Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 672 - STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Chapter 672-18 - GOVERNING THE DESIGN-BUILD PROCEDURES
Rule 672-18-.02 - Definitions

(a) "Alternative Technical Concept (ATC)": A confidential process in which a Design-Build Team can propose changes to Department-supplied basic configurations, project scope, design criteria, or construction criteria included in the Request for Proposals (RFP). These changes submitted by Proposers to the Department shall provide a solution that is equal to or better than the requirements in the RFP. In the broadest sense, ATCs are similar to value engineering, but the changes resulting from acceptable ATCs are made a part of the proposal before contract award. ATCs provide flexibility in the design and/or construction of a particular element of the project in order to enhance innovation and achieve efficiency.

(b) "Best Value": Selection method whereby award is based on a combination of the Proposer's weighted price proposal and evaluated technical elements as described in the Request for Proposals (RFP). Under this selection method the Department shall select the Proposer who provides the Best Value for the Project. The formula for determining the Best Value Proposer shall be specified in the RFP.

(c) "CFR": Code of Federal Regulations.

(d) "Department": The Georgia Department of Transportation.

(e) "Design-Build": Combining some portion(s) of the design, right of way, utilities and construction phases of a project into a single contract.

(f) "Design-Build Team": A combination of contractors, design consultants (or design consultant team) and other entities working together to design and build the project.

(g) "FHWA": The Federal Highway Administration.

(h) "FTA": The Federal Transit Administration.

(i) "Instruction to Proposers (ITP)": The documents, including exhibits and forms, included in the Request for Proposals (RFP) that contain directions for the preparation and submittal of information by the Proposers in response to the RFP.

(j) "Letter of Interest (LOI)": Correspondence to be included with, or attached to, the Proposer's Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) in response to the Request for Qualifications (RFQ).

(k) "One Phase Low Bid": Selection method whereby Proposers submit to the Department a price proposal and technical proposal (which includes a Proposer's qualifications package) in one step in response to the Request for Proposals (RFP). Under this selection method the Department shall select the lowest qualified and responsive bidder.

(l) "Project": The project to be designed and constructed in accordance with the Request for Proposals (RFP) and the contract.

(m) "Proposer": A Design-Build Team that responds to a Department issued Design-Build solicitation.

(n) "Public Notice Advertisement (PNA)": An announcement by the Department for Design-Build Project.

(o) "Reference Information Documents (RID)": Documents included as part of the Request for Proposals (RFP) including, but not limited to preliminary design, planning documents, studies, reports, and design files for the Project.

(p) "Request for Proposals (RFP)": All documents, whether attached or incorporated by reference, utilized for soliciting proposals. The RFP is the only solicitation utilized by the Department in the One Phase Low Bid selection method. The RFP is the second phase utilized by the Department for the Two Phase Low Bid and Best Value selection methods.

(q) "Request for Qualifications (RFQ)": All documents, whether attached or incorporated by reference, utilized by the Department for soliciting interested Proposers to apply for prequalification including instruction for submitting a Statement of Qualification (SOQ), evaluation criteria and minimum qualifications required of a Design-Build Team. The RFQ is the first phase of a two phase process utilized by the Department for the Two Phase Low Bid and Best Value selection methods.

(r) "Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)": Documentation meeting the requirements set forth in the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) which is submitted by Proposers and evaluated by the Department in order to identify qualified Proposers for the Project. For each consultant and contractor, the SOQ must include, at a minimum, documentation that the Proposer is capable of satisfying the scope of services of the project, as well as a copy of the Department issued Certificate of Qualification.

(s) "Shortlist": Used in Two Phase Low Bid and Best Value selection methods; and means the narrowing of the field of Proposers through ranking of the most highly qualified Proposers who have responded to an RFQ. Only Shortlisted Proposers will be invited to submit a technical and price proposal in response to an RFP.

(t) "Stipulated Fee": A monetary amount as established in the RFQ and/or RFP that may be awarded to the unsuccessful Proposers who provide a responsive price and technical proposal. In consideration for paying the stipulated fee as a payment for work product, the Department may use any ideas or information contained in the technical proposals in connection with the contract awarded for the Project, or in connection with a subsequent procurement on the Project, or on any other Department project without obligation to pay any additional compensation to the unsuccessful Proposers.

(u) "Two Phase Low Bid": Selection method in which the first phase consists of selecting qualified Proposers who submit a responsive Letter of Interests (LOI) and Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) in response to the Request for Qualifications (RFQ). The second phase consists of Proposers submitting a responsive price and technical proposal (if required) in response to the Request for Proposals (RFP). Under this selection method the Department shall select the lowest responsive bidder.