Hotel Lobby Design Services RFQ

Agency:	Houston First
State:	Texas
Type of Government:	State & Local
NAICS Category:	721110 - Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels
Posted Date:	Jun 29, 2026
Due Date:	Jul 22, 2026
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HOTEL LOBBY DESIGN SERVICES

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (“RFQ”)

ISSUED:

June 29, 2026

DUE DATE:

11:00 a.m. on July 22, 2026 (the “Submission Deadline”)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Respondents must timely submit three (3) paper copies and one (1)

electronic copy (on a flash drive) of their Statement of Qualification

(“SOQ”) in a sealed envelope labelled “RFQ” to the following address:

Houston First Corporation, Attn: David Stephenson, 701 Avenida

de las Americas, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77010

SOQs must be delivered by mail, courier, or in person. Submittals received

after the Submission Deadline, by email, or unsealed, will be rejected

without further review or consideration.

QUESTIONS:

Any questions concerning the form or content of this RFQ must be

submitted by email to bids@houstonfirst.com no later than 11:00 a.m. on

July 14, 2026. All materials questions will be answered collectively, rather

than individually, in the form of a Letter of Clarification available at

www.houstonfirst.com/do-business. Questions received may be edited or

combined with similar questions for clarity or length.

OVERVIEW AND SCOPE

Houston First Holdings LLC (“HFH”) requests Statements of Qualifications from qualified and

experienced architectural firms (each a “Respondent” and, collectively “Respondents”) to provide

professional architectural, interior design, and related professional services in connection with the

redesign and renovation of the of the ground floor lobby (and, potentially, associated elements)

of the Hilton Americas-Houston Hotel (the “Hotel”), located at 1600 Lamar St., Houston, Texas

77010.

HFH seeks to enhance, modernize and ensure the most efficient use of the Hotel lobby, including

registration, concierge, retail, food service, ingress/egress, and communal spaces. An ideal

design will complement and serve to develop greater connectivity with the Convention District to

progressively refine the aesthetic and functional appeal of the Hotel as a vibrant and iconic

destination.

The Respondent selected as a result of this RFQ process will need to work with HFH, and other

consultants engaged to ensure the orderly and timely completion of the project, which is expected

to include a development manager engaged by HFH to advise and assist with the development

of the project. HFH presently intends to engage a general contractor for the substantive project

work utilizing a construction manager-at-risk method.

The project scope, schedule and budget are under development. Currently, HFH expects the

first phase of construction work to be completed by May 2028. Several project construction

phases are anticipated subsequently, and all phases must be planned mindfully so as to

minimize disruption of hotel operations and accommodate scheduled events.

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BACKGROUND

Houston First Corporation, the sole member of HFH, is a local government corporation created

by the City of Houston to facilitate economic growth through the promotion of the Greater Houston

area and the business of conventions, meetings, tourism, and the arts. The entity is responsible

for the operation of the George R. Brown Convention Center, Avenida Houston, Partnership

Tower, Wortham Theater Center, Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, Miller Outdoor Theatre, and

an array of outdoor venues, properties, and parking facilities.

Opened in December 2003, the Hilton Americas-Houston Hotel is one of the nation’s top-tier

convention center hotels, having received the prestigious Hilton Connie Award for operational

excellence in 2025. Located in the heart of the Convention District in downtown Houston, the hotel

is steps away from Discovery Green Park, Toyota Center, Shell Energy Stadium, and Daikin Park.

SOQ FORMAT

Respondents are directed to include and provide all of the following information in their SOQ, to

the best of their ability:

a. Submittal Form: Respondents are required to complete and submit the Submittal Form

provided below as the first substantive page of their SOQ. The form must be signed by a

person authorized to make representations on behalf of the Respondent.

b. Firm Profile: Provide a brief profile of the Respondent firm, noting its history, structure,

strengths, and abilities. Be sure to note the number of years the firm has been in business,

and the location of the office from which the majority of work would be performed.

c. Team: Introduce the essential architectural services and interior design personnel who

would be assigned to provide services under any resulting agreement, explain their

respective functions, and include a summary of their qualifications. (Respondents are not

expected to know or be able to present the remainder of their consultant team at this time.)

d. Experience: Describe Respondent’s experience in designing or redesigning hotel

facilities similar in scope and complexity to the project described in this RFQ and provide

three references for ongoing or recently completed projects. For each example given or

project referenced, describe the extent to which the essential personnel named in the SOQ

were involved. Please include a contact name, phone number, and email address for each

reference.

Respondents are asked to limit the total page number to a maximum of 50 pages.

EVALUATION

SOQs timely received in response to this RFQ from Respondents who have submitted a Submittal

Form will be reviewed and scored collectively based on the following weighted criteria: Submittal

Form (10 points), Firm Profile (20 points); Team (20 points); and Experience (30 points).

HFH reserves the right to schedule and conduct interviews with the top-ranked Respondents, not

to exceed five. If held, interviews would occur the week of July 27th, and up to an additional 20

points may be added to the existing SOQ scores of the Respondents interviewed, based on their

participation and responsiveness to questions during such interviews.

The top-ranked Respondent will be asked to prepare a fee proposal and will be selected for

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negotiation of a contract. When negotiations are completed, the recommendation of the

evaluation committee will be submitted to the Houston First Corporation Board of Directors at their

September 2026 meeting; provided, however, that preliminary services, such as conceptual

design, may be contracted directly, in the interests of time, on a limited basis prior to such meeting.

HFH expects to select the top-ranked Respondent on the basis of demonstrated competence and

qualification, subject to negotiation of fair and reasonable compensation, which may include a

not-to-exceed amount and/or prior-authorization requirement for services in excess of a mutually-

agreed estimate of service hours. If HFH and such Respondent should fail to agree on such fair

and reasonable compensation or other contract terms, then HFH reserves the right to and may

conduct negotiations with the next most-qualified Respondent. If necessary, HFH will conduct

negotiations with successive Respondents in descending order until a contract award can be

made to a qualified Respondent whose price and other contract terms HFH believes are fair and

reasonable.

This RFQ does not commit HFH to make a final selection, award a contract, or issue a purchase

order. HFH will not pay any cost incurred in the preparation of a SOQ in response to this RFQ.

HFH reserves the right to select or reject all or part of any submittal, waive technicalities, and

select one or more service providers in the manner and to the extent that they serve their best

interests. HFH reserves the right to request clarifications and/or additional information from some

or all Respondents.

DIVERSITY

HFH expects that the Respondent selected will use good faith efforts to award subcontracts to

certified diversity participants. (A list of acceptable certifying agencies may be found in the HFC

Diversity Program.). A specific diversity goal may be included in an agreement resulting from this

selection process, in the manner and to the extent allowed under applicable law. Any such goal

shall be based on a mutually agreed percentage of the total value of the services to be performed.

Respondents should note if they are certified as a diversity participant in their SOQ; however,

such certification shall not lessen or otherwise alter the requirement to use good faith efforts or

comply with any diversity goal or reporting requirements established by contract.

LETTERS OF CLARIFICATION

Responses to all material questions timely submitted by potential Respondents, as well as

revisions incorporated into this RFQ, if any, will be confirmed collectively in a letter posted online

at http://www.houstonfirst.com/do-business (“Letter of Clarification”). When issued, Letters of

Clarification become part of this RFQ and automatically supersede any previous specifications or

provisions in conflict therewith. By submitting their SOQ, Respondents shall be deemed to have

reviewed all Letters of Clarification on the website and incorporated them into their submittal.

Verbal responses will not otherwise alter the specifications, terms and conditions as stated herein.

It is the responsibility of Respondents to monitor the foregoing link and ensure they receive any

such Letters of Clarification and incorporate them in their submittal.

NO PRE-SUBMITTAL CONFERENCE

A pre-submittal conference has not been scheduled for this RFQ and HFH does not anticipate

that such a meeting will be held.

RESTRICTIONS ON COMMUNICATIONS

Throughout the selection process, commencing with the Issue Date, Respondents are directed

not to communicate with any HFH, Houston First Corporation, or Hilton Americas-Houston Hotel

employee, officer or director regarding their SOQ or any matter relating to this RFQ, other than

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through bids@houstonfirst.com, or in response to a direct inquiry from the HFH or Houston First

Corporation. HFH reserves the right to reject an SOQ received due to violation of this restriction.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Respondents are advised that they have an affirmative obligation to disclose any affiliation or

business relationship with an HFH or Houston First Corporation employee, officer, or director

creating a conflict of interest (or appearing to a reasonable person to potentially exist). The

disclosure form may find it online at https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/data/forms/conflict/CIQ.pdf. By

submitting their SOQ, Respondent represents to HFC that they have complied with the

requirements of Chapter 176 of the Texas Local Government Code.

PROTEST PROCEDURES

Any protest relating to the form, terms and conditions, selection criteria, specifications, exhibits,

or any other material RFQ content must be filed by the actual or potential Respondent with HFC

SVP Legal Services no later than five business days prior to the Submission Deadline. If the

protest consists of a dispute regarding the Respondent recommended by the evaluation

committee, or otherwise relates to the alleged misapplication of selection criteria, then HFC

General Counsel must receive the protest from an actual Respondent after the Submission

Deadline, but at least three business days prior to consideration of a contract resulting from this

RFQ by HFC.

All protests must be made in writing and delivered to Houston First Corporation, Attn: SVP Legal

Services, 701 Avenida de las Americas, Ste. 200, Houston, TX 77010. To be considered, protests

must be timely received and include, at a minimum, all of the following information: (a) The name,

address and contact information of the Respondent , with sufficient information to establish that

a bona fide Respondent is the person or entity filing the protest; (b) The full title of the RFQ; (c)

Material grounds for the protest, including the provisions of the RFQ and the applicable law or

regulation that serves as the basis for the protest; (d) A statement of the specific relief requested

by the Respondent; (e) Reference to and attachment of any pertinent documents or sources relied

upon by the Respondent that the protesting party wishes to have considered; and (f) An affidavit

attached to support any factual allegations stated in the submission.

WITHDRAWAL; ERROR

Submittals may be withdrawn due to errors or for any other reason by a written request received

by bids@houstonfirst.com prior to the Submission Deadline.

PUBLIC INFORMATION

Houston First Corporation is subject to the Texas Public Information Act (“TPIA”). Information

submitted by Respondents is subject to release under the provisions of the TPIA set forth in

Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code. Each page where confidential or proprietary

information appears must be labeled as such clearly and unambiguously. Respondents will be

advised of any request for public information that implicates their materials and will have the

opportunity to raise objections to disclosure with the Texas Attorney General at their expense.

RFQ PACKETS

A complete copy of this RFQ, including exhibits, necessary forms and other relevant information

is available on-line at www.houstonfirst.com/do-business. This RFQ provides the information

necessary to prepare and submit a SOQ for consideration and ranking by HFH.

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HOTEL LOBBY DESIGN SERVICES

SUBMITTAL FORM

Respondents to the foregoing Hotel Lobby Design Services Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”)

are required to complete each field of this Submittal Form and are asked to include it as the first

substantive page of their SOQ.

1. Contact Information

a. Company Name (the “Respondent”): ___________________________________________

b. Address: ______________________________________________________

c. Contact Name/Title: _____________________________________________

d. Phone: _______________________________

e. Email: _______________________________

2. Terms and Conditions

By completing this form and submitting a SOQ, the Respondent represents all of the following:

a. Respondent has the necessary experience, knowledge, abilities, skills, and resources to

perform the services required to undertake and complete the services.

b. Respondent accepts the evaluation process set forth in the RFQ and acknowledges that some

subjective judgments must necessarily be made during the effectuation of such process.

c. Respondent has complied with Chapter 176 of the Texas Local Government Code and the

Restrictions on Communication section of this RFQ.

d. Respondent has not, within the past five years, been party to a service contract terminated for

cause, or received material, adverse findings from any governmental authority having regulatory

oversight of services similar to those required under this RFQ.

3. Acknowledgment

By signing below, Respondent represents and warrants that all of the foregoing is true, correct

and may be relied upon by Houston First Holdings LLC and Houston First Corporation without

exception:

_____________________________________ (“Respondent”)

By:

Signature: _________________________________

Name: ________________________________

Title: __________________________________

Date: __________________

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This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.

Project	Project Document	Due	Addenda
Active Hotel Lobby Design Services RFQ		7/22/2026

Hotel Lobby Design Services RFQ

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