(a)

1. (1) The Arkansas Department of Transportation will normally utilize a two-step process during the procurement phase of the project to select a design-builder.
2. (2) The first step is the Arkansas Department of Transportation solicitation for potential proposers by releasing a request for qualifications (RFQ) leading to the selection of short-list proposers.
3. (3) The second step is the release of a detailed request for proposals (RFP) to allow short-list proposers to respond with a proposal, in accordance with the RFP, that ultimately results in a best value determination and selection of the design-builder.

(b)

1. (1)

   1. (A) The RFQ and RFP are key parts of the procurement documents that will inform the proposers of the project requirements and the D-B selection process.
   2. (B) The RFQ and RFP are two (2) separate, although related, documents created to conduct the solicitation through the procurement process and allow the Arkansas Department of Transportation to make the final selection of the design-builder which offers the best value solution for the project.

2. (2)

   1. (A) The RFQ should focus exclusively on the proposer understanding of the project, qualifications, and the proposer’s previous experience including, but not limited to:

(i) Safety;

1. (ii) Quality;

   1. (iii) Fulfilling schedules; and

      1. (iv) Contract compliance histories on previous D-B projects.

   2. (B) It must include:

      1. (i) A description of the project;
      2. (ii) The requirements for submitting an SOQ;
      3. (iii) The SOQ evaluation process and SOQ evaluation criteria; and
      4. (iv) Overall procurement schedule.
   3. (C) The SOQ is the document that will provide the qualifications and experience of the proposer relative to the project scope as presented in the RFQ.

2. (3)

   1. (A) The RFP should be comprised of a compilation of documents which define the project components, including project design criteria (PDC).
   2. (B) The RFP describes the project, the requirements for submitting a proposal, the selection process, the evaluation criteria, the technical requirements for designing and constructing the project, and the various documents required to establish the proposer plans and abilities to perform and manage the project.

   3. (C) The RFP should include the requirements for a project management plan (PMP) and quality management plan (QMP), as well as the DBA terms and conditions.

      1. (c)
3. (1) The RFP, including all technical and administrative provisions, references and guidance documents, form the basis of the design-build agreement (DBA).

4. (2) At the time of the contract award, the relevant components of the RFP and the winning D-B proposal are combined with the administrative agreement to form the overall DBA.

   1. (d)

5. (1) The department procurement team (DPT) efforts in developing a D-B project are specifically related to clearly establishing:

   1. (A) Project requirements;
   2. (B) Performance criteria;
   3. (C) Project design criteria (PDC); and
   4. (D) Project goals.
6. (2) The ideal D-B project solicitation would include a definition of end result criteria to meet all of the project goals while minimizing prescriptive measures on how to obtain the design and construction results.