Design-Build - new Courthouse - Fort Lauderdale FL

PRE­SOLICITATION NOTICE 

Solicitation No.: 47PE0322R0002

Continuing a legacy of outstanding public architecture that was initiated with the founding of the nation, the General Services Administration (GSA) Public Buildings Service (PBS) seeks to commission our nation’s most  talented architects, landscape architects, interior designers, engineers, and construction professionals to design and construct federal buildings of  outstanding quality and value. These projects are to demonstrate the value of true integrated design that balances aesthetics, cost, functionality, constructability, durability, and reliability; create environmentally responsible and superior workplaces for civilian Federal employees; and  give contemporary form and meaning to our democratic values. In this context, GSA announces an opportunity for Design and Construction Excellence in public architecture for performance of  Architectural­ Engineering Design and Construction services in accordance with GSA quality standards and requirements. As required by law,  regulation, or Executive Order, all facilities will meet Federal energy goals,  security requirements, and achieve at least a LEED Gold certification. 

GSA intends to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a Design ­Build (DB) contract to design and construct a new United States Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  This acquisition encompasses the design and construction of the offices and related space based on a completed Bridging Design to address the needs of the U.S. District Courts, U.S. Court of Appeal, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S.  Attorney’s Office, U.S. Probation Office, and the General Services Administration . The facility includes approximately 252,000 gross square feet including 50 inside secured parking spaces.  The newly constructed courthouse will be located on GSA owned property, on a site between SE 3rd Ave and SE 11th Street in the Central Business District of Fort Lauderdale.   The site currently contains 8 structures that GSA is in the process of demolishing to grade which will be separate from this procurement.

GSA intends to award a firm-­fixed price design-­build contract pursuant to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) two ­phase design­ build selection  procedures (FAR Subpart 36.3).  For this contract award process, GSA will issue two Solicitations in sequence: Phase 1 and Phase 2, respectively. 

The purpose of Phase 1 (the Request for Qualifications) is to select the most highly qualified Offerors from Phase 1 to participate in Phase 2 (the Request for Proposals).  Once Phase 1 is complete, the Contracting Officer will invite the “short­listed” Offerors to submit Phase 2 proposals. Potential Offerors are hereby placed on notice that GSA will publicly announce the names of the Phase 1 “short­list” on www.sam.gov. 

Maximum Number of “Short­ Listed” Offerors: The Contracting Officer will select a maximum of three (3) of the most highly rated Offerors to  proceed to Phase 2. 

Phase 2 of the solicitation is prepared in accordance with FAR Part 15 and will include the Phase 2 evaluation factors, developed in accordance with 15.304.  Phase 2 solicitations require submission of technical and price proposals, which are evaluated separately, in accordance with Part 15. 

Stipend:  In consideration for the preparation of a Phase 2 technical  proposal, GSA will pay a stipend to Offerors not selected for award of the resulting contract in the amount of $250,000.  Offerors that submit incomplete or unacceptable  Phase 2 proposals will not be eligible for a stipend.  For the avoidance of  doubt, no stipend is paid during Phase 1. 

At the conclusion of Phase 2, GSA intends to award a contract to a single Offeror for all design and construction services.  This procurement will be open to both large and small business firms.   The firm (if not a small business concern) shall be required to present an acceptable small business subcontracting plan in accordance with FAR  19.7, as part of its proposal.   

The RFQ will be issued electronically on or about January 31st, 2022 on the Internet at: www.sam.gov 

GSA anticipates a virtual pre-proposal conference lasting approximately 1 hour will be held the week of February 7th. During this pre-proposal conference we will answer questions about the 2 phase design/build procurement process and include a brief overview of the Bridging package the shortlisted firms can anticipate receiving as part of the phase 2 RFP.  Instructions on how to register for the virtual pre-proposal conference will be included in the RFQ.

For planning purposes, GSA anticipates the phase 1 RFQ responses will be due at the end of February, the short list announced and phase 2 RFP issued in mid to late March,  phase 2 proposals due approximately 90 days later, and award of contract early August 2022.  During phase 2, GSA anticipates a minimum of one (1) in-progress proprietary conference with each of the shortlisted firms around 2-3 weeks after issuance of phase 2 RFP, as well as an oral presentation after the receipt of phase 2 proposals.