Architect/engineer (a/e) architectural services

The Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Department (OCSD) is requesting Statements of Qualifications from qualified architecture and engineering firms to establish an on-call usage contract for architectural services across approximately 60 OCSD facilities, with SOQs due October 23, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time.

Orange County Local Small Business (OCLSB) preference applies to certified firms maintaining a principal center of operations within Orange County. For RFP procurements, an additional 5% is applied to the tallied cost score, with preference given to certified OCLSB firms in case of score matching. Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) preference is explicitly excluded from this A/E services solicitation. Respondents must obtain state-level Small Business and/or DVBE certification from the California Department of General Services and submit a completed Affirmation form if claiming preference.

The scope encompasses architectural design, planning, and professional services for jails, the coroner's office, regional substations, crime laboratories, training centers, and administrative offices. Firms must provide or partner to deliver planning studies, preliminary design, surveying, civil and landscape engineering, hydrology, geotechnical services, plans and specifications, cost estimates, construction management, and environmental documentation including biological, archaeological, and paleontological assessments. Minimum qualifications include five years of California business operation, demonstrated Southern California architectural experience, office location within two hours of Orange County, current state licensure, and assignment of licensed professionals with minimum five years of experience to project management. All personnel accessing Sheriff facilities must complete background clearance; the process typically requires four to six weeks.

The contract term is three years commencing upon Board of Supervisors approval, with maximum allowable compensation of $1.5 million. Compensation is on a not-to-exceed fixed-fee basis per the Fee Schedule (Attachment B), with extra work ordered in writing by the County Director priced using Fee Schedule rates. Contractors must maintain commercial general liability of $1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate, professional liability of $1 million per claim / $2 million aggregate, and auto liability of $1 million combined single limit.

Evaluation is weighted across six categories totaling 1,000 points: Technical Expertise (250 points), Key Personnel and References (200 points), Approach and Understanding of Project (200 points), Control of Cost and Work Schedules (150 points), Adequate Staff and Availability (100 points), and Other Factors including proximity and prior County experience (100 points). Questions are due October 9, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. PDT through the OpenGov online bidding system (SOQ 060-2730-RFQ-AE-JC). Mandatory compliance documents include Campaign Contribution Disclosure Form, W-9, and Security Clearance Application for facility access.