Oakes College Housing Capital Improvements

The University of California, Santa Cruz Department of Physical Planning, Development and Operations is soliciting Statements of Qualifications from design professional firms for programming and planning services on the Oakes College Housing Capital Improvements project, with SOQs due November 17, 2026 at 2:00 PM. Submissions must be made electronically only through the UC Santa Cruz Online PlanRoom, and hard-copy and email submittals will not be accepted.

The project would redevelop aging apartment housing to approximately 500 total apartment beds (about 100 net new for continuing students) and increase residential hall capacity to approximately 700 total beds (about 350 net new for first-year students). It would also renovate the Oakes Learning Center into a hub with a multipurpose classroom, café, college offices, and a computer lab, with a mail room potentially considered, and address outdoor gathering spaces, accessible circulation, and utility upgrades. Firms must demonstrate related experience using University-provided standard forms and provide evidence of equal employment opportunity policies.

The construction budget is approximately $275 million to $300 million, with a target completion of Fall 2032 and some beds potentially delivered earlier. The initial Professional Services Agreement runs three years with potential extensions for up to two additional consecutive one-year terms. A subsequent Executive Design Professional Agreement, which typically extends through the life of the project, may follow under the same selection. Santa Cruz County and San Francisco City are listed as jurisdictions.

Written questions closed October 30, 2026, with responses issued in early November. The University anticipates completing review, short-listing, interviews, and consultant selection by the last week of December 2026. The University reserves the right to request supplemental information after the submission deadline at its sole discretion.