the preceding three (3)

years.

3.2.5. The selected firm shall immediately notify the County of any conflict of interest that arises

during the term of the agreement.

3.2.6. The County reserves the right to determine whether any relationship constitutes a conflict of

interest sufficient to disqualify a firm or require recusal from a particular project.

3.2.7. The selected firm shall not accept employment or contractual work from a data center

applicant whose project the firm has reviewed on behalf of the County for a period of one (1)

year following completion of the County's review unless the County provides prior written

consent.

3.3. Proposal Evaluation Criteria: The County will evaluate proposals from firms satisfying the

requirements above using the following criteria:

3.3.1. Relevant Experience 25%

3.3.2. Qualifications of firm and assigned personnel 25%

3.3.3. Experience with data center projects 25%

3.3.4. Project approach and responsiveness 20%

3.3.5. Costs and fees 5%

4. SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS:

4.1. Closing Date: Proposals will be received until 2:00 p.m. CDT on the scheduled closing date.

The online bid portal will not accept any new proposals after this time.

4.2. Withdrawal of Proposals: Proposals already submitted may be withdrawn on the Electronic

Bid System provided request is received prior to time of closing. Negligence on the part of the

firm in preparing the proposal confers no right for the withdrawal after the time set for closing.

4.3. Please Submit Your Proposal Early: In case you have problems getting your proposal to

upload and need assistance, we suggest you submit before 1:30 pm. Please contact us at once if

you have issues uploading. Our system will not allow any proposals to be uploaded after 2:00

pm.

4.4. Proposal Openings: All proposals submitted before the specified closing time shall be opened

and properly recorded on the bid tabulation sheet. Subsequent to the proposal opening, all

proposals shall be thoroughly evaluated and a determination made as to their compliance with

applicable specifications. The Land Use and Development Director shall make this

determination. Upon completion of the above determination, an analysis of all bids submitted

shall be prepared and formally presented to the Professional Services Selection Committee who

shall make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for acceptance and

approval of the best proposal. The Board of County Commissioners reserves the right to accept

or reject any and/or all proposals and to waive any irregularities or informalities therein.

4.5. Notice to Successful Firm: The successful firm will be notified by email or telephone as soon

as possible once the Selection Committee has made a recommendation and placed the item on

the Board of County Commissioners Agenda for its consideration.

Form Rev 7/2026

Page 5 of 12

This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.

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Engineering firm to provide on-call technical review and consulting services for zone and land use.

Description

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