AX-27-001 REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS - ARCHITECTS CENTER FOR HEALTH INNOVATION

Location:	Arkansas
Posted:	Sep 14, 2026
Due:	Oct 20, 2026
Agency:	University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	C - Architect and Engineering Services - Construction
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS - ARCHITECTS

CENTER FOR HEALTH INNOVATION

RFQ# AX-27-001

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, in accordance with the policies of the Board of Trustees,

is soliciting responses from qualified architectural firms for the design of a Center for Health

Innovation.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

UAFS plans to build a Center for Health Innovation that will transform healthcare education and

workforce development across Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma. In a region facing

significant healthcare workforce shortages and persistent health disparities, this facility will

expand educational capacity, strengthen clinical training opportunities, and better prepare

graduates to meet the growing healthcare needs of the communities they serve.

UAFS has secured a $15 million Congressionally Directed Spending grant to support

construction of this innovative facility. The center will include a Center for Mother and Infant

Healthcare featuring a state-of-the-art high-fidelity simulation suite. Dedicated obstetrical,

postpartum, and pediatric simulation labs, along with an integrated control room, will provide

nursing faculty with the ability to observe, assess, and guide students through hands-on training

in both routine and complex care scenarios. These realistic learning environments will enhance

student competency and confidence in maternal, newborn, and pediatric care.

Along with the simulation suite, the facility will include a large, tiered auditorium style

collaborative learning theatre with an integrated IT control room, supporting interdisciplinary

lectures, professional development events, and community health education programming.

The goal is to create a community hub, using technology and UAFS faculty expertise to connect

the region’s healthcare workforce with leading experts in the field. Classroom and office space

will complete the educational content of the building, along with the necessary mechanical and

technological space to support the structure.

PROJECT COST

The total project cost is estimated at a maximum of $15,000,000, funded by the federal

appropriation. Total project cost includes the construction cost and soft costs like design fees,

along with all furniture, fixtures, technology, and equipment. The Architect will work with a

university building committee and Facilities Management to advance campus master planning

and design.

ANTICIPATED PROJECT SCHEDULE

Request for Qualifications (RFQ) issued

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) due

Interviews of shortlisted firms

Board of Trustees selection announced

Contract negotiations

Design starts*

Construction starts*

Project complete*

*Anticipated Dates

September 15, 2026

October 20, 2026

October 26 – November 6, 2026

December 2, 2026

December 2026

January 2027

December 2027

June 2029

Should the time periods specified following the Proposals Due from Vendors date differ, UAFS

will not be penalized. UAFS will make a good faith effort to follow the timeline above for

evaluating, negotiating and issuing an award.

SUBMISSION

The deadline for responses is 3:00 pm, October 20, 2026.

All respondents will be notified of the results by E-MAIL, so please provide accurate contact

information.

Address one (1) hard copy and one (1) digital copy of responses to:

Lance Killough

Director of Procurement

University of Arkansas at Fort Smith

5210 Grand Avenue, Plant Op 139

Fort Smith, AR 72904

Digital copies need to be sent via email to lance.killough@uafs.edu in addition to the printed hard

copy.

Statements of Qualifications will be reviewed by a selection committee and a short-list of firms

will be invited to interview with the university.

CONTENT REQUIREMENTS

To avoid potential conflicts of interest, respondents should not communicate with university or

university foundation staff about this project. This document provides the relevant information

for assembling a Statement of Qualifications. If you have urgent questions, you can send them via

email to lance.killough@uafs.edu.

Include the information below and organize it in an easily accessible manner. It is not necessary

to divide the response into chapters exactly matching the description below. Responses that do

not include the required licensure information will be disqualified.

1. Proof of licensure or eligibility:

Architects: All firms shall be licensed, or eligible for licensure, in the State of Arkansas.

Consulting and joint venture firms are also required to be licensed in the State of

Arkansas. A copy of a valid Arkansas license must be included with the submittal.

Landscape Architects: All firms shall be licensed by the Arkansas State Board of Architects,

Landscape Architects, and Interior Designs. A copy of a valid Arkansas license must be

included with the submittal.

Civil Engineers: All engineers shall hold individual licenses in the State of Arkansas, and all

engineering firms shall hold a valid Certificate of Authorization (COA) issued by the

Arkansas State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors.

Joint venture firms are also required to hold a COA. A copy of a valid Arkansas license

must be included with the submittal.

2. Organizational chart for design team and all consultants.

3. Specific project experience (within the past five years) with design of professional-quality

medical facilities.

4. Specific project experience (within the past five years) with design of medical educational

facilities that include high quality simulation laboratories.

5. Current office size, personnel description, and workload.

6. Experience constructing projects under nationally recognized sustainable rating systems.

7. Experience with fully commissioned projects.

8. Proof of current professional liability insurance coverage ($1,000,000 minimum required).

9. List of projects currently under contract with state agencies or educational facilities.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES REQUIRED

Programming, feasibility assessments, graphic presentation, site planning, civil engineering,

landscape design, interior design, cost evaluation, schematic design, design development,

construction documents, construction administration, and project closeout.

All materials submitted in response to this Request for Qualifications are subject to the terms of

state laws relative to the Freedom of Information Act.

LOCATION

The facility will be constructed on university property located in the parking lot for the

Pendergraft Health Sciences Center located at 715 N. Waldron Road, Fort Smith, AR 72903.

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Name	Deadline
AX-27-001 REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS - ARCHITECTS CENTER FOR HEALTH INNOVATION	3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026

AX-27-001 REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS - ARCHITECTS CENTER FOR HEALTH INNOVATION

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