Professional Design Services for Reid Park Zoo Master Plan Phase II Implementation

The City of Tucson is seeking professional design services through construction administration for the Reid Park Zoo Master Plan Phase II Implementation, a comprehensive project spanning two critical stages. Stage 1 focuses on developing a Pygmy Hippo Habitat with an alternative Meerkat Habitat, while Stage 2 involves creating Savannas with multispecies habitats accommodating giraffes, rhinos, antelopes, and bird species. The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) requires proposers to demonstrate experience with at least two accredited zoo projects completed within the last ten years, along with verifiable references and familiarity with AZA standards and USDA regulations. Proposers must include registered Arizona architects and engineers in relevant disciplines and will be responsible for all professional services including architectural design programming, schematic design, design development, construction documents, permitting coordination, bidding services, construction administration, and warranty reviews. A pre-submittal meeting is scheduled for January 21, 2026, at 10:30 AM via Microsoft Teams, with written qualifications due by February 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM local Arizona time. The evaluation criteria are weighted as follows: 45% for qualifications and experience with similar zoo projects, 25% for method of approach and available resources, 20% for firm qualifications and experience, and 10% for other considerations including special knowledge.

The solicitation includes Small Business Enterprise (SBE) provisions, though no specific participation percentage goal is stated. Firms will be required to address SBE provisions during contract negotiations prior to the Notice to Proceed. Professional liability insurance with minimum limits of $1 million per claim and $2 million annual aggregate is mandatory. The project has estimated construction costs of $4.4 million for Stage 1 (Pygmy Hippo Habitat) and approximately $10 million for Stage 2 (Savannas), with a total master plan budget of $72,358,698 across four implementation phases. Funding is currently available only for Stage 1, with Stage 2 contingent upon future City authorization and funding. Up to three firms will be shortlisted for presentations and interviews, with the highest-ranked firm entering into contract negotiations. The project timeline includes Stage 1 schematic design due in June 2026, construction documents in October 2026, and anticipated construction completion by February 2028; Stage 2 follows with schematic design due in May 2027, construction documents in September 2027, and anticipated construction completion by February 2029.