V26270410RFP-ArchitectServicesRFP.pdf

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS/PROPOSALS
for
ARCHITECT SERVICES
RFQ/P# V26270410RFP
PROPOSAL DEADLINE DATE:
SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 2:00pm
SUBMIT TO:
VISTA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
ATTN: MR. KEVIN LESKO,
DIRECTOR OF PURCHASING
1234 ARCADIA AVE
VISTA, CA 92084

1. GENERAL INFORMATION
The VISTA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT ("District") is requesting Statements of
Qualifications/Proposal for architect services.
A. Each firm shall submit one original unbound Statement of Qualifications/Proposal
and one (1) electronic version on a thumb drive in Adobe Portable Document
Format (PDF) format prominently marked with "Request for Qualifications/Proposal,
Architect services - V26270410RFP" and the name of the company submitting the
SoQ/P.
B. SoQ/P shall be submitted to the District, as follows:
1. Deadline for Submittal of Responses:
i. No later than 2:00 p.m. on September 14, 2026
ii. Late Responses will be returned unopened.
2. Method of delivery:
i. Hand delivery, FedEx, UPS or other mail/shipping service.
ii. Responses sent by Facsimile (FAX) or email will not be accepted.
iii. It is the responsibility of the Proposer to ensure that their proposal is
received in proper time.
iv. The Vista Unified School District is not responsible for any costs associated
with preparing the proposal or negotiating final agreement. Additionally,
this RFQ does not commit the Vista Unified School District to award a contract.
3. Delivery Address:
Mr. Kevin Lesko
Director - Purchasing Dept.
Vista Unified School District
1234 Arcadia Avenue
Vista, CA 92084
C. Proposers are required to disclose any relationships with the District and execute the non-
collusion affidavit included with this RFQ/P.
D. The original SoQ/P shall be submitted and signed by an authorized individual or officer of
the firm submitting the proposal.
E. Firms interested in submitting proposals will not contact District Governing Board
members, the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendents or any other officials or staff of
the District. The District may reject proposals if a firm or its representatives make direct
contact with the District. Firms should only contact:
Mr. Kevin Lesko - kevinlesko@vistausd.org
Director - Purchasing Dept.
Vista Unified School District
1234 Arcadia Avenue
Vista, CA 92084
F. All written questions received will be answered in writing and published on the District's
Purchasing Website:
https://www.vistausd.org/departments/businessservices/fiscal-services/purchasing.
Oral statements regarding this RFQ/P by any person(s) should be considered unverified
information unless confirmed in writing. To ensure a response, questions must be received
in writing via email to kevinlesko@vistausd.org before 2:00 pm August 28, 2026.
RFQ/P-Architect Services 1 Vista Unified School District

G. The Board of Education of the District reserves the right to accept or reject any or all SoQ/P
submittals and to negotiate with any or all responsible submitters. Submitters shall be
responsible for all expenses that they may incur in preparing proposals.
H. The District reserves the right to revise the RFQ/P up to and including September 4, 2026, for
issuance of clarifications and revisions to this RFQ/P. Revisions to the RFQ/P shall be
published on the District's Purchasing Website:
https://www.vistausd.org/departments/businessservices/fiscal-services/purchasing
The District expressly reserves the right to extend the deadline by which proposals are due.
2. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES REQUIRED
A. Introduction
The Vista Unified School District ("District") is seeking Statements of Qualifications and
Proposals (RFQ/P) from licensed, highly qualified architectural firms to establish a pre-
qualified pool.
B. Background on the Project
The District is a large TK-12 unified school District in San Diego County, California. The
District serves approximately 17,500 students in the Communities of Vista, Oceanside, San
Marcos and unincorporated areas of San Diego County.
The District has 14 elementary sites, 4 middle school sites, 3 comprehensive high school
facilities, 2 alternative high schools, 1 early childhood special education center, 1 blended
learning/independent study middle/high school, 1 adult school, and 1 adult transition center
for a total of 27 school sites.
The District has four primary central office centers known as the Administrative Service
Center (Board, Superintendent, Human Resources, Fiscal Services, Business Services, and
Instructional Services), the Operational Service Center (Transportation, and Maintenance
and Operations), the Vista Innovation Center (Career Technical Education, Extended
Learning Services, Preschool, and Professional Development Center), and North Avenue
(IT and Child Nutrition Services). The District also has two school sites that are not in use
known as the Beaumont and Olive Street locations.
The District desires to have modernization, new construction, and renovation work planned,
designed, and constructed as outlined in the Long Range Facilities Master Plan, Revised
2026. The District is in the process of establishing a qualified pool of Architectural firms
which will allow the District to assign design services for future projects as needed. This
may also include projects as identified in the Long Range Facilities Master Plan. The exact
scope of design services will be determined at a time in the future and will be set forth in
an agreement between the District and the selected Architect(s).
All work is to be done by securing approvals from all relevant jurisdictional authorities,
most notably the Division of the State Architect (DSA) including DSA closeout and
certification, the California Department of Education (CDE), local fire authorities, and
health departments. All work will be coordinated with the District's Facility Team which
may also include a third-party Construction Management Firm, a third-party Bond Support
Firm, Purchasing Team Members, and other District Employees.
RFQ/P-Architect Services 2 Vista Unified School District

All services must be performed in strict compliance with the California Education Code,
California Building Standards Code (Title 24), and California Public Contract Code.
Because projects may be funded through local general obligation bonds (e.g., Measure LL),
state matching funds, or developer fees, the selected firms must demonstrate a strong
working knowledge of Office of Public School Construction (OPSC) and State
Allocation Board (SAB) requirements to ensure maximum funding eligibility.
The District may also contemplate potential selected replacement and/or maintenance
projects that may be performed prior to or in conjunction with modernization project work,
and for which the Architect may be asked to provide services to assure that such work can
be incorporated with modernization project work to assure code compliance.
The District will utilize responses to this request to create a pool of architects for these
modernization projects and/or future projects and/or to select one or more architects for
other capital and/or maintenance program projects that may include: modernization,
expansion, new construction, reconstruction, alteration, rehabilitation, repair, relocation,
reconfiguration, upgrades, closeouts, and other projects as may be identified, planned,
modified, or prioritized/reprioritized. Projects are to be assigned, and/or determined
through an informal competitive process within the awarded pool. The District may also
issue future solicitations that may augment or supersede this solicitation.
Being selected to this pool is not a guarantee of any work.
The District's Long Range Facilities Master Plan can be viewed here for reference:
https://sites.google.com/view/vusdfmp/home
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3. ITEMS FOR INCLUSION IN PROPOSAL
All SoQ/P submittals shall address the following items in the order listed below and shall be
identified in the submitted SoQ/P to match the following list:
A. Description of Firm - This section should provide information regarding the size, location,
nature of work performed, years in business, and approach that will be used in meeting the
needs of the District.
B. Description of Projects - This section shall identify similar projects that the firm has
completed. Use this section of the Proposal to indicate the areas of expertise you have
previously provided and how the firm's expertise will enable the District to benefit from
that expertise. The District is requiring the firm (s) to have relevant experience in facility
master planning, school design for modernization, new construction, modular buildings,
relocatables, and school safety for K-12 schools in California, over the past five years.
Referenced projects should be projects managed by the firm responding to the RFQ/P. The
proposal shall include the following format:
RFQ/P-Architect Services 3 Vista Unified School District

PROJECT DISTRICT'S NAME, COMPLETION PROJECT COST COMMENTS
NAME AND ADDRESS, CONTACT DATE (above or below
LOCATION PERSON, EMAIL. AND the project
TELEPHONE estimate)
C. Background of Assigned Personnel - Identify all personnel and provide a brief resume
including pertinent experience of personnel who will be participating in this project.
Provide total number of professional staff employed by the firm. Identify persons that will
be principally responsible for working with the District. Indicate the role and responsibility
of each individual.
D. District Values Alignment
1. Equity & Inclusion: Vista Unified School District is dedicated to equity and inclusion.
Upon review of VUSD Board Policy 415 on Equity, provide examples of your
company's policy on equity and inclusion and provide examples of how it has guided
your recent work on at least two public school projects (grades T/K-14).
2. Sustainability: Vista Unified School District is dedicated to sustainability and
advancing work towards a carbon neutral economy including a Board Policy 3510 on
Green Schools and 3511 Energy and Water Management. Please provide examples
on your company's sustainability policies and adherence to sustainable building
practices and provide examples in your recent work on at least two public school
projects (grades T/K-14).
3. Local & Small Business: Utilization of Local Workforce, VUSD Alumni, Minority
/ Women Owned / Small Business: Our work seeks to support the improvement of
neighborhood schools. In support of equity and inclusion, please describe your
company's efforts to support the development of local workforces, alumni, women
owned, and small businesses in communities where you have built projects. Provide
examples in your recent work on at least two public school projects (grades T/K-14).
E. Means and Methods Experience
1. Project Labor Agreements - If a project were to have a PLA requirement, please
illustrate your company's strategy to ensure proper bid coverage. Provide examples
of recent PLA public school projects (grades T/K-14) of similar size and value,
challenges associated with them (such as any additional project cost percent
increase and rebidding), and strategies that you used to address those challenges.
2. Contracting Methodology - A project may have one or more types of contracting
associated. For example, Lease Leaseback, CM Multi-Prime, or Design/Design
Build. Provide examples of your recent experience in each project contracting type.
Include a simple summary in Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threats
(SWOT) format for each construction methodology that you are addressing.
3. Project Sizes - As projects may range in complexity and investment from small to
large, please indicate your firm's interests (not scored) in small, medium, and large
projects. Use the following as a general guideline: Small = 3-10 million dollars,
Medium 11-60 million dollars, large >60 million dollars
4. Project types - As projects are grouped into categories, indicate your firm's interest
(not scored) in specific project categories. For this section use the following project
categories as examples to address: (A) Major Modernization, (B) Fire, Life, Safety;
and/or (C) Innovative Facilities
F. Fees - Describe the method proposed for charging fees.
RFQ/P-Architect Services 4 Vista Unified School District

G. Client Reference List - List the client firm/district name, contact person and their position,
telephone number, and email address. List the projects for which services were provided.
H. Other - Each firm is encouraged to provide any additional information or description of
resources the firm feels is pertinent to the SoQ/P.
4. SELECTION PROCESS and PROJECTED DATES
The process and anticipated schedule that the District will utilize in selecting firms to
perform services will be as follows:
Action Date
a. Release of Request for August 18, 2026
Qualifications/Proposals
b. Last Day to Submit Questions for Clarification August 28, 2026
-must be received at or before 2:00 p.m.
c. Addenda Clarifications Issued by District September 4, 2026
d. Deadline for Receipt of Responses
-must be received at or before 2:00 p.m. September 14, 2026
e. Anticipated Board Approval October 2026
5. EVALUATION
Firms submitting SoQ/P are advised that all SoQ/P will be evaluated to determine the firm that
will meet the needs of the District. Evaluation will include, but not be limited to the following
criteria:
A. Understanding the District's goals
B. Experience and expertise with similar projects in size and scope
C. Understanding the District and the RFQ/P
D. Ability to meet time schedules and budgets - Demonstrate ability to design within project
budget.
E. Proposed method for determining fee and demonstrated accuracy of cost estimates.
F. Completeness of Proposal.
G. The oral interview and presentation
RFQ/P-Architect Services 5 Vista Unified School District

H. Satisfaction of previous clients in the firm's capacity and commitment to provide services
to clients.
I. Five years of experience with different delivery methods, (i.e., CM Multi-Prime, Design Bid
Build, Lease-Leaseback, etc.)
J. Post Construction Follow up: What is the Firm's role upon completion of construction? How
on previous construction projects have you handled punch list items and ensured that items
function properly?
K. Three years of experience interfacing with representatives of the San Diego Building Trade
Council and performing above-mentioned duties (including construction administration)
under a Project Labor Agreement (PLA).
The selected Architect shall work under the direction of the Assistant Superintendent-Business
Services. The Architect selected may work with the District's Construction Management (CM)
firm to provide construction cost savings advice, conduct value engineering and
constructability reviews and recommend modifications to the plans for the project, to the
District and the CM if necessary and as required. The District requires a full-service architect
firm to provide planning, design, construction administration, and closeout services for its
projects. Such services will require compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements to
which public schools are subject now or in the future. Architect will be required to obtain DSA
approval of plans and certification after completion, and other regulatory approvals (e.g.
city/county, fire, health, etc.) as required, and assist the District with other required approvals.
Architect must work cooperatively and collaboratively with Project teams, including District
consultants and other architects. Architect will be required to attend meetings and assist with
presentations as needed (e.g., Board, agency, community, design committees, job walks,
construction meetings, etc., as required) Architect will provide all needed architectural
disciplines, engineers and consultants (e.g. civil, structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing,
landscape, acoustical, food service, and others) as needed to provide a complete approvable and
buildable set of plans within its fee structure, unless exceptions are specifically agreed to in any
contract entered into with the District.
The District reserves the right to determine the number of firms that will be invited to
interview. Interviews will be between 45 - 60 minutes. Digital presentations will be allowed.
Interviews will be discussion-based and will include an opportunity for the firm to present
its qualifications and an opportunity for questions by the interviewing panel. Proposed
staff who would be managing, and working on the project are required to attend and
participate in the interview.
See Section 1.A. regarding the format for the Submission of proposals. The Proposer is entirely
responsible for the means of delivering the proposal to the appropriate office on time. Delays
due to internal routing of misdirected proposals or due to verbal directions given by District staff
shall be the responsibility of the Proposer. Thus, each proposal must be completed and delivered
in sufficient time to avoid disqualification for lateness due to difficulties in delivery.
LATE PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Modifications of proposals submitted by a Proposer after the deadline will not be
considered unless the District requested the modifications.
Each Proposal shall be reviewed to verify that the Proposer has met the minimum requirements
of the RFQ/P. Proposers must follow the required format specified in this RFQ/P in order to
facilitate District review.
The District reserves the right to cancel this RFQ/P at any time without any obligation
Vista Unified School District
RFQ/P-Architect Services 6

whatsoever for proposal preparation, interview, fee negotiation or other costs associated with
this RFQ/P or any proposal submitted in response to this RFQ/P.
The District may reject any or all proposals and may waive any minor deviation in any proposal.
The District's waiver of any minor defect shall in no way modify the RFQ/P documents or excuse
the Proposer from compliance with the other provisions of this RFQ/P.
Proposals become the property of the District and may be returned only at the District's option
and at the Proposer's expense. Information, excluding Proposer's financial information,
contained therein shall become public documents subject to the Public Records Act.
REQUIRED SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS:
A. YOUR RESPONSES to "3. ITEMS FOR INCLUSION IN PROPOSAL" This section
is limited to 40 pages, 8 12 x 11", single-sided.
B. REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS:
1. RFP PROPOSAL AND CERTIFICATION FORM
Proposer shall return a Request for Proposal and Certification Form, fully executed
in accordance with the Instruction to Proposers. Proposals for the Service will be
accepted as outlined in this RFQ/P. Proposer should include the specific costs for
each item set forth in the Scope of Services and fees and rates should include all
services. The fees shall include the cost of all labor, materials, equipment, supplies
and space necessary.
2. ARCHITECT FEE/REIMBURSABLE SCHEDULE FORM
Proposer must list fees and reimbursable rates on this form.
3. NON-COLLUSION DECLARATION FORM
Proposer must return a fully executed Non-Collusion affidavit, as required by
Public Contract Code section 7106, with the completed proposal.
4. CONTRACT AND ADDENDA FORM
Proposer shall acknowledge receipt of the proposed form of the Agreement for
Architect Services and any Addenda received.
C. OPTIONAL PRESENTATION BROCHURE:
This can contain descriptions, illustrations, photographs, etc., of school district
projects. This being optional would not count towards the 40-page limitation.
Vista Unified School District
RFQ/P-Architect Services 7

OTHER INFORMATION:
NOTICE AND DISCLOSURE: NOTICE REGARDING CONTRACTUAL
INDEMNIFICATION REQUIREMENTS (PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA PUBLIC
CONTRACT CODE SECTION 20103.6). PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT THE SAMPLE
AGREEMENT INCLUDED IN THIS RFP INCLUDES SUCH INDEMNIFICATION
LANGUAGE.
RELATED DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION:
Documentation associated with this RFQ/P, including the proposed form of agreement, may be
viewed at:
https://www.vistausd.org/departments/businessservices/fiscal-services/purchasing
Vista Unified School District
RFQ/P-Architect Services 8

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS/PROPOSAL -
ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES
PROPOSAL AND CERTIFICATION
Board of Trustees
Vista Unified School District
1234 Arcadia Avenue
Vista, CA 92084
RE: Request for Qualifications/Proposal - Architect Services V26270410RFP
Dear Members of the Board of Trustees:
The undersigned, doing business under the firm name of
,
having carefully examined the Request for Qualifications/Proposal, the Instructions,
Specifications, and all of the documents for the proposed School and District Office
Projects, proposes to perform the contract, including all of its component parts, and to
furnish all services and taxes called for by them for the entire order, at the rates, costs,
and prices as set forth in the attached: ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FEE
/ REIMBURSABLE SCHEDULE.
I certify that all information contained in this Response is true and correct to the best of
my knowledge and that I am authorized to submit this Response on behalf of the firm.
SUBMITTED BY:
COMPANY
ADDRESS CITY/STATE/ZIP
SIGNATURE PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT NAME
TITLE DATE
PHONE
Vista Unified School District
RFQ/P-Architect Services 9