GSOU J-460-DP School of Optometry

Board of Regents of the University
System of Georgia
Request for Qualifications
(Step I)
and
Request for Fee Proposal & Interviews
(Step II)
___________________
To Provide
Design Professional Services
for
Project No. J-460
"School of Optometry"
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, Georgia
Solicitation Issue Date: May 12, 2026
Qualifications Packages Due: June 2, 2026
Georgia Southern University, J-460, School of Optometry, DP RFQ

TABLE OF CONTENTS
STEP I - REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
1. GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION
2. DESIGN PROFESSIONAL SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
3. SCOPE OF SERVICES
4. QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW PROCESS
5. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (STEP I)
6. SUBMITTAL OF QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR CLARIFICATIONS
7. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS
8. SUBMITTAL OF STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS
9. FINALIST NOTIFICATION
STEP II - REQUEST FOR FEE PROPOSALS (from Qualified Finalists) & INTERVIEWS
1. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (STEP II)
2. PRE-PROPOSAL SITE VISIT
3. SELECTION PROCESS
4. SUBMITTAL OF FEE PROPOSALS
5. PRESENTATION / INTERVIEW INFORMATION
6. ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
EXHIBITS
a. Exhibit A - Certification Form
b. Exhibit B - Certificate of Insurance and Minority Status
c. Exhibit C - Project Team Composition
d. Exhibit D - Design Professional Fee Proposal Form
e. Exhibit E - Contractor Affidavit
f. Exhibit F - Proposer's Disclosure Statement
g. Exhibit G - 179D Energy Tax Deduction
Georgia Southern University, J-460, School of Optometry, DP RFQ 1

STEP I
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
IMPORTANT: Read the document carefully, the selection requirements have changed!
Design Professional Services
Project No. J-460
"School of Optometry"
Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia ("BOR"), as ("Owner"), on behalf of Georgia
Southern University (GSOU) ("User"), is soliciting statements of qualifications from firms interested in
providing design services for the construction of a project known as Project No. J-460, "School of
Optometry" at Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia. This Request for Qualifications
(RFQ) seeks to identify potential providers of the above-mentioned services. Some firms that respond
to this RFQ, who are determined by the Owner to be especially qualified, may be deemed eligible and
may be invited to interview for these services. All respondents to this RFQ are subject to instructions
communicated in this document and are cautioned to completely review the entire RFQ and follow
instructions carefully. BOR reserves the right to reject any or all statements of qualifications or
proposals, and to waive technicalities and informalities at their discretion.
.
1. GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION
Project Background
The State of Georgia and the southeastern region recognize the need to train and retain more
Doctor of Optometry to provide modern, actively engaged, and cost-effective healthcare to our
communities. The early intervention of vision and ocular-related health issues is critical to overall
quality of life, workforce readiness, and can be related to broader serious health-related diseases.
The current demand for Optometrists across the region and demographics is rapidly outpacing the
production of new professionals due to greater emphasis on eyecare, increased population, aging
population, as well as an aging/retirement trend of Optometry professionals.
Building on its long-established healthcare-related programs, Georgia Southern University is in an
excellent position to develop the first new College of Optometry in the Southeastern region in many
years. The College of Optometry will be a stand-alone college with a primary location on the
Statesboro campus as well as clinics and training sites in both rural and urban centers. The Doctor
of Optometry will be a 4-year program with an initial entering cohort of 30 first-year students to grow
to an entering cohort of 50, after full accreditation is achieved. There will be 25 full-time faculty and
staff to support the program.
Georgia Southern University, J-460, School of Optometry, DP RFQ 2

Project Description
The proposed Optometry Building at Georgia Southern University will be located on the Statesboro
campus, just off Highway 301, at the site of the existing Continuing and Professional Education
Center. This location offers convenient and direct access for patients and visitors from the
Statesboro community and the surrounding southeast region.
The project will consist of a comprehensive renovation of the existing 34,000 square-foot facility to
support the academic, research, and clinical needs of the program. Renovated spaces will include:
lecture halls, teaching laboratories, clinical laboratories, clinical rooms, offices, and conference and
collaboration areas.
In addition, a new 10,000 square foot expansion will be constructed to house a dedicated clinical
practice facility. This addition will provide space for patient care, student training, and community
outreach, supporting the program's mission to deliver high-quality, hands-on clinical education
while expanding access to vision care services in the region.
Sustainable Approach
The project will incorporate the requirements of the Energy Efficiency & Sustainable Construction
Act of 2008 (O.C.G.A. 50-8-18), and it is the desire of the Owner to incorporate sustainable design
and construction concepts in the project where feasible to do so. Further, a Georgia Peach
certification is required with commissioning.
Project Delivery Method
The delivery method for this Project will be Construction Manager (CM)-at-Risk, and, as a minimum,
will employ the services of a Program Manager and a Commissioning Agent in addition to the
services of the Design Professional.
Project Budget
The total project budget is estimated at $29,800,000. The preliminary Stated Cost Limitation (SCL)
or construction cost of the Project is estimated at $21,000,000. The final SCL may be revised by
the Owner due to final programmatic requirements, funding availability, or other circumstances.
Design Professional Fee
The Design Professional Base Fee will be approximately $1,400,000, which includes Basic Design
and Construction Administration services. Anticipated Design Professional service requirements
include the services as listed in Item 3 below, "Scope of Services". The shortlisted Design
Professional firms are required to submit a fee proposal that also includes anticipated fees for any
specialty consultants needed and all reimbursable expenses, such as printing and travel, prior to
scheduled Finalist Interviews.
Project Schedule
The Design Professional's services are anticipated to commence by the Fall of 2026, with
construction documents anticipated for completion in the Fall of 2027. The start of construction is
contingent on the availability of funding. (All of the dates above are estimates, which are subject
to change. The fee structure for design professional services relative to the schedule, and fee
amounts will be agreed upon by the Owner and the Design Professional prior to the start of design
professional services.)
Georgia Southern University, J-460, School of Optometry, DP RFQ 3

2. DESIGN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES REQUIREMENTS
The Owner is seeking the services of an architectural/engineering firm (the "Design Professional")
to provide all design services, including the development of plans and specifications. The Design
Professional will provide the complete schematic, design development, and construction
documents. The successful Design Professional will contract with the Owner in a timely manner.
The applying firm shall be an individual firm fulfilling all contractual obligations and performing a
minimum of 50% of the architectural design services (exclusive of engineering and specialty
consultants) in-house. An associated firm (if desired) may provide up to 50% of the architectural
design services, allowing two or more architectural firms to share in the design effort on an equal
basis. The Owner may also employ a Commissioning Agent to perform design analysis of the
various building systems. The Design Professional is expected to work closely with the
Commissioning Agent as well.
3. SCOPE OF SERVICES
It has been deemed appropriate to engage a professional services firm to provide comprehensive
planning and design services for the proposed project.
Specific guidelines for the project include building designs that are:
* attractive and contextual with the existing campus buildings, and meet the design guidelines
established in the campus master plan.
* energy-efficient and sustainable
* efficient and economical to construct and operate
* durable, comfortable, secure, and that achieve a high degree of value for the Institution
* "smart" buildings with the flexibility to respond to rapidly evolving technology in the academic
environment.
The scope of the design professional services at a minimum include, but is not necessarily limited
to, the items outlined below:
* Program Validation/Cost Model
* Existing Site Conditions Analyses
* Measured Drawings of Existing Site Conditions as Needed
* Conceptual Design
* Schematic Design
* Design Development Documents
* Multiple Component Packages (if using CM at-Risk delivery method)
* Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Documents
* Construction Documents
* Construction Administration
* Interior Design
* Furniture, Fixture, and Equipment Layout
* Material Finish Boards
* Signage
* Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection, and Communication Systems Design
* Structural Design
* Detailed Third-Party Cost Estimates at Design Milestones
* Code Review and Compliance
* Commissioning Support
Other services may include:
Georgia Southern University, J-460, School of Optometry, DP RFQ 4

* Full Architectural Programming
* Civil Engineering
* Parking/Traffic Design
* Landscape and Irrigation Design
* Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment Selection
* Laboratory Design
* Acoustical Design
* Audio/Visual/IT Design
* Wayfinding/Graphics
* Storm Water Management Permitting
* Budgeting/Cost Management
* Regular coordination with the Construction Professional during preconstruction, design, and
construction phases
* Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC)
* Coordination with consultants hired by Owner
* Other requirements as per the Design Professional's contract
* *Surveying - topo, location of structures/site utilities/trees, construction limits
* *Testing Agency - geotechnical evaluation, material testing, special inspections
* *Environmental - Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, GEPA
*The Design Professional will be responsible for procuring and contracting for the services of this
firm (costs will be reimbursed by the Owner without cost markup).
4. QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW PROCESS
Selection of the DP will be a multi-step process generally following the steps outlined in the State
Construction Manual.
Qualifications Review is initiated with this RFQ for the purpose of acquiring Statements of
Qualifications from prospective DP firms. A selection of finalist firms will be made by a Selection
Committee consisting of representatives of the BOR, GSOU, and GSFIC. The Selection Committee
will receive, and review Statements of Qualifications submitted in response to this RFQ and then
evaluate the submittals based on the criteria for evaluation listed below:
Criteria for Evaluation of Statements of Qualifications
25% Factor: Stability of the firm, including the firm's corporate history, growth, resources, form
of ownership, litigation history, financial information, and other evidence of stability.
45% Factor: Firm's relevant project experience and qualifications, including the demonstrated
ability of firm in effective design of facilities comparable in complexity, size, and
function, to the one contemplated hereby, as well as Experience of the principal,
lead designer, and project manager and team members on completed projects.
Previous Performance of the firm, including the level of quality of the services of the
firm to previous customers, customer's statements of that quality, the firm's ability
to meet established time requirements, the firm's response to project needs during
design and construction, the firm's control of design schedule, quality, and budget.
Evaluators may also consider personal or agency past experience with firms.
30% Factor: Firm's apparent suitability to provide services for the project, the firm's apparent fit
to the project type and/or needs of the Owner, contract administration plan,
proposed design timeline, any unique qualifications for the project, current and
projected workloads, and the proximity of the office to the project location.
Experience and proficiency with the design of public buildings with regard to the
Georgia Southern University, J-460, School of Optometry, DP RFQ 5

areas of public safety and health, accessibility for persons with disabilities and
special needs, and environmental concerns will be considered.
5. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS - (STEP I)
The following Schedule of Events represents the Owner's best estimate of the schedule that will
be followed. All times indicated are prevailing times in Atlanta, Georgia. The Owner reserves the
right to adjust the schedule as the Owner deems necessary.
RFQ Estimated Timeline
a. Owner issues public advertisement of RFQ 05/12/26 -----
b. Deadline for written questions/requests for clarification (see Section 6). 05/26/26 2:00 pm
c. Deadline for submission of Statements of Qualifications 06/02/26 2:00 pm
06/09/26
d. Owner completes evaluation, posts results, and issues notification to finalist
- -----
firms
06/10/26
6. SUBMITTAL OF QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR CLARIFICATIONS
It is the responsibility of each respondent to examine the entire RFQ, seek clarification in writing,
and review its submittal for accuracy before submitting the document. Once the submittal deadline
has passed, all submissions will be final. The Owner will not request clarification from individual
proposer regarding their submission but reserves the right to ask for additional information from all
parties who have submitted qualifications. Questions about any aspect of the RFQ, or the project,
shall be submitted in writing (email is preferable) to:
Mr. Matthew Shingler
Associate Vice President Facilities
Georgia Southern University
3769 Old Register Road
Statesboro, GA 30460
email: mshingler@georgiasouthern.edu
The deadline for submission of questions relating to the RFQ is the time and date shown in
the Schedule of Events (Section 5). All relevant questions and requests for clarification received
by the Institution in writing, prior to the deadline, will be compiled, and answers will be posted on
the Georgia Procurement Registry as an addendum to the original solicitation for services at
http://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/PRSapp/.
7. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS
Interested firms shall submit/upload one (1) electronic copy in .pdf format of the complete
Qualifications package to a BOR ftp site. Submittals must be prepared in a manner that fits a
standard 8 12" x 11" paper format when printed. Responses are limited to using a minimum of an
11-point font. The entire response shall not exceed 50 pages, including exhibits, affidavits
or other enclosure information that may be included in an appendix. All pages count
Georgia Southern University, J-460, School of Optometry, DP RFQ 6

regardless of content. Submittals that include qualifications of more than one firm shall not exceed
page limits. Submittals that exceed the page limit will be deemed non-responsive and will not be
considered by the Selection Committee.
STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS
(DELIVERABLES "A", "B", "C" AND "D" FOR ALL FIRMS)
Emphasis should be on completeness, relevance, and clarity to content. The content of all
Statement of Qualifications must be categorized and numbered as outlined below, and responsive
to all requested information.
A. Description and Resources of the Firm
A1 Provide basic company information: Company's legal name, address, name of primary
contact, telephone number, fax 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 the branch office separately. Identify the office from which the project
will be managed and this office's proximity to the project site. If applicable, indicate the year
the local office was established and the number of persons staffing that office and their
disciplines. Provide form of ownership, including state of residency or incorporation, and
number of years in business. Is the offeror a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation,
Limited Liability Corporation (LLC), or other structure?
A2 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.
A3 Has the firm been involved in any litigation in the past five (5) years? Describe your experience
with litigation with Owners and/or Contractors. List any active or pending litigation and
explain. List any claims against your firm or against Owners where your firm is named.
A4 Provide the name of the insurance carrier, types of coverage, and deductible amounts per
claim.
A5 List the firm's annual revenue for the past 5 years. List the parent office and the local office
revenues separately, if applicable.
A6 Supply financial references and main banking references.
A7 Has the firm ever been removed from a design services contract or failed to complete a
contract as assigned? If yes, provide an explanation.
A8 Complete and submit the Certification Form (Exhibit "A" provided with RFQ) and provide a
scanned notarized copy with response with the firm's Statement of Qualifications.
A9 Complete and submit a Certificate of Insurance and Minority Status Form (Exhibit "B" provided
with RFQ) and provide a scanned notarized copy with the response with the firm's Statement
of Qualifications.
A10 Complete and submit the Project Team Composition Form, including subconsultants (Exhibit
"C" provided with RFQ). This is to identify the composition of the project team.
A11 Complete the Contractor Affidavit Form (Exhibit "E" provided with RFQ) and provide a
scanned notarized copy with response with the firm's Statement of Qualifications in compliance
with the Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act.
GEORGIA SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION COMPLIANCE ACT AFFIDAVIT(S)
"Contractor" in the following Affidavits shall mean "General Contractor"/ "Contractor" for
the purpose of compliance with O.C.G.A. 13-10-91, (b).
For the purpose of completing the attached Affidavits, please insert the following:
* "Name of Public Employer" shall mean "Board of Regents of the University System of
Georgia, Owner, for the use and benefit of Georgia Southern University.
* "Name of Project" shall mean "Project No. J-460 and School of Optometry"
Georgia Southern University, J-460, School of Optometry, DP RFQ 7

A12 Complete the Proposer's Disclosure Statement (Exhibit "F" provided with RFQ) and include
with firm's Statement of Qualifications.
B. Experience and Qualifications
B1 Describe your proposed design team (including design partners) and include an
organizational chart of the team, indicating the percentages of time the individual will be
committed to the project. Identify the primary point of contact. Designate the specific
individuals who will fill key roles on the team. Provide a resume for each of the proposed
team members, highlighting relevant project experience.
B2 Provide information on the firm's experience on projects of a similar type, size, function, and
complexity. Describe no more than five (5) and no less than three (3) projects, in order of
most relevant to least relevant, which demonstrate the firm's capabilities to perform the
project at hand. (If a project listed was performed by an employee who previously worked at
another firm, please indicate as such). For each project, the following information should be
provided:
a. Project name, location, and dates during which services were performed.
b. Project delivery method (e.g., construction manager at risk, design-build, or design-bid-
build).
c. Brief description and representative photo of project and physical description (square
footage, number of stories, site area).
d. Describe services performed by your firm and (if multiple offices) the location of the office
involved.
e. Respective Owner's stated satisfaction in the design and service of your firm. Provide any
Owner-written letters of reference/recommendation about the firm's performance on the
project.
f. Owner's/User/Contractor contact information.
C. Design Approach
C1 Provide a statement of your definition of your firm's proposed overall role in this project,
your anticipated level of management responsibility, and accountability for project concerns.
Describe your process for efficiently resolving issues and maintaining the project
commitments while working collaboratively with the BOR, Using Agency, and others as
applicable. Provide detailed procedures for the routine solving of complex project issues
without compromising your team commitments. Provide your proposed methods and plans
of communication.
C2 Provide your proposed timeline covering the scope of design and a detailed work plan for
the project. Each milestone must include the detailed steps describing the tasks to be done.
Describe the systems and procedures your firm uses to manage the design schedule.
Describe alternatives that may be explored to shorten the schedule.
C3 Describe your plan for applying sustainable design and principles into the project or any
services not specifically mentioned herein. Explain the relevance of these services to this
project and how they benefit the project.
C4 Please explain your process for construction administration.
D. Statement of Suitability
D1 Provide any information that may serve to differentiate the firm from other firms in suitability
for the project. Suitability may include, but not limited to, the size and resource of the firm as
related to complexity of the Project. Describe any special or unique qualifications for the
project; Provide current and projected workloads and the proximity of the office to the project
location.
D2 Describe evidence of experience and proficiency with the design of public buildings with
regard to the areas of public safety, environmental, accessibility for persons with disabilities
and special needs, or other related concerns.
D3 Provide information on any special services offered by the firm that may be relevant and
available for this project.
Georgia Southern University, J-460, School of Optometry, DP RFQ 8

8. SUBMITTAL OF STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS
The Qualifications submittal shall be uploaded as one (1) complete package in .pdf format to the
BOR Egnyte platform. Please do not submit individual documents or sections separately. The file
shall be titled in the format below.
EXAMPLE: (BOR Project No. J-460-DP, ABC Company, Qualifications)
See the document titled "Upload Instructions" on the Georgia Procurement Registry site, along with
this RFQ, for detailed instructions regarding the upload of your submittal.
Statements of Qualifications must be received electronically by the Owner prior to the deadline
indicated in the Schedule of Events (Section 5 of the RFQ). Printed copies will not be accepted.
If difficulty is encountered during upload, contact Josette Decatur-Hampton at (404) 962-3172 or
josette.decatur-hampton@usg.edu for assistance or confirmation that the file was received. Firms
are encouraged to verify their upload was successful at least 45 minutes prior to the deadline.
(Experience with the ftp site indicates that uploads do not always receive the confirmation
statement that the file was successfully uploaded. For files ranging in size over 10mb, it could take
more than two minutes to complete the upload.)
A list of firms submitting responsive Statements of Qualifications will be published on the Georgia
Procurement Registry site, as well as the Board of Regents' Office of Real Estate and Facilities'
website at http://www.usg.edu/facilities/external_partners/consultant_selections.
It is the sole responsibility of the Proposer to assure delivery by the specified deadlines; the Owner
cannot accept responsibility for incorrect delivery, regardless of reason. No submittals will be
accepted after the time stipulated above. Submittals will not be accepted via mail, courier, or fax.
Proposers are further reminded to include a completed CONTRACTOR AFFIDAVIT UNDER
O.C.G.A. 13-10-91 (b)(1) with the Statement of Qualifications (See Exhibit "E"). FAILURE TO
PROVIDE THIS AFFIDAVIT WILL RESULT IN REJECTION OF PROPOSAL.
All expenses for preparing and submitting responses are the sole cost of the party submitting the
response. The Owner is not obligated to any party to reimburse such expenses. All submittals
upon receipt become the property of the Owner. Labeling information provided in submittals
"proprietary" or "confidential," or any other designation of restricted use, 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.
9. FINALIST NOTIFICATION
Once the Selection Committee has completed the evaluation of the Statements of Qualifications,
the finalist firms will be notified in writing. The shortlisted firms will also appear on the Board of
Regents' Office of Real Estate and Facilities website at
https://www.usg.edu/facilities/external_partners/design_professional_selections and posted at the
DP RFQ solicitation on Georgia Procurement Registry.
Georgia Southern University, J-460, School of Optometry, DP RFQ 9