Architectural/Engineering Services for the FEMS-Engine House 15 Facility Modernization

The District of Columbia Department of General Services, on behalf of the Fire and Emergency Medical Services, is soliciting architectural and engineering services for the modernization and expansion of Engine House 15 at 2101 14th Street SE, with proposals due August 17, 2026, and a mandatory site visit on July 30. This procurement is set-aside exclusively for firms certified as Small Business Enterprises (SBEs) by the District of Columbia Department of Small and Local Business Development — a hard filter that eliminates non-SBE bidders.

The scope spans three design packages: Program of Requirements validation and Schematic Design; Design Development and 100% Construction Documents; and Bid Phase support plus Construction Administration. The project entails a new two-story main building (19,950 GSF), 30-space parking lot, and potential expansion onto an adjacent District-owned parcel. Design Package A must be completed within 500 calendar days from contract execution. The facility must achieve LEED Gold certification with Net Zero Energy performance and Enhanced Commissioning, with energy use intensity capped at 20 units. The Architect/Engineer team must include a Principal Architect, Project Architect (with minimum 5 similarly complex projects), and separate Mechanical, Electrical, Structural, and Civil Engineers. Estimated construction costs range from $17.5 million to $20 million.

Offerors must propose lump-sum fees for each design package plus hourly rates for seven position categories and a maximum $75,000 reimbursable allowance. At least 35% of contract work must be subcontracted to SBE firms; an additional 50% participation goal applies to certified business enterprises and 15% to resident-owned businesses, with preference points up to 12 on a 100-point evaluation scale. Evaluation weights are past performance and specialized experience (30 points), professional qualifications of key personnel (30 points), design approach and management plan (30 points), and capacity to meet schedules (10 points). The District anticipates Notice of Award by October 30, 2026. Service Contract Act prevailing wages, Living Wage Act requirements ($18.40/hour effective July 1, 2026), First Source Employment Agreement hiring mandates (51% District residents), and Davis-Bacon wage determinations apply. Pre-Proposal Conference is July 29 at 10:30 AM via Teams; questions close August 3 at 2:00 PM.