North Gwinnett Freight Cluster Planning Study

July 21, 2026
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
RP021-26
The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners is soliciting competitive sealed proposals from qualified
consultants for the North Gwinnett Freight Cluster Planning Study for the Department of Planning and
Development.
Proposals must be returned in a sealed container marked on the outside with the Request for Proposal
number and Company Name. Proposals will be received until 2:50 P.M. local time on August 14, 2026, at the
Gwinnett County Financial Services - Purchasing Division - 2nd Floor, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville,
Georgia 30046. Any proposal received after this date and time will not be accepted. Proposals will be publicly
opened and only names of submitting consultants will be read at 3:00 P.M.
The proposal opening will be virtual ONLY. To access the proposal opening virtually, visit the following link.
A list of consultants submitting proposals will be available the following business day on our website
www.GwinnettCounty.com.
A virtual pre-proposal conference is scheduled for 10:00 A.M. EST on July 30, 2026. The pre-proposal
conference can be attended using the following link. All consultants are urged to attend. Questions regarding
proposals should be directed to Casey Beauston, Purchasing Associate III, at
Casey.Beauston@GwinnettCounty.com or by calling 770-822-7995, no later than 3:00 P.M. EST on July 31,
2026. Proposals are legal and binding upon the consultant when submitted. One (1) unbound original, four
(4) unbound copies, and an electronic version on a flash drive should be submitted.
Successful consultant will be required to meet insurance requirements. The Insurance Company should be
authorized to do business in Georgia by the Georgia Insurance Department and must have an A.M. Best
rating of A-10 or higher.
Gwinnett County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to its programs
or activities. Any requests for reasonable accommodations required by individuals to fully participate in any
open meeting, program or activity of Gwinnett County Government should be directed to the ADA Coordinator
at the Gwinnett County Justice and Administration Center, 770-822-8165.
The written proposal documents supersede any verbal or written prior communications between the parties.
Selection criteria are outlined in the Request for Proposal documents. Gwinnett County reserves the right to
reject any or all proposals, to waive technicalities, and to make an award deemed in its best interest.
Award notification will be posted after award on the County website, www.gwinnettcounty.com, and
consultants submitting a proposal will be notified via email.
We look forward to your proposal and appreciate your interest in Gwinnett County.
Contract Provisions (Grant Forms), Pages 15-57
Consultant Information, Page 58
Casey Beauston, CPPB Code of Ethics, Page 77
Purchasing Associate III Contractor Affidavit & Agreement, Page 78
Cost Proposal (submitted in a separate sealed
The following pages should be returned envelope), Page 79
with your proposal: References, Page 80

RP021-26 Page 2
I. INTRODUCTION
Gwinnett County is requesting proposals from qualified consultants to conduct the North
Gwinnett Freight Cluster Study.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate freight movement within the North Gwinnett Freight
Cluster and identify transportation improvements, operational strategies, and policy
recommendations that improve freight mobility, safety, and economic competitiveness.
The study is funded through the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) Freight Cluster Plan
Program, which provides federal transportation planning funds administered through the
Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). The project will be funded approximately 80
percent with federal funds and 20 percent with local funds provided by Gwinnett County.
The resulting plan will identify implementation-ready projects and policy strategies that can
support future funding opportunities including local capital programs, SPLOST funding,
GDOT programs, and federal discretionary grants.
A key objective of the study is to better understand local freight movements serving
businesses within the cluster versus regional through-freight traveling across Gwinnett
County.
II. BACKGROUND
Gwinnett County is a major logistics and employment center within the Atlanta
metropolitan region and plays a critical role in regional goods movement. The North
Gwinnett Freight Cluster, located generally south of Lake Lanier and including portions of
Buford, Suwanee, and Lawrenceville as well as unincorporated Gwinnett County, contains a
significant concentration of warehouse, distribution, and light manufacturing activity
supported by a network of County-maintained arterial and collector roadways.
According to the 2024 Atlanta Regional Freight Mobility Plan, the North Gwinnett Freight
Cluster contains more than 73 million square feet of industrial and logistics space across
approximately 39,500 acres, representing roughly 12.6 percent of the region's industrial
building area. The cluster includes major employers and facilities such as Mitsubishi
Electric, Publix distribution, Target, Rooms to Go, and the USPS North Metro facility, and
supports approximately 117,000 jobs and more than 110,000 residents. With an average of
more than 16 loading docks per building and strong regional highway connectivity, the area
functions as one of the most significant freight hubs in the region. Key supporting corridors

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include SR 20, SR 120, SR 316, and a network of County-maintained roadways that provide
access to I-85 and I-985.
This study will complement the Atlanta Regional Freight Mobility Plan and support future
updates to the Regional Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Program.
Funding
Any contract award for this study is contingent upon ARC and Gwinnett County receiving
adequate funding for this purpose from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).
Total project budget: $250,000
ARC federal funds: $200,000
Local match: $50,000
Project Deadline
All work must be completed by December 31, 2027.
Study Area and Scope Limitations
The study area includes County-owned and maintained roadways within the North Gwinnett
Freight Cluster. While interstate and state routes influence freight movement, this study
shall focus primarily on Gwinnett County-maintained facilities. State and interstate routes
may be referenced for context where necessary to understand freight patterns and
connectivity.
The geographic study area is extensive, and available funding does not support detailed
analysis across all corridors. Accordingly, the consultant will assist the County in
identifying and refining priority focus corridors and locations for more detailed analysis
following an initial systemwide screening. The intent is to concentrate effort where
targeted improvements can have the greatest impact and be realistically advanced by the
County.
Jurisdictional Context
Portions of the study area include municipalities with independent land use authority.
Gwinnett County does not control zoning or land use decisions within incorporated cities.
This study is not intended to produce land use or zoning recommendations. Any

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development-related recommendations shall be limited to transportation-related standards
and improvements that Gwinnett County can implement through its roadway authority and
Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), including access management, driveway spacing
and design, truck circulation and connectivity, internal site access, and freight-supportive
roadway design.
The consultant may identify coordination opportunities with municipalities, but
recommendations must focus on measures that the Gwinnett County Department of
Transportation can implement.
Transportation System Focus
The primary focus of the study shall be the Gwinnett County roadway system, particularly
facilities owned and operated by Gwinnett County.
However, Gwinnett County operates and manages the traffic signal system throughout the
County. Therefore, the study may include operational analysis of signalized intersections on
state routes and municipal roadways where freight mobility or traffic operations issues
exist.
Coordination with GDOT and municipal jurisdictions will be required where
recommendations affect non-county facilities.
III. SCOPE OF SERVICES
A. Project Objectives - The objectives of the North Gwinnett Freight Cluster Study are
to:
1. Evaluate existing and future freight movement within the North Gwinnett Freight
Cluster.
2. Identify strategies to improve freight mobility and travel time reliability within the
study area.
3. Identify congestion and operational issues that affect freight movement and
develop potential solutions.
4. Improve access between major freight corridors and key industrial and logistics
activity centers.
5. Enhance safety for all roadway users, including freight vehicles, passenger
vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

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6. Assess connectivity between major freight corridors and identify opportunities to
improve network connectivity.
7. Support economic development by improving access to jobs, industrial areas, and
logistics facilities.
8. Develop transportation projects and strategies that can be implemented using
existing local funding sources or positioned for future state and federal funding
opportunities.
The study will also support the regional vision identified in The Atlanta Region's Plan,
including:
* World-Class Infrastructure
* A Competitive Economy
* Healthy, Livable Communities
B. Tasks and Responsibilities
The consultant shall perform the tasks described below. These tasks reflect the
minimum requirements established by the Atlanta Regional Commission Freight
Cluster Plan Program and the applicable Subgrant Agreement. Proposers may
recommend enhanced methods or optional approaches; however, the core task
structure and required deliverables shall remain consistent with the grant-funded
scope.
TASK 1 - PROJECT MANAGEMENT
The consultant shall provide overall project management and coordination for the study.
Work shall include coordination with Gwinnett County, ARC, GDOT, jurisdictions within the
study area, and adjacent jurisdictions as appropriate.
The consultant shall establish a Project Management Team and prepare a Project
Management Plan identifying agencies and organizations critical to the successful
development of the study. The plan shall establish communication protocols, document
review procedures, milestone schedules, and decision points.
The consultant shall also prepare a Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach Plan identifying
key stakeholders, outreach methods, and opportunities for public and private sector
participation throughout the planning process.

RP021-26 Page 6
Deliverables
* Project Management Plan (Draft and Final)
* Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach Plan (Draft and Final)
* Monthly progress reports
* Meeting summaries
TASK 2 - ENGAGEMENT
The consultant shall conduct a stakeholder and public engagement process involving
freight industry representatives, local businesses, community members, government
agencies, and other interested parties.
Engagement techniques may include stakeholder interviews, surveys, mapping tools,
advisory groups, workshops, open houses, and targeted outreach to truck drivers, industrial
employers, and underrepresented communities.
The consultant shall include presentations and opportunities for input at three ARC Freight
Advisory Task Force meetings.
A project website shall be maintained to provide public access to project information,
schedule updates, draft deliverables, and engagement opportunities.
Deliverables
* Vision, Goals, and Objectives for the Freight Cluster Plan
* Documentation of engagement activities
* Project website content and updates
TASK 3 - BEST PRACTICES REVIEW
Early in the planning process, the consultant shall conduct a high-level review of best
practices relevant to freight planning and goods movement.
Topics may include:
* Local freight planning methods
* Traffic operations strategies
* Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

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* Emerging technologies
* Land use compatibility between industrial and residential areas
* Supply chain and logistics trends
* Public-private partnership opportunities
Deliverables
* Best Practices Report (Draft and Final)
TASK 4 - INVENTORY, ASSESSMENT, AND TRAFFIC STUDY
Task 4.1 Inventory and Assessment
The consultant shall prepare a detailed inventory of existing conditions and assess current
and future transportation needs within the study area.
The inventory shall include, at minimum:
* Transportation system state of good repair / maintenance
* Roadways
* Multimodal crash history
* Transit infrastructure and operations
* Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure
* Transportation Demand Management programs
* ITS / connected vehicle infrastructure
* Vulnerable transportation assets
* System performance monitoring programs
* Designated truck routes
* Truck restrictions
* Freight origin-destination patterns
* Bridges, weight restrictions, and low-clearance locations
* Authorized and unauthorized truck parking
* Rail crossings and freight rail facilities
* Relevant truck-related signage
* Alternative fuel facilities
* Major truck trip generators
* Industrial growth areas
* Existing land use conflicts affecting freight movement

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The consultant shall also review previously completed plans, ongoing projects, and relevant
funding trends. In addition to data on transportation facilities and policies, this task shall
include an assessment of how Gwinnett County and jurisdictions within the county
boundaries currently fund transportation. This assessment shall also incorporate
transportation funding trends at the state and federal levels.
Task 4.2 Traffic Study
The consultant shall conduct traffic analysis of key corridors and intersections identified in
coordination with Gwinnett County.
The traffic study shall include existing conditions analysis and future year analysis using
projected traffic volumes approximately ten (10) years into the future, as appropriate.
Analysis shall follow current Highway Capacity Manual methodology and shall include:
* Conducting AM and PM peak hour turning movement counts
* Vehicle classification counts
* Level of Service
* Delay and queue analysis
* Freight operational constraints
* Signal and intersection operations review
Recommendations shall be developed based on findings from the analysis.
An operational and geometric design field review shall be conducted of key intersections
and corridors as part of the traffic study. This review shall evaluate overall traffic
conditions in the study area as well as specific design and operational issues affecting
freight movement. At a minimum, the field review shall include:
* Identification of discrepancies between traffic analysis results and observed field
conditions
* Queue lengths for turning movements that impact intersection operations
* Signal timing, phasing, and coordination along key corridors
* Intersection turning radii, median, and shoulder design considerations
* Unsignalized intersection and driveway turning conflicts
* Horizontal and vertical sight distance conditions
* Adequacy of signage and lighting

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* Other location-specific issues identified during the planning process
The results of the field review shall be documented with a focus on how observed
conditions may impact traffic operations and multimodal safety. Documentation shall
include both locations included in the traffic analysis and other areas, such as unsignalized
intersections, driveways, and mid-block segments, where operational or design issues are
present.
Deliverables
* Inventory and Assessment Report (Draft and Final)
* Traffic Study Report (Draft and Final)
* Raw count data
* Traffic analysis files
TASK 5 - RECOMMENDATIONS
The consultant shall develop transportation projects, programs, policies, and
implementation strategies responding to identified needs.
Recommendations may include:
* Roadway improvements
* Intersection improvements
* Freight mobility projects
* Access management strategies
* Operational improvements
* Safety improvements
* Technology solutions
* Policy and program strategies
* Regional connectivity improvements
The consultant shall prepare:
Fiscally Constrained Short-Term Action Plan
A five- to ten-year action plan identifying implementable projects and actions using existing
or reasonably anticipated funding sources.

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Fiscally Unconstrained Long-Term Vision Project List
A prioritized list of longer-range projects and strategies supporting long-term freight
mobility and economic competitiveness.
Deliverables
* Draft and final recommendations materials
* Project prioritization framework
* Planning-level cost estimates
TASK 6 - FINAL DOCUMENTATION
The consultant shall prepare final plan documents summarizing the planning process,
findings, recommendations, and implementation priorities.
The final plan shall be suitable for presentation to the Gwinnett County Board of
Commissioners and future funding applications.
Deliverables
* Recommendations Final Report (Draft and Final)
* Executive Summary (Draft and Final)
* GIS data and shapefiles
* Supporting technical files
* Final editable digital files
* Adoption-ready presentation materials
IV. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
A. Proposal Requirements - Proposals must clearly identify the following
requirements:
1. Proposed methodology and technical approach; including but not limited to:
Screening methodology, focus-area refinement, local vs through-freight analysis,
inland port analysis approach, and implementation strategy.
2. Team qualifications and experience, including resumes of key project
management personnel and their designated backups. Any changes in key