REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR: AIRPORT LANDSIDE

PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING

SERVICES

RFQ#: 153-26-AIR-RFQ

RFQ CLOSING DATE: Wednesday, April 1, 2026

RFQ CLOSING TIME: 3:00 P.M CT

City of Brownsville, Texas Procurement Department Solicitation No. 153-26-AIR-RFQ

Table of Contents

1 GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 INVITATION SUMMARY

1.2 LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT NOTICE

1.3 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

1.4 PROJECT OVERVIEW

1.5 CONTRACT TERM

1.6 AWARD OF RFQ

1.7 POINT OF CONTACT

1.8 UNAUTHORIZED COMMUNICATION

1.9 SUBMISSION OF CLARIFICATIONS OR CHANGES

1.10 SUBMISSION OF QUALIFICATIONS

1.11 FUNDING NOTICE

1.12 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

2 SCOPE OF WORK

2.1 PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

2.2 INTRODUCTION

2.3 BACKGROUND

2.4 GENERAL SCOPE OF SERVICES

2.5 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

2.6 CITY RESPONSIBILITIES

2.7 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

2.8 REFERENCE TO TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS .......................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.

3 PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

3.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

3.2 SOQ FORMAT AND ORGANIZATION

3.3 WITHDRAWAL/MODIFICATION OF RESPONSE PRIOR TO DEADLINE

3.4 CONFIDENTIALITY / TEXAS PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT

4 EVALUATION AND AWARD

4.1 GENERAL EVALUATION APPROACH

4.2 EVALUATION COMMITTEE

4.3 STEPS IN THE EVALUATION PROCESS

4.4 EVALUATION CRITERIA AND SCORING

4.5 ORAL INTERVIEWS, PRESENTATIONS, AND NEGOTIATIONS

4.6 BASIS OF AWARD

4.7 SINGLE SOQ

5 TERMS AND CONDITIONS

5.1 STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS REFERENCE (EXHIBIT A)

5.2 SOQ VALIDITY / FIRM OFFER PERIOD

5.3 POST-AWARD FEE ADJUSTMENTS (IF APPLICABLE)

5.4 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS / NON-APPROPRIATION

5.5 TERMINATION BY THE CITY

5.6 INDEMNIFICATION

5.7 INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

5.8 PROTEST PROCEDURES

5.9 RESTRICTIONS ON LOBBYING & POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS

5.10 CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURES

5.11 STATE AND FEDERAL CERTIFICATIONS (AS APPLICABLE)

5.12 PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT & CONFIDENTIALITY

5.13 GOVERNING LAW & VENUE

5.14 INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS

5.15 RESERVATION OF RIGHTS

5.16 DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE

6 EXHIBIT “A” - STANDARD PURCHASING TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1 General Information

1.1 Invitation Summary

The City of Brownsville (the “City”) is soliciting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from experienced and qualified firms to provide the professional services described in this Request for Qualifications (RFQ).

Selection will be based on demonstrated competence and qualifications to perform the required services.

This procurement will follow all applicable local, state, and federal regulations governing qualifications-based selection, including compliance with Texas Government Code Chapter 2254, where applicable.

For questions or assistance, please contact the designated Buyer listed in Section 1.4 (Point of Contact).

1.2 Legal Advertisement Notice

* B/P/Q (Bid/Proposal/Qualifications)

Sealed,bids/proposals must be submitted electronically via the City’s Bonfire portal, at City of Brownsville (bonfirehub.com)

Copies of the bid documents consisting of detailed specifications, general requirements or other information may be obtained at http://www.brownsvilletx.gov City of Brownsville (bonfirehub.com)

Interested Bidders/Proposers are invited to attend the Bid/Proposal opening Virtually on the dates specified.

Presence is not mandatory. Specifications may also be viewed and downloaded at: City of Brownsville (bonfirehub.com)

Description NUMBER Pre-Bid Meeting OPENING

REQUEST FOR

QUALIFICATIONS FOR

AIRPORT LANDSIDE

PROFESSIONAL

ARCHITECTURAL AND

ENGINEERING

SERVICES

*Q

153-26-AIR-

RFQ

Wednesday, March 4, 2026 @

4:00 P.M CT

TEAMS VIRTUAL MEETING

Wednesday, April 1, 2026 @ 3:00 P.M CT

TEAMS VIRTUAL

MEETING

https://brownsvilletx.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities http://www.brownsvilletx.gov/ https://brownsvilletx.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities

1.3 Calendar of Events

Release Date Saturday, February 21, 2026 Pre-Proposal Meeting 3/4/2026 4:00 PM

The Pre-Proposal meeting is open to the public. Pre- Proposal meeting participants may attend via Microsoft Teams (link below).

Microsoft Teams Link:

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/24659850498549?

p=oxzGDSBvtcDEy6Myuk

Meeting ID: 246 598 504 985 49 Passcode: 8TL7qW25

Questions Due Date 3/13/2026 3:00 PM Addenda Issue Date Friday, March 20, 2026 SOQ Closing Date 4/1/2026 3:00 PM SOQ Opening Date 4/1/2026 3:00 PM

The SOQ Opening meeting is open to the public.

SOQ Opening meeting participants may attend via Microsoft Teams (link below).

Microsoft Teams Link:

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/24821543654858?

p=pi4NxqOkMpqbN8Qkzy

Meeting ID: 248 215 436 548 58 Passcode: W3KH94cS

Evaluation Period 14-21 Days Interviews (If Applicable) Week of May 4th, 2026 https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/24659850498549?p=oxzGDSBvtcDEy6Myuk https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/24659850498549?p=oxzGDSBvtcDEy6Myuk https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/24821543654858?p=pi4NxqOkMpqbN8Qkzy https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/24821543654858?p=pi4NxqOkMpqbN8Qkzy

1.4 Project Overview

The purpose of this RFQ is to identify and select the most qualified firm(s) to provide architectural and engineering services. This is a qualifications-based solicitation; cost proposals are not to be submitted and will not be considered as part of the evaluation process.

1.5 Contract Term

The contract resulting from this RFQ shall commence upon approval by the City Commission and full execution by all parties. Final contract execution is subject to the availability of funds.

Contract Term Details: The Contract includes a Base Period, Optional Renewal Periods, and a Total Contract Term as follows:

• Base Period: This initial period will begin upon City Commission approval and end on September 30,

• Optional Renewal Periods: There are three (3) optional one-year renewal periods. If exercised, these periods will extend the contract as follows:

o First Renewal Period: October 1, 2027, to September 30, 2028 o Second Renewal Period: October 1, 2028, to September 30, 2029 o Third Renewal Period: October 1, 2029, to September 30, 2030

• Total Term of the Contract: Including the Base Period and all optional renewals, the total contract term shall not exceed five (5) years, with a final end date of September 30, 2030, if all renewals are exercised.

1.6 Award of RFQ

The City of Brownsville reserves the right to award this RFQ to the most qualified Respondent or, if in the City’s best interest, to multiple Respondents to establish a pool of qualified firms for future task orders or project assignments.

Selection shall be based on demonstrated competence and qualifications in accordance with Texas Government Code Chapter 2254, where applicable. If multiple awards are made, the City may assign work at its sole discretion based on project scope, availability, expertise, and the best interest of the City.

The City further reserves the right to reject any or all submittals, waive informalities, or re-advertise the RFQ.

1.7 Point of Contact

For information regarding bidding procedures contact Ms. Jaydy Valdez, Buyer or Mr. Damian Espinoza, Procurement Director, via Bonfire or email at purchasing@brownsvilletx.gov https://brownsvilletx.bonfirehub.com/ mailto:purchasing@brownsvilletx.gov

1.8 Unauthorized Communication

Any oral communications are considered unofficial and non-binding with regard to this RFQ. After the release of this solicitation, Respondent(s) are prohibited from contacting or communicating with any City officer, employee, or representative regarding this RFQ other than (i) the point of contact designated herein. No officer, employee, agent, or representative of the Respondents(s) shall, directly or indirectly through others, have any contact or discussion, oral or written, with any members of the City Commission; members of the RFQ evaluation, interview, or selection panels; City staff or City’s consultants, or seek to influence any City Commission Member, RFQ evaluator, City staff, or City’s consultants regarding any matters pertaining to this solicitation, except as expressly provided herein. IF A REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY PROPOSING

COMPANY VIOLATES THE FOREGOING PROHIBITION BY CONTACTING ANY OF THE

ABOVE-LISTED PARTIES WITH WHOM CONTACT IS NOT AUTHORIZED, SUCH CONTACT

MAY RESULT IN THE PROPOSER BEING DISQUALIFIED FROM THE IFB/RFP/RFQ/OR ANY

OTHER PROCUREMENT RELATED PROCESS.

1.9 Submission of Clarifications or Changes

All requests for clarifications must be submitted in Bonfire no later than the date specified in the Calendar of Events.

1.10 Submission of Qualifications

Respondents are responsible for ensuring their SOQ is complete and submitted in a timely manner. SOQs received after the deadline will not be opened, evaluated, or considered, regardless of circumstances

SOQs may not be withdrawn for a period of ninety (90) calendar days following the submission deadline. The City of Brownsville will evaluate SOQs strictly on the basis of qualifications. Cost terms will only be considered during contract negotiations with the most qualified Respondent..

1.11 Funding Notice

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Funds will be used, and all vendors shall comply with all applicable FAA, Federal, and Local procurement laws, regulations, and policies.

1.12 Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Brownsville is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Minority Business Enterprises, Small Business Enterprises, Women Business Enterprises, and Labor Surplus Area firms are encouraged to submit proposals.

2 Scope of Work

2.1 Project Description:

The City of Brownsville (the “City”) seeks professional architectural and engineering services for landside architectural, engineering, and construction management services to support the Airport’s capital development program. The selected firm will be expected to provide services in accordance with the requirements of this RFQ and applicable laws, regulations, and standards.

2.2 Introduction

The Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport is owned and operated by the City of Brownsville and is governed by a seven-person City Commission. Strategically positioned as a key gateway to South Texas, the Airport serves as an important access point for tourism to South Padre Island and Northern Mexico, as well as other attractions throughout the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

In 2024, the Airport recorded more than 321,000 passengers, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 15%.

Continued expansion is anticipated, with passenger volumes projected to grow by approximately 25% over the next year. Currently, three airlines operate at Brownsville, providing service to the broader Rio Grande Valley market. Non-stop flights are offered year-round to three destinations.

Historically, airfare pricing relative to competing regional airports has been a persistent community concern, particularly in the absence of a low-cost carrier, which has limited the growth potential of leisure travel. More recently, the competitive dynamics with the other two airports in the Lower Rio Grande Valley—served by many of the same airlines—have further constrained opportunities for market expansion. While the Airport has previously offered international services, high ticket costs have limited demand. However, these international markets are expected to become more viable as competitive pricing structures are established.

In the past year, the Airport successfully integrated a new airline offering three destinations. Building on this momentum, a new carrier is scheduled to begin daily international flights in September 2024, with plans to add additional routes in subsequent years to further enhance connectivity and support regional economic development.

Airlines Serving Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport:

Airline Destination Frequency American Airlines DFW 4-7 / day United Airlines IAH 3-6 / day Aerus MTY 1-2 / day Breeze Airways MCO 2 / week

2.3 Background

The Airport’s passenger terminal is a modern facility comprising approximately 91,000 square feet, which opened in 2021. The terminal currently includes four (4) gates and is equipped with a Federal Inspection Services (FIS) facility, enabling the Airport to accommodate international arrivals and support future international service.

Since opening the new terminal, the Airport has experienced increasing operational demands driven by continued air service growth, regional economic development, and population and tourism activity throughout the surrounding area. Ongoing and planned development initiatives within the region are expected to further increase passenger volumes, landside facility usage, and infrastructure needs over the term of this contract.

As a result, the Airport anticipates a continuing need for landside architectural, engineering, and construction management services to support terminal enhancements, passenger processing improvements, ground transportation facilities, parking and roadway infrastructure, utility and drainage improvements, and other landside capital projects necessary to safely and efficiently accommodate current and future demand.

It is anticipated that this work will be accomplished in part with funds from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), local funds, and Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Revenues. Since it is anticipated that these projects will be partially funded by federal grants, professional consultant services rendered for these projects must conform to all applicable requirements of the FAA and City of Brownsville’s rules and regulations. Moreover, this solicitation requires compliance with FAA Advisory Circular No. 150/5100-14E, Architectural, Engineering, and Planning Consultant Services for Airport Grant Projects dated September 25, 2015, as amended. Applicable Federal provisions include, but may not be limited to:

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; https://www.justice.gov/crt/fcs/TitleVI-Overview

• Section 520 of the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982;

• 48 CFR part 31 – Contract Cost Principles;

• 49 CFR Part 18.36(i) –Access to Records;

• 49 CFR Part 20 – Lobby and influencing Federal Employees;

• 49 CFR Part 26 – Disadvantage Business Enterprise participation;

• 49 CFR Part 29 – Government-wide Debarment and Suspension; and

• 49 CFR Part 30 – Federal Trade Restriction Clause.

https://www.justice.gov/crt/fcs/TitleVI-Overview

2.4 General Scope of Services

The selected consultant(s) may be requested to provide professional architectural, engineering, environmental compliance, and construction-phase services for landside airport facilities and infrastructure. Services may apply to projects included in the Airport’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which is updated periodically, as well as additional projects that may arise during the term of the agreement.

A. Landside Architectural Design

• Architectural design services for terminal buildings, terminal renovations and expansions, concession spaces, offices, maintenance buildings, parking structures, quick turnaround areas, ground transportation facilities, and other landside structures.

• Interior layouts, finish coordination, building code compliance, ADA accessibility, and integration of wayfinding elements.

• Coordination with structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, information technology, and security disciplines.

• Photogrammetry, aerial mapping, and advanced survey services to support landside design, construction, and documentation.

B. Civil Engineering & Site Design (Landside)

• Civil engineering services for landside infrastructure including grading, drainage systems, utilities, access roads, service roads, sidewalks, parking areas, and curbside facilities.

• Preparation of construction documents, including plans, specifications, and cost estimates, for landside projects.

C. Structural, MEP, and Specialty Engineering

• Structural engineering for buildings, canopies, parking facilities, and support structures.

• Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, communications, and low-voltage systems engineering.

• Building systems coordination, constructability considerations, and energy-efficiency measures.

• Preparation and implementation of project-specific Quality Control and Quality Assurance (QC/QA) plans for landside design and construction activities.

D. Terminal & Passenger Facility Engineering

• Engineering design for terminal improvements, tenant fit-outs, baggage support areas, passenger circulation improvements, and operational support spaces.

• Technical coordination with TSA, CBP (as applicable), airlines, and concessionaires related to landside facilities.

E. Construction Management Services

• Construction management services for landside projects, including managing and coordinating contractor activities.

• Monitoring and controlling construction schedules and conducting construction progress meetings.

• Directing contractor work in accordance with the contract documents.

• Reviewing and recommending contractor submittals, Requests for Information (RFIs), pay applications, and change orders; tracking project costs and schedules.

• Project closeout services including conducting final inspections; preparing and managing punch lists; verifying completion of work in accordance with the contract documents; preparing final project reports, including financial summaries; coordinating and obtaining record drawings (as-builts); assisting with final pay application review; and coordinating the collection of contractor warranties, certifications, and releases of liens from contractors and subcontractors.

• Evaluation, negotiation support, and recommendation of project change orders, including cost, schedule, and scope impacts..

Final approval authority, contractual decisions, and acceptance of work shall remain with the Airport.

F. Construction Administration & Technical Support

• Construction phase services including submittal review, RFIs, pay application review, change order analysis, and as-built documentation.

• Construction observation and compliance verification for landside projects.

• Independent construction cost estimates, value engineering, and constructability reviews.

G. Environmental Compliance & Permitting (Design Support Only)

• Environmental permitting and compliance documentation directly supporting landside design and construction, including coordination with regulatory agencies.

• Preparation of project-level environmental documentation necessary for construction execution (excluding environmental planning studies).

• Project-specific environmental studies and technical analyses required to support landside design, permitting, or construction activities. Programmatic or planning-level environmental studies are excluded.

H. Drainage, Stormwater, and Utility Engineering

• Detailed drainage analysis and engineering design for landside facilities.

• Stormwater infrastructure design and permitting.

• Preparation and updates to Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) for landside construction activities.

I. Pavement Engineering – Landside Only

• Condition assessments, rehabilitation design, and maintenance recommendations for parking lots, access roads, and other landside pavements.

• Development of landside pavement maintenance documentation (excluding airfield pavements and PCN analysis).

J. Surveying, Mapping, and Technical Exhibits

• Surveying and mapping services required to support landside design and construction.

• Preparation of technical exhibits for permitting, land acquisition support, and construction documentation.

K. Obstruction Evaluation (Design-Related Only)

• Engineering evaluations related to obstruction clearance and height compliance as they pertain to landside structures, excluding obstruction removal programs.

L. Grant Application Technical Support:

• Technical assistance in support of local, State, and Federal grant applications, including preparation of engineering exhibits, cost estimates, schedules, and technical narratives. Grant strategy development and planning-level grant analysis are excluded.

M. Technical Feasibility Support

• Technical feasibility assessments directly related to constructability, phasing, or implementation of landside projects already approved through the Airport’s planning process. Market, financial, and planning-level feasibility studies are excluded.

2.5 Minimum Qualifications

Each Respondent must provide information demonstrating that it is qualified to perform the services described in the Scope of Work. Proposers must demonstrate their capability to deliver the required services, manage the project effectively, and ensure successful completion in compliance with applicable laws and standards. At a minimum, Proposers must demonstrate the following qualifications:

1. Licensing and Authority: Authorized to conduct business in Texas; hold all required professional licenses/certifications.

2. Experience: At least five (5) years of relevant experience; with at least three (3) comparable projects completed in the past five (5) years.

3. Key Personnel: Project team must include qualified staff with credentials relevant to their assigned roles.

A Project Manager must be designated.

4. Insurance: Ability to meet insurance requirements listed in Section 5.7.

5. Financial and Legal Standing: Not debarred, suspended, or in default on any contract with the City.

If a Respondent cannot fully meet one or more of the minimum qualifications listed above, the Respondent may provide supporting evidence demonstrating its ability to successfully perform the required services. Such evidence may include, but is not limited to, the experience of key management staff on comparable projects, innovative approaches to service delivery, or other relevant accomplishments. The City reserves the right to determine, at its sole discretion, whether the alternative evidence satisfies the intent of the minimum qualifications.

2.6 City Responsibilities

The City of Brownsville will provide:

• Access to relevant data, reports, and background information necessary for project execution including the Airports Capital Improvement program.

• A designated City Project Manager as the primary point of contact.

• Coordination with internal departments, external stakeholders, and regulatory agencies as required.

• Review of deliverables and timely feedback to facilitate progress.

2.7 Performance Requirements

The successful proposer must comply with the following performance requirements, as applicable to the project:

• Timely delivery of goods or completion of services/construction within the project schedule.

• Compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local codes, standards, and regulations.

• Quality assurance and warranty provisions as specified.

• Coordination with City staff and other contractors as necessary.

• Safety compliance with City standards.

3 Proposal Instructions

3.1 General Requirements

All responses must be submitted electronically through the City’s Bonfire portal at https://brownsvilletx.bonfirehub.com no later than the date and time specified in Section 1 (General Information). Responses received after the deadline will not be opened or considered.

Responses must be complete, organized, and signed by an officer or other authorized representative of the firm.

Any costs incurred in preparing or submitting a response are the sole responsibility of the Respondent.

Respondents shall not include pricing, fee schedules, or any other cost-related information in their RFQ submission. Any inclusion of cost information may result in disqualification. The City will request cost and fee proposals separately during the negotiation phase in accordance with Texas Government Code Chapter 2254.

3.2 SOQ Format and Organization

Responses shall be organized into the following chapters. Each chapter should be clearly labeled, and responses should be complete and concise.

Once submitted, proposals become the property of the City and will not be returned. Responses must be signed by a duly authorized official of the firm or by an authorized agent with written proof of authority. Responses that fail to follow the required format or omit requested information may be deemed non-responsive and excluded from further evaluation. Responses transmitted by telegraph, facsimile, or other non-approved electronic means will not be considered. Responses may not be withdrawn after the closing deadline, except as permitted by law. The City of Brownsville reserves the right to reject any and all responses, to waive informalities or irregularities in the best interest of the City, and to rely on information contained in the response, obtained from references, or secured through other sources as part of its evaluation. Conditional or incomplete proposals may be rejected at the City’s sole discretion. At the sole discretion of the City, the events and dates listed in this solicitation are subject to change or cancellation, with notice provided through addenda posted on the Bonfire portal. The contents of the response will become part of the resulting contract; therefore, Respondents should ensure that all information is accurate, complete, and free of conditions that might limit the City’s rights.

Chapter 1 – Cover Letter

• Signed by an authorized representative, confirming the Proposer’s intent to provide services in accordance with this RFQ.

• Identify the primary point of contact for the proposal.

Chapter 2 – Experience, Qualifications, and Past Performance

• Company history, years in business, and areas of expertise.

• Relevant experience with projects of similar size and scope within the last five years.

https://brownsvilletx.bonfirehub.com/

• At least three (3) references for comparable projects (include client name, project title, year completed and contact information).

• Disclosure of any litigation or default history within the last ten (10) years.

Chapter 3 – Staffing and Key Personnel

• Organizational chart showing key personnel and reporting structure.

• Résumés of the Project Manager/Lead Professional and other key staff.

• Availability, Workload Capacity, and Qualifications of proposed personnel for this project.

• Knowledge of Airport Regulatory and Operational Environment.

• Identification of subcontractors (if any) and their role in the project.

Chapter 4 – Project Methodology and Technical Approach

• Narrative description of the Respondent’s approach to accomplishing the Scope of Work.

• Description of deliverables and schedule for completing the project.

• Explanation of quality control and project management processes.

Chapter 5 – Required Forms and Certifications Proposers must submit all required forms and certifications listed below. Failure to complete and submit these forms may result in the proposal being deemed non-responsive.

• City-Issued Forms The following forms are provided as separate attachments on the City’s Bonfire procurement portal and must be completed and returned with the proposal:

o Form 1 – Proposal Acknowledgment & Authorized Contact Info o Form 2 - Statement Of Conflicts Of Interest o Form 3 - Texas Ethics Commission Certificate of Interested Parties (Form 1295) o Form 4 – Respondent’s Statement of Organization o Form 5 – Non-Collusion Affidavit o Form 6 – Litigation Disclosure o Form 7 – Disclosure of Interest o Form 8 - References o Form 9 – Proposed Deviations o Form 10- Federal FAA Clauses o Addenda Acknowledgement Form (to be provided with each issued addendum)

• Vendor-Produced Documentation In addition to the City forms, respondents are responsible for providing certain documents that are not prepared or issued by the City. These must be completed by the vendor and uploaded in Bonfire with the proposal response in addition to City-issued forms. Proposers must submit the following documents prepared by the Proposer:

o Certificate of Insurance (meeting requirements in Section 5 – Terms and Conditions).

o Any additional documents specifically requested in this RFP.

3.3 Withdrawal/Modification of Response Prior to Deadline

Responses may be withdrawn or modified at any time prior to the submission deadline through the City’s Bonfire portal. After the deadline, no changes, additions, or withdrawals will be permitted.

3.4 Confidentiality / Texas Public Information Act

All documents submitted in response to this solicitation are subject to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). Proposers must clearly mark any portion of their submission that they consider confidential, proprietary, or trade secret.

The City will honor such designations to the extent allowed by law; however, the final determination of whether such information may be withheld rests with the Texas Attorney General or a court of competent jurisdiction.

4 Evaluation and Award

4.1 General Evaluation Approach

Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) will be evaluated to determine which Respondent(s) offer the highest overall qualifications to the City, consistent with the evaluation factors identified in this RFQ. Evaluations will be conducted in a fair, impartial, and transparent manner, in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations, including Texas Government Code Chapter 2254 (Professional Services Procurement Act), where applicable. Final award and contract execution are subject to approval by the Brownsville City Commission.

4.2 Evaluation Committee

All SOQs will be evaluated by an Evaluation Committee composed of City staff and/or subject matter experts.

The Committee may consult with other City representatives, legal counsel, or outside advisors as needed.

4.3 Steps in the Evaluation Process

• Step 1 – Compliance/Minimum Qualifications Review SOQs will undergo an initial screening to confirm that they meet the mandatory submission requirements outlined in this RFQ. SOQs failing to meet these requirements may be deemed non-responsive and excluded from further consideration. After a compliance review is done, a minimum qualifications review will be initiated. Only SOQs that meet the minimum qualifications set forth in Section 2.3 will be advanced to detailed evaluation. Failure to meet minimum qualifications, or failure to provide sufficient supporting documentation, will result in disqualification.

• Step 2 – Review and Scoring of Technical Criteria Responsive proposals will be evaluated on technical merit, which may include:

o Understanding of the project requirements and scope.

o Methodology, approach, and work plan.

o Qualifications, abilities, and reputation of the Proposer.

o Experience of key personnel and project team.

o Past performance and references.

o Financial and litigation history.

• Step 3 – Shortlisting (Competitive Range)

Based on initial evaluations, the Committee may identify a shortlist of the most highly qualified Respondents. Shortlisted firms may be invited to participate in oral interviews, presentations, or clarifications.

• Step 4 – Oral Interviews / Presentations (if applicable) Shortlisted Respondents may present their qualifications, project understanding, and approach. Scores may be adjusted based on interview results, provided adjustments are tied directly to the published evaluation criteria.

• Step 5 – Request for Pricing & Negotiations Following completion of qualifications evaluations and oral interviews (if conducted), the City will request a detailed fee proposal from the highest-ranked Respondent. Negotiations will then be conducted in accordance with Texas Government Code Chapter 2254, where applicable, to establish a fair and reasonable price.

If the City is unable to reach an agreement with the highest-ranked Respondent, negotiations may be terminated, and the City may initiate negotiations with the next most qualified Respondent, continuing in this manner until an agreement is reached or the City elects to cancel the procurement.

• Step 6 – Recommendation and Award The Evaluation Committee will prepare a recommendation to the City Commission. The Commission, at its sole discretion, will make the final award decision. The City reserves the right to reject any or all SOQs, waive minor informalities, and award in whole, in part, or not at all.

4.4 Evaluation Criteria and Scoring

Criteria Points

Minimum Qualifications (Pass/Fail) – Firm Experience with Commercial Service Airports 25

Qualifications and Expertise of Key Staff and Subconsultants 20

Project Methodology Approach, Schedule Control, and Budget Performance 15

Knowledge of Airport Regulatory and Operational Environment 20

References 10 Current Workload and Capacity to Perform 10

Total Available 100

• Firm Experience with Commercial Service Airports (25 points): Experience delivering architectural, engineering, and construction management services at commercial service airports of similar size, complexity, and operating environment.

• Qualifications and Expertise of Key Staff and Subconsultants (20 points): Experience, credentials, and airport-specific expertise of proposed key personnel and subconsultants relevant to the scope of services.

• Project Methodology Approach, Schedule Control, and Budget Performance (15 points):

Demonstrated ability to manage projects effectively, meet established schedules, control costs, and deliver projects on time and within budget.

• Knowledge of Airport Regulatory and Operational Environment ( 20 points): Understanding of airport-specific regulatory, safety, and operational requirements, including FAA, TSA, CBP, and other applicable standards as they relate to landside development. Direct FAA grant experience is desirable but not required.

• References (10 points): Quality of work and client satisfaction on recent, comparable airport projects.

• Current Workload and Capacity to Perform (10 points): Availability of personnel, workload commitments, and resources to successfully perform the required services within required timeframes.

4.5 Oral Interviews, Presentations, and Negotiations

As part of the evaluation process, the City may invite shortlisted Respondents to participate in oral interviews, presentations, or demonstrations. These sessions are intended to clarify responses, confirm the Respondent’s ability to meet project requirements, and provide evaluators with additional insight into the qualifications, methodology, staffing, and technical approach of each Proposer. The Evaluation Committee may adjust scores based on interview results; however, adjustments must be tied to the evaluation criteria in Section 4.4.

Interviews should not introduce new evaluation criteria beyond those identified in this RFP.

4.6 Basis of Award

The City may award a contract in whole, in part, or by grouping of services, if such action is determined to be in the City’s best interest. The City also reserves the right to make multiple awards when such possibility is stated in this RFQ and when consistent with applicable laws and funding requirements.

4.7 Single SOQ

In the event that only one SOQ is received, the City will evaluate the submission in accordance with the published evaluation criteria to determine whether it represents best value to the City. The City may also conduct a qualifications and capacity analysis to determine whether the submission is fair and reasonable. Based on this review, the City may make an award, negotiate with the Respondent, or reject the SOQ and re-advertise the solicitation.

5 Terms and Conditions

5.1 Standard Terms and Conditions Reference (Exhibit A)

The City of Brownsville’s Standard Purchasing Terms and Conditions (Exhibit A) are incorporated herein by reference and shall govern all resulting contracts unless expressly modified by this solicitation. By submitting a bid, the bidder acknowledges receipt and acceptance of Exhibit A.

5.2 SOQ Validity / Firm Offer Period

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) may not be withdrawn or cancelled by the Respondent for ninety (90) calendar days following the SOQ due date, and Respondent so agrees upon submittal. During this period, the City may review SOQs, conduct evaluations and interviews, and negotiate contract terms consistent with this

RFQ.

Any attempted withdrawal after the submission deadline and within the firm-offer period may result in disqualification from this RFQ and may negatively affect the Respondent’s responsibility determination in future City solicitations.

5.3 Post-Award Fee Adjustments (If Applicable)

Unless stated otherwise in the resulting contract, negotiated fees shall remain firm for the initial contract term.

If a fee adjustment mechanism is expressly permitted, adjustments may occur only when supported by verifiable market documentation (e.g., published indices) and must:

• be submitted in writing before going into effect, and

• include detailed supporting documentation.

Continuing written notices are required for each thirty (30) day period that adjusted fees remain in effect.

5.4 Availability of Funds / Non-Appropriation

This procurement is subject to the availability of funding. The City’s obligation hereunder is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for the Contract purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the City for any payment shall arise until funds are made available to the Contracting Officer for this Contract and until the Contractor receives notice of such availability, to be confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer. Any award of Contract hereunder will be conditioned upon said availability of funds for the Contract. In the event sufficient appropriation, grants, and monies are not made available to City to pay these services for any fiscal year, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligation of City. In such event, the City Manager of City shall certify to contractor that sufficient funds have not been made available to City to meet the obligations of this Agreement; such certification shall be conclusive upon parties.

5.5 Termination by the City

The City may terminate the contract, in whole or in part, for convenience or cause by providing thirty (30) days’ written notice to the Contractor. If terminated for cause due to the Contractor’s default, the City may pursue all remedies available under law or equity, including procurement of substitute services at the Contractor’s expense.

5.6 Indemnification

BIDDER covenants and agrees to FULLY INDEMNIFY, DEFEND and HOLD HARMLESS, the CITY and the elected officials, employees, officers, directors, volunteers and representatives of the CITY, individually and collectively, from and against any and all costs, claims, liens, damages, losses, expenses, fees, fines, penalties, proceedings, actions, demands, causes of action, liability and suits of any kind and nature, including but not limited to, personal or bodily injury, death and property damage, made upon the CITY directly or indirectly arising out of, resulting from or related to BIDDER’S activities under this contract, including any acts or omissions of BIDDER, any agent, officer, director, representative, employee, consultant or subcontractor of BIDDER, and their respective officers, agents employees, directors and representatives while in the exercise of the rights or performance of the duties under this contract. The indemnity provided for in this paragraph shall not apply to any liability resulting from the negligence of CITY, its officers or employees, in instances where such negligence causes personal injury, death, or property damage. IN THE EVENT BIDDER AND CITY

ARE FOUND JOINTLY LIABLE BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION, LIABILITY SHALL

BE APPORTIONED COMPARATIVELY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS FOR THE STATE OF

TEXAS, WITHOUT, HOWEVER, WAIVING ANY GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY AVAILABLE TO

THE CITY UNDER TEXAS LAW AND WITHOUT WAIVING ANY DEFENSES OF THE PARTIES

UNDER TEXAS LAW.

The provisions of this INDEMNITY are solely for the benefit of the parties hereto and not intended to create or grant any rights, contractual or otherwise, to any other person or entity. BIDDER shall advise the CITY in writing within 24 hours of any claim or demand against the CITY or BIDDER known to BIDDER related to or arising out of BIDDER's activities under this contract, and shall see to the investigation and defense of such claim or demand at BIDDER's cost. The CITY shall have the right, at its option and at its own expense, to participate in such defense without relieving BIDDER of any of its obligations under this paragraph.

5.7 Insurance Requirements

The Proposer shall, at its own expense, maintain insurance coverage meeting or exceeding the following requirements for the duration of the contract:

• Workers’ Compensation: Statutory, with Employer’s Liability limits of not less than $500,000 each accident/disease. If Contractor is not legally required to carry Workers’ Compensation, Contractor shall provide alternative coverage acceptable to the City.

• Commercial General Liability (CGL): $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate, including premises, operations, independent contractors, products/completed operations, personal injury, and contractual liability coverage.

• Automobile Liability: $1,000,000 combined single limit, covering all owned, hired, and non-owned vehicles.

• Umbrella/Excess Liability: $1,000,000 per occurrence and aggregate.

• Additional Coverages (as applicable): Professional Liability/Errors & Omissions ($1,000,000 minimum); Cyber Liability ($1,000,000 minimum).

Required Endorsements:

• The City of Brownsville shall be named as Additional Insured on the CGL and Auto policies.

• Policies shall include a Waiver of Subrogation in favor of the City.

• Coverage shall be primary and non-contributory to any insurance carried by the City.

Certificates of Insurance:

Contractor shall provide valid certificates of insurance prior to contract execution and upon renewal. Each certificate must state that coverage shall not be canceled, materially changed, or non-renewed without thirty

(30) days’ prior written notice to the City.

5.8 Protest Procedures

The City of Brownsville maintains a formal protest procedure in accordance with its Procurement Policy.

Prior to Bid/Proposal Due Date:

• If a prospective bidder/proposer becomes aware of a deficiency in the solicitation or solicitation process before the due date, the bidder/proposer must notify the City Attorney’s Office in writing no later than five (5) calendar days before the due date. This allows the City to address the situation prior to the closing date.

After Bid/Proposal Due Date:

• A bidder/proposer may protest the solicitation process or recommended award by:

1. Filing a written notice of intent to protest within five (5) calendar days of the date the bidder/proposer knew or should have known of the facts giving rise to the protest. Failure to file this notice waives the right to protest.

2. Filing a formal written protest within seven (7) calendar days after the notice of intent is filed.

The protest must include:

• Name, address, telephone, and email of the protestor;

• The solicitation number;

• A detailed statement of the factual grounds for the protest with supporting documents;

• Signature of the protestor or authorized representative;

• The form of relief requested; and

• A concise and logical presentation of facts.

Review and Hearing:

• Upon receipt of a timely protest, the City Attorney will determine whether the grounds are sufficient.

• If sufficient, the Procurement Office will schedule an informal hearing (not subject to the Open Meetings Act) usually within five (5) working days.

• A written decision will typically be issued within fifteen (15) calendar days after the hearing.

Exceptions; Restrictions:

• The City will generally not make an award until a protest is resolved.

• However, the City Manager may authorize award without delay if:

o The City urgently requires the goods or services, or o Failure to award promptly will unduly delay delivery or performance.

Federal Agency Review:

• Protestors must exhaust all administrative remedies with the City before appealing to a federal agency.

• Federal review is limited to:

o Violations of federal law/regulations, or o Violations of the City’s Protest Procedures for failure to review a complaint.

• Any protest sent to a federal agency outside these grounds will be referred back to the City.

5.9 Restrictions on Lobbying & Political Contributions

A vendor/contractor or their agent is prohibited from lobbying activities with City officials, including elected officials, and employees regarding a proposed contract from the time a solicitation (RFP, RFQ, IFB, or other procurement) has been released until the contract is posted as a City Commission agenda item. If contact is required, such contact shall be made only in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 1.7 (Authorized Contact) of this IFB. Violation of this provision by respondents or their agents, including lobbyists, may result in disqualification of the respondent’s offer. A parallel no-contact provision applies to lobbyists and their agents.

Further, the following restrictions apply to all vendors, contractors, and their agents/representatives:

1. No Personal Obligation A lobbyist or a vendor/contractor, or any of their agents, may not do any act or refrain from any act for the purpose of placing any City official under personal obligation to them.

2. False Statements No lobbyist, vendor/contractor, or their agents/representatives may knowingly make any false or misleading statement of fact to a City official, or provide a document with false information without notifying the official in writing of the truth. If a registrant learns that a statement made in a registration form or activity report within the previous three (3) years was false, they must correct that statement within thirty (30) days by written notification to the City Secretary.

3. Use of False Identification No lobbyist, vendor/contractor, or their agents/representatives may communicate with a City official using the name of any fictitious person or the name of a real person without that person’s consent.

4. Improper Influence No lobbyist, vendor/contractor, or their agents/representatives may cause or influence the introduction of any ordinance, resolution, appeal, application, petition, nomination, or amendment for the purpose of later being employed to secure its granting, denial, confirmation, rejection, passage, or defeat.

Additionally, in accordance with City Code Sec. 40-7, contractors are prohibited from making political contributions to City officials or candidates during the contract award period. It shall be unlawful for any contractor to contribute or offer any contribution to a candidate, or for any candidate to solicit or accept any contribution from a contractor during a contract award period.

• City Code Sec. 40-7: In the event that a candidate unknowingly accepts a contribution in contravention of this provision, it shall be the duty of the candidate to return the contribution within ten days after he/she becomes aware of the violation.

Each request for proposal or other document, notice, or advertisement for a contract shall contain a notice regarding this section in a form approved by the city attorney. Each contractor shall be required to submit with any proposal or other submission for the award of any contract a complete list of the persons included in the term "contractor" as defined in this chapter in a form prescribed by the city attorney. It shall be the duty of each city department director to immediately forward each contractor list received to the city secretary, who shall compile and maintain a log of persons who are required to be reported. In addition, the city secretary shall compile, maintain, and post online, by the 14th day after a city commission meeting, a list of contracts awarded at such commission meeting by city commission, including on such list, the date of the initial posting of the request for commission action relative to each specific contract, the name of the contractor, a short description of the contract and the date occurring 180 days after the award of the contract or the determination by city commission or the mayor that the contract would not be awarded to a contractor.

As used in this section, the term contractor shall not include a subcontractor.

5.10 Conflict of Interest Disclosures

In compliance with Chapter 176 of the Texas Local Government Code, any vendor or person seeking to contract with the City of Brownsville must file a completed Conflict of Interest Questionnaire (Form CIQ) with the Office of the City Secretary.

The questionnaire must be filed no later than seven (7) days after the earlier of the following:

1. The vendor begins contract discussions or negotiations with the City; or

2. The vendor submits an application, bid, proposal, correspondence, or other writing related to a potential agreement with the City.

The questionnaire requires disclosure of certain business or employment relationships with City Commissioners, the Mayor, and the City Manager. The Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) is responsible for drafting the questionnaire, and the most current form is available on the TEC website, with a link posted on the City’s ethics webpage.

Failure to comply with Chapter 176 is a violation of Texas law and may result in a Class C misdemeanor.

Vendors are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel regarding compliance with this statute.

5.11 State and Federal Certifications (As Applicable)

The Contractor certifies the following:

• Texas Family Code Compliance: As per Section 14.52 of the Texas Family Code, added by S.B. 84, Acts, 73rd Legislature, R.S. (1993), all bidders must complete and submit with the bid the following affidavit: I, the undersigned vendor, do hereby acknowledge that NO sole proprietor, partner, majority shareholder of a corporation, or an owner of 10% or more of another business entity is 30 days or more delinquent in paying child support under a court order or a written repayment agreement.