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School board hears plans to expand pool of architecture firms after 16 RFQ responses
Summary
Board members questioned how the district will turn responses to RFQ 03-26DB for architecture and engineering services into project work; staff said 16 firms responded, a short list of 10 was created and firms will compete for individual projects while contracts require use of local subcontractors.
The Duval County School Board discussed how the district will use responses to RFQ 03-26DB, a continuing services solicitation for architecture and engineering services, after staff said 16 firms had responded.
Board member (speaker 2) asked whether the 16 responding firms were certified with the Office of Economic Opportunity and how the district would allocate work if firms were chosen. "How are we going about, when we award this to these companies?" the board member asked. Staff said the procurement process used a point system and that the Office of Economic Opportunity reference in the packet reflects legacy language that may have shifted and will be confirmed in a follow-up report.
Staff member (speaker 4) said the district’s intent is to expand the number of firms available rather than rotate a small set of vendors. "We're trying to expand the number of possible choices that we have to utilize across the district," the staff member said, explaining the district had moved from a list approach to a competitive setup in which architects compete for each project. Procurement staff (Mister Colbert) confirmed the RFQ drew 16 responses and that a short list of 10 firms is the current pool; individual projects will be competed among those firms.
Staff also said the district requires contract language obligating out-of-area prime contractors to hire local subcontractors on site work. "No matter whom gets the larger contract, there's still required contractual language within our agreements to hire local contractors," a district staff member said, adding that if the district hires firms from outside the region because of cost or experience they still must use local labor to complete projects.
Board members asked whether the short list means firms will be assigned work on rotation or will bid per project; staff emphasized the latter as the method to drive competitiveness on cost-per-square-foot and design efficiency. Staff also said procurement uses a software system to advertise RFQs widely and that leadership has been asking procurement to broaden outreach to firms across the state.
The board did not take a final vote on the RFQ at this discussion; staff said they would return with clarification on the Office of Economic Opportunity language and a respondent breakdown by small- and large-business categories if requested.
The board moved on to the next agenda item after questions about the selection process and local hire provisions.
