City of Santa Cruz Lifeguard Headquarters Repairs

The City of Santa Cruz (City) is issuing this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) dated November 4, 2026 for an architect (Architect) to:

1. Prepare a Building Permit Plan Set and Project Specifications necessary to obtain a building permit for repairs (the "Project") to the Santa Cruz Fire Department Marine Safety Division Lifeguard Headquarters facility located at 1 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
2. Provide bid support during the bidding process for the Project.
3. Provide construction support during the Project.
4. Provide As-Built Drawings and Annotated Project Specifications upon completion of the Project.

The existing Lifeguard Headquarters facility located at 1 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 requires near-term repairs to protect personnel, maintain operational continuity, and preserve the City’s ability to provide effective marine and public safety services.

The Project consists of the following Tasks:

• Task 1 Preparation of a 30% completion level Building Permit Plan Set.
• Task 2 Preparation of a 100% completion level Building Permit Plan Set and Project Specifications.
• Task 3 Provision of a cost estimate to construct the Project.
• Task 4 Provision of bid support during the bidding process.
• Task 5 Provision of construction support during construction.
• Task 6 Provision of As-Built Drawings and Annotated Project Specifications upon completion of the Project.

The *Moffatt & Nichol "Santa Cruz Wharf Lifeguard Building Inspection" memo* dated February 16, 2026 attached as Exhibit A provides a list of repairs necessary to bring the facility into a safe and operationally ready condition while longer-term planning for future use and possible expansion proceeds. City has determined that the scope of repairs for the Project shall only include Items 1, 2, 3, and 6 as listed on the Inspection Memo.

Task 1 Deliverables:

- Provide one complete set in digital .pdf format.

Task 2 Deliverables:

• Provide one complete set of plans and specifications in digital .pdf format.
• Provide one complete set of plans in AutoCAD or similar format acceptable to City.
• Provide copies of all building permit plan set revisions required by City’s Building and Safety Division and all responses or correspondence by Architect to any comments received from City’s Building and Safety Division in the formats specified above.

Task 3 Deliverables:

- Provide cost estimate in digital .pdf format.

Task 4 Deliverables:

• Provide responses to questions during the bidding period in digital .pdf format.
• Provide cost reasonableness opinion in digital .pdf format.
• Provide ranking of bidders’ qualifications and experience in digital .pdf format.

Task 5 Deliverables:

• Provide responses to RFIs (assume 5).
• Provide responses to Submittals (assume 10).
• Provide memos detailing findings and observations obtained during four Site Visits.
• Provide approval of Change Orders (assume 5).
• Provide approval of Payment Requests (assume 4).
• Provide Notice of Rejected Work (as necessary).
• Provide Architect’s Certificate of Substantial Completion.
• Provide Architect’s Punch List.
• Provide Architect’s Certification of Final Completion.

Task 6 Deliverables:

• Provide one complete set of final, reproducible, As-Built Drawings and Annotated Project Specifications in digital .pdf format.
• Provide one complete set of As-Built drawings in AutoCAD or similar format.

Submission

All proposals must be received at the Parks and Recreation Department located at 323 Church St., Santa Cruz, CA, by **1:30 PM on Dec. 3, 2026** in **sealed envelopes**. Proposals must consist of one printed hard copy and one digital copy that includes all information in the format outlined in this RFQ. The digital copy must be saved as a searchable PDF document on a USB drive. Architect’s Fee Proposal must be submitted in a sealed envelope with Architect’s main proposal. Proposals received after the date and time stated above will be rejected as non-responsive.

RFQ submittals shall be submitted utilizing the *Architect’s Proposal* form provided in Exhibit C. Fees for Architect’s services must be a fixed price/lump sum and be based on completion of specific milestones. The cost proposal shall include a statement that Architect’s proposal is valid for ninety (90) days.

Site inspection

A **mandatory** Pre-Submittal Site Inspection is required. Failure of an Architect to attend and sign the attendance sheet shall result in any proposal submitted by that Architect being deemed non-responsive and will not be considered.

Minimum qualifications

• A minimum of five (5) recent years of experience performing similar services.
• A current and active license in good standing with the California Architects Board.
• Knowledge of public bid process and development of a public bid scope of work.
• Access to any consultants required to complete the Architect Scope of Services.

Ranking Criteria (Points)

• Responsiveness and completeness of Architect’s proposal: 10
• Architect’s and Architect’s consultants’ qualifications and experience: 60
• Architect’s references: 10
• Architect’s project schedule: 20
• Total: 100

Award

Within ten (10) calendar days after receiving written notice that the contract has been awarded, the successful Architect shall return to City the signed *Professional Services Agreement*, insurance certificates, and all other documents as required by the RFQ. Addenda to this RFQ may be issued through City’s OpenGov procurement portal.