Welcome Center Feasibility Study

The contract solicitation is for an Architect/Engineer to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for a new Welcome Center at The University of Texas at Tyler. The facility is envisioned as a prominent campus gateway, serving prospective students, families, alumni, and visitors, and functioning as the central hub for admissions and campus tours. The study involves development of a detailed program with spatial requirements, site analysis aligned with the campus master plan, conceptual design options with renderings, order-of-magnitude cost estimates, phasing strategies, and a narrative to guide future decision-making. The objective is to ensure the new center reflects the university’s identity and values while supporting strategic growth and enrollment goals. This solicitation (RFQ No. 750-25-26-010), issued on April 15, 2026, requires proposals by May 19, 2026, and outlines strict submission requirements including a single searchable PDF limited to 50 pages, excluding certain mandatory attachments. Evaluation criteria are qualitative and consider firm experience, past performance, key personnel qualifications, methodology, financial stability, local engagement, diversity, and sustainability practices, but no explicit weighting or scoring methodology is disclosed. The contract follows the University of Texas System’s standard architectural/engineering agreement format and includes specialized provisions such as compliance with Texas franchise tax laws, affirmative action and equal employment standards, and requirements for a Veteran Heros United subcontracting plan for bids exceeding $100,000. Certifications involve compliance with accessibility, environmental, safety, and ethical standards, along with no conflicts of interest or lobbying disclosures. The place of performance is the university campus in Tyler, Texas, with project milestones spanning from contract execution planned for July 2026 to final deliverable submission by December 2026. The university’s designated point of contact is Demi Beckham for solicitation inquiries. No formal pricing or contract value is provided, as this is a qualifications-based solicitation for design services.