Design-Builder for the Huntington Training Center

Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) (Owner) is a municipal corporation that provides safe, reliable, and affordable transportation that empowers the Tri-Cities, Washington community by enhancing personal mobility, supporting economic diversity, and fostering sustainable growth. The Public Transportation Benefit Area spans 625 square miles and serves the cities of Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, West Richland, Benton City, Prosser, and Finley and serves approximately 311,500 residents. The BFT offers a range of transportation solutions, including buses, Dial-A-Ride paratransit, Rideshare, and CONNECT service. In 2024, BFT provided over 3.5 million rides.

General Description of the Project (Progressive Design-Build Procurement Method)
Ben Franklin Transit has identified the need for a secure training facility with offices, storage spaces, and a driving course. This is a unique facility that will be designed to meet BFT’s current and long-term needs. The site is a decommissioned transit hub that is being used as off-site storage for various items.
The proposed building will include classrooms for training new drivers and continuing education for existing employees. It is intended that the building include offices, a conference room, a break room, changing rooms, storage for the office and classroom area and storage for the driving area that will have various barriers and cones.

BFT has established the following Project Goals:
1. Execute a successful, collaborative Progressive Design-Build (PDB) process to produce the envisioned Project: The Design-Build Team will develop and utilize a collaborative relationship with the Owner, its stakeholders, specialized equipment vendors, and site operations to exceed the Project Goals within the Owner’s budget and schedule while demonstrating exemplary design and project management.

2. Optimize Functionality Within the Building and Site. The Design-Build Team will work with the BFT Stakeholders and leverage the efficiencies of the progressive design-build process through innovative and creative design and efficient construction techniques to optimize the limited space on site and within the building footprint to create multi-functional and flexible spaces for the benefit of BFT.

3. Transparent Pricing. The Design-Build Team will conduct a robust validation process and provide transparent pricing that allows the Owner to track the cost of design and construction concurrently so that the Owner is fully informed regarding the cost implications of design and other project decisions and the design can be maximized within the Owner’s budget.

Disadvantaged Business Participation
BFT promotes equal employment opportunity and maximum practicable opportunity participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises certified by the State of Washington office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises in its Contracts.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Contractor is required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity laws and regulations.

Ineligible Contractors
Contractor is required to certify that they or their Sub-Contractors are not on the Comptroller General’s list of ineligible Contractors.

Rejection and Waiver
BFT reserves the right to reject any or all qualifications/proposals and to waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received. This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) RFQ/P 26-02 Progressive Design-Build Procurement Method may be cancelled at any time and any and all proposals may be rejected in whole or in part when it is in the best interest of BFT.

Economy of Preparation
Proposals should be prepared simply and economically, providing a straightforward, concise description of the Contractor ability to meet the requirements of the RFQ. Fancy bindings, colored displays, promotional material, etc. are not desired. Emphasis should be placed on completeness and clarity of content.

Incurring Costs
BFT is not liable for any costs incurred by the Contractor prior to issuance of a Contract.

NOTE: A & E FIRMS ARE NOT TO PROVIDE COST INFORMATION WITH THE PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL, BFT IS REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THE BROOKS ACT THAT BASES THE EVALUATIONS ON FIRM QUALIFICATIONS.