RFQ - 3742 Oakes College Housing Capital Improvements

The University of California, Santa Cruz Department of Physical Planning, Development and Operations is soliciting qualifications from design professional firms for programming and planning services for the Oakes College Housing Capital Improvements under RFQ 3742, with questions due October 30, 2026 and statements of qualifications due November 17, 2026 at 2:00 PM. Each candidate firm must demonstrate an equal employment opportunity policy.

The project covers redevelopment of aging apartment housing to provide approximately 500 total apartment beds (100 net new), expansion of residential hall capacity to approximately 700 total beds (350 net new for first-year students), renovation and reprogramming of the Oakes Learning Center as a campus hub, and improvements to outdoor gathering spaces and utility infrastructure. The construction budget is approximately $275 million to $300 million, with a target completion of Fall 2032.

The University seeks one design professional team for a Professional Services Agreement covering predesign work. The successful firm is eligible to continue into design under an Executive Design Professional Agreement. The initial PSA term is three years, with the option to extend for up to two additional consecutive one-year terms by mutual agreement.

Submissions must be made electronically through the UC Santa Cruz Online PlanRoom. Hard copy and email submissions will not be accepted, and late submittals will not be considered. The University reserves the right to request and evaluate supplemental information after the deadline. Responses to questions are expected in early November. The University anticipates completing review, short-listed firm interviews, and consultant selection by the last week of December 2026. The RFQ package was available as of October 15, 2026. Inquiries go to Jolie Kerns, Director of Campus Planning, at kernsj@ucsc.edu.