Public Notices

RFQ DUE DATE:  Monday, August 10, 2026

SUBMIT TO: BARBARA REDDICK, DEPUTY DIRECTOR

181 EAST BROAD STREET

CAMILLA, GEORGIA 31730

BROWNFIELD PROGRAM RFQ INTRODUCTION 

The Southwest Georgia Regional Commission, Georgia (SWGRC) is applying for a  $500,000 Community-Wide Brownfield Assessment Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assess potentially hazardous sites in the area(s) described in the grant application. Grant funds will involve the community in the decision-making process; to identify priority sites, conduct Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments at priority sites, and conduct cleanup and redevelopment planning of assessed brownfield properties.

The SWGRC is seeking professional services from a qualified and experienced consultant to assist with the management and execution of this grant and future related grant projects. The grant period will be for four years. The Southwest Georgia Regional Commission may amend or extend this contract beyond the initial four years to accommodate the terms and conditions of the FY27 Brownfields Assessment Grant or future EPA grants awarded to SWGRC within this four-year period. 

The consultant must provide documented experience of successful grant implementation. SWGRC is also seeking a consultant to provide support in identifying potential funding sources for cleanup activities, including identifying and assisting with future grant applications.

SCOPE OF WORK: 

The consultant will perform the following tasks on an as-needed basis:

1. GRANT MANAGEMENT

With the SWGRC’s assistance and guidance, the Consultant may be asked to manage the grant activities to ensure compliance with EPA requirements. Grant management activities include:

• Prepare monthly reports documenting activities and prepare quarterly reports for submission to EPA. 
• Prepare all necessary reporting forms to be submitted to EPA on behalf of the SWGRC, including financial reimbursement forms, the MBE/WBE forms, etc. 
• Complete and distribute a final close-out report summarizing all grant activities. 

2. PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION AND INVENTORY

The consultant may be asked to work with the SWGRC to identify, develop, and refine a database of potential brownfield properties. This work will include developing and implementing a set of criteria to prioritize the identified properties for evaluation. 

3. SITE CHARACTERIZATION AND ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES

As part of the work, the consultant may be asked to conduct Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) and Phase II ESAs and prepare cleanup plans. Included in this task is the development of the following plans and reports: 

• Generic Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP). 
• Site-specific QAPPs. 
• Sampling and Analysis Plans (SAPs).
• Health and Safety Plans (HASP). 
• Site investigation reports. 

The QAPP shall be developed by EPA Standard Operating Procedures and Quality Assurance Manual; EPA Quality Assurance Guidance for Conducting Brownfields Site Assessments (EPA 540-R-98-038); and EPA Guidance on Quality Assurance Project Plans (EPA QA/G-5/R-5).

Site characterization and assessment activities shall be conducted by EPA’s All Appropriate Inquiries rule and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard E1527- 21. State of Georgia requirements may also apply. The consultant must prepare and maintain EPA Brownfield Property Profile records on EPA’s Assessment, Cleanup, and Redevelopment Exchange System (ACRES) website for each site on which assessment activities are conducted. 

4. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ASSISTANCE

The consultant may be asked to support the SWGRC in public involvement and community outreach activities to ensure that community concerns are considered and addressed in the assessment planning and execution process of the projects. The following activities may be included: 

• Develop and implement a community engagement plan to detail a strategy for involving the community in brownfield activities. 
• Draft community notices for public meetings, conduct public meetings and hearings to solicit community interest, and provide educational/outreach information. 
• Work with the Brownfield Advisory Council to review and recommend sites to be assessed and characterized. 
• Develop and implement effective communication methods about the brownfield program to the public (website, information sheets, mailings).
• Consult with prospective private landowners and developers to encourage participation in the program. 

5. CLEANUP AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

The consultant may complete site-specific cleanup and redevelopment planning documents, including Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives (ABCAs), site remediation Work Plans, conceptual redevelopment site plans, etc. In addition, the consultant may assist with community visioning sessions, charrettes, and workshops to solicit input and generate redevelopment options. The consultant may also assist in negotiating voluntary cleanup with the applicable governmental entities. 

6. GRANT WRITING ASSISTANCE

The consultant may assist in writing applications for future assessment and cleanup grants. If the consultant is successful and the SWGRC is awarded the budget, then additional services may be negotiated with the consultant under this Request for Qualifications. 

7. CLEANUP AND REMEDIATION ACTIVITIES

 If the SWGRC successfully obtains a Cleanup Grant, the consultant may complete the cleanup and remediation of selected brownfield properties per the EPA and State requirements. Activities may include the preparation of a QAPP and HASP, securing all approvals and permits, completing confirmation-sampling activities, developing bid documentation, coordinating, and overseeing site remediation activities, and completing the site remediation activities.

8. OTHER BROWNFIELD-RELATED DUTIES

Other duties may be required for a successful program that has not been anticipated in this call for RFQ.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

1. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

To be considered for the award of this contract, the prime consultant must have the following minimum qualifications: 

• Registered to do business in Georgia, including all team member firms and subcontractors. 
• At least five (5) years of experience working on similar projects at hazardous and petroleum sites, including experience with organizing community involvement, conducting Phase I/Phase II ESAs, preparing QAPPs, Work Plans, and HASPS, facilitating community involvement, and preparing ABCAs and Remedial/Corrective Action Plans.
• Personnel with at least five (5) years of experience working in, or with city, state, or local governments, addressing economic redevelopment issues. 
• At least five (5) years of environmental consulting experience working in Georgia.
• Must have at least one registered Professional Engineer on staff. 
• Must provide proof of current insurance coverage. The SWGRC reserves the right to request additional insurance coverage or terms during the contract negotiation period. 

RESPONSE FORMAT AND EVALUATION CRITERIA

An RFQ evaluation committee, comprised of SWGRC staff, will evaluate, and rank all submitted proposals. The SWGRC will select a consultant based on firm capabilities, past project experience, key staff assigned to the project, area knowledge, goals and objectives, and experience managing EPA Brownfields Assessment Projects. Firms shall be evaluated, and points assigned based on the following criteria:

1. Company background and a general statement of environmental capabilities. Include legal name, years in business, number of offices and employees, and available information on services offered. (10 points) 
2. Qualifications to provide services related to delivering technical and program management assistance for environmental projects and/or grants in Georgia. (20 points) 
3. Qualifications of your staff and key personnel performing the work. Include the project organization chart and resumes of five key personnel proposed for the project. Identify any local sub-consultants or local subcontractors anticipated to be utilized to complete the requested scope of work. (20 points) 
4. Your firm’s experience with environmental assessment and cleanup grants. References must include the names and telephone numbers of local governments, personnel involved, and a brief description of the projects (MUST INCLUDE THE NAME OF PROJECT, OWNER, YEAR AWARDED, YEAR COMPLETED, AND AMOUNT AWARDED). (20 points) 
5. Project approach, including schedule and budget control, to give the SWGRC an idea of how your firm would approach the requested tasks. (10 points) 
6. Familiarity with the economic redevelopment needs of region ten. (10 points) 
7. Availability of staff to perform services described within RFQ. (10 points) 
8. Has your firm defaulted on a contract, failed to complete any work awarded, or been involved in work-related litigation in the last five years? If so, please explain. (10 points) 
9. Fee Schedule:  The response shall include an hourly fee rate schedule and specify a proposed markup for subcontractors. Any budgetary assumptions must be stated in the submission. The fee schedule response shall be sealed in a separate envelope and noted as “Fee Schedule” on the outside of the envelope. (10 points)

Maximum Possible Score: 120 points.

The submittal must be at least 20 one-sided pages, including resumes, charts, and figures. The font must not be less than single-spaced twelve points. The submittal should address the evaluation criteria listed above in the order provided. A cover letter with your company name, address, contact person, title, telephone and fax numbers, and email address should be attached. 

The SWGRC reserves the right to reject any responses or select more than one consultant. Firms not selected will be notified in writing by the SWGRC.

SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS AND DEADLINE:

Responses to this RFQ may be submitted in hard copy (three copies) and hand-delivered SWGRC or sent by U.S. mail or private courier no later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 10, 2026. Proposals received after this date and time will not be considered and will be returned unopened after the award recommendation.

Documents and questions should be submitted in writing to the following:

Barbara Reddick, Deputy Director

181 East Broad Street

Camilla, Georgia 31730

breddick@swgrc.org