CAM-102-1501–26PSS001-Architectural Water Feature

The University of Texas at Austin is seeking qualifications from an experienced Architect/Engineer firm to provide independent technical oversight, construction administration support, and commissioning services for a non-interactive architectural water feature project (Project 102-1501) as part of the Precursors - We Are Texas, East Mall Phase I renovation initiative. This two-step selection process Request for Qualifications (RFQ 26PSS001) requires respondents to demonstrate a minimum of ten years of experience in water feature work encompassing consulting, design, installation, and commissioning activities. The water feature includes complex systems such as arching/vertical nozzles, lighting, perimeter weir overflow, VFD-controlled pumps, automated PLC/DMX control systems, UV sterilization, and filtration infrastructure in accordance with Division 13 10 00 Water Features specifications. Evaluation criteria include the respondent's statement of qualifications and project team availability (15 points maximum), the project team's ability to provide required services (25 points maximum), performance on up to three representative past projects (25 points maximum), understanding of the attached sample agreement (10 points maximum), knowledge of best practices for technical oversight and quality assurance (10 points maximum), and ability to identify and resolve problems on comparable projects with up to three examples (15 points maximum). Qualifications must be submitted by June 15, 2026, at 2:00 PM CST via UT Box, with a mandatory pre-submittal conference on May 26, 2026, at 2:00 PM CST; short-listed firms will be notified approximately June 26, 2026, interviews conducted between June 29-July 3, 2026, with contract award anticipated by July 27, 2026, and services commencing in August 2026.

Subcontracting opportunities are deemed probable, requiring all respondents—including State of Texas certified HUBs—to submit a completed Veteran Heroes United in Business (VetHUB) Subcontracting Plan demonstrating good faith efforts in one of two specified methods; contractors failing to submit a compliant plan shall be rejected as materially non-responsive, and any unauthorized modifications to an approved plan may constitute breach of contract resulting in debarment from state contracting. Respondents must comply with all representations and certifications required by Section 5, including confirmation of non-delinquency on Texas Franchise Taxes, compliance with antitrust laws, maintenance of professional liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per claim and $2,000,000 aggregate, and disclosure of any pending litigation, malpractice claims from the past five years, or financial relationships with University of Texas System Board members or executive officers. The water feature construction cost is estimated at approximately $4,000,000, with the overall Capital Improvement Project having a preliminary cost of $35,000,000 and a Construction Cost Limitation of $26,600,000 for the CIP project Architect/Engineer services. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the available documentation. The contract will be governed by the University's Standard Architect/Engineer Agreement, which includes provisions for dispute resolution under Texas Government Code Chapter 2260, and the University, as a state agency, has limited ability to make substantial modifications to the agreement terms, with requested modifications potentially resulting in disqualification.