13356-20241226111224 Desoto

The DeSoto County Board of Supervisors is seeking qualifications from architectural engineering firms to develop a comprehensive plan for a county safe room project located in Southaven. The procurement is a Request for Statement of Qualifications (RFQ) targeting firms with expertise in designing safe room facilities that meet specific regulatory standards, including FEMA 361, ICC 500 Standard of Design & Construction of Storm Shelters 2020, IBC 2018, and IFC 2018 building codes. The project requires designing a 3,600-square-foot multi-use safe room with integrated restrooms and electrical facilities, situated on county-owned land adjacent to a reclaimed landfill. Proposals must be submitted by February 4, 2025, at 10:00 AM to the DeSoto County Procurement Office in both paper and flash drive formats. The selected firm will be responsible for comprehensive architectural and engineering services, including schematic design, construction documents, bidding processes, and construction administration, utilizing a standard AIA C141 Architect/Owner Agreement with county modifications.

While no specific set-aside designations or disadvantaged enterprise requirements are mentioned in the procurement documents, the county has strict evaluation criteria focusing on the firm's experience with safe room design, landfill projects, and flood plain environments. Submission requirements mandate detailed information about the principal architect and engineering team members, including mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil specialists, along with a minimum of three comparable project references that demonstrate relevant experience. The documents indicate that travel expenses will not be covered by the county, and all additional services require prior approval. Although no specific budget range is provided, the comprehensive nature of the project suggests a significant architectural and engineering services contract. The county will use a competitive selection process to evaluate submissions, with an emphasis on technical expertise, past project performance, and the team's ability to meet the complex design and regulatory requirements of the safe room facility.