RFQ730-26007 master development partner for the quantum

The University of Houston System is requesting qualifications for a Master Development Partner to oversee comprehensive development of The Quantum, a transformative mixed-use district on approximately 21 acres of campus property in Harris County, with qualifications due July 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM Central Time and mandatory pre-proposal conference attendance required on June 12, 2026, at 10:00 AM Central Time via Microsoft Teams.

This is a two-step competitive procurement. Step One evaluates written qualifications on a 100-point scale: firm background (15 points), key personnel (20 points), previous experience (25 points), project approach (25 points), and references (15 points). Shortlisted respondents advance to Step Two for presentations, interviews, site visits, and financial due diligence. Shortlist notification is estimated for August 10, 2026, with final selection estimated for January 31, 2027.

Respondents must submit complete project teams inclusive of design consultants and construction general managers. The scope spans predevelopment, design coordination, construction oversight, financing, and operations of a lifestyle center destination integrating restaurants, bars, retail, grocery anchor, graduate student housing, structured parking, alumni and visitor center, recreation venues, and public gathering spaces with green spaces and pedestrian-focused streetscapes. Phase 1 consists of immediately available vacant parcels; Phase 2 includes parcels with existing campus recreation facilities requiring relocation. The site is subject to pre-existing University arrangements, including exclusive agreements with TDECU, Coca-Cola, and various retail and dining partnerships that restrict certain commercial categories. The developer must coordinate with University auxiliary services, comply with UH Design Guidelines and a Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions, perform comprehensive traffic and mobility studies, and obtain University approval over design, financing, operations, alterations, naming, and tenant selection.

The selected developer will negotiate a Predevelopment Agreement finalized within 30 calendar days, followed by negotiation of a Development Agreement and Ground Lease with a base term of 50 years from substantial completion. The developer must provide 100% of equity funding with no financing contingency; mortgage debt is capped at 85% loan-to-value. The developer shall maintain payment and performance bonds for full construction value and guarantees for cost overruns and late delivery. The University receives fixed base ground rent adjusted at 3% annually plus 50% of the first $200,000 of annual net operating income exceeding benchmark levels and 25% of any additional outperformance income. Questions are due by June 17, 2026.