Generally, prime consultants for capital projects under $2M or consultants providing incidental services on larger projects, are selected from a shortlist of pre-qualified firms that have responded to the University's Annual Request For Qualifications (ARQ). The ARQ invitations are advertised typically in January or February in the Tucson area in the Daily Territorial classified newspaper and generally in two Phoenix area classified newspapers: the East Valley Tribune and the Scottsdale Tribune; as well as being posted on this website. Submittals are accepted year round. The consulting fees for the individual projects are anticipated to be less than $250,000 for architectural services and $500,000 for other design professionals.
Projects utilizing the ARQ selection process are primarily associated with renovation and alteration work in existing facilities, building additions and some small stand-alone facilities. Examples include space renovations, fire protection, life safety, testing, estimating, building equipment/systems and disabled accessibility.
Consultants desiring to respond to the ARQ are requested to submit information relative to their project interest, experience and capability together with other information about the firm. Submittals are accepted year-round.
The database created from the ARQ responses is used by the University to develop shortlists of qualified consultants for specific services on individual projects. Shortlisted firms may also be contacted for additional evaluation information. This information together with past performance evaluations, if they exist, is used to develop a ranking of firms best qualified for the project.
The University will attempt to negotiate scope, fees, terms and conditions with firms on the basis of their ranking. Upon successful negotiation an open-end contract will be executed with the selected firm if one does not already exist.