IDEA High School

The Tacoma School District is seeking a design-build contractor for the replacement of the Industrial Design, Engineering and Arts (IDEA) High School through a progressive design-build (PDB) procurement method. The project involves designing and constructing a new 40,000-square-foot educational facility on a 3.9-acre site located at 1115 East Division Lane in Tacoma, Washington, with capacity for approximately 400 students. Interested design-build teams must submit Statements of Qualifications by November 25, 2025, following a mandatory pre-submittal project information meeting scheduled for November 10, 2025. Contractors with previous design-build experience or experience using alternative construction delivery formats are encouraged to participate. The project will utilize the Alternative Public Works contracting procedure authorized in RCW 39.10.300 through 39.10.330, with the design-builder responsible for comprehensive services including programming, design, permitting, construction, commissioning, and performance guarantees. The ultimate goal is to complete the new school in time for the 2028/29 academic year, creating a flexible educational environment that supports collaborative learning and can adapt to future technological and pedagogical changes.

The project has established specific inclusion goals for business participation, requiring 10% minority-owned business enterprises, 6% women-owned business enterprises, 5% small business enterprises, and 30% local businesses. Additionally, the project mandates a minimum of 15% apprenticeship labor hours. The preliminary Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) budget is set at $31,200,000, with a total project budget of $42,000,000, funded through a capital bond approved by Tacoma voters in February 2024. The selected design-build team will be responsible for negotiating the final GMP and executing all aspects of the project scope, with an emphasis on sustainable design practices. Potential contractors should be prepared to demonstrate expertise in educational facility design, alternative project delivery methods, and the ability to meet the district's specific inclusion and labor requirements. The procurement process will evaluate submissions based on qualifications, experience, technical approach, and ability to meet the project's comprehensive design and construction objectives.