Cameron county courthouse (dancy building) architectural assessment phase II

Cameron County, Texas, is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a comprehensive architectural assessment and restoration design of the Cameron County Courthouse, known as the Dancy Building. The procurement seeks architectural firms to evaluate and develop plans and specifications for repairs to various building elements, including terra cotta, windows, basement areas, wood floors, staircases, hardware, doors, interior wall plaster, grading, storm water drainage, flood lighting, and the Commission Chamber's interior ceiling. Respondents must demonstrate expertise in historic preservation, comply with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Historic Properties, and work closely with the Texas Historical Commission. The RFQ will be evaluated using a weighted scoring system: 30 points for Personnel Experience, 30 points for Team Members, 20 points for Understanding of the Historical Project and Project Development Schedule, and 20 points for References on Previous Related Projects. Key submission requirements include one original and one copy of the qualification statement, along with an electronic PDF, due by November 21, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at the Cameron County Purchasing Department. Questions and clarifications must be submitted by November 12, 2025, before 3:00 p.m. CST, with answers provided in an addendum by November 14, 2025.

The procurement includes several requirements for potential respondents, with a focus on Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) declarations and compliance with federal and state regulations. Firms must provide a minimum of five references from similar historic preservation projects in Texas and include individual consultants specializing in architectural terra cotta, structural engineering, historic window rehabilitation, and historic interior/exterior restoration. Respondents must submit various certifications, including debarment certification, conflict of interest disclosures, and tax compliance certifications. The project is jointly funded by Cameron County and the Texas Historical Commission, with actual repair funding pending budget appropriation. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the County reserves the right to reject any or all responses and will conduct cost negotiations after initial selection, as pricing cannot be used as a primary selection factor. The final contract will require authorization from the Commissioners Court, and the project aims to comprehensively assess and restore the historic courthouse while ensuring compliance with building codes, ADA guidelines, FEMA, and windstorm guidelines.