Architectural and Engineering Consulting Services

The City of Portsmouth, Virginia is requesting proposals from qualified architectural and engineering consulting firms to provide A&E services on an as-needed basis, with proposals due October 27, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. via eVA. The City intends to hire multiple consultants through this RFP. All firms must be licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia to perform A&E consulting work.

The scope encompasses site design, architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, information technology, and interior design services for new and existing municipal facilities including schools, recreation centers, human services buildings, operational facilities, libraries, and museums. All required services must be provided by qualified, licensed personnel.

The City strongly encourages participation by small, women-owned, minority-owned, and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. SWAM/MBE/SDV participation carries 10% evaluation weight.

The contract period is one year with options to renew for four additional one-year terms, potentially extending five years total. Pricing is not required in the initial proposal; the City may request nonbinding hourly-rate estimates during discussions. Successful offerors may not increase prices during renewal terms but may offer decreases with mutual consent. Payment is made upon project completion unless otherwise negotiated.

Evaluation criteria are responsiveness to RFP provisions (20%), project manager qualifications (10%), personnel qualifications and experience (20%), firm organizational capability (20%), quality of workmanship and past performance (20%), and SWAM/MBE/SDV participation (10%). Interviews with top offerors are scheduled November 30–December 4, 2026, with panel selection and approval by December 9, 2026.

Before contracting, successful offerors must furnish professional liability insurance of $2,000,000; workers' compensation and employer's liability insurance as required by Virginia law; comprehensive automobile liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate; and comprehensive general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate. Written questions are due by 5:00 p.m. on October 13, 2026 to Susan Kenney-Lambert at lamberts@portsmouthva.gov. The City reserves the right to cancel the contract without penalty upon 60 days written notice.