Harlingen CISD to advertise engineering RFQs; facilities team outlines scoring, project pipeline

Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District staff said the district will advertise a request for qualifications (RFQ) for engineering services and presented a proposed ranking sheet and schedule for selecting firms.

The packet presented to the Facilities & Safety Committee shows the RFQ will cover MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing), civil and geotechnical/materials-testing engineering. Staff said the RFQ is qualifications-only — firms will not submit fees during the selection process — and the district will negotiate fees with the chosen firm when a specific project is assigned.

District staff told the committee, “This does not require any pricing to be submitted. No cost; it's strictly under qualifications.” The proposed rubric awards points for years in business, firm experience, location relative to Harlingen, financial information and references; some factors carry multipliers. The rubric gives extra credit if a firm has previously worked successfully with the district and, conversely, allows negative points for documented problem performance.

Why it matters: The last engineering RFQ was more than nine years ago, staff said, and the district reviews professional-services lists on a 5–7 year cycle. Several board members questioned weightings in the rubric — particularly how heavily the district should favor local offices — and staff signaled they will adjust weights (for example increasing the years-in-business and financial metrics weights) before advertising. Staff said purchasing will publish the solicitation twice and that the selection package will return to the full board for approval after ranking and negotiation.

Projects and payments: During the same presentation staff updated the committee on multiple active construction and maintenance projects funded from a mix of bond funds, TRE and other sources. Updates included progress photos and completion percentages for: the Gilli Minh Amphitheatre (about 57% complete), chiller-line replacement (about 50% complete), doors-and-windows and safety-film installations at several campuses (ongoing; some door frames and windows installed), south gym HVAC replacements (delivery delayed to January 16), site restroom plumbing and drainage (underway), and ongoing work on a bi‑directional amplifier for emergency responder radio coverage (about 30% complete).

Staff also said two final payments for completed, grant-funded roofing projects will be placed on the board agenda next week: a final payment for Ardual Roofing and Construction (final closeout amount shown in staff materials) and a final payment for Emerging Contracting. Staff recommended placing a rebid playground construction contract on next week’s agenda (packet shows the low bidder below the project's original budget) and said the district will recommend approval of final payments for the completed roofing contracts.

What staff will do next: Staff will finalize the RFQ ranking sheet, send materials to purchasing, set advertisement dates (two publications required), accept qualifications, rank respondents, and present recommended firms and negotiated scopes/fees to the board for approval. Construction closeout payments and a recommended playground award will be on the next regular board agenda for formal action.

Ending: Staff invited committee feedback on the scoring weights and said they will circulate an updated ranking sheet prior to advertising so board members and administrators can respond to questions from constituents.