IDEA High School

The Tacoma School District is seeking qualified Contractors to provide comprehensive Design/Build services for the development of a new IDEA High School, a replacement facility for the former Gault Middle School destroyed by fire. The project involves designing and constructing an approximately 40,000 square foot educational building on a 3.9-acre site in Tacoma, Washington, with an estimated budget ranging from $50 million to $100 million. The selected Design-Builder will be responsible for all phases of the project, including programming, design, permitting, subcontractor bidding, construction, commissioning, and ensuring the building meets performance guarantees and occupancy requirements. The project emphasizes sustainable design practices, site remediation, utility connections, and alignment with educational and community needs. This initiative will utilize the progressive design-build contracting method under the Alternative Public Works procedures authorized by RCW 39.10.300 through 39.10.330, encouraging contractors with previous experience in design-build or similar alternative delivery formats to submit qualifications. The RFQ was issued on October 28, 2025, with a deadline for submissions set for November 25, 2025. The project aims to deliver a modern, functional educational facility that supports approximately 400 students, meeting the district’s goals for sustainability, educational excellence, and community integration within a structured budget and schedule framework.