RFQ 260226 Professional AE Services for Ben Taub Expansion Project.pdf

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION FOR

Professional Architectural and Engineering Services for Ben Taub Hospital Expansion Project

JOB NO. 26/0226

4800 FOURNACE PLACE

BELLAIRE, TEXAS 77401

PROPOSALS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN:

August 10, 2026 AT 2:00 P.M. CDT/CST

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION PAGE

1 Procurement Schedule 3

2 Solicitation Purpose and Scope of Work 3

3 Minimum Requirements 8

4 Evaluation Criteria 8

5 Submittals 9

6 Instructions to Proposers 11

7 General Requirements for Proposals 13

8 Special Conditions for Proposers 13

9 Appendixes 14

1 PROCUREMENT SCHEDULE

1.1 The Procurement Schedule is as follows, understanding it is a tentative schedule and may be modified as necessary by the Sourcing Manager.

DATE ITEM

July 17, 2026 Release of RFQ document and posted in EUNA July 23, 2026 Proposal Conference July 24, 2026 Questions Due by 12:00 PM Houston, Texas August 10, 2026 Responses are due no later than 2:00 PM Houston, Texas August 31- Sep 3, 2026 Vendor Presentations (if required) September 9, 2026 Vendor Selection October 14, 2026 Board of Trustees for approval

2 SOLICITATION PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF WORK

Harris Health seeks proposals from qualified Professional Architectural and Engineering (A&E) firms to provide planning, programming, architectural, engineering, and construction administration services for the Ben Taub Hospital Expansion Project in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas as described herein.

Agreement may be extended up to the completion of the project under the same terms and conditions. Price adjustments, if required, shall not exceed the increase of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the preceding calendar year. Below is the index to be used for the calculations.

Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) Series Id: CUURS37BSA0, CUUSS37BSA0

Not Seasonally Adjusted Series Title: All items in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX, all urban consumers, not seasonally adjusted Area: Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX Item: All items Base Period: 1982-84=100

2.1 INTRODUCTION, ORGANIZATION AND PROJECT OVERVIEW

2.1.1 Introduction

Harris Health seeks proposals from qualified Professional Architectural and Engineering (A&E) firms to provide planning, programming, architectural, engineering, and construction administration services for the Ben Taub Hospital Expansion Project in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas.

The selected firm will work with Harris Health to plan, design, and support construction of a new inpatient bed tower and related campus infrastructure improvements in furtherance of Harris Health’s mission to provide high-quality safety-net healthcare to Harris County residents.

2.1.2 Organization Overview

Project Harris Health is an integrated public healthcare delivery system serving Harris County, Texas. The system operates:

a) Ben Taub Hospital

b) Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital

c) Community Health Centers

d) Ambulatory Care Facilities

e) Specialty Care Centers

f) School-Based Clinics

Ben Taub Hospital is one of the nation's premier academic safety-net hospitals and serves as:

a) Level I Adult Trauma Center

b) Academic teaching hospital

c) Regional referral center

d) Major healthcare provider within the Texas Medical Center

For more information about Harris Health, visit www.harrishealth.org.

2.1.3 Project Overview

Harris Health is planning a new inpatient expansion tower on the Ben Taub Hospital campus.

The project is intended to increase inpatient capacity and support future growth, operational efficiency, patient experience, and long-term campus sustainability.

Current planning assumptions include:

Item Preliminary Assumption Licensed Beds 100-120 Beds Approximate Size 260,000 – 300,000 GSF (including shell space) Estimated Construction Budget $289 Million

Delivery Method CMAR

Sustainability Goal Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Equivalent

Energy Reduction Goal Up to 60% Reduction

The final program will be confirmed during the pre-design phase.

2.1.4 Project Objectives

The project will be guided by the following objectives:

http://www.harrishealth.org/

a) Clinical Excellence: Support future healthcare delivery models and patient-centered care.

b) Operational Efficiency: Improve patient flow, logistics, supply chain operations, and support services.

c) Campus Integration: Integrate seamlessly with existing Ben Taub operations.

d) Future Flexibility: Provide opportunities for future expansion and adaptability.

e) Sustainability: Advance energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.

f) Resilience: Support long-term operational continuity and disaster preparedness.

g) Master Plan: Create a phased Master Plan for the future replacement of Ben Taub Hospital, including outpatient clinics.

2.1.5 Planning Assumptions

Current planning studies indicate the following:

a) 100–120 new inpatient beds

b) Future shell space opportunities

c) Bridge connection to existing hospital

d) Connection to existing logistics infrastructure

e) Expansion of supporting operational services

f) A phased master plan for the future replacement of Ben Taub Hospital

g) Preservation of uninterrupted hospital operations during construction

The selected A&E team will validate and refine these planning assumptions during programming.

2.2 SCOPE OF SERVICES

The selected A&E firm will provide the following professional services:

Phase 1 – Programming and Planning

a) Functional programming

b) Stakeholder engagement

c) Demand validation

d) Departmental planning

e) Site analysis

f) Test fit studies

g) Operational assessments

h) Preliminary budget validation

Phase 2 – Conceptual and Schematic Design

a) Design charrettes

b) Blocking and stacking

c) Site planning

d) Ben Taub (Phased) Replacement Master Plan

e) Sustainability strategies

f) Preliminary engineering systems

g) Cost estimating

h) Schedule development

Phase 3 – Design Development

a) Architectural design

b) Structural engineering

c) MEP engineering

d) Technology infrastructure

e) Security systems

f) Medical equipment planning

g) FFE coordination

Phase 4 – Construction Documents

a) Permit documents

b) Regulatory coordination

c) Bid documents

d) Technical specifications

e) Construction cost reconciliation

Phase 5 – Construction Administration

a) Site observations

b) Submittal review

c) RFI response

d) Change order review

e) Progress meetings

f) Closeout support

Phase 6 – Activation and Occupancy Support

a) Transition planning support

b) Operational readiness coordination

c) Final inspections

d) Warranty review support

2.3 CONSULTANT TEAM

The A&E may provide an integrated multidisciplinary team that may include the following disciplines:

Architecture, Interior Design, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Plumbing Engineering, Fire Protection Engineering, Medical Planning, Technology Consulting, Security Consulting, Acoustics, Landscape Architecture, Traffic Engineering, Wayfinding & Signage, Sustainability Consulting, Cost Estimating Support, Utility Coordination.

2.4 DESIGN GUIDELINES

The project will comply with all applicable laws, codes, regulations, and standards, including the following:

a) State of Texas requirements

b) TDLR requirements

c) FGI Guidelines

d) NFPA Codes

e) ADA Standards

f) Local jurisdictional requirements

g) Harris Health Design Standards

h) Texas Medical Center requirements

i) Applicable sustainability standards

The selected A&E team will support permitting activities and obtain all required design-related approvals to the extent within its scope of services.

2.5 SUSTAINABILITY AND ENERGY PERFORMANCE

The project will incorporate sustainable design principles consistent with applicable healthcare industry best practices. The A&E team will:

a) Lead integrated sustainability planning

b) Provide energy modeling

c) Support energy reduction goals

d) Evaluate life-cycle costs

e) Recommend high-performance building systems

f) Support LEED-equivalent design objectives

2.6 CONTRUCTION COST MANAGEMENT

The A&E will manage design development to align with the approved project budget. A CMAR will be engaged to provide pre-construction services, including cost validation and design-assist support. Responsibilities include:

a) Cost estimating support

b) Scope management

c) Design-to-budget methodology

d) Value optimization

e) Life-cycle cost evaluation

f) Identification of cost-saving alternatives

The A&E will promptly notify Harris Health of any anticipated variance from the approved project budget.

2.7 PROJECT DELIVERY EXPECTATIONS

The A&E will:

a) Utilize Harris Health project management systems

b) Maintain schedule compliance

c) Coordinate all disciplines

d) Conduct internal quality reviews

e) Participate in stakeholder meetings

f) Support regulatory reviews

g) Maintain continuity of key personnel

The anticipated overall project duration is approximately five years, including design and construction.

3 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Harris Health has identified minimum vendor qualifications and solution requirements for proposals to be considered for evaluation of their proposal and award. These minimum requirements are listed below in this Section 3.0. Those vendors and their proposals that do not meet these minimum requirements described in this Section will not be evaluated and considered for award under this solicitation.

3.2 Minimum Qualifications Requirements:

a) Vendor must have designed a minimum of three (3) hospital facilities.

3.3 Minimum Solution Requirements:

a) Completion and submittal of the MWBE Goal Participation Information Packet.

4 EVALUATION CRITERIA

4.1 All proposals will be examined by an Evaluation Committee which will consist of Harris Health staff.

4.2 Proposals that do not meet the Minimum Requirements contained in Section 3.0 will be eliminated from consideration.

4.3 Proposals should be brief, straightforward, and concise demonstrating the vendor has an understanding on what is being requested and evaluated. Omissions, ambiguous and equivocal statements may be construed against the vendor. The proposal response may be incorporated into any contract which results from this RFQ, and vendors are cautioned not to make claims or statements it is not prepared to commit to contractually.

4.4 The Harris Health Sourcing Manager may hold discussions with one or more vendors to clarify their proposal for evaluation and possible award. Vendors shall not contact any Harris Health personnel during the RFQ process without the express permission from Harris Health Sourcing Manager identified herein. Harris Health may disqualify any vendor who has made site visits, contacted other Harris Health personnel or distributed any literature without prior authorization from the Harris Health Sourcing Manager.

4.5 Vendors may be invited to participate in interviews and make a presentation to the evaluation committee based on their submitted proposal and information requested by the committee.

4.6 All correspondence relating to this RFQ, from advertisement to award shall be sent to Harris

Health Purchasing Department. All presentations and/or meetings between Harris Health and the vendor relating to this RFQ shall be coordinated by the Sourcing Manager.

4.7 Evaluation Scoring

Award will be made to the highest scored responsive and responsible vendor whose proposal is determined to be the best evaluated offer taking into consideration the evaluation criteria in the following order of relative importance:

1. Relevant Healthcare Experience 35%

2. Project Team Qualifications 35%

3. Design Approach 15%

4. Cost and Schedule Management 15% 100%

4.8 Submission of a proposal implies the vendor's acceptance of the evaluation criteria and vendor’s recognition that subjective judgments must be made by the Evaluation Committee.

5 SUBMITTALS

5.1 Harris Health is using the EUNA platform (https://gobonfire.com) to distribute this RFQ document, respond to questions, and receive proposals for this competitive solicitation. Below are the requirements a vendor must follow when submitting a proposal for consideration. Vendors are encouraged to register and become familiar with the platform prior to submitting a proposal.

5.2 EUNA Requested Information Section – Items to Upload

a) Proposal Acknowledgement

b) Miscellaneous Proposal Documents:

i. Vendor Certification of Eligibility to Participate;

ii. Tax Residence Certification;

iii. Addenda (if any);

iv. Copies of Insurance Certificate.

5.3 Relevant Healthcare Experience

https://gobonfire.com/

Provide summaries for no more than three relevant projects where respondents will demonstrate the following:

a) Healthcare Experience: Experience on at least three comparable acute care hospital projects;

b) Academic Medical Center Experience: Experience with large teaching hospitals, trauma centers, or academic medical centers;

c) Active Campus Experience: Demonstrated success delivering projects on occupied healthcare campuses;

d) Public Sector Experience: Experience working with governmental or public healthcare entities;

e) Financial Capacity: Demonstrated capacity to staff and support a project of this size and complexity.

Respondents will acknowledge the project’s unique context within the following environments:

a) Texas Medical Center

b) Active Level I Trauma Campus

c) Public Healthcare Environment

d) Adjacent Hermann Park Interface

e) Ongoing Hospital Operations

The selected A&E will demonstrate experience managing complex stakeholder environments while maintaining uninterrupted clinical operations.

5.4 Project Team Qualifications

Provide a narrative that describes your company’s qualifications and experience as an organization and how it stands ahead of its competition. To evaluate vendor’s qualifications and experience, please provide the following information:

Firm Overview:

a) History

b) Ownership

c) Office locations

d) Organizational structure

Team Organization:

a) Organizational chart

b) Key personnel

c) Proposed project leadership

References:

Provide three owner references, including name, phone number and email address of client contact. A&E Team Qualifications are limited to 30 pages total, including the cover, tabs, attachments, and all other supporting materials. Submittals exceeding this page limit may be disqualified.

5.5 Design Approach

Provide a narrative that describes:

a) Programming methodology

b) Design approach

c) Stakeholder engagement strategy

5.6 Cost and Schedule Management

Provide a narrative that describes:

a) Cost and schedule management approaches

b) Quality management process

5.7 MWBE Commitment

Review the MWBE Goal Participation Information Packet for information on Harris Health’s 26% Minority/Woman-owned Business Entity goal for the purchase of the requested goods or services.

The packet will also have instructions on how to complete the Utilization Plan and the Letter of Intent, which is required to be uploaded into EUNA as part of your proposal submission.

5.8 Contract Documents

a) The awarded vendor is required to execute a contract with Harris Health which incorporates the terms and conditions set forth in vendor’s proposal, and any negotiations between vendor and Harris Health. The agreement is subject to review by Harris Health Legal Department.

b) Included in the RFQ documents is the contract template to be used in the execution of an agreement with the awarded vendor. The contract template will be negotiated and its terms finalized at the time of contract award between Harris Health and the awarded vendor.

5.9 Harris Health will not be liable for any costs incurred by the vendor in preparing a response to this

RFQ. Vendors submit proposals at their own risk and expense. Harris Health makes no guarantee that any products or services will be purchased as a result of this RFQ, and reserves the right to reject any and all proposals. All proposals and accompanying documentation will become the property of Harris Health. All proposals are open to negotiation. The vendor is expected to examine all documents, forms, specifications, and all instructions. Failure to do so will be at vendor’s risk.

5.10 At and after opening, proposals will NOT be part of the public record and subject to disclosure, but will be kept confidential until time of award and execution of an agreement. When an award is made and an agreement is executed, proposals are subject to review under the “Public Information Act.”

6 INSTRUCTIONS TO PROPOSERS

6.1 A Pre-Proposal conference will be conducted via TEAMS on July 23, 2026 at 11:00 AM local time in Houston and is anticipated to last approximately one (1) hour. Participation is not mandatory, but is encouraged in order to have a better understanding of the project and requirements of this RFQ. When it’s time, join the meeting:

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/222690965734296?p=qBHp9h3mgnx4NtpNeQ https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/222690965734296?p=qBHp9h3mgnx4NtpNeQ

Meeting ID: 222 690 965 734 296

Passcode: 3SS3AH6a

6.2 It is each vendor’s responsibility to examine the entire Request for Qualification (RFQ) package, seek clarification in writing, and review their response for accuracy before submitting. Questions relating to this RFQ submitted in writing in EUNA no later than the date listed in Section 1 Procurement Schedule. Questions received after the question deadline are not guaranteed responses. All questions submitted in writing prior to the deadline will be responded to via an addendum, and vendors will be notified of the addendum by public notice in EUNA. Harris Health is not bound by any information conveyed verbally.

6.3 Responses to this Request for Qualification (RFQ) shall be formatted and organized in the following order for consistency and easy screening:

a) Vendors are to follow the prompts in EUNA when submitting a proposal, understanding to submit the information only when requested for each section. Vendors are not to submit information where it is not being requested, as different evaluation members may receive and review different sections of the proposal. An example would be submitting pricing in the experience section, as evaluation members evaluating experience are not involved in calculating points for pricing, which is the Sourcing Manager’s responsibility.

b) Harris Health reserves the right to request additional information and use as part of the RFQ evaluation process.

c) If a vendor is unable to submit their proposal through EUNA, a hardcopy and electronic copy in a USB pen drive must be submitted to the Sourcing Manager prior to the submittal deadline listed in Section 1.1, at the address listed below in Section 7.6. Submitted proposal must be typed, single spaced, and printed single-sided on 8 ½” by 11” paper, delivered in a sealed envelope with the Vendor Name and RFQ number typed on the envelope.

6.4 Harris Health anticipates awarding the services described within this RFQ to a single vendor. No award can be made until approved by Harris Health Board of Trustees and the MWBE Utilization Plan approved by the Contractor Diversity team. The RFQ itself does not obligate Harris Health to the purchase of any described services. The progress towards a potential award is solely at the discretion of Harris Health and may be terminated at any time prior to execution of an agreement.

6.5 The vendor may propose value added services that it believes will benefit Harris Health in meeting the needs outlined in the RFQ Document. Vendor must identify the use, functionality, and purpose of the optional/value-added item(s), and how Harris Health will benefit from these items.

6.6 The following Sourcing Manager is the primary and sole vendor contact for this Request for

Qualifications. Vendors who communicate directly with the user department or others within the Harris Health organization in regards to this Request for Qualifications may be eliminated from award, if it is determined the communication created an unfair advantage for the vendor.

Paulo Tosetto Sourcing Manager 4800 Fournace Place – 5th Floor Bellaire, TX 77401

7 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PROPOSALS

7.1 The General Requirements for Proposals document dated 12/11/24 and which a copy is included in the EUNA portal, will be incorporated as part of this Request for Qualifications document.

7.2 Vendors are to review and understand these requirements, with questions regarding these requirements be submitted in accordance with the Question Deadline listed in Section 1.0 Procurement Schedule.

8 SPECIAL CONDITIONS FOR PROPOSERS

8.1 CONTRACT

The attached Service Agreement contract template represents the basis for the final agreement and outlines the general terms and conditions we expect to include in the final agreement. The specific terms of the final contract may be negotiated with the awarded vendor.

8.2 INVOICES

The Vendor will submit an invoice upon completion of each deliverable. Deliverables will be considered complete only upon written acceptance by Harris Health. Each invoice shall include the contract number along with each deliverable(s) completed and the price for each. No charges may be billed to Harris Health unless such costs are explicitly included in the agreement.

8.3 ACCESS TO RECORDS

The Vendor agrees to allow the Comptroller General of the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS"), Harris Health Auditor, and their duly authorized representatives, access to contracts, books, documents, and records necessary to verify the nature and extent of the costs of the services provided by vendor. Vendor agrees to allow such access until the expiration of four (4) years after the services are furnished under the contract or subcontract or until the completion of any audit or audit period, whichever is later. Such access will be provided in accordance with the regulations of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS"). Vendor agrees to allow similar access to books, records, and documents related to contracts between vendor and organizations related to or subcontracted by vendor, as defined by the regulations of CMS.

8.4 CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PARTIES (FORM 1295)

Texas law requires all parties who enter into any contract with Harris Health, which must be approved by its Board of Trustees to disclose all interested parties. If applicable, the Form 1295 must be completed and turned in prior to the contract. For more information, go to the following website: https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/filinginfo/1295

8.5 HIPAA COMPLIANCE

The vendor agrees to comply with the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, Pub. L. No. 104-191 (codified at 45 C.F.R. Parts 160 and 164), as amended ("HIPAA"); privacy and security regulations promulgated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services ("DHHS"); Title XIII, Subtitle D of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Pub. L. No. 111-5, as amended ("HITECH Act"); provisions https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/filinginfo/1295 regarding Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records (codified at 42 C.F.R. Part 2), as amended; and TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. §§ 81.046, as amended, 181.001 et seq., as amended, 241.151 et seq., as amended, and 611.001 et seq., as amended collectively referred to as "HIPAA", to the extent that the Offeror uses, discloses or has access to protected health information as defined by HIPAA. Offeror may be required to enter a Business Associate Agreement pursuant to HIPAA.

8.6 PURCHASE ORDERS

Products and/or services must not be provided and invoices will not be paid without a purchase order, signed by the Harris County Purchasing Agent. Purchase orders will be written in annual increments when applicable.

8.7 QUALITY ASSESSMENT AND PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (QAPI)

The vendor shall perform all services in accordance with any and all applicable healthcare standards and in a manner that is consistent with the regulatory and accreditation standards applicable to Harris Health, including, without limitation, those requirements imposed by the Medicare/Medicaid Conditions of Participation and any amendments thereto. The vendor understands that Harris Health maintains an ongoing, system-wide quality assessment and performance improvement (“QAPI”) program, which includes the monitoring and assessment of the quality, efficiency, and safety of the vendor’s performance of services. The vendor shall furnish to Harris Health any and all information, records, and other documents related to its provision of the services under the Agreement resulting from this RFQ that Harris Health may request to help it evaluate its quality assurance, utilization review, risk management activities, and any other plans and/or programs adopted by Harris Health.

If Harris Health determines that the expectations of the Agreement resulting from this RFQ are not being met by the vendor, Harris Health shall notify the vendor in writing, and the parties shall work together to develop an action plan and process changes to meet the expectations of the Agreement resulting from this RFQ. Harris Health will determine, in its sole discretion, whether continued services are required. The vendor understands and agrees that failure to meet expectations of the Agreement resulting from this RFQ within a specified timeframe may result in action up to and including termination of the Agreement resulting from this RFQ with written notice to the vendor.

8.8 SUBCONTRACTING

The vendor may not subcontract services awarded on the agreement resulting from this RFQ to another firm without the written acceptance of Harris Health.

8.9 INSURANCE

Harris Health reserves the right to request vendor to provide additional insurance coverage on specific services that involves high value and/or major equipment. It would move from the standard coverage/pound to coverage by estimated value.

9 APPENDIXES

The following documents will be made a part of this Request for Qualifications solicitation and will be available on the EUNA portal for completion and submittal as part of your proposal.

1. General Requirements for Proposals

2. Harris Health Minimum Insurance Requirements

3. Proposal Acknowledgement

4. Tax Residence Certification

5. Vendor Certification of Eligibility to Participate

6. MWBE Utilization Plan

7. Experience Form

8. A&E Service Agreement Template

9. Campus Planning Study / Stacking Plan Study

10. Hermann Park Conservancy Commitment