Design build for vertical conveyance phases 2 - 4 project

The County of Orange, John Wayne Airport is soliciting proposals from qualified design-build firms for Design-Build Services for Vertical Conveyance Phases 2-4, with proposals due October 16, 2026 at 2:00 PM. This is a two-step procurement: four firms (AECOM, Charles Pankow Builders, Layton Construction, and Swinerton Builders) advanced from a prior Statements of Qualifications phase and are now submitting full RFP responses. The project is federally funded through FAA Airport Improvement Plan grants and carries a 25% Small Business Enterprise participation goal.

The scope encompasses design and construction of vertical conveyance systems serving 28 elevators (19 Westinghouse hydraulic units, 4 Schindler hydraulic units, 1 Schindler traction unit, and 4 Fujitec traction units) and 3 Schindler escalators. Work includes demolition, machinery and controls installation, structural upgrades, cab enclosures, door systems, hall fixtures, machine room HVAC, pit drainage, lobby finishes, network integration, electrical work, fire alarm and sprinkler systems, and interim maintenance for turned-over units. Four optional add alternates address escalator structural truss replacement, hydraulic elevator cylinder replacement, asbestos/hazardous materials abatement, and moisture intrusion mitigation. All pricing must be firm, fixed, and fully inclusive of design, engineering, permitting, labor, materials, and coordination. Respondents must submit a Guaranteed Maximum Price proposal with design phase services, construction services, labor and overhead, and hourly rate schedules.

Contract Time is 1,095 calendar days from Notice to Proceed (including 93 days weather stoppage), with Substantial Completion required within 1,000 calendar days and Final Completion within 1,095 days. Liquidated damages are $15,000 per calendar day for schedule delays. The contractor must furnish Faithful Performance and Labor & Material Payment Bonds each equal to 100% of contract price within 14 days of award.

Minimum qualifications include a valid California NO VALUE License, three similar-sized public sector project examples (at least one airport project), and a licensed Professional Engineer with minimum ten years California experience. The pre-submittal meeting and site visit is October 7, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Terminal A. Questions are due October 9, 2026 at 2:00 PM. Interviews with top-ranked firms are scheduled for November 4, 2026. Evaluation comprises written response (500 points), presentation/interview (400 points), and cost proposal (100 points, representing 20% of total scoring). The contract is governed by California law, Davis-Bacon prevailing wage standards, FAA Buy America provisions, and Title 2 CFR Part 200 compliance. Phase 1 as-built documentation is provided as a reference baseline for integration with Phases 2-4 design and construction.