RFQ for A/E Services for Design of the Texas Southern University – School of Law

SCOPE: In accordance with the provisions of Texas Government Code, Chapter 2254, Subchapter A, Professional Services, and Rules and Procedures adopted by the Texas Facilities Commission (TFC), TFC is requesting submittal of qualifications to provide prime professional architectural/engineering (A/E) services for Project #26-001, for Texas Southern University’s Law School in Houston, Texas to support the successful execution and completion of design, construction, furnishings, fixtures, and equipment for the new building and related parking as detailed in Attachment F – Program of Requirements. Project will be on hold for up to 120 calendar days contingent upon property acquisition.

The Owner has engaged Broaddus and Associates as the Owner’s Representative for Project Management (PM) services.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

1. The State of Texas envisions the new Thurgood Marshall School of Law (TMSL) as a new facility offering premiere educational accommodations to further establish its national ranking and draw students from across the country. The Project brings the complete cohort of School of Law programs and functions, now scattered across the campus, into one efficient structure. This space will serve TSU’s law students, student body, faculty, staff, and a compendium from community of law.

The structure will be located at the east side of campus on the northwest quadrant of the intersection of Scott St. and Wheeler Avenue with approximately 235,000 to 250,000 gross square feet, in a 4-story building. This site provides strong visibility and connectivity because of these arterials. The site will also serve as the eastern entrance to TSU’s Tiger Walk, a designated pedestrian thoroughfare. A parking garage and skybridge are currently not within the scope of this Project but may be added at TFC’s sole discretion.

The construction of the new School of Law building will allow the existing TMSL building(s) to remain in use until the new building is complete. Once occupying the new facility, future deferred maintenance could be undertaken more cost effectively than while occupied. Any demolition or renovation of the existing building is not included within the scope of this Project.

The TSU’s Administrators anticipate the following programmatic elements:

A. Administrative Departments: Includes the Dean’s Office, Admissions, Financial Aid & Registrar, the Communications Department, the Board of Advocates, the Office of Assessments & Strategic Planning, and the Chaired Suite. Support spaces such as meeting spaces are included within this programmed element.

B. Earl Carl Institute / Law School Clinic: Serves as a fully functioning firm where students gain real world experience working for clients through the pro bono offerings of the four clinics. Waiting areas, interview rooms, and private offices should reflect professional standards and mirror the look and feel of professional law firm aesthetics.

C. Law Library: Serves as the academic and collaborative hub of TMSL. Spaces will include library stacks, a reading room, offices, and will integrate traditional research resources with advanced research technology to support modern legal education.

D. Teaching & Learning Spaces / Court Room Simulation: Designed to support a wide range of instructional modalities essential to modern legal education, while encouraging collaboration. Each space will prioritize flexibility, technology integration, and accessibility to ensure an optimal learning environment for students and faculty. Classrooms will support lecture-based instruction, seminars, collaborative workshops, and simulation exercises.

E. Auditorium: Seminar space accommodating 600 people with integrated technology platforms such as tele-instruction capabilities. Support spaces for the auditorium include a large pre-function space and small kitchen to support catering and casual breakout space for events.

F. Faculty & Staff Support Spaces: Includes faculty / staff lounges and a faculty library. Faculty library will include desking and areas for light stacks. Lounges will be located adjacent to administrative departments for efficiency.

G. Cafeteria: Will provide a primary dining venue for law students and faculty, with limited capacity to accommodate community members during events and peak periods. Designed for efficiency and comfort, the space will feature a full-service kitchen capable of supporting diverse menu offerings and high-volume meal preparation for 800 people (divided into 3 shifts). Seating will be organized to promote informal interaction and collaboration, reinforcing the academic community while providing a welcoming environment for visitors.

H. Student Support Spaces: Will include a career services center with space for training and meeting spaces, student organization space, student offices, a wellness center which includes individual respite rooms on each floor as well as a spiritual respite room, counseling rooms, and lactation rooms, and a student commons.

I. Lobby / Public Spaces: The main lobby on the ground floor will be a ceremonial lobby that can also function as a space to host events for the college. This space will include public restrooms and a security station and have higher ceilings throughout with the opportunity for overlook from upper floor spaces.

J. Outdoor Space: Can be located either at ground level or at a roof terrace and functions as an additional collaboration space for students and faculty.

2. The construction cost of the Project is estimated to be between $185,000,000 to $200,000,000.

3. THIRD PARTY CONSULTANTS: TFC shall provide or contract with third-party firms for Testing, Adjusting and Balancing (TAB) Services, Registered Accessibility Specialist (RAS) review, Commissioning Authority (CxA), and Construction Materials Testing (CMT), and others as needed to support the Project.

4. See ATTACHMENT F – Program of Requirements (POR) Texas Southern University (TSU) School of Law 26-001-2578. Dated February 27, 2026” for additional information.

STATEMENT OF WORK

The Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) is seeking an Architectural/Engineering (A/E) firm to provide site planning, utilities connection planning, capacity verification, utility design and documentation; site development design and documentation (grading, drainage, paving, and landscaping); and Architectural and Engineering design and documentation for a fully functional facility.

A/E services shall be offered with the understanding of full compliance with non-discrimination requirements of the State of Texas by the A/E.

1. Phase 1: SCHEMATIC DESIGN. Architectural and Engineering scope of services shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

A. Detailed on-site investigations, review of existing documents, verify and validate items in POR

B. A list of necessary testing and inspections to be provided to Owner including, but not limited to, ADA compliance, commissioning (CxA), building enclosure commissioning (BECxA), testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB) services, environmental testing, and construction materials testing (CMT), and structural and civil engineering inspections

C. Assistance in evaluation and interview of a Construction Manager-at-Risk (CMR) selection

D. Assistance to CMR to prepare order-of-magnitude cost estimates for correction of deficiencies by repair or replacement, as recommended by the Owner’s Representative

E. Assistance in developing priorities with Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimates for the purposes of adjusting the scope of work to match available funding

F. Research, evaluate, and present to the Owner any energy conservation strategies and alternatives for consideration, including the availability of rebates from the local utility. If rebates are available, coordinate with the local utility to complete all necessary documentation to accomplish rebates.

G. Presentation of findings to Owner for review and approval in a final document. Upon acceptance of Phase 1 findings, and written authorization by Owner, proceed with Phase 2

2. Phase 2: DESIGN DEVELOPMENT. Architecture and engineering scope of services shall include, but is not limited to, the following:

A. Detailed design and documentation of construction plans and specifications

B. Provide the Owner with a list of items to be tested and/or inspected including, but not limited to, ADA compliance, commissioning (CxA), building enclosure commissioning (BECxA), testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB) services, environmental testing, and construction materials testing (CMT), and structural and civil engineering inspections

C. Coordinate with third party commissioning agent throughout design and construction administration

D. Assist Construction Manager-at-Risk during subcontractor solicitation for development of guaranteed maximum price

E. Presentation of construction development documents to Owner for review and approval and acquire final written sign-off from Owner. Upon acceptance of Phase 2 with written authorization by Owner, proceed with Phase 3

3. PHASE 3: CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS. Architecture and engineering scope of services shall include, but is not limited to, the following:

A. Detailed drawings and specifications:

1) Updated design to align with revised cost estimate

2) Complete set of construction drawings

3) Detailed specifications for all materials and systems

4) Coordination of all disciplines (architecture, structure, MEP, landscape)

5) Update cost estimates and budget alignment

6) Review and acceptance of final construction documents with written sign-off from TFC and TSU

B. Bidding and Negotiation:

1) Assistance with drafting bid package documents

2) Value engineering as required

3) Coordinate with third party commissioning agent throughout design and construction administration

4) Provide the Owner with a final list of items to be tested and/or inspected including, but not limited to, ADA, commissioning, testing and balancing, environmental, and construction materials testing

4. Phase 4: CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION. Architecture and engineering scope of services shall include, but is not limited to, the following:

A. Project Management

1) Regular site visits and inspections

2) Review and approval of shop drawings and material samples

3) Coordination meetings with contractor and subcontractors

B. Quality Control:

1) Ensuring compliance with design intent and specifications

2) Addressing any construction issues or modifications

3) Final inspections and punch list preparation

4) Final Project close out and documentation

C. Post-Construction Services

1) As-built drawings and documentation

2) Commissioning of building systems

3) Construction Administration

4) Warranty inspections and follow-up

5) Project closeout