CU Boulder - As-Needed Architectural Professional Services

Solicitation No.

8562361661

Type / RFx

RFQ

Status

Active

Level

education

Published Date

March 19, 2026

Due Date

April 9, 2026

NAICS Code

541310AI guide

Jurisdiction

University of Colorado Design and Construction

State

Colorado

Agency

University of Colorado Design and Construction

The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) seeks to retain various architectural firms for as-needed professional services in support of University’s departments of Planning, Design and Construction (PD&C), Housing Services (HDS), and Facilities Management Small Construction. The successful firm(s) will report directly to the designated CU Boulder project manager assigned to specific projects. Selected firms will be engaged for as-needed services on various Controlled Maintenance, Deferred Maintenance, Capital and Non-Capital projects where fee will not exceed $100,000. This program will not preclude procurement of services where fee is less than $100,000 by other approved State procurement processes. **Solicitation Type**: RFQ - Request for Qualifications (Formal) **Source ID**: PU.AG.USA.2569109.2614471.C17317251 **Piggyback Contract**: No **Question Acceptance Deadline**: 04/02/2026 04:00 PM EDT **Questions are submitted online**: Yes **Bid Submission Type**: Electronic Bid Submission **Owner Organization**: CU Boulder **Solicitation Number**: Notice No. 26-08 **Reference Number**: 0000417297 **Pricing**: No Pricing **Bid Documents List**: | Item Name | Description | Mandatory | Limited to 1 file | |---|---|---|---| | RFQ Submission | RFQ Submission w/ cover letter | Yes | No | **Questions and Answers**: - Q1 Arrow Right Question: Engineering Firms Can you please confirm that a separate solicitation will be released for engineering firms? Or, should engineering firms partner with architects? Answer: Answered in Addendum 1 03/19/2026 01:43 PM EDT 03/19/2026 03:43 PM EDT - Q8 Arrow Right Question: Prior Experience Can you please clarify if prior experience is limited to 3 examples? Are we allowed to present more projects in the quals package but only feature 3 in the word document "Minimum Qualifications"? Answer: Answered in Addendum 3 03/23/2026 05:14 PM EDT 03/24/2026 06:51 PM EDT - Q9 Arrow Right Question: Org Chart v Resumes Provided Does everyone featured on the org chart (used to display firm size & structure) need to submit a resume in the qualifications package? Or only the key personnel (ex: principal in charge, QA/QC)? Answer: Answered in Addendum 3 03/23/2026 05:17 PM EDT 03/24/2026 06:51 PM EDT - Q10 Arrow Right Question: Project Examples Item 3 under Section III. Minimum Requirements on pg. 5 indicates to demonstrate experience in three (3) projects, completed in the last two years where the fee was less than $100,000. Just to clarify, are you looking for project examples where the Architectural fee is under $100,000 or the entire project fee (including all consultants)? Answer: Answered in Addendum 3 03/23/2026 05:46 PM EDT 03/24/2026 06:51 PM EDT - Q11 Arrow Right Question: Consultants It is clear that this RFQ is only for Architectural Services. However, when an architectural team is eventually selected for a project will they be paired with engineering consultants on similar "As-needed" lists, or if the project requires engineering, will they be expected to hire their own engineering consultants? Thank you. Answer: Answered in Addendum 3 03/23/2026 05:48 PM EDT 03/24/2026 06:51 PM EDT - Q12 Arrow Right Question: Confirmation needed In the information session you stated that since the project budgets are smaller, the landscape architecture projects would not necessitate an architect. Should landscape architects be proposing as a prime now? The answer to the question about landscape architecture is still unclear. Please confirm, thank you. Answer: Answered in Addendum 3 03/23/2026 07:04 PM EDT 03/24/2026 06:51 PM EDT - Q13 Arrow Right Question: Landscape Architecture - still have question I am still unclear whether landscape architecture firms should or should not submit as a prime on this RFQ. At the "Town Hall" the timeline said the notification would be for Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Based on your Addendum #2, Q4 Answer, are you now saying there would never be a landscape led project anyway, so we shouldn't bother? And that there will not be a separate RFQ for LAs? Answer: Answered in Addendum 3 03/23/2026 07:29 PM EDT 03/24/2026 06:51 PM EDT - Q14 Arrow Right Question: Page Restriction Section VII.2.a. states that "Not counting the cover letter and required Acknowledgement and Attestation form, the entire submittal is to be no more than twelve (12) pages". Will the cover page, table of contents, and divider pages be excluded in the 12 page restriction? Answer: Answered in Addendum 3 03/24/2026 02:31 PM EDT 03/24/2026 06:51 PM EDT - Q15 Arrow Right Question: Appendix Question Regarding Section VII.2.a of the submission guidelines, which states, "Not counting the cover letter and required Acknowledgement and Attestation form, the entire submittal is to be no more than twelve (12) pages." Could you please confirm whether full team resumes may be included in an appendix and excluded from the overall page count? Answer: Answered in Addendum 3 03/24/2026 03:01 PM EDT 03/24/2026 06:51 PM EDT - Q16 Arrow Right Question: Appendix 1A In Appendix A1, page 13, there is a section requesting that the firm indicate which scopes of services they are interested in by checking the relevant boxes. Should we complete this section and include it in our proposal submission, or is this intended to be filled out by the reviewer during evaluation? Answer: Answered in Addendum 5 03/26/2026 03:44 PM EDT 03/27/2026 03:52 PM EDT - Q17 Arrow Right Question: Minimum Qualifications & Appendices How and where should we address III. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS? Is filling out and returning with our submittal APPENDIX A1: QUALIFICATION SUBMITTAL EVALUATION FORM; Appendix C: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND ATTESTATION FORM; and Appendix D: TEMPLATE FOR DEMONSTRATED PROJECT EXPERIENCE enough to demonstrate that we fulfill the minimum requirements? If so, where should the appendices’ pages be put in relation to the outline provided in APPENDIX A1: QUALIFICATION SUBMITTAL EVALUATION FORM, and will they be counted as part of the maximum 12 pages? Answer: Answered in Addendum 5 03/26/2026 09:15 PM EDT 03/27/2026 03:52 PM EDT - Q18 Arrow Right Question: Page Limit Are resumes, divider pages, table of contents, the "Other Information" section, title page, and closeout page included within the 12-page limit? Answer: Answered in Addendum 6 03/30/2026 02:21 PM EDT 03/30/2026 07:57 PM EDT - Q19 Arrow Right Question: Page Sizes Are 11x17 pages permitted within the submission document? Answer: Answered in Addendum 6 03/30/2026 02:21 PM EDT 03/30/2026 07:57 PM EDT - Q20 Arrow Right Question: Minimum Qualifications – Demonstrated Experience Form Is the Minimum Qualifications – Demonstrated Experience form (page 19 in the RFQ) the preferred way to respond to the project experience portion of the submission requirements, and if so does it count toward the page limit? Answer: Answered in Addendum 6 03/30/2026 02:21 PM EDT 03/30/2026 07:57 PM EDT - Q21 Arrow Right Question: Minimum Requirement: Firm Name In section III. Article 2. The minimum requirements state “Firm must have been in the same business under the same name for the last two (2) years.” Our firm was founded in May of 2007 and in May of 2024 as part of a rebrand we slightly modified the firm name; however, ownership and leadership remained the same, and the tax ID number also remained the same. Please confirm we are in compliance with the intent of the above requirement. Answer: Answered in Addendum 7 03/31/2026 04:03 PM EDT 04/01/2026 01:48 PM EDT - Q22 Arrow Right Question: Number of Final Firms to be Selected Is there an anticipated number of architectural firms that will be selected for the final as-needed list? Answer: Answered in Addendum 7 03/31/2026 04:04 PM EDT 04/01/2026 01:48 PM EDT - Q23 Arrow Right Question: Section 6 “Other Information" Regarding Section 6, “Other Information (Not Scored).” On page 9 and 10. Could you please clarify how this demographic information is utilized within the overall evaluation or selection process? We understand it is not scored but wanted to confirm whether it is used for reporting purposes only or if it informs selection considerations in any other way. Answer: Answered in Addendum 7 03/31/2026 04:17 PM EDT 04/01/2026 01:48 PM EDT - Q24 Arrow Right Question: Project Type / Occupancy Classifications Can you clarify whether or not the Project Type / Occupancy Classifications are tied to IBC occupancy classifications. Specifically, how would you like us to classify Laboratory Renovations that handle hazardous materials and have control zone / life-safety requirements, but are not classified by code as a High-Hazard Space? Answer: Answered in Addendum 7 03/31/2026 04:52 PM EDT 04/01/2026 01:48 PM EDT - Q25 Arrow Right Question: 2 Year Project Range Section III, Minimum Requirements, item 3 requires demonstrated experience in three projects completed within the last two years from the date of this RFQ, where the entire fee including consultants was less than $100,000. Can you clarify whether projects completed prior to the two-year window may be considered if a firm cannot demonstrate three qualifying projects within that period? We have several projects that meet the fee threshold, however they fall just outside of the 2 year date range. Answer: Answered in Addendum 8 04/01/2026 12:56 PM EDT 04/02/2026 11:51 AM EDT - Q26 Arrow Right Question: 11x17 Page Size As noted in Addendum #6, 11x17 page size is permitted. Will this count as 1 page? Answer: Answered in Addendum 8 04/01/2026 01:48 PM EDT 04/02/2026 11:51 AM EDT - Q27 Arrow Right Question: Athletics and Fitness Scopes Would smaller athletics and/or fitness facilities be potential scopes of work for teams selected in this solicitation? Answer: Answered in Addendum 8 04/01/2026 01:57 PM EDT 04/02/2026 11:51 AM EDT - Q28 Arrow Right Question: Submission Response Are two(2) response submissions expected from a firm if they are interested in both project categories, business, assembly & residential occupancy, and high-hazard & industrial occupancy? Answer: Answered in Addendum 8 04/01/2026 04:54 PM EDT 04/02/2026 11:51 AM EDT - Q29 Arrow Right Question: Project Types Can you identify the type of projects/spaces for each of the categories? i. Business, Assembly, and Residential Occupancy projects ii. High-hazard and Industrial Occupancy projects Answer: Answered in Addendum 8 04/01/2026 05:11 PM EDT 04/02/2026 11:51 AM EDT - Q30 Arrow Right Question: Required Forms Is the previously utilized Excel form: University of Colorado - As-Needed Architectural, Engineering and Consultant Services Registration Form required to be included in this submission? Answer: Answered in Addendum 8 04/01/2026 05:36 PM EDT 04/02/2026 11:51 AM EDT - Q31 Arrow Right Question: Fee Maximums Is the maximum project fee of less than $100,000 limited to architectural fees or entire project professional services fees? Answer: Answered in Addendum 8 04/01/2026 05:39 PM EDT 04/02/2026 11:51 AM EDT - Q32 Arrow Right Question: References Does the RFQ response require refences. If so, in which section should the references be provided? Answer: Answered in Addendum 9 04/02/2026 12:46 AM EDT 04/03/2026 10:57 AM EDT - Q33 Arrow Right Question: Section VII.2 Section VII.2 notes items a through h, but the Request for Qualifications document only provided a through f. Please advise. Answer: Answered in Addendum 9 04/02/2026 11:11 AM EDT 04/03/2026 10:57 AM EDT - Q34 Arrow Right Question: Section VII.2 Section VII.2.f notes a different date and time for the receipt of the submittal. Please advise. Answer: Answered in Addendum 9 04/02/2026 11:11 AM EDT 04/03/2026 10:57 AM EDT - Q35 Arrow Right Question: Tabs and Page Count Are tabs included in the overall page count? Answer: Answered in Addendum 9 04/02/2026 11:12 AM EDT 04/03/2026 10:57 AM EDT - Q36 Arrow Right Question: Page Size and Page Count Our understanding is that pages can be up to 11”x17” – confirming these are labeled as one page and included as one page towards the page count? Answer: Answered in Addendum 9 04/02/2026 11:12 AM EDT 04/03/2026 10:57 AM EDT - Q37 Arrow Right Question: Project Team section In reference to the Project Team section requesting "Key staff involvement in project management and on-site presence," please confirm if on-site presence is specifically for Construction Administration. Answer: Answered in Addendum 9 04/02/2026 03:14 PM EDT 04/03/2026 10:57 AM EDT - Q38 Arrow Right Question: Project Approach section In reference to the Project Approach section requesting "Quality Control Methodology," please share a copy of your Facilities Standards, if applicable. Answer: Answered in Addendum 9 04/02/2026 03:14 PM EDT 04/03/2026 10:57 AM EDT - Q39 Arrow Right Question: Appendix A1: Qualifications Submittal Evaluation Form At the top of the Appendix A1: Qualifications Submittal Evaluation Form, there is a space to provide an "Evaluator No.," Is this for CU Boulder internal use, the solicitation number, or our reference number? Answer: Answered in Addendum 9 04/02/2026 03:14 PM EDT 04/03/2026 10:57 AM EDT - Q40 Arrow Right Question: Contracting & On-Call Structure Historically, how many task orders are issued annually under similar on-call contracts? Answer: Answered in Addendum 9 04/02/2026 03:17 PM EDT 04/03/2026 10:57 AM EDT - Q41 Arrow Right Question: Contracting & On-Call Structure Can multiple task orders run concurrently for a single firm? Answer: Answered in Addendum 9 04/02/2026 03:17 PM EDT 04/03/2026 10:57 AM EDT - Q42 Arrow Right Question: Contracting & On-Call Structure What factors (beyond rotation) influence consultant selection for each task order? Answer: Answered in Addendum 9 04/02/2026 03:18 PM EDT 04/03/2026 10:57 AM EDT - Q43 Arrow Right Question: Fee Structure Will task orders be issued as: fixed fee; hourly not-to-exceed; or negotiated per project? And are there standard hourly rate caps or fee guidelines? Answer: Answered in Addendum 9 04/02/2026 03:28 PM EDT 04/03/2026 10:57 AM EDT - Q44 Arrow Right Question: Consultant costs Please confirm if consultant costs are (MEP, etc.) expected to be managed within the $100K total? Answer: Answered in Addendum 9 04/02/2026 03:28 PM EDT 04/03/2026 10:57 AM EDT - Q45 Arrow Right Question: Cost Ratio Please confirm if there is a typical design-to-construction cost ratio CU targets for projects? Answer: Answered in Addendum 9 04/02/2026 03:29 PM EDT 04/03/2026 10:57 AM EDT - Q46 Arrow Right Question: Prior experience (Appendix D) Is Appendix D, 'Template for Demonstrated Project Experience' intended to be in addition to 'Section 3. Prior Experience' under 'A. Prequalification Submittal Criteria' on page 8 of the RFP? If so, does it count towards the page limit? Or, are the 12 pages allotted for all of 'A. Prequalification Submittal Criteria & the appendices are in addition to those 12 pages? Answer: Answered in Addendum 9 04/02/2026 03:38 PM EDT 04/03/2026 10:57 AM EDT - Q47 Arrow Right Question: Schedule & Delivery Please confirm if there are typical design durations for these assignments. Answer: Answered in Addendum 9 04/02/2026 03:46 PM EDT 04/03/2026 10:57 AM EDT - Q48 Arrow Right Question: Program Success Metrics How does CU define success for this on-call program after year one? Answer: Answered in Addendum 9 04/02/2026 03:57 PM EDT 04/03/2026 10:57 AM EDT

1. March 19, 2026Published
2. April 9, 2026Responses Due