Request for Proposals: Testing/Inspection Services for New High School Documents and Specifications

Request for Proposals for Testing/Inspection Services
Issue date: April 6, 2026
Barnwell County School District (BCSD) requests qualified firms to submit a proposal for
providing Testing/Inspection Services. BCSD is currently building a New High School.
The above RFP services for a third-party provider will be needed to complete the
construction of the New High School.
The district anticipates hiring one firm to provide Testing/Inspection Services. This RFP
includes sufficient information to submit a brief proposal. No other information will be
released or discussed unless necessary to clarify this RFP. No firm shall begin work
without prior written authorization from the Owner.
Owner: Barnwell County School District
Contact Name: Holly Hutto, CFO
Contact Number: (803)541-3586
Contact Email: hhutto@bcsd.net
Mailing Address: 770 Hagood Avenue, Barnwell, SC 29812
Please use the above listed email address to request a copy of the RFP and to ask
questions. The deadline for questions is April 20, 2026, at 02:00 PM. Do not contact
individual Board members or staff in regards to this RFP. Improper contact may result in
disqualification of your proposal. No pre-proposal conferences will be held at this time.
Information about the school district can be found on the District's website.
Sealed proposals will be received at the office listed above, until April 24, 2026, at 2:00
PM for furnishing the services described herein. It is the offeror's responsibility for
ensuring delivery to the correct address by the specified time. Be advised delivery service
varies in the area. For this reason, Proposers are encouraged to take additional measures
to ensure the proposal is delivered by the specified time.
The successful proposers must abide by all federal and state laws and the District's
Procurement Code.
SCOPE OF PROJECT
The scope of work for the Testing/Inspection Services is outlined in the documents and
specifications. Click the following link to access the file: Documents and Specifications.
The provider of these services is to represent the School District and work with HG
Reynolds, the construction firm building the New High School. The full set of drawings is
provided for review to develop your proposal.
1

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
1. Complete Response consisting of the following:
a. One copy mailed or otherwise delivered in a sealed envelope that indicates
the return address of the sender, BCSD - New High School - Services,
opening date, and time of opening on the outside of the envelope.
b. Certificate of insurances: Liability and Workers Compensation, if applicable.
c. W-9 Form.
d. Additional information is required by the following instructions:
2. Proposal Requirements. Offerors are required to submit the following items:
Company Information
a. Provide contact information, along with a brief history of the firm, including
ownership and state of incorporation.
b. Describe any changes that have occurred in the firm's organization in the past 5
years and any changes that are anticipated to occur. Include any name changes
or consolidations.
c. List location of office(s) that will be involved in this contract.
Previous Experience
a. List firm's experience in Services.
b. Provide references for a minimum of three (3) projects that involved
similar services.
Project Team
a. Include an organizational chart with key individuals and their
responsibilities.
b. Provide resumes for your Project Team.
Financial Information/Licenses
a. Submit verification of your firm's maximum, current bonding capacity and ability to
obtain liability insurance.
b. Provide a copy of your Contractor's License.
c. Include forms requested (W-9, Liability and Worker's Compensation).
2

Bid Forms
a. The District will only accept bids that utilize the SE955/955A Inspection/Material
Testing Order. Listed below is a link to the forms necessary for submitting the bid.
SE-955 Inspection Material Testing Order
SE-955A Inspection Material Testing Order Negotiation Worksheet
Breakdown of Pricing
At a minimum, the following items should be included:
a. Testing/Inspection fee total
b. Reimbursables (e.g., trip charges)
c. Contract total
d. Unit rate schedule (e.g., hourly rate, test rate, day rate, etc.)
e. A breakdown of administrative services
f. Inspection types
g. Laboratory tests
EVALUATION AND AWARD CRITERIA
A Selection Committee will evaluate the proposals using the following criteria:
a. The ability, capacity and skill of the Offeror's key personnel to perform the
contract or provide the service required;
b. The experience of the Offeror;
c. The sufficiency of the financial resources and ability of the Offeror to
perform the contract or provide the service;
d. Price
The Owner reserves the right to cancel or reject any or all proposals, to waive any
informalities in any proposal received, and to negotiate and award a contract deemed to
be in the Owner's best interest. The Owner reserves the right to select the firm based on
submitted proposals. The Owner is not responsible for any costs incurred during the
submission of proposals or interviews. The Owner is not required to enter into a contract
with any Offeror if deemed in the best interest of the Owner. The Owner intends to enter
into one contract for this service.
SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTIONS
CONTRACT: The contents of the proposal submitted by the successful Offeror, this RFP
and all modifications made thereof, will become part of any contract awarded. The
successful firm will be expected to sign a contract with the Owner.
EXPERIENCE AND REFERENCE CHECKS: The District reserves the right to consider
historic information and fact, whether gained from the offeror's proposal, question and
3

answer conferences, references, or any other source, in the evaluation process. Offeror
acknowledges (1) that District will contact various persons who are familiar with Offeror's
prior work and related matters, whether such persons are voluntarily disclosed to District
in this proposal or not; (2) that truthful and complete information is necessary for the
District to make an adequate evaluation; and (3) that Offeror will not take any action
against the person who responds in good faith to a bona fide inquiry by the District for
purposes of evaluating the proposals received by the District under this solicitation.
ETHICS CERTIFICATE: By submitting an offer, the offeror certifies that the offeror has
and will comply with, and has not, and will not, induce a person to violate Title 8, Chapter
13 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended (ethics act). The following statutes
require special attention: Section 8-13-700, regarding use of official position for financial
gain; Section 8-13-705, regarding gifts to influence action of public official; Section 8-13-
720, regarding offering money for advice or assistance of public official; Sections 8-13-
755 and 8-13-760, regarding restrictions on employment by former public official; Section
8-13-775, prohibiting public official with economic interests from acting on contracts;
Section 8-13-790, regarding recovery of kickbacks; Section 8-13-1150, regarding
statements to be filed by consultants; and Section 8-13-1342, regarding restrictions on
contributions by contractor to candidate who participated in awarding of contract. The
District may rescind any contract and recover all amounts expended as a result of any
action taken in violation of this provision. If contractor participates, directly or indirectly, in
the evaluation or award of public contracts, including without limitation, change orders or
task orders regarding a public contract, contractor shall, if required by law to file such a
statement, provide the statement required by Section 8-13-1150 to the procurement
officer at the same time the law requires the statement to be filed.
SUBMITTING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: For every document Offeror submits in
response to or with regard to this solicitation or request, Offeror must separately mark
with the word "CONFIDENTIAL" every page, or portion thereof, that Offeror contends
contains information that is exempt from public disclosure because it is either (a) a trade
secret as defined in Section 30-4-40(a)(1), or (b) privileged and confidential.
For every document Offeror submits in response to or with regard to this solicitation or
request, Offeror must separately mark with the words "TRADE SECRET" every page, or
portion thereof, that Offeror contends contains a trade secret as that term is defined by
Section 39-8-20 of the Trade Secrets Act.
All markings must be conspicuous; use color, bold, underlining, or some other method in
order to conspicuously distinguish the mark from the other text. Do not mark your entire
response (bid, proposal, quote, etc.) as confidential, trade secret, or protected! If your
response, or any part thereof, is improperly marked as confidential or trade secret or
protected, the District may, in its sole discretion, determine it nonresponsive. If only
portions of a page are subject to some protection, do not mark the entire page.
By submitting a response to this solicitation or request, Offeror (a) agrees to the public
disclosure of every page of every document regarding this solicitation or request that was
4

submitted at any time prior to entering into a contract (including, but not limited to,
documents contained in a response, documents submitted to clarify a response, and
documents submitted during negotiations), unless the page is conspicuously marked
"TRADE SECRET" or "CONFIDENTIAL" or "PROTECTED", (b) agrees that any
information not marked, as required by these bidding instructions, as a "Trade Secret" is
not a trade secret as defined by the Trade Secrets Act, and (c) agrees that,
notwithstanding any claims or markings otherwise, any prices, commissions, discounts,
or other financial figures used to determine the award, as well as the final contract
amount, are subject to public disclosure.
In determining whether to release documents, the District will detrimentally rely on
Offeror's marking of documents, as required by these bidding instructions, as being either
"CONFIDENTIAL" or "TRADE SECRET" or "PROTECTED."
By submitting a response, Offeror agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the
District, its officers and employees, from every claim, demand, loss, expense, cost,
damage or injury, including attorney's fees, arising out of or resulting from the District
withholding information that Offeror marked as "CONFIDENTIAL" or "TRADE SECRET"
or "PROTECTED".
DUTY TO INQUIRE: Offeror, by submitting an offer, represents that it has read and
understands the Solicitation and that its offer is made in compliance with the Solicitation.
Offerors are expected to examine the Solicitation thoroughly and should request an
explanation of any ambiguities, discrepancies, errors, omissions, or conflicting
statements in the Solicitation. Failure to do so will be at the Offeror's risk. Offeror assumes
responsibility for any patent ambiguity in the Solicitation that Offeror does not bring to the
District's attention.
REJECTION/CANCELLATION: The District may cancel this solicitation in whole or in
part. The District may reject any or all proposals in whole or in part.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION: By signing your offer, you certify that you will comply with the
applicable requirements of Title 8, Chapter 14 of the South Carolina Code of Laws and
agree to provide to the State upon request any documentation required to establish either:
(A) that Title 8, Chapter 14 is inapplicable to you and your subcontractors or sub-
subcontractors; or (B) that you and your subcontractors or sub-subcontractors are in
compliance with Title 8, Chapter 14. Pursuant to Section 8-14-60, "A person who
knowingly makes or files any false, fictitious, or fraudulent document, statement, or report
pursuant to this chapter is guilty of a felony, and, upon conviction, must be fined within
the discretion of the court or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both." You agree
to include in any contracts with your subcontractors language requiring your
subcontractors to (a) comply with the applicable requirements of Title 8, Chapter 14, and
(b) include in their contracts with the sub-subcontractors language requiring the sub-
subcontractors to comply with the applicable requirements of Title 8, Chapter 14.
DRUG FREE WORKPLACE CERTIFICATION: By submitting an offer, Offeror certifies
5

that, if awarded a contract, Offeror will comply with all applicable provisions of The Drug-
free Workplace Act, Title 44, Chapter 107 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, as
amended.
NON-INDEMNIFICATION: Any term or condition is void to the extent it requires the
District to indemnify anyone.
IRAN DIVESTMENT ACT - CERTIFICATION: (A) The Iran Divestment Act List is a list
published by the South Carolina Budget and Control Board pursuant to Section 11-57-
310 that identifies persons engaged in investment activities in Iran. Currently, the list is
available at the following URL: http://procurement.sc.gov/PS/PS-iran-divestment.phtm(.)
Section 11-57-310 requires the government to provide a person ninety days written notice
before he is included on the list. The following representation, which is required by Section
11-57-330(A), is a material inducement for the District to award a contract to you. (B) By
signing your Offer, you certify that, as of the date you sign, you are not on the then-current
version of the Iran Divestment Act List. (C) You must notify the Procurement Officer
immediately if, at any time before posting of a final statement of award, you are added to
the Iran Divestment Act List.
IRAN DIVESTMENT ACT - ONGOING OBLIGATIONS: (A) you must notify the
procurement officer immediately if, at any time during the contract term, you are added to
the Iran Divestment Act List. (B) Consistent with Section 11-57-330(B), you shall not
contract with any person to perform a part of the Work, if, at the time you enter into the
subcontract, that person is on the then-current version of the Iran Divestment Act List.
NOTICE: (A) After award, any notices shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given
(1) upon actual delivery, if delivery is by hand, (2) upon receipt by the transmitting party
of automated confirmation or answer back from the recipient's device if delivery is by
telex, telegram, facsimile, or electronic mail, or (3) upon deposit into the United States
mail, if postage is prepaid, a return receipt is requested, and either registered or certified
mail is used. (B) Notice to contractor shall be to the address identified in the Company
Information on Page Three. Notice to the District shall be to the District Procurement
Officer. Either party may designate a different address for notice by giving notice in
accordance with this paragraph.
TOBACCO FREE ENVIRONMENT: The District provides a smoke and tobacco free
environment for its staff, students and the general public. No tobacco products are
permitted in any building or on the grounds of any District building.
LICENSES AND PERMITS: During the term of the contract, the Contractor shall be
responsible for obtaining, and maintaining in good standing, all licenses (including
professional licenses, if any), permits, inspections and related fees for each or any such
licenses, permits and /or inspections required by the District, county, city or other
government entity or unit to accomplish the work specified in this solicitation and the
contract.
6

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: Contractor is referred to and shall comply with all applicable
provisions, if any, of Title 41, Part 60 of the Code of Federal Regulations, including but
not limited to Sections 60-1.4, 60-4.2, 60-4.3, 60-250.5(a), and 60-741.5(a), which are
hereby incorporated by reference.
CONTRACTOR'S LIABILITY INSURANCE: (A) Without limiting any of the obligations or
liabilities of Contractor, Contractor shall procure from a company or companies lawfully
authorized to do business in South Carolina and with a current A.M. Best rating of no less
than A: VII, and maintain for the duration of the contract, insurance against claims for
injuries to persons or damages to property which may arise from or in connection with the
performance of the work and the results of that work by the contractor, his agents,
representatives, employees or subcontractors.
(B) Coverage shall be at least as broad as:
(1) Commercial General Liability (CGL): Insurance Services Office (ISO) Form CG 00 01
12 07 covering CGL on an "occurrence" basis, including products-completed operations,
personal and advertising injury, with limits no less than $1,000,000 per occurrence. If a
general aggregate limit applies, the general aggregate limit shall be twice the required
occurrence limit. This contract shall be considered to be an "insured contract" as defined
in the policy.
(2) Auto Liability: ISO Form Number CA 00 01 covering any auto (Code 1), or if
Contractor has no owned autos, hired, (Code 8) and non-owned autos (Code 9), with
limits no less than $1,000,000 per accident for bodily injury and property damage.
(3) Worker's Compensation: As required by the State of South Carolina, with Statutory
Limits, and Employer's Liability Insurance with limit of no less than $1,000,000 per
accident for bodily injury or disease.
(4) Umbrella Liability: Limit of $10,000,000 or lesser negotiated amount.
(C) The District and the officers, officials, employees and volunteers of any of them, must
be covered as additional insureds on the CGL policy with respect to liability arising out of
work or operations performed by or on behalf of the Contractor including materials, parts
or equipment furnished in connection with such work or operations. General liability
coverage can be provided in the form of an endorsement to the Contractor's insurance at
least as broad as ISO Form CG 20 10 11 85 or if not available, through the addition of
both CG 20 10 and CG 20 37 if a later edition is used.
(D) For any claims related to this contract, the Contractor's insurance coverage shall be
primary insurance as respects the District, and the officers, officials, employees and
volunteers of any of them. Any insurance or self-insurance maintained by the District or
the officers, officials, employees and volunteers of any of them, shall be excess of the
Contractor's insurance and shall not contribute with it.
(E) Prior to commencement of the work, the Contractor shall furnish the District with
original certificates and amendatory endorsements or copies of the applicable policy
language effecting coverage required by this section. All certificates are to be received
and approved by the District before work commences. However, failure to obtain the required
documents prior to the work beginning shall not waive the Contractor's obligation to provide them.
7

The District reserves the right to require complete, certified copies of all required insurance
policies, including endorsements required by this section, at any time.
(F) Should any of the above described policies be cancelled before the expiration date
thereof, notice will be delivered in accordance with the policy provisions. In addition, the
Contractor shall notify the District immediately upon receiving any information that any of
the coverages required by this section are or will be changed, cancelled, or replaced.
(G) Contractor hereby grants to the District a waiver of any right to subrogation which any
insurer of said Contractor may acquire against the District by virtue of the payment of any
loss under such insurance. Contractor agrees to obtain any endorsement that may be
necessary to affect this waiver of subrogation, but this provision applies regardless of
whether or not the District has received a waiver of subrogation endorsement from the
insurer.
(H) Any deductibles or self-insured retentions must be declared to and approved by the
District. The District may require the Contractor to purchase coverage with a lower
deductible or retention or provide proof of ability to pay losses and related investigations,
claim administration, and defense expenses within the retention.
(I) The District reserves the right to modify these requirements, including limits, based on
the nature of the risk, prior experience, insurer, coverage, or other special circumstances.
(J) Prior to the start of construction, the Contractor shall furnish two (2) copies each of
Certificate of Insurance on an Acord form evidencing that the coverage, coverage
extensions, policy endorsements and waivers of subrogation required under this Contract
are maintained in force.
8