Generally, a Design-Build (DB) Team is selected for certain specific projects through a qualifications based process. The request includes both design and construction services under a single contract. The selection is typically a 2-stage process including a public Request For Qualifications (RFQ) followed by a Request For Proposal (RFP) to shortlisted firms. A design competition may be part of the process. Notification and submittal requirements are publicly advertised in the project-specific RFQ. The RFQ invitations are advertised 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.
Design-Build teams are invited to respond to the project-specific requirements and evaluation criteria described in the RFQ document. Generally, the submittal will include relevant experience and qualifications, information about the team, and other relevant evaluation information in the form of a Statement Of Qualifications (SOQ).
The RFQ responses (SOQs) are evaluated by a diverse selection committee uniquely assembled to evaluate the teams submitting for the specific project. The committee determines a shortlist of firms most qualified for the project. These firms are issued a Request For Proposal (RFP) which requests a cost and typically a design proposal, outlines the project needs and defines the evaluation criteria. The teams present their proposals and answer questions. The committee then ranks the shortlisted firms based upon the established criterion.
The University and the highest ranked DB team finalize the design, scope and cost considerations and a project-specific contract is executed.