REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR AQUATIC AND RECREATION CENTER, MASTER PLAN,
DESIGN, ENGINEERING, AND PROJECT COORDINATION THROUGH CONSTRUCTION
Amended
RFQ – 26-004
Submission Due Date / Time
December 30, 2025, at 4:00PM. EST
January 9, 2026
City of Bristol, Tennessee
Department of Administration
Purchasing Division
801 Anderson Street, Room 203, Bristol, Tennessee 37620
purchasing@bristoltn.org
Introduction
The purpose of this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is to select a qualified design team to lead the design
development, through construction of an indoor and outdoor aquatic facility and recreation center (the
“Project”). The City of Bristol, Tennessee (the “City”) is seeking the services of a consulting team to
provide qualified architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, planning, and/or similar, related
expertise to lead the design and oversee Project development of the aquatic and recreation center. The team
should include construction-related subject matter experts.
The City seeks firms experienced in high-level professional services, including mapping; the design
of outdoor and indoor aquatic facilities and public recreation centers; development of
implementation timelines and project cost estimates; document preparation; and construction
administration. A key consideration in the selection of the consultant is past experience with similar
projects and facilities.
Design services will include conceptual design, design development, and construction
documentation as well as construction administration, utilizing internal staff resources as needed.
Inherent to the design process will be input from staff and key stakeholders. The City is using this
RFQ as the mechanism for soliciting Qualification Packages from interested consultants.
All work shall be completed in accordance with applicable City of Bristol Tennessee standards and within
the agreed upon timeline, with plan delivery expected 12-14 months from commencement of project.
Community Description
With a population of 27,147, Bristol, Tennessee, is a vibrant and close-knit community known for its rich
cultural heritage and deep-rooted passion for outdoor recreation. Nestled in the picturesque Appalachian
Mountains, residents of Bristol take great pride in their scenic surroundings and actively participate in
initiatives that promote a healthy and active lifestyle. The community has shown enthusiastic support for
the development of a new aquatic and recreation center, recognizing it as a valuable addition that will
provide a safe and engaging space for our citizens. Local businesses, schools, civic organizations, and our
city government have rallied behind the project, highlighting Bristol’s commitment to the recreational
needs of all. The proposed center represents more than just a recreational facility; it symbolizes the town’s
dedication to enhancing community well-being of its citizens.
Project Background and Purpose
The City of Bristol currently lacks a public pool and a comprehensive community recreation facility. This
proposed project aims to address these needs by developing a year-round destination that enhances quality
of life, supports wellness, and promotes community engagement. The project should incorporate aquatic
and indoor recreational facility expertise, ensuring a thorough understanding of annual operations and
maintenance costs. These considerations should be fully integrated into the design process and carried
forward when the project is presented for approval.
The City envisions a modern, efficient, and inclusive facility that reflects Bristol’s ongoing commitment
to recreation, health, and community development. The Department of Parks and Recreation is the lead
division for the City of Bristol on this project.
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Project Description and Facility Components
The selected firm will provide planning, design, engineering, and construction administration services for
the project. The anticipated scope includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• Indoor Aquatic Center: Leisure pools, splash/play features, locker rooms, and spectator seating.
• Outdoor Aquatic Center: Recreational pool, slides, splash pad, and support facilities.
• Recreation Center: Two full-size gymnasiums, a large multi-purpose/meeting room, fitness
spaces, restrooms, and an indoor walking track.
• Site and Infrastructure Development: Parking areas, pedestrian access, landscaping, utilities, and
stormwater management.
• Master Planning: Development of a comprehensive site master plan to guide current and future
phases.
• Conceptual and Design Development: Preliminary design concepts, cost estimates, design
development, and construction documentation.
• Construction Administration: Bidding support, contractor coordination, and on-site construction
observation.
Additional Project Description
The facility will be located in Bristol, Tennessee at a location that will be disclosed to the consultant. The
focus should be placed on developing a comprehensive facility designed to meet the following
community goals:
A. Relaxation and leisure for families and individuals of all ages
B. Exercise and fitness opportunities for the Bristol community
C. Social interaction and engagement among citizens
D. Play and entertainment for children, young adults, and active older adults
Scope of Services
The following section summarizes the major tasks and sub-tasks to be completed during the study. Please
note that all PDFs generated as a component of the deliverables of this scope of services are to be Section
508 compliant and accessible.
Task 1. Project Management Plan
The consultant will develop a Project Management Plan (PMP). A draft PMP will be delivered to the
Bristol Parks and Recreation Department one week before the Project kick‐off meeting, and the final plan
will be submitted two weeks after the kick‐off meeting. The PMP serves as a single convenient reference
document for matters governing the administration and conduct of the plan from start to finish. It is
intended as a useful resource for staff, the steering committee, and consultant staff. The plan is a living
document and may be subject to revision as the plan proceeds. The plan is to include the following:
• Communication protocols including:
o Conference calls/web meetings with the appropriate information.
o Monthly progress calls.
o In‐person or virtual meetings, as directed by the City, that will include the kick‐off meeting,
stakeholder meetings, and others as requested by the City.
o E‐mail communication protocols.
• Key project contact information for the project manager and key project team members.
• A quality management plan that outlines a quality assurance and quality control plan.
• Detailed work plan and deliverables.
• Project schedule.
• Invoicing protocols; and
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• Project closeout and implementation plan.
Deliverable(s):
1. Project Management Plan
2. Project Schedule
Task 2. Project Design
It is the intent of the City of Bristol that the selected design company provide all design services,
including all materials, labor, and equipment, as required to design and model the aquatic and
recreation center, as well as site amenities. The final design should accommodate all users of a public
aquatic and recreation center. It should encourage recreational play, including daily programming
aquatic recreational needs for all ages and a variety of ability levels. The minimum scope of work is
outlined below:
1. Coordinate pre-design conference with City staff and entire consultant team to address
project coordination, verify information, and establish goals, objectives, and schedule.
2. Conduct site visits, as needed, to collect pertinent first-hand knowledge of the site in
order to address the condition, context, and adjacent land uses to assist in site analysis.
3. Prepare a design program narrative for the aquatic and recreation center facility
describing the major functional elements, site development requirements, code, and policy
considerations.
4. Prepare a project schedule delineating each phase of design including major milestones.
5. Lead up to two (2) workshop meetings with the attendees to be determined. Meetings
may include City staff, stakeholders, and/or City Council members with the goals of gathering
input and presenting initial designs in order to inform the final design of the proposed facility.
6. Design plan for the facility. Include contextual information for the site (location map, site
photos, etc.)
7. Outline the exact build program to identify additional soil and site testing needs to ensure
design can be constructed. If necessary, the Department of Public Works will contract with a local
firm to conduct soil samples based on this Design Team’s direction.
8. Provide final design for City approval prior to commencement of Construction
Documentation.
9. Prepare for and attend pre-development meeting(s) (“pre-submittal” or other) with other
City departments for review of project-related compliance with City Ordinances, permitting and
inspections, and other regulatory items for inclusion in the construction documents and
specifications.
10. Provide Construction Documentation services, obtain necessary permits for construction,
including plans, specifications, and details.
11. Provide Construction Administration services including support for questions during
bidding, periodic site inspections during construction, review of requests for information and pay
applications, and final walk-through and punch-list development.
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Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) Format, Content and Scoring.
The SOQ shall contain the sections listed below, separated by dividers, and shall respond fully to all
requirements of the RFQ. SOQs are limited to 28 single-sided (8-1/2” x 11”) pages, not including a cover
page or dividers, 12-point font. Submittals which do not address each item listed below will be considered
incomplete and will be deemed non-responsive by the Review Committee.
1. LETTER OF INTEREST: Provide a letter of interest signed by an authorized consultant
representative, including contact information. (1-page maximum). (Pass/Fail – no points assigned.)
2. STAFF QUALIFICATIONS: The SOQ must include a project team member organizational chart
and a listing and biography of key individuals proposed to be assigned to the project, with emphasis
on a designated Project Manager. The Project Manager should be the individual conducting the
day-to-day activities on this Project. The Project Manager is not the principal-in-charge unless the
principal is performing the work.
Each individual’s proposed position/responsibility shall be indicated. Special emphasis shall be
provided to the individual’s background, qualifications, certifications, experience on related and/or
similar projects, and the location where their work will be performed. Professional licenses,
including discipline and state of licensure, shall be designated for each individual. All known
professional design sub-consultants needed to complete the Project (individual or firm) must be
identified in the Staff Qualifications. (6 pages maximum)
SOQs may receive up to 20 points for this section. Points will be awarded based on the relevant
experience and qualifications of named staff members, adherence to the requested instructions, the
depth of staff available, staff members’ tenure with the firm, and the availability of key staff
throughout the Project.
3. PROJECT UNDERSTANDING: The SOQ must demonstrate the Consultant’s understanding of
the community’s current and future challenges and the City’s goals for the new aquatic and
recreation center. Responses should explain the Consultant’s approach to completing the Scope of
Services, identify potential challenges or risks and how they would be addressed, and note any
assumptions, suggested improvements, or additional resources needed to complete the project.
SOQs may receive up to 30 points for this section. Points will be awarded based on the Consultant’s
demonstrated understanding of the community’s challenges.
4. RELATED PROJECT EXPERIENCE: The SOQ must include detailed profiles of similar
projects that the Consultant and proposed team members have completed in the last five years,
including project name, date, description, and location. For each project, indicate which proposed
team members worked on the project and describe the role/work they performed and their levels of
involvement. Clearly explain why past project profiles are relevant and comparable to the Project.
Describe innovative approaches on past projects that may be applicable to the Project. (6-pages
maximum).
SOQs may receive up to 30 points for this section. Points will be awarded on the basis of successful
completion of similar projects.
5. MANAGEMENT APPROACH/ IMPLEMENTATION PLAN/SCHEDULE: The SOQ must
include a Project-specific discussion regarding the Consultant’s management approach, including
coordination and monitoring of project schedule, cost, scope, communications, quality, resources
and other management issues that the Consultant feels should be addressed. Emphasis should be
placed on how the Consultant’s management approach will promote the Project’s success. The
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This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.