Request for Qualification Design-Build Entities for: New Juvenile Facility

Kaufman County, Texas is seeking a Design-Build Entity to construct a new Juvenile Facility through a two-step best value selection process authorized under Texas Government Code Chapter 2269, Subchapter G. The project involves planning, design, preconstruction activities, and construction of a ground-up, approximately 37,800 square foot facility located in Kaufman County. The facility will provide 32 secure housing beds and comprehensive support functions, including classrooms, medical and counseling spaces, administrative offices, visitation areas, intake/booking, and recreation areas. The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) requires all architectural drawings to be prepared by a Texas Registered Architect and engineering drawings by Texas Licensed Professional Engineers. The RFQ responses are due on November 20, 2025, at 3:00 PM, with the County planning to shortlist up to three Design-Build Entities for the subsequent Request for Proposals (RFP) stage. The evaluation criteria will comprehensively assess the Design-Build Entity's experience, organizational performance, claims history, regulatory compliance, and reference interviews.

The procurement requires prevailing wage compliance under Texas Government Code Chapter 2258 and mandates that the Design-Build Entity provide performance and payment bonds with a minimum bonding capacity equal to the project's estimated construction cost of $32 million. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the documents, respondents must complete a Conflict of Interest Questionnaire (CIQ) to disclose any potential conflicts with local government officers. Kitchell CEM, Inc. has been retained by the County to provide Owner's Representation and Program/Construction Management services. The targeted Notice of Intent to Award is January 23, 2026, with a projected Notice to Proceed for Phase 1 on February 27, 2026. The project will require strict compliance with state and local building codes, juvenile facility standards, and energy code requirements, ensuring a comprehensive and technically sophisticated approach to the new juvenile facility construction.