Architectural Engineering Services for Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Public Health Laboratory (DPHL2)

The Texas Facilities Commission is requesting qualifications for architectural and engineering services to design and manage construction of a new 220,000-square-foot Public Health Laboratory 2 (DPHL2) facility for the Texas Department of State Health Services, with submissions due September 4, 2026 and mandatory pre-submittal teleconference attendance on August 18 or 19. A Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Subcontracting Plan is a material requirement — all respondents must submit a completed plan regardless of self-performing or subcontracting intent.

The scope encompasses full prime A/E services across six distinct phases: Pre-Design, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding and Award, and Construction Administration. The facility contains approximately 200,000 gross square feet of biosafety level (BSL) 1 and 2 laboratory space for newborn screening and approximately 20,000 gross square feet of BSL-3 separate facility space at 1100 W. 49th Street in Austin, Texas. The A/E must prepare building information models in Autodesk Revit format, coordinate submittals through TFC's electronic project management control system, and obtain Notice of Authorization from TFC before advancing between phases. Design milestone reviews occur at initial conceptual drawings, schematic design, design development, and at 65%, 95%, and 100% construction document completion stages.

The estimated construction cost is $200 million. The anticipated project duration is 1,460 calendar days with services to commence within ten days of Notice to Proceed. Compensation consists of a stipulated sum with proportional phase payments: 5% Pre-Design, 20% Schematic Design, 45% Design Development, 75% Construction Documents, 80% Bidding/Award, and 100% upon Construction Administration completion. Reimbursable travel and lodging expenses are limited to Texas Comptroller rates with no reimbursement for travel within 100 miles of the A/E's principal place of business except for approved overnight stays.

Respondents must maintain current business entity registration with the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors and the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners and comply with Texas Government Code Chapter 2254. Evaluation criteria are weighted: Relevant Experience and Qualifications 70 points, Proposed Methodology 20 points, and Quality Assurance/Quality Control 10 points; Company Information, Litigation History, and HUB Subcontracting Plan are pass/fail. Contract award is anticipated October 15, 2026, with execution November 1, 2026. Kitchell CEM is the designated Project Management Firm. Funding is contingent upon continued state appropriations.