RFQ for Consultant Services for the Richardson Unified Development Code

The City of Richardson, Texas Development Services Department is requesting qualifications from consultant firms to prepare a new Unified Development Code consolidating the city's zoning, subdivision and platting, development regulations, sign regulations, and related development review procedures, with statements of qualifications due November 3, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. through Bonfire.

The consultant must demonstrate extensive successful experience preparing unified development codes for Texas municipalities within the last five years, with particular strength in first-ring suburbs of major metropolitan areas experiencing infill development, redevelopment, and adaptive reuse. No set-asides or preferences are identified.

The scope encompasses a phased engagement spanning project initiation, code diagnostics, policy and framework confirmation, public and stakeholder engagement, technical drafting, regulation testing, adoption support, and implementation assistance. All work products, including code documents, graphics, GIS data, and presentations, become the City's property upon payment. The consultant must carry professional liability insurance of at least $2 million each claim and annual aggregate, plus $2 million commercial general liability coverage and other required coverage per the City's standard Professional Services Agreement.

The anticipated contract value is approximately $900,000, with final scope, fee, schedule, and deliverables to be negotiated post-selection. The project timeline spans 18 to 24 months, with project initiation scheduled for March 1, 2027. Evaluation criteria weigh recent municipal zoning and UDC experience most heavily at 25 points, followed by proposed project methodology and schedule (20 points), firm qualifications and key personnel (15 points), comparable experience with built-out first-ring cities (15 points), public engagement approach (15 points), and understanding of Richardson's regulatory challenges (10 points).

Questions are due October 15, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. through Bonfire. Shortlist notification is anticipated between November 4–24, 2026, with consultant interviews scheduled December 15–18, 2026, consultant selection on December 22, 2026, and contract execution anticipated between January 26 and February 12, 2027.