RECOMMENDATION: Approve seven federally funded and seven non-federally funded task order contracts for professional architectural services for the Task Order and Job Order (TOC/JOC) Contracting Program.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION: The General Services Department (GSD) recommends that City Council approve seven federally funded and seven non-federally funded task order contracts for professional architectural services with Brown Reynolds Watford Architects, Inc. (BRW); Collaborate Arch, LLC (COL); English + Associates Architects, Inc. (ENG); PGAL, Inc. (PGAL); RDLR Architects, Inc. (RDLR); Ryden Architecture, LLC (RYD); and Smith & Company Architects (SCA), for the TOC/JOC Contracting Program, and delegate authority to the director to approve supplemental allocations up to the maximum contract amount of $3,000,000.00 for each contract. Each contract is for a two-year term with three one-year renewal options.
GSD utilizes the TOC Contracting Program for architectural and engineering design services, including structural, civil, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services for the construction repair and rehabilitation, roof replacement and repair designs, or alterations of facilities for its client departments. Having these contracts in place allows the City to expedite facility construction projects and can help the City respond quickly to emergencies. As departments identify projects, funding is made available through supplemental allocations from various departmental budgets, grant funds, or bond fund appropriations, up to the maximum contract amount. Among the expected grant funding sources is the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding from the 2021 disaster, as administered by the Housing and Community Development Department.
On January 10, 2025 and January 17, 2025, GSD advertised a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for professional architectural services. The RFQ contained selection criteria that ranked the respondents on project experience, task order contracting experience, and proposed personnel’s experience. The Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) were due on February 13, 2025, and fifteen firms responded. A selection committee comprised of GSD, Houston Airport System and Houston Public Works employees evaluated the SOQs and interviewed the top ten respondents. Based on the advertised criteria, the top seven firms were selected to perform the work. The successful respondents may be offered a federal contract, a non-federal contract or both.
SCOPE OF CONTRACT AND FEES: Under the terms of the contracts, the consultants will provide professional architectural consulting services for various City departments. These services include but are not limited to construction and repair cost estimating, project scheduling, scope development, obtaining contract documents, including drawings and specifications, project management, facilitating all phases of the project, and contract administration. Basic services fees for each task order will be negotiated based on the size and complexity of the project and will be paid on a lump sum basis.
PROJECT LOCATION: Citywide
M/WBE INFORMATION: A contract-specific goal of 14% has been established for these contracts. Sub-consultant utilization will be determined as projects and proposals are received for the task order contracts.
PAY OR PLAY PROGRAM: The proposed contracts require compliance with the City’s ‘Pay or Play’ ordinance regarding health benefits for employees of City contractors. In this case, Smith & Company Architects has elected to pay into the Contractor Responsibility Fund. All other firms provide health benefits to eligible employees in compliance with City policy.
DIRECTOR’S SIGNATURE/DATE:
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C. J. Messiah, Jr.
General Services Department
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Michael C. Nichols
Housing and Community Development