Pre-development services for the new tribal historic preservation office building

The Gila River Indian Community has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP-0617-TPD) for Pre-Development Services related to a new Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) Building located in Sacaton, Arizona. The procurement seeks qualified architectural firms to provide comprehensive pre-development services, including limited programming, conceptual design, and cost analysis for a new facility adjacent to the Gila Career Center. The proposed building will accommodate five employees with potential for expansion, featuring a reception area, a 30-40 person conference room, a 1,000 sq. ft. repository with commercial grade double doors, archival storage, breakroom, restrooms, and support spaces. Proposals are due on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 11:00 AM, with all pre-development services expected to be completed within 180 days of the notice to proceed. The solicitation will utilize a 120-point evaluation system that assesses proposals across six key criteria: Firm Management and Team (30 points), Experience with Similar Facilities (30 points), Ability to Meet Project Schedule (20 points), Cost Competitiveness (20 points), Technical Approach (10 points), and Community/Native American-owned Firm Preference (10 points).

The procurement shows a strong preference for Indian-owned enterprises, with additional points allocated to Community/Native American-owned firms in the evaluation process. The project is specifically located within District Three of the Gila River Indian Community, which spans approximately 372,000 acres in Maricopa and Pinal Counties, Arizona. The Community reserves the right to negotiate fees and expenses based on the final scope of work, suggesting flexibility in the contract terms. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the comprehensive pre-development services are intended to generate a detailed package that will be used to request funding for subsequent design and construction phases. The project involves a site located in Section 16, Township 4S, Range 6E, with precise land measurements and detailed geospatial information available in the accompanying survey document. The solicitation indicates that the selected firm will need to work closely with the Gila River Indian Community's Land Use Planning and Zoning department to ensure accurate site integration and development.