Gilchrist County RFP - Professional Engineering and Architectural Design Services for FEMA P-361 Community Safe Room Project (2026)

Gilchrist County, Florida is soliciting sealed proposals from qualified engineering and architectural firms to provide professional services for the design, permitting, surveying, bidding assistance, and related professional services necessary for the development of a FEMA P-361 compliant Community Safe Room adjacent to the Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office located at 9239 South U.S. Highway 129, Trenton, Florida 32693. This project is funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Disaster DR-4734-FL, and administered by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM). This solicitation is for PHASE I - DESIGN SERVICES ONLY; no construction services are included. The proposed standalone hurricane safe room will contain approximately 2,000 gross square feet (1,600 usable square feet), accommodate 40 first responders and law enforcement personnel, function as a dual-use facility (Emergency Dispatch Center, Conference Room, Administrative Office Space), and provide protection against hurricane winds up to 160 MPH meeting FEMA P-361, ICC 500, and ASCE 7 standards. The scope includes site investigation, surveying, architectural and structural design, civil, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering, backup utility design including a minimum 70 kW emergency generator and potable water well, permitting, FEMA peer review, construction documents, cost estimating, and bid assistance. Proposals are due by October 13, 2026 at 2:00 PM and must be delivered to 209 SE 1st Street, Trenton, Florida 32693. Questions are due by October 2, 2026. Evaluation criteria include FEMA Safe Room Experience (30 points), Project Team Qualifications (25 points), Similar Project Experience (20 points), Project Understanding and Approach (15 points), and Capacity and Schedule (10 points).

FEMA Safe Room Experience (30 points), Project Team Qualifications (25 points), Similar Project Experience (20 points), Project Understanding and Approach (15 points), Capacity and Schedule (10 points)

Survey Documents, Geotechnical Report, Design Development Documents, Engineering Calculations, FEMA Compliance Documentation, Permit Applications, Construction Drawings, Technical Specifications, Engineer's Opinion of Probable Cost, Bid Documents, FEMA Peer Review Documentation

Cover Letter, Firm Qualifications, Project Team Resumes, Relevant Project Experience, Technical Approach, Project Schedule, References, Required Federal Certifications, Proof of Insurance, Florida Professional Licenses, Bid documents, Attachment A-Drug Free Workplace, Attachment B-Bidders Certification, Attachment C – Anti-Lobbying Certification, Attachment D – Debarment & Suspension Certification, Attachment E – Organizational Conflict of Interest Disclosure, Attachment F – Acknowledgement of Federal Contract Requirements