Professional Design Services for Fire Station No. 3

The City of Tucson is conducting a competitive two-step procurement process to retain a professional design consultant for the construction of a new Fire Station No. 3, located at 24 N. Norris Avenue. The project, funded through a voter-approved half-cent sales tax in May 2017, will involve demolishing the existing facility and constructing a new approximately 14,000 gross square foot fire station with 11 single-occupancy dorm rooms, three vehicle bays, and various support spaces. The City will utilize the Construction Manager at Risk (CM@Risk) project delivery method and is seeking a multi-disciplinary design team to provide comprehensive architectural and engineering services. Evaluation criteria for the selection include the consultant's method of approach (40 points), special design considerations (35 points), and relevant experience with fire station design (25 points). The solicitation requires interested firms to submit Statements of Qualifications (SOQs), with a screening committee initially evaluating submissions and selecting up to three firms for presentation/interview. The RFQ was published on June 22, 2022, with submittals due by July 13, 2022, at 2:00 pm local time, and the project timeline encompasses approximately one month for programming, 8-10 months for design, 3 months for bidding and permitting, and 12-14 months for phased construction.

The City of Tucson has established Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program provisions for this contract, requiring contractors to make good faith efforts to include certified small businesses as subcontractors, suppliers, or joint venture partners for contracts valued at $100,000 or more. The project aims to create an energy-efficient facility designed to LEED Silver standards, with specific requirements for accessibility, sustainable design, and future expansion capabilities. The estimated construction budget is $5,800,000, with the selected consultant responsible for developing design documents, obtaining permits, and providing construction administration services. Contractors must submit detailed documentation of SBE engagement, including scope of work, dollar values, and outreach methods, with potential consequences for non-compliance including payment withholding, contract termination, and disqualification from future bidding. The project emphasizes creating an inviting, barrier-free, and operationally cost-effective facility that meets the Tucson Fire Department's operational needs while maintaining architectural character and public service orientation.