SIMON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MODERNIZATION

The District of Columbia (“District”) Department of General Services (the “Department” or “DGS”) is issuing this Request for Proposals (“RFP”) to solicit design-build proposals (“Proposal(s)”) from offerors (“Offeror(s)”) interested in serving as the design-builder (the “Design-Builder” or the “Contractor”) for the modernization of Simon Elementary School (“Simon ES”), located at 401 Mississippi Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20032 (the “Project”).

The Department anticipates awarding a design-build contract (the “Agreement”, “Contract” or “Design-Build Agreement” ) to the Offeror whose Proposal is most advantageous to the District pursuant to the evaluation and award criteria in Part 3 of this RFP. The Project includes full design and construction services for Simon ES, which will be approximately 74,000 square-feet school facility.

The Design-Builder shall design and construct a combination of renovation of the existing and new construction to increase the existing footprint to accommodate the square footage required in the educational specifications (“Ed Specs(s)” or “Educational Specifications”) to bring it in line with the District of Columbia Public Schools (“DCPS”) Ed Specs as set forth in Attachment A3.

The historic Simon ES was built in 1949 and has a matching sister school, the Birney Building, which houses Excel Academy. The building is situated back from Mississippi Avenue with a generous front lawn that is anticipated to be preserved as part of the historic design. The site is part of an existing National Park Service Transfer of Jurisdiction ("TOJ") that will most likely need to be expanded to accommodate school growth. The Department will bring on a Land Use Attorney to address the expansion of the TOJ. The site also sits within the flood plain and the Design-Builder is expected to investigate any mitigation efforts required for the existing and potential new construction.

The Department anticipates the historic building to remain, however, the more recent ramp addition at the front entrance may require redesign. The Design-Builder shall recommend a design that is most advantageous to the Project. DGS and DCPS expect the final design to resolve accessibility and traffic pattern concerns and provide a fully accessible and equitable school entrance and a safe, separated area for parking and loading which does not cross paths with pedestrian access. The Project shall include all new outdoor play and educational areas per the education specifications, parking and loading facilities, and all new site fencing meeting the education specific and technical specifications. Any existing exterior site amenities shall be at a minimum replaced in kind unless otherwise determined through the course of the project. The soccer pitch was installed in 2023 and is expected to remain or be replaced in-kind. The Project had a Phase 1 Modernization in 2012. The Project shall include provisions for bioretention areas to be used as an educational asset. Exterior site improvements will be a significant portion of the community engagement process and subject to change.