Request for Qualifications ? Architectural and Engineering Services

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS #2026-15-AD
Childcare/Early Learning Facility
Architectural and Engineering Services
Date Issued
May 10, 2026
Deadline for Receipt of Proposals
June 5, 2026

Table of Contents
I. GENERAL INFORMATION ...................................................................................................... 6
A. PURPOSE............................................................................................................... 6
B. BACKGROUND ...................................................................................................... 6
C. RFP SCHEDULE ..................................................................................................... 7
D. COSTS AND EXPENSES ........................................................................................ 8
E. PUBLIC RECORDS ................................................................................................ 8
F. RIGHTS RESERVED .............................................................................................. 8
G. ELIGIBILITY TO CONTRACT WITH SHA ............................................................ 8
H. HUD/SHA CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS ............................................................. 9
II. SCOPE OF SERVICES .......................................................................................................... 9
A. PROGRAMMING & CONCEPTUAL DESIGN ......................................................... 9
B. SCHEMATIC & DESIGN DEVELOPMENT ............................................................. 9
C. ENGINEERING & COMPLIANCE .......................................................................... 9
D. COST ESTIMATION & PHASING ....................................................................... 10
E. CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES .................................................... 10
III. SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS ...........................................................................................10
A. SUBMITTAL FORMAT AND DETAILS................................................................. 10
B. SUBMITTAL CONTENT ....................................................................................... 10
C. EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS RECEIVED ........................................................ 11
D. EVALUATION PROCESS ..................................................................................... 12
E. SELECTION PROCESS ........................................................................................ 13
F. CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS .............................................................................. 13
G. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION ................................................................... 13
1. Basic Eligibility ...................................................................................................... 13
2. Payment Requirements ......................................................................................... 14
3. Approval of Sub-Consultants: ................................................................................ 14
4. Documents Produced ............................................................................................ 14
5. Other Contracts .................................................................................................... 14
6. Funding Availability .............................................................................................. 14
7. For Profit Subgrantee and Contractor Certifications and Assurances Form .............. 14
8. Insurance ............................................................................................................. 14

A) General Insurance Requirements ..................................................................... 15
B) Insurance Coverage and Terms ....................................................................... 15
1) Commercial General Liability (CGL) - ................................................................ 15
2) Employers Liability or Washington Stop Gap Liability ........................................ 16
3) Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance ...................................................... 16
4) Workers Compensation.................................................................................... 16
5) Contractor's Pollution Liability (CPL) ................................................................. 16
6) Professional Liability Insurance ........................................................................ 17
7) Cyber Liability ................................................................................................. 17
8) Commercial Crime Insurance/Employee Theft Insurance .................................. 17
C) Owner As Additional Insured ........................................................................... 17
D) Waiver of Subrogation ..................................................................................... 17
E) Deductibles or Self-Insured Retention .............................................................. 17
F) No Limitation of Liability. ................................................................................. 18
G) Proof of Insurance and Insurance Expiration. ................................................... 18
9. Criminal Background Investigation ........................................................................ 19
10. Protest and Dispute Resolution ............................................................................. 19

I. GENERAL INFORMATION
A. PURPOSE
The Spokane Housing Authority (SHA) is seeking architectural and engineering firms to support
the design, bidding, construction, and equipping of a new childcare and early learning facility at
its Orchard Vista affordable housing site. The proposed facility will house early childhood
education programs, including Head Start (ages 3-5) and Early Learning Center (ages 0-3),
with the goal of creating a safe, high-quality learning environment. The facility will be
approximately 4,500 square feet and located on an approximately 14-acre site at SHA's Orchard
Vista property, 9910 E Appleway, Spokane Valley. The design must include at least two
classrooms, kitchen facilities, and age-appropriate outdoor play areas integrated into the site
plan to ensure safe supervision and accessibility. The site is zoned Corridor/Mixed Use, where
childcare facilities are an outright permitted use.
One firm will be selected to complete the project in phases:
1. Design Documents - Development of all required architectural, engineering, and site design
documents, including programming, conceptual design, schematic design, general
contractor bidding package, and construction-ready drawings. This phase also includes cost
estimating, design review and coordination with permitting agencies, and integration of
childcare and early learning requirements. SHA's selected childcare operator for the facility
will support the design process and provide technical guidance on licensing requirements.
2. Capital Funding Requests - SHA will pause start of construction of the project to use the
finalized designs from 1. above to submit an Early Learning Facilities (ELF) Program grant
application to the Washington Department of Commerce in the 2027 funding round to
support the capital cost of construction of the facility.
3. Construction Oversight - Construction of the facility is expected to begin in Spring 2028
when the project is fully funded and ready for construction. This phase includes
professional support throughout the construction phase, including SHA's Invitation to Bid,
review of contractor submittals, participation in site visits, verifying progress, evaluating
change orders, and assisting with project close-out and final inspections.
B. BACKGROUND
SHA creates and sustains high quality affordable housing options that encourage individual
prosperity and support healthy communities. We envision a future where all community
members have access to safe, healthy, and affordable homes.
Our work includes:
* Housing Assistance Payments - We provide income-based housing assistance payments for
over 6,600 low-income families who would otherwise be unable to afford market-rate rents.
We send these payments directly to housing providers on behalf of participating families
across six counties in Eastern Washington and statewide.
* Asset Management - We own, manage, and develop affordable multifamily housing in
Spokane County to create and preserve housing options for low-income families. Our

portfolio currently includes 758 apartments, with an additional 366 units in our development
pipeline.
* Housing Stability & Client Success - We offer person- and family-centered service
coordination, direct services, and goal coaching to program participants and residents to
encourage housing stability and self-determined success.
SHA is the joint housing authority for the City of Spokane, the City of Spokane Valley, and
Spokane County. We also provide programs and services across five additional counties in
Eastern Washington and statewide as permitted under state law and through interlocal and
cooperative agreements. SHA is one of over 3,300 public housing authorities across the
country, and the third largest in Washington state by number of assisted households.
As a public corporation under state law, SHA performs public functions but operates like a
private company. Taking an entrepreneurial approach to this classification, we have scaled up
our housing development and statewide grant management activities in recent years, resulting
in an increasingly diverse and robust portfolio.
Our initiatives are shaped by community priorities and carried out in collaboration with a broad
network of partners, including local, state, and federal government bodies, housing providers,
nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, financial institutions, and private enterprises.
C. RFP SCHEDULE
SHA issues this RFQ to select an Architectural Firm to provide architectural and engineering
services. SHA intends to evaluate the responses to this RFQ. SHA reserves the right to modify
or cancel any and all parts of this RFQ and process. The general steps and preliminary
schedule are described as follows:
Activity/Event Date
Date RFP Issued May 10, 2026
Deadline for Questions May 22, 2026
See below for required procedure for RFQ questions or requests for
clarification
RFQ Addenda Issued (if necessary) May 26, 2026
RFQ Submittal Due Date June 5, 2026
See below for required procedure for RFQ Submission
Initial Evaluation of Proposals June 15, 2026
Interviews with Firms (if needed) July 6-10,
2026
Selection and Negotiation Process July 17, 2026
SHA intends to select a Respondent (in accordance with the criteria
identified in the RFQ) and whom to negotiate A/E agreement
Any questions regarding this RFQ must be submitted in writing and directed to the following
email address: pparr@spokanehousing.org . SHA will disregard any communications sent in
any other manner with respect to this RFQ.
All questions or requests for clarification concerning this RFQ must be received by SHA no later
than 12:00 PM Pacific Time on May 22, 2026. Questions or requests for clarifications received
after this time and date will not be considered.

SHA will provide responses to properly submitted questions or requests via formal RFQ
Addendum, which will be published on SHA's website on May 26, 2026. Respondents shall be
responsible for reviewing and downloading any RFQ addenda issued. SHA's communications
(including written or oral communications, interpretations or clarifications outside this formal
RFQ addenda process shall not be binding and shall be without legal effect.
D. COSTS AND EXPENSES
All costs associated with the preparation, submittal and delivery of a response to this RFQ is the
responsibility of the Respondent. SHA will not be liable for any costs incurred by the
Respondent in the preparation of submittals in response to this RFQ.
E. PUBLIC RECORDS
Any records or materials submitted to SHA in response to this RFQ become public records under
the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). The Act mandates that public records
be promptly disclosed upon request unless disclosure of the requested documents is specifically
exempted by statute. There is no specific exemption for RFQ documents. If SHA receives a
public records disclosure request for the Respondent's records, SHA will notify the Respondent
of the request and delay disclosing the requested documents for ten calendar days to allow the
Respondent to file a lawsuit under RCW 42.56 to enjoin disclosure. By providing a submittal,
Respondent acknowledges that SHA has no obligation to protect Respondent's documents and
will have no liability to Respondent if records are disclosed.
SHA respectfully requests that firms refrain from requesting public disclosure of information
until a contract has been executed as a measure to best protect the integrity of the solicitation
process.
F. RIGHTS RESERVED
SHA reserves the right to accept or reject any or all responses in their entirety or in part and to
waive informalities and minor irregularities and to contract as the best interest of SHA may
require. During the evaluation process, if SHA determines that a particular requirement may be
modified or waived and still allow SHA to substantially meet its needs, then the requirement(s)
may be modified or waived. SHA reserves the right to contact any Respondent to seek
clarification, to ask any or all Respondents to submit additional information or to request
modified responses after the submission deadline.
G. ELIGIBILITY TO CONTRACT WITH SHA
The successful firm must not be debarred, or otherwise declared ineligible to contract with SHA,
by an applicable regulatory agency. The firm must not be included on the U.S. General Services
Administration's "List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement and Non-Procurement
Programs" or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's "Limited Denial of
Participation" list.
The successful firm must provide SHA with a W-9 or W-9 substitution form.
The successful firm must be a responsible contractor possessing the ability to perform
successfully under the terms and conditions of the proposed procurement. Before awarding a
contract, SHA will evaluate contractor responsibility, including the personal knowledge of, or
experience, with the vendor. SHA will utilize both state and federal requirements in its
evaluation of contractor responsibility.

H. HUD/SHA CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS
Firms should review the forms listed below and attached.
* Form HUD-5369-B, Instructions to Offerors - Non-Construction
* Form HUD-5370-C Section I, General Conditions for Non-Construction Contracts
II. SCOPE OF SERVICES
The selected firm will be responsible for providing comprehensive planning, design, and
engineering services, including but not limited to:
A. PROGRAMMING & CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
* Review space State of Washington Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF)
licensing requirements for federal (Head Start) guidelines.
* Develop a space program/room schedule that aligns with DCYF, Head Start, and other
applicable guidelines.
* Prepare at least two conceptual site and floor plan options that maximize efficiency,
supervision, and outdoor play space.
* Provide space adjacency diagrams and circulation plans for review.
* Incorporate cultural and community values into the design.
* Provide 3D renderings/visualizations to assist stakeholders in evaluating design concepts.
* Address security and traffic circulation for pick-up/drop-off zones.
* Conduct stakeholder engagement sessions, including staff and parents, to inform the
design.
B. SCHEMATIC & DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
* Provide scaled floor plans, elevations, and site layouts for review and feedback.
* Incorporate standard classroom sizes and requirements.
* Ensure outdoor play areas are age-appropriate, fenced, and directly accessible from
classrooms.
* Develop FF&E (furniture, fixtures, and equipment) plan.
* Ensure designs incorporate natural light, safe materials, and acoustics appropriate for early
learning.
C. ENGINEERING & COMPLIANCE
* Provide structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, architectural and landscaping, fire
evacuation plan, square footage allocation plan, and civil engineering services.
* Provide IT/technology systems plan (network, security, classroom technology, and
cameras).
* Design must comply with all applicable codes and standards, including:
o Washington State DCYF licensing requirements
o Head Start Performance Standards
o ADA accessibility guidelines.
* Explore energy efficiency and sustainability measures, including solar readiness, LEED-
equivalent standards, or other sustainability goals.
D. COST ESTIMATION & PHASING
* Provide preliminary and updated cost estimates for construction.

* Provide a Total Cost of Ownership analysis, including anticipated maintenance, utilities, and
lifecycle costs.
E. CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES
* Assist SHA in preparing Request for Bids (RFBs) for construction.
* Participate in the review and selection of contractors.
* Review contractor submittals and RFIs (requests for information).
* Conduct construction observation/site visits to verify compliance with design.
* Review change orders and contractor payment applications.
* Coordinate and oversee punch list and close-out documentation.
* Provide support during warranty period issues.
* Prepare an estimated timeline and cost estimate for construction deliverables
III. SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
A. SUBMITTAL FORMAT AND DETAILS
o Respondents shall provide on electronic bookmarked PDF (in searchable format) via
Microsoft SharePoint using the following upload only link:
SHA Orchard Vista Childcare A/E Submissions .
SHA will not accept paper submittals. Vendors can upload only and cannot see other
uploads. Uploading requires the vendor enter their email for verification before
uploading. New Upload Notifications will be sent to SHA staff overseeing the RFQ
process.
* Page limits: All submissions shall conform to the page limits (per section) identified in the
Submittal Content below.
* Submittal Deadline: Submittals must be received by SHA no later than 5:00 pm Pacific time
on June 5, 2026. SHA will not consider any submittals received after the deadline. SHA will
provide all Respondents with an acknowledgement of receipt. All submittals received will
become the property of SHA.
B. SUBMITTAL CONTENT
Submittals should be organized in the order of the outlined below and include the following
information:
* Cover letter (no more than 2 pages): The cover letter should confirm Respondent's interest
in serving as the architect/engineer for the different scopes of the project, confirm that
Respondent's firm can successfully perform the scope of services in this RFQ, state the date
the firm is available to start work on the project, and be signed by a principal or officer of
the firm authorized to execute contracts or other similar documents on the firm's behalf.
* References (no more than 1 page): Respondent should provide a list of at least three
references for whom the firm or team members have performed similar work in the last 5
years, including the name of the client, contact person, address, phone number, and email
address.
* Resumes (no more than 3 pages): Respondent should provide resumes for the key
personnel that would be involved in the project.
* Narrative responses (no more than 10 pages):

1. What is your firm's design philosophy when designing childcare or early learning
facilities? What is your process with the owner when scoping and designing the facility?
2. Describe three (3) new construction projects similar in scope to the proposed project.
Identify which project(s) became Washington State licensed space to provide childcare.
3. Describe how your firm approaches pricing for new construction projects.
4. Please describe your firm's experience with cost-efficient design and your approach to
reducing construction costs. What techniques have you used to reduce construction
costs without compromising the quality of construction and/or the quality of the facility
provided? What process improvements would you suggest for efficient communication
and oversight during construction?
5. Describe the capabilities of your firm and how you would determine when to utilize a
subcontractor/consultant for a project? What value does this bring to the project,
including the owner and end user?
6. SHA strongly encourages minority-owned and women-owned businesses, socially and
economically disadvantaged business enterprises, HUD Section 3 businesses, small
businesses and veteran-owned businesses to submit proposals, to participate as
partners, or to participate in other business activity in response to this RFQ.
Consequently, in responding to the solicitation, Respondents must include a description
demonstrating good faith effort to seek meaningful opportunities for WMBEs in the work
of the Contract.
In preparing the submittal to SHA, it is important for Respondents to clearly demonstrate
their expertise in the areas described in the document. The Respondent must demonstrate
expertise and have available the adequate numbers of experienced personnel in the area
described.
Respondents are encouraged to identify and clearly label in their submittal how each
criterion is being fully addressed. Evaluation of responses will be based only on the
information provided in the submittal package, and if applicable, interviews, and reference
responses. SHA reserves the right to request additional information or documentation from
the firm regarding its submittal documents, personnel, financial viability, or other items to
complete the selection process.
C. EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS RECEIVED
Personnel from SHA will review proposals. The SHA may award a contract to the proposer
whose proposal is deemed to be responsive and most advantageous for the project program.
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following weighted criteria.
Possible
Criteria Description Points
Relevant Experience & * Demonstrated experience designing and 35
Qualifications equipping licensed childcare or early learning
facilities (DCYF-licensed, Head Start, Early
Head Start, ECEAP, etc.) in Washington
State or similar contexts.
* Strength of firm's qualifications and past
performance on comparable projects.
* Permitted new construction project of any
kind in Spokane County within the last four
years.

Project Team & Technical * Qualifications, credentials, and roles of key 25
Expertise team members.
* Expertise in early learning design standards,
classroom planning, indoor-outdoor
circulation, safety, and supervision.
* Knowledge of DCYF licensing requirements,
Head Start Performance Standards, ADA
accessibility, and trauma-informed design
principals.
Project Approach & * Demonstrated understanding of childcare 20
Understanding facility functional needs, including
infant/toddler and preschool programming
* Clear methodology for stakeholder
engagement with SHA, childcare operator,
parents, and community partners.
* Approach to coordinating design within
occupied affordable housing site, including
safety, construction sequency, and
minimizing disruption to residents.
Capacity, Schedule, and * Ability to begin work promptly and meet 10
Project Management required project milestones.
* Demonstrated capacity to manage design
and engineering tasks efficiently.
* Clear communication and coordination
strategies with SHA, the childcare operator,
and construction teams.
References * Strong references demonstrate quality of 10
past work and responsiveness.
* Record of collaboration with public agencies,
school districts, tribes, or nonprofit housing
organizations.
* History of minimizing change orders and
avoiding design delays.
Total Possible Points 100
Additional Points (Optional Add-Ons)
* To take affirmative steps and encourage the use of women- and minority-owned businesses
(WMBEs) (3 points).
* Experience incorporating energy efficiency or sustainability features (up to 2 points).
* Experience working with Federally or State-Funded Early Learning Facility Programs (up to
two points).
D. EVALUATION PROCESS
SHA will evaluate the RFQ submissions in accordance with the RFQ criteria. SHA reserves the
right to make its final selection of a Respondent (without issuing a subsequent RFP) based
solely on its review of the RFQ submissions. SHA reserves the right to have interviews with
submitting firms at its discretion.
At the conclusion of the RFQ process, SHA intends to enter a period of exclusive negotiations
with the selected Respondent. If SHA is unable to reach agreement with the highest ranked
firm, it may negotiate with the second highest ranked firm, proceeding to turn to each firm, in