Wayfinding & Graphics Standards Program Consultant

Houston Community College (HCC) System's Procurement Operations Department has issued Request for Proposal (RFP) 25-15 seeking a Wayfinding and Graphics Standards Program Consultant to develop comprehensive navigation and signage solutions across its 19 campuses. The consultant will be responsible for evaluating existing conditions, creating design standards, and developing graphic and signage guidelines to improve pedestrian, cyclist, and motorist navigation experiences. Key deliverables include a wayfinding program plan, recommendations for signage types and placement, design standards, and draft specifications for future solicitations. The project encompasses both interior and exterior signage assessment across 6,517,666 square feet of campus space, with the consultant required to participate in bi-weekly virtual meetings and provide oversight during bid, fabrication, and installation phases. A non-mandatory pre-proposal conference was held on December 10, 2024, with proposals due electronically through the Bonfire portal by January 9, 2025. The evaluation criteria will assess firm qualifications (20 points), approach and methodology (20 points), past performance (10 points), price proposal (35 points), and small business practices (15 points). The initial contract term is two years with three additional one-year renewal options.

The RFP includes a robust Small Business Development Program (SBDP) that requires contractors to make good faith efforts to utilize certified small business subcontractors for contracts over $50,000. Prime contractors must perform a minimum of 30% of services with their own labor force or demonstrate effective contract management to HCC's satisfaction. Eight potential bidders attended the pre-proposal conference, including companies like DeSolations, Collaborate Team, Lu Aldana Creative Co., PAGE, PGAL, Outreach Services, Design Workshop, and True Sign Experts. The estimated annual contract spend is $160,000, though HCC does not guarantee specific annual volumes. Travel expenses must be built into hourly rates or project proposals, as the college will not provide separate reimbursement. The project implementation will be staggered across campuses, with phasing dependent on sign types and the selected firm's capabilities. No existing signage standards are currently in place, making this an opportunity to create a comprehensive new wayfinding and graphics standards program for the entire HCC system.