RFQ - 3742 Oakes College Housing Capital Improvements

The University of California, Santa Cruz (University; UC Santa Cruz) Department of Physical Planning, Development and Operations (PPDO) is soliciting qualifications from qualified Design Professional firms to provide programming and planning services for new construction, redevelopment, and renovation for the Oakes College Housing Capital Improvements (Oakes College Renewal Project; project).

The University anticipates awarding one Design Professional team with a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) as a result of this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to support predesign work, including programming and planning, at this initial stage. Once the decision for project delivery has been determined, the Design Professional team will be eligible to continue into the design phase under an Executive Design Professional Agreement (EDPA).

Preliminary Program and Site Improvements

The existing housing program currently includes four residential halls accommodating approximately 350 beds for first year students, and apartment buildings accommodating approximately 400 beds for continuing students.

The proposed program includes the following:

• Redevelop the aging apartment housing inventory at an increased density to provide approximately 500 total apartment beds (approximately 100 net new apartment beds for continuing students).
• Increase residential hall capacity to provide approximately 700 total residential hall beds (approximately 350 net new beds for first year students.)
• Renovate and reprogram the Oakes Learning Center to create a more vibrant hub at the center of the college, with programs potentially including a multipurpose classroom, café, college offices, a computer lab; a mail room may also be considered.
• Address outdoor gathering spaces at multiple scales, provide accessible circulation infrastructure throughout the college, and upgrade or install new utilities as needed to support the proposed development.

See RFQ package for full detail.

Project Budget and Schedule

The project has a construction budget of approximately **$275M - $300M** and is targeting completion by Fall 2032, with some beds delivered earlier if possible.

Interested firms will be required to submit a *Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)* and other documentation demonstrating related experience using standard forms provided by the University. Each candidate firm will be required to show evidence of its equal employment opportunity policy.

RFQ submittals shall be submitted electronically **ONLY** via the UC Santa Cruz Online PlanRoom: https://www.ucscplanroom.com/. Hard copy and/or e-mail submittals will not be accepted. To be considered, your submittal must be submitted before **2:00 PM, Tuesday, November 17, 2026**. Late submittals will not be considered.

The complete RFQ package will be available at the UC Santa Cruz Online PlanRoom (http://www.ucscplanroom.com) by 5:00 PM, Thursday, October 15, 2026, until the due date. If you do not already have one, an account is required. This service is automated and free, as is the download.

Based on the qualifications presented in response to the RFQ, the University will select the firm best able to provide services for the project. The initial term of the PSA shall be three (3) years and may be extended for up to two (2) additional, consecutive one (1) ‐ year terms based upon the same terms and conditions, and by mutual agreement. The PSA term does not affect the subsequent EDPA term, which typically extends through the life of the project.

Tentative schedule for completion of RFQ process including review of SOQs, interviews of 'short listed' firms, and selection of consultant firms is anticipated to be around the last week of December 2026.