El Pueblo Center Revitalization

The City of Tucson is seeking a qualified architectural and engineering firm to provide comprehensive professional services for the El Pueblo Center Revitalization project through Request for Qualifications (RFQ) No. 250116. The project requires construction documents and administration for five key areas: a daycare facility, office building space, hi-tech/hi-flex classrooms, campus wayfinding improvements, and an event plaza. Submissions are due on June 4, 2025, with a pre-submittal conference scheduled for May 20, 2025. The City will evaluate submissions based on four specific criteria: qualifications and experience of the firm/team (45 points), method of approach and available resources (35 points), innovation and creativity (15 points), and overall proposal organization (5 points). Recommended submittals should not exceed twenty 8.5" by 11" pages, and the total projected design budget is approximately $650,000. Construction is estimated to start in Fall 2026 and be completed by January 2028, with the project located at 195 W Irvington Road in southwest Tucson.

The procurement includes specific provisions for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) participation, requiring contractors to demonstrate good faith efforts to include certified disadvantaged and small businesses in the project. While no specific DBE goal is mandated, contractors must take affirmative steps to engage DBE firms through various methods including prime contractor work, subcontractor roles, joint ventures, and material/supply provisions. Firms must be certified through the Arizona Unified Certification Program (AZUCP) to be eligible. The project will be funded through federal earmarks and is subject to multiple federal compliance requirements, including HUD regulations, immigration laws, and wage compliance standards. The contract will be awarded to the most qualified firm, with potential negotiations for billing rates. Potential penalties for non-compliance include withholding payments, contract termination, and disqualification from future bidding. The total project encompasses multiple interconnected community services, including a Community Safety Hub, Child Care Center, Transit Center, and Neighborhood Center.