Georgia Clean Water Needs Survey

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Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA)
Request for Qualified Contractor (RFQC)
To Provide Services for:
Georgia Clean Water Needs Survey
GEFA RFQC No. 928-WRD-27CWNS

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Georgia Environmental Finance Authority
REQUEST FOR QUALIFIED CONTRACTOR
Georgia Clean Water Needs Survey
GEFA RFQC # 928-WRD-27CWNS
I. General Information
A. PROCUREMENT OVERVIEW
The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA), on behalf of Georgia Environmental Protection Division
(EPD), Georgia local governments, related stakeholders/customers, and Georgia citizens, is interested in receiving
responses from firms interested in providing consulting services to perform, prepare and produce a Clean Water
Needs Survey (CWNS). The purpose of the CWNS is assessing capital investment needed for publicly owned
wastewater collection and treatment facilities to meet the water quality goals of the Clean Water Act (CWA), in
adherence with EPA and CWA requirements, and determining eligibility of projects for the Clean Water State
Revolving Fund (CWSRF) for Georgia. It is envisioned that the successful consultant will evaluate current data,
documentation, and projects to produce the CWNS to appropriately and accurately report needs in a manner that
will maximize the potential benefit to Georgia and assist in the state's collaborative Report to Congress with other
states and territories.
The successful consultant will work with GEFA, Georgia EPD, and other appropriate stakeholders and resources
to further determine the full and appropriate scope of the CWNS. Accordingly, the qualifications of the consultant
are of paramount importance. Therefore, this Request for Qualified Contractor (RFQCC) is being issued by GEFA
in consideration of the stakeholders' interests, and prescribes a qualifications-based procurement which is
generally being conducted pursuant to O.C.G.A. 50-22-1 et seq. One or more firms that respond to this RFQC by
submitting statements of qualifications may be determined to be especially qualified and capable of delivering
services and may be deemed eligible for further consideration by GEFA to provide these services as the
Consultant. All respondents to this RFQC are subject to instructions communicated in this document and are
cautioned to completely review the entire RFQC and follow instructions carefully. GEFA retains the right to reject
any or all statements of qualifications or any, if applicable, subsequent submittals and/or proposals, and to waive
technicalities, irregularities, and informalities, and retains the right to cancel or conclude this procurement at any
time without selecting a firm to provide the described services, without any liability to any respondents, or any other
person or entity, and is under no obligation to make an award relating to this RFQC to any person or entity. The
final terms of any Agreement are subject, in all cases, to strict compliance with the applicable provisions of the
state of Georgia and federal laws.

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B. IMPORTANT - A RESTRICTION OF COMMUNICATION IS IN EFFECT FOR THIS PROJECT.
From the time of advertisement of this solicitation until a contract is executed (final award) with successful
respondent(s) and such final award(s) is/are announced, interested firms are not allowed or permitted to
communicate about this solicitation or scope with any staff or any official representatives of GEFA or stakeholder
agencies other than the Issuing Officer and except for submission of questions as instructed in the RFQC, or as
provided by any existing work agreement(s). Finalists and Apparent Awardee(s) are restricted from making public
statements or press releases about their selection as finalists or their apparent award. For violation of this
restriction, GEFA reserves the right to reject the submittal of the offending respondent.
II. Scope of Services
Note- GEFA considers the services which are envisioned and generally described herein to be necessary. The
actual, final scope of services, however, may differ, may be greater or lesser, and shall be fully determined through
negotiation and execution of a prospective Agreement with a successful firm. The successful consultant will work
with GEFA, Georgia EPD, and other appropriate stakeholders and resources to further determine the full and
appropriate scope of the CWNS.
The successful firm shall provide consulting services to perform, prepare and produce a Clean Water Needs Survey
(CWNS). The purpose of the CWNS is assessing capital investment needed for publicly owned wastewater
collection and treatment facilities to meet the water quality goals of the Clean Water Act (CWA), in adherence with
EPA and CWA requirements, and determining eligibility of projects for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund
(CWSRF) for Georgia. It is envisioned that the successful consultant will evaluate current data, documentation,
and projects to produce the CWNS to appropriately and accurately report needs in a manner that will maximize the
potential benefit to Georgia and assist in the state's collaborative Report to Congress with other states and
territories.
GEFA may potentially amend any prospective services Agreement for additional related services, as GEFA deems
necessary to the best interest of the initiative or any customer entities. Any award resulting from this RFQCC will
be subject to funding requirements.
III. Evaluation and Selection Process
A. OVERVIEW
GEFA has interest in the selection process (procurement) and GEFA will closely administer the procurement.
Generally pursuant to O.C.G.A. 50-22-1 et seq., GEFA, will solicit statements of qualifications for evaluation and
ranking for determination of one or more finalist firms, and possible selection of a successful firm. GEFA has
enlisted the following appropriate resources for assistance in carrying out this process:
1. Selection Facilitator
This individual shall be assigned by GEFA and will be responsible to GEFA for the interests of GEFA. This
individual shall be the issuing officer of the solicitation and shall facilitate this procurement process, including
posting of solicitations and notices, receipt of submittals and questions, coordination of review, evaluation,
ranking recommendation, facilitation of meetings and interviews, and other duties up to, and throughout, the
committee rankings of firms, and negotiation and prospective execution of a Consulting Services Agreement.
2. Selection Committee
This Committee shall be composed of qualified persons approved by GEFA and EPD to review and evaluate

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respondent firms' statements of qualifications and other submittals, and possibly interview qualified finalist
firm(s). The Selection Committee shall, through the procedures defined herein, perform the following: a) Ranking
of all submitting firms for determination of finalist(s); and, b) (If applicable), ranking of finalist firms for
determination of most qualified firm.
B. METHOD OF COMMUNICATION
Public procurement documents, including attachments, and associated addenda (if issued) will be publicly posted
on the Georgia Procurement Registry (GPR). Any communication of relevant, significant information regarding this
solicitation will also be made via the GPR. Known interested firms and those firms which are deemed likely to be
interested may be directly solicited immediately after public advertisement, however all firms are responsible for
checking the GPR on a regular basis for updates, clarifications, and announcements.
GEFA reserves the right to communicate via email with the respondents' primary contacts listed in the Statements
of Qualifications. The Issuing Officer/Selection Facilitator named herein shall be the SOLE point of contact for
participating firms for the duration of the procurement. Other specific communications will be made as
indicated in the remainder of this RFQC. In accordance with Section I-B above, GEFA reserves the right to reject
the submittal of any respondent violating this provision.
C. EVALUATION OF STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS
The Selection Committee will evaluate all submittals upon submittal validation by the Selection Facilitator, which
shall include verification of receipt-on-time and in good order (apparent responsiveness). Responsiveness
validation will also include verification of receipt of the following signed and notarized Exhibits: Exhibit I, Statement
of Qualification Certification form; and Exhibit II, Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Affidavit form.
Submittals from respondents with apparent significant conflicts of interests are subject to additional pre-review
prior to validation, other action, or disqualification. For validated submittals, each member/ evaluator will assign
points using the criteria identified in Section VI. Under facilitation and coordination from the
Selection Facilitator, the Selection Committee members will thoroughly review and evaluate Statements of
Qualifications submitted in response to this RFQC, using the criteria stated herein. For each evaluator, the points
assigned to each criterion will be totaled and an individual evaluator rank will be determined for each firm. The
rankings of all evaluators will be totaled to arrive at the sum of individual rankings for each submittal evaluated in
order to determine the most qualified firm(s). If applicable, the number of multiple finalists may be determined
through review of any large differences between firms' sums of individual rankings only upon agreement by the
majority of Selection Committee members.
D. FINALIST NOTIFICATION
The names of the firms selected as finalist(s) will be posted on the Georgia Procurement Registry and will receive
written notification (Finalist Notification) from the Selection Facilitator which will address the necessary elements
of the remainder of the selection process. Criteria for the remainder of the selection process will be communicated
in the Finalist Notification, along with other appropriate evaluation information. The Finalist Notification may also
address the following:
1. Issuance of Additional Program Information
The Finalist Notification may include any additional available program information, and finalist firms may be given
relevant available information which has previously been developed (such as program descriptions and regulatory
guidelines, etc.), and other available additional scope information. A specimen copy of the Consulting Services
Agreement may also be provided.

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2. Presentation / Interview (Only if Applicable)
In the Finalist Notification, an interview may be requested of finalist firms, if determined necessary by GEFA. Each
finalist firm shall be notified in writing and informed of the place, date and time for the presentation/interview session
and/or proposal due date. Detailed presentation/interview instructions and requirements of the finalists will be
provided in the Finalist Notification. All members of the Selection Committee will be present and participating during
the presentation/interview. Firms shall not address any questions, prior to the Presentation/Interview, to
anyone other than designated contact.
E. EVALUATION OF FINALISTS, APPARENT AWARD, AND FINAL AWARD
Under facilitation and coordination from the Selection Facilitator, the Selection Committee members will thoroughly
review and evaluate any submittals and interview sessions that were carried out in response to the Finalist
Notification, using the criteria stated therein. For each evaluator, the points assigned to each criterion will be totaled
and an individual evaluator rank will be determined for each firm. The rankings of all evaluators will be totaled for
each submittal evaluated to determine the firm's sum of the individual evaluator rankings, which shall be the basis
for final ranking unless the Committee elects to utilize a consensus ranking from Committee discussion. The
Selection Facilitator shall review all supporting data to determine final ranking(s) and most qualified firm, or
"Apparent Awardee".
Upon posting of Apparent Award and notification to the Apparent Awardee, the Selection Facilitator will request
the Apparent Awardee's fee proposal. If a satisfactory agreement cannot be reached timely with the highest-ranking
firm by the negotiation team, GEFA will formally terminate the negotiations in writing and, at its option may 1)
request a fee proposal from, and enter into negotiations with, the second highest-ranking firm (new Apparent
Awardee) upon formal notification, and so on in turn until a mutual agreement is established and GEFA awards a
contract; or 2) cancel the procurement. The final form of the contract shall be issued by GEFA.
IV. Schedule of Events
The following Schedule of Events table represents GEFA's best estimate of the schedule that will be followed. All
times indicated are prevailing times in Atlanta. GEFA reserves the right to adjust the schedule, with prior notice,
as it deems necessary.
a. Selection Facilitator issues public advertisement of RFQC- 7/6/26 ----------
b. Deadline for submission of written questions and requests for clarification- 7/13/26 2:00 PM
c. Selection Facilitator provides answers/clarifications/addenda- 7/15/26 ----------
d. Deadline for submission of Statements of Qualifications (SOQs)- 7/24/26 2:00 PM
e. SOQ evaluation completed and Selection Facilitator issues Finalist Notification,
Specimen Engineering Services Agreement, and additional program information to 7/30/26 ----------
Finalist(s)-
f. Final award/Agreement execution target date (Note- if multiple interviews are
8/18/26 ----------
determined necessary, this date may be later)-

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V. DELIVERABLES for Statements of Qualifications
IMPORTANT- Statements of Qualifications must include certain signed and notarized Exhibits, which are
provided herein, as follows: Exhibit I, Statement of Qualification Certification form; and Exhibit II, Georgia
Security and Immigration Compliance Act Affidavit form. The Statements of Qualifications must be submitted
in accordance with the instructions provided in Section VI-B, must be categorized and numbered as
outlined below, and must be responsive to all requested information below. References in submittals to
websites or referrals to other sources of information will not cause a review of the information, and such
information may not be evaluated.
A. STABILITY AND RESOURCES
1. Provide basic company information: company name, address, name of primary proposing contact,
telephone number, email address, and company website (if available). If the firm has multiple offices, the
qualification statement shall include information about the parent company and branch office separately.
Identify office from which project will be managed and this office's proximity to the Project site(s). Provide
form of ownership, including state of residency or incorporation, and number of years in business. Is the
respondent a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability Corporation, or other structure?
2. Briefly describe the history and growth of your firm(s). Provide general information about the firm's
personnel resources, including disciplines and numbers of employees and locations and staffing of
offices.
3. Has the firm or any affiliate been involved in any arbitration, litigation, mediation, dispute review board or
other dispute resolution proceeding occurring during the last 10 years involving an amount more than
$100,000? Also describe any pending regulatory inquiries that could impact your ability to provide
services if you are the selected Consultant. List any indictments that have been issued against the
project team members or principals of the firm.
4. Provide a Statement of Disclosure, which will allow GEFA to evaluate possible conflicts of interest.
Respondents must provide, in their own format, a statement of all potential legal or otherwise significant
conflicts of interest possibly created by the respondents or their proposed team being considered in the
selection process or by the respondent's involvement in the project.
5. Provide name of insurance carrier(s), types and levels of coverage, and deductible amounts per claim.
B. EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
1. Provide information pertaining to the principal personnel including but not limited to: Principal in Charge,
Project Manager and all other key personnel. Please include resumes and professional registration
information for personnel identified. Provide information on level of commitment for proposed senior
personnel and key members of team.
2. Provide experience of key resources on relevant projects of the firm including professional qualifications
and description of involvement/experience for proposed project staff. This should include the degree of
apparent relevant competencies of the principal professional(s) and lead staff relative to the project and
services required, and evidence of competence. Provide information regarding firm/staff experience
with varied CWNS methods, and other relevant water resource consulting experience.
3. Provide information on the firm's experience and ability in delivering effective CWNS services such as
generally described in the scope herein, and any related services for Clean Water or water related
projects similar in complexity, size, scope, and function to the scope herein. Describe no more than 5
and no less than 3 programs or projects, in order of most relevant to least relevant, that demonstrate the

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firm's capabilities to provide services for GEFA. For each program or project, the following information
should be provided:
a. Client entity name, project location and dates during which services were performed.
b. Clear description of overall project and services performed by your firm.
c. Duration of project services provided by your firm, and overall program.
d. Current client contact information including contact names, email addresses, and telephone
numbers.
C. SUITABILITY
Provide any information that may serve to differentiate your firm from other firms in suitability for the project
including but not limited to:
1. Furnish evidence of the firm's fit to the project and/or needs of GEFA, any special or unique
qualifications for the project, or unique approaches to providing a CWNS.
2. Supply current and projected workloads.
3. Provide a statement on the firm's quality control/quality assurance procedures.
4. Describe ability to gather resources in vicinity to stakeholders, and/or any knowledge of the project
areas which may uniquely benefit the firm and project.
5. Provide any non-discrimination and equal employment opportunities policies of the firm and evidence of
efforts or success in W/MBE-DBE inclusion.
6. Describe the firm's history and methodologies of addressing public safety, environmental, or other
related concerns in its field.
7. Describe other services or relevant scopes or techniques offered by the firm which might be especially
suitable for the project.
VI. Evaluation Criteria
A. Criteria for Evaluation of Statements of Qualifications
The Selection Committee will evaluate Statements of Qualifications using the following criteria:
15% Factor} Stability and resources of the submitting firm, including the firm's history, status, growth, overall
resources of the firm, form of ownership, litigation history, financial information, and other
evidence of stability.
45% Factor} Firm's relevant experience and qualifications, including the demonstrated ability of the firm in
effective program services in studies and surveys for projects comparable in complexity, size,
and function, for customers similar in scope to customers of GEFA, and other similarly structured
organizations. This includes relevant experience and qualifications of the principal professionals
and lead staff and level of experience during all phases of similar scopes.
40% Factor} Firm's apparent suitability to provide services for project, including the firm's apparent fit to the
project type and/or needs of GEFA, any special or unique qualifications for the project, current
and projected workloads (available resources), proximity of office(s) and/or lead staff to project
location and/or proven ability to gather resources in location of service, proposed quality
control/quality assurance procedures, special or enhanced capabilities, firm's non-discrimination
and equal employment opportunities policies in W/MBE-DBE inclusion, as well as the firm's record
and methodology of addressing public safety and environmental concerns.

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VII. Submittal Conditions
A. SUBMITTAL OF QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR CLARIFICATION
Questions about any aspect of the RFQC, or the project, shall be submitted prior to the appropriate deadlines
indicated in the Schedule of Events, and shall be submitted in writing to:
Richard Sawyer
rsawyer@gefa.ga.gov
The deadlines for submission of questions relating to the RFQC are the times and dates shown in the (Schedule
of Events- Section IV). From the issue date of this solicitation until a successful respondent is selected and the
selection is announced, the Restriction of Communication shall be in effect. For violation of this provision, GEFA
shall reserve the right to reject the submittal of the offending respondent. At any time prior to the submission date,
GEFA may issue an RFQC addendum to further clarify any part of this RFQC, amend this RFQC or issue
instructions or further information. Each such addendum will be posted and/or distributed to all respondents. In
addition, GEFA may adjust any timelines related to the project referenced herein or otherwise.
B. SUBMITTAL OF STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS
An electronic original of the qualifications shall be prepared. One complete copy must be provided via email as a
SINGLE .pdf file. Each submittal shall include a transmittal letter as a part of the file. Submittals must be able to
be printed on standard (812" x 11") paper. The pages of the qualification submittals must be numbered. Responses
are limited to 20 printable pages or less using a minimum of size 11 font. Each SOQ shall be prepared simply and
economically, providing straightforward, concise delineation of respondent's capabilities. Irrelevant displays and
promotional materials are not desired. Emphasis should be on completeness, relevance, and clarity of content.
NOTE: All pages shall be included in the page limit EXCEPT for the front cover, cover (transmittal letter), and
required Exhibits. Submittals must be emailed with reference to GEFA RFQC 928-WRD-27CWNS and the words
"STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS" clearly indicated on emailed message subject line. Submittals received
after the time and date set for receipt are subject to rejection. Emailed Submittals shall be sent to:
Richard Sawyer
Georgia Environmental Finance Authority
Email: rsawyer@gefa.ga.gov
Statements of Qualifications submitted via facsimile will not be accepted. All SOQ submittals and other submittals
are considered Sealed Proposals and upon receipt become the property of GEFA. Labeling information provided
in submittals "proprietary" or "confidential", or any other designation of restricted use will not be binding upon GEFA
or its representatives and will not protect the information from public view. Subject to the provisions of the Open
Records Act, the details of the proposal documents will remain confidential until final award. All expenses for
preparing and submitting responses are the sole cost of the party submitting the response. GEFA is not obligated
to any party to reimburse such expenses.

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C. RFQC CONDITIONS
1. Respondents understand and agree that GEFA is not required to select an ultimately lowest priced fee
proposal and has the right to reject any and all submittals or to cancel the RFQC process at any time without
any liability to GEFA or any other person, and the parties are under no obligation to make an award relating
to this RFQC to any person or entity. In addition, GEFA reserves the right to evaluate only those Proposals
determined to be fully responsive to the RFQC. All such decisions (including the selection of the Engineering
Consultant) are ultimately to be made in the sole discretion of GEFA, for any reason or for no reason
whatsoever, and GEFA is not obligated to assign any reason for the rejection, non-review or non- acceptance
of any SOQ. Under no circumstances shall this RFQC and component processes within be construed as a
contractual offer.
2. Respondents understand and agree that GEFA may, in its sole discretion, judge whether any apparent
conflicts of interest of respondents warrant rejection of the submittal(s) of the respondent, or other action;
and that GEFA may, in its sole discretion, request fee proposals from, and subsequently enter into an
agreement with, any entity selected in this process. Furthermore, respondents shall not hold GEFA, their
customers, and/or any of their respective employees, representatives, agents, attorneys, advisors or
consultants liable for any reason whatsoever related to this RFQC and respondents hereby waive all such
claims.
3. All information supplied in this RFQC is provided solely as a convenience to facilitate the selection process.
GEFA does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information supplied. In addition,
respondent shall not rely on any express or implied statements, warranties or representations made.
Respondent agrees that GEFA and their employees, representatives, agents, advisors or consultants cannot
be held liable for any such statements, warranties or representations or inaccuracies or incompleteness in
any information provided.
4. Small and Minority Business Enterprise- It is the policy of the state of Georgia that small businesses, female-owned
businesses and minority businesses have a fair and equal opportunity to participate in the state purchasing process.
Therefore, GEFA encourages all small businesses, female-owned businesses and minority-owned businesses to
compete for, win, and receive contracts for goods, services, and construction. The Georgia Department of Administrative
Services maintains an office to assist small businesses, female-owned businesses and minority businesses in
understanding the State procurement process. In addition to contacting GEFA, all businesses, female-owned businesses
and minority businesses can also contact the Georgia Department of Administrative Services for assistance.
5. Drug Free Workplace- GEFA, as policy, operates all facilities as a drug-free workplace, and requires that the labor
force of the consultant be drug-free. The consultant hereby acknowledges this requirement and asserts that the
organization of the consultant adheres to such policy and practice. The consultant acknowledges that it may be required
to produce certificates affirming its compliance of these requirements of drug-free workplace for duration of agreement
term, at execution, or at any time during the term of the agreement, pursuant to requirements of O.C.G.A. 50-24-3.
6. Vendor Protests- A vendor who is aggrieved regarding a solicitation may communicate the grievance by letter to the
selection facilitator of the solicitation with copy to the Executive Director of GEFA prior to the submittal deadline required
by the solicitation. Any actual respondent who is aggrieved regarding the award of a contract may communicate the
grievance by letter to the selection facilitator of the solicitation, with copy to the Executive Director of GEFA no later than
10 calendar days following the apparent award.

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EXHIBIT I
STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS CERTIFICATION FORM
I, , being duly sworn, state that I am (title) of (firm) and
hereby duly certify that I have read and understand the information presented in the attached statement of qualifications and any enclosure
and exhibits thereto.
I further certify that to the best of my knowledge the information given in response to the Request for Qualified Contractor is full,
complete and truthful.
I further certify that the submitting firm and any principal employee of the submitting firm has not, in the immediately preceding five (5) years,
been convicted of any crime of moral turpitude or any felony offense, nor has had their professional license suspended, revoked or been
subjected to disciplinary proceedings.
I further certify that the submitting firm has not, in the immediately preceding five (5) years, been suspended or debarred from contracting
with any federal, state or local government agency, and further, that the submitting firm is not now under consideration for suspension or
debarment from any such agency.
I further certify that the submitting firm has not in the immediately preceding five (5) years been defaulted in any federal, state or local
government agency contract and further, that the submitting firm is not now under any notice of intent to default on any such contract.
I acknowledge, agree and authorize, and certify that the proposer acknowledges, agrees and authorizes, that the Georgia Environmental
Finance Authority ("Authority") may, by means that either deems appropriate, determine the accuracy and truth of the information provided
by the proposer and that the Authority may contact any individual or entity named in the Statement of Qualifications for the purpose of
verifying the information supplied therein.
I acknowledge and agree that all of the information contained in the Statement of Qualifications is submitted for the express purpose of
inducing the Authority to award a contract.
I certify we have not employed or retained any company or person, other than a bona fide employee working solely for it, to solicit or secure
this contract and that we have not paid or agreed to pay any person, company, corporation, individual, or firm, other than a bona fide
employee working solely for us, any fee, commission, percentage, gift, or other consideration contingent upon or resulting from the award or
the making of this contract.
I certify that any proposal we submit for this project shall be made without prior understanding, agreement, or connection with any
corporation, firm, or person submitting or who will be submitting a separate proposal on the same project or for the same services, materials,
labor, supplies, or equipment and is in all respects fair and without collusion or fraud. We understand collusive bidding is a violation of state
and federal law and can result in fines, prison sentences, and civil damage awards. We agree to abide by all conditions of this solicitation.
We certify that no person associated with our firm is a member of the Board of Governor's or officer or employee of the Authority or holds
any statewide elective or appointed office. We further certify that no person who holds any state-wide elective or appointed office or who is a
member of the Board of Governors or officer or employee of the Authority has been paid or promised by the firm any compensation in
connection with this procurement by the Authority.
A material false statement or omission made in conjunction with this proposal is sufficient cause for suspension or debarment from further
contracts, or denial of rescission of any contract entered into based upon this proposal thereby precluding the firm from doing business with,
or performing work for, the State of Georgia. In addition, such false statement or omission may subject the person and entity making the
proposal to criminal prosecution under the laws of the State of Georgia of the United States, including but not limited to O.C.G.A. 16-10-20,
18 U.S.C. 1001 or 1341.
Sworn and subscribed before me
This day of , 20 .
Signature
NOTARY PUBLIC
My Commission Expires: [NOTARY SEAL]