AX-27-002 REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS – GENERAL CONTRACTORS 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 Q - Medical Services
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

Attachment Preview

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS – GENERAL CONTRACTORS

CENTER FOR HEALTH INNOVATION

RFQ# AX-27-002

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

is soliciting responses from qualified general contractors to construct 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 which will be funded by a federal

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

along with all furniture, fixtures, technology, and equipment. The General Contractor 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 in the State of Arkansas

2. Experience of key personnel in Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) and fast-track projects

3. Records of management teams on similar projects with timely completion, and with high

quality workmanship

4. Current maximum bonding capacity and rate

5. Current and projected workload

6. Specific project experience (within the past five years) with construction of professional-

quality medical facilities.

7. Specific project experience (within the past five years) with construction of medical

educational facilities that include high quality simulation laboratories.

8. Prior experience constructing projects under nationally recognized sustainable rating

systems

9. Prior experience with fully commissioned projects

10. Proof of current professional liability insurance coverage ($1.000,000 minimum required)

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

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES REQUIRED

GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE/FAST-TRACK MANAGEMENT, ESTIMATING, SUBCONTRACTOR

SELECTION, PROJECT AND CHANGE ORDER PRICING, DEMOLITION, SCHEDULE CONTROL, COST

REDUCTION AND CONTROL, PROJECT COORDINATION, BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING

(BIM), CLOSEOUT, AND WARRANTY.

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-27-002 REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS – GENERAL CONTRACTORS CENTER FOR HEALTH INNOVATION	3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026

AX-27-002 REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS – GENERAL CONTRACTORS CENTER FOR HEALTH INNOVATION

Attachment Preview

See also