Automation

The University of Texas at Austin issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) on January 26, 2026, seeking qualified firms to provide automation advisory services for The Medical Complex Project during the Schematic Design and Design Development phases. The primary scope involves developing comprehensive automation strategy, creating decision frameworks, and performing early design integration with emphasis on robotic transportation of materials and broader automation network planning for a new academic medical center; notably, the procurement does not include acquisition of specific robotic equipment or vendor selection. Key deliverables include five representative past projects, organizational charts, individual resumes, financial statements for the preceding two years, and completion of a VetHUB Subcontracting Plan demonstrating good faith efforts to engage service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. The evaluation committee will assess proposals using seven weighted criteria: Statement of Qualifications and Availability (10%), Project Team's Ability to Provide Relevant Services (20%), Performance on Past Representative Projects (15%), Management Procedures and Methods (10%), Approach to Data Analysis (10%), Experience and Approach to Forward Looking Strategies and Designs (25%), and Ability to Identify and Resolve Problems on Past Projects (10%). Critical dates include a pre-submittal conference on February 2, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom, question submission deadline of February 5, 2026 at 12:00 p.m., estimated answer distribution February 12, 2026, and proposal submission deadline of February 17, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. via the University Bonfire Portal; evaluation completion is targeted for February 26, 2026, followed by shortlisted firm interviews March 10-12, 2026, contract negotiations commencing March 18, 2026, and final award by March 30, 2026.

The solicitation requires submission of a VetHUB Subcontracting Plan as a mandatory material specification, with proposals lacking this documentation subject to rejection; respondents must either commit to self-performing the entire contract or identify specific subcontracting opportunities with designated percentages for VetHUB and non-VetHUB vendors, demonstrating good faith outreach to at least two VetHUB centers and three state-certified VetHUB vendors with minimum seven working days notice. All respondents must certify compliance with Texas Governor Executive Order GA-48 regarding foreign adversary restrictions and provide disclosure regarding pending litigation, loan defaults, family relationships with University employees, and ownership interests. Contractors must maintain minimum insurance coverage including workers' compensation with statutory limits, commercial general liability with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence, business auto liability with $1,000,000 single limits, and cyber liability insurance with limits of not less than $10,000,000 per incident. The anticipated contract term is one year with options to renew for two additional one-year terms plus potential month-to-month extensions not to exceed three months; the solicitation does not specify a maximum contract value but notes the total cumulative amount paid by the University shall not exceed a fee cap without prior written approval. The University reserves the right to negotiate terms and conditions including scope, staffing levels, and fees with the highest-ranked respondent and may make single, multiple, or no awards based on best value determination to the institution.