Request for Qualifications (Design-Build Contract)
State of Ohio Standard Forms and Documents
Administration of Project: Local Higher Education
Project Name Multi Campus Building Upgrades
Response Deadline 5/15/2026
2:00 PM local time
Project Location Cincinnati, Ohio
Project Number
26200A
City / County Cincinnati / Hamilton
Project Manager
Richard Cleveland
Owner
University of Cincinnati
Contracting Authority Local Higher Education
Delivery Method Design-Build
Prevailing Wages State
Publish Date 4/16/2026
No. of paper copies requested (stapled, not bound)
0
No. of electronic copies requested (PDF)
One
Submit the requested number of Statements of Qualifications (Form F110-330) directly to Michael Myres at
myresmp@ucmail.uc.edu. See Section G of this RFQ for additional submittal instructions.
Submit all questions regarding this RFQ in writing to Michael Myres at myresmp@ucmail.uc.edu with the project
number included in the subject line (no phone calls please). Questions will be answered and posted to the Opportunities
page on the OFCC website at https://ofcc.ohio.gov on a regular basis until one week before the response deadline. The
name of the party submitting a question will not be included on the Q&A document.
Project Overview
A. Project Description
The University of Cincinnati is seeking a Design-Build team to perform projects across multiple campuses which will
involve upgrades to various building components. The scope of work includes the following: hazardous material
abatement, fire pumps, fire alarm controls panels, sprinkler systems upgrades, building controls, air handling units,
exhaust fans, piping (heating hot water and chilled water), heat exchangers, elevators, roof replacements, interior space
renovations and electrical gear. The buildings will be occupied during the renovations.
Percentage of total estimated overall project construction cost for each project type:
Fire Pumps
Fire Alarm
Elevators
Switchgear and Electrical Distribution
Mechanical
Interior
Façade/Roofing/Site
5%
10%
10%
10%
15%
30%
20%
The full list of projects included with this Design-Build package will be shared with the shortlisted firms as part of the RFP
process.
The Program of Requirements (“POR”) will be developed as a part of this project by the Criteria Architect/Engineer
(“Criteria A/E”). The University of Cincinnati will be the Criteria A/E for the project.
All aspects of the project and related issues will be implemented and operated consistent with the Contracting Authority
and/or Owner’s policies and procedures.
B. Scope of Services
The selected Design-Builder (“DB”), as a portion of its required Scope of Services and prior to submitting its proposal, will
discuss and clarify with the Contracting Authority and/or Owner, the breakdown of the Agreement detailed cost
components, to address the Owner’s project requirements and refine the project schedule. Participate in the Encouraging
Diversity, Growth & Equity (EDGE) Program as required by statute and the Agreement.
As required by the Agreement, and as properly authorized, provide the following categories of services: develop and
maintain estimates of probable construction cost, value engineering, project schedules, and construction schedules; lead
and manage the Schematic Design, Design Development, Subcontractor Prequalification and Bidding process,
Construction Documents, Construction and Closeout stages.
F180-01-2026-JAN
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Page 1 of 5
Request for Qualifications (Design-Build Contract)
State of Ohio Standard Forms and Documents
Refer to the Ohio Facilities Construction Manual additional information about the type and extent of services required for
each. A copy of the standard Agreement can be obtained at the OFCC website at https://ofcc.ohio.gov.
The preconstruction and construction services are generally described below. Subcontracts including Plumbing, Fire
Protection, HVAC, and Electrical trades will be awarded by the DB to prequalified vendors using a competitive process.
The parties will engage in an "open book" pricing method in which all subcontracted work shall be based upon competitive
pricing that will be reviewed by the Contracting Authority and the Owner, the Criteria A/E and the DB. The Contracting
Authority and/or Owner shall have access to all books, records, documents and other data in the DB's possession related
to itself, its subcontractors and material suppliers pertaining to bidding, pricing or performance of the Agreement.
Preconstruction Services: The DB will work cooperatively with the Contracting Authority and/or Owner, Criteria A/E and
Project Team, and will provide, among other services, schedule development, estimate development, program
verification, schematic design, design development, Guaranteed Maximum Price (“GMP”) proposal, subcontractor
prequalification and bidding, construction documents preparation, constructability review, permits, budgeting, value
engineering, and preconstruction planning throughout the preconstruction stages. When the drawings and specifications
are at a stage of completion specified in the Agreement, such partially completed documents (the “Basis Documents”)
shall be provided to the DB, together with the Architect/Engineer of Record’s (“AOR”) detailed listing of any incomplete
design elements and the AOR’s statement of intended scope with respect to such incomplete elements (the "Design Intent
Statement"). Contingent upon the Contracting Authority’s approval of the GMP, the parties will enter into an amendment to
the Agreement establishing the Contract Sum (“GMP Amendment”). If the proposed Contract Sum exceeds the Project
Budget established for construction, then the Contracting Authority may terminate the agreement with the DB and seek
proposals from other firms for completion of the Project.
Construction Services: The DB shall construct the Project pursuant to the construction documents and in accordance with
the schedule requirements. The DB shall hold all subcontracts and shall be fully responsible for the means and methods
of construction, weekly progress meetings, testing and inspections, project safety, project completion within the schedule
agreed upon in the preconstruction phase, compliance with all applicable laws and regulations including monitoring
compliance with all EDGE, equal employment, and prevailing wage requirements, and submitting monthly reports of these
activities to the Contracting Authority. All subcontracts shall be on the subcontract form prescribed by OAC Section 153:1-
03-02. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to approve the DB’s selection of subcontractors and any supplemental
terms to the subcontract form.
For purposes of completing the Relevant Project Experience Matrix in Section F of the Statement of Qualifications (Form
F110-330), below is a list of relevant scope of work requirements for this RFQ:
1. Project Delivery Method: Design-Build
2. Role on Project: DB
3. LEED Status: Regular
4. DB role on similar projects
5. DB role on OFCC Higher Education projects
C.
Funding / Estimated Budget
Total Project Cost $95,000,000
Construction Cost $90,000,000
State Funding
Other Funding
$0.00
$0.00
D.
Anticipated Schedule
DB Preconstruction Services Start
Construction Stage Notice to Proceed
Substantial Completion of all Work
DB Services Completed
06 / 26
08 / 27
12 / 29
12 / 29
E.
EDGE Participation Goal
Percent of the DB’s total compensation
excluding DB’s Contingency*
0.0%
*Preconstruction Stage Compensation plus Contract Sum
minus DB’s Contingency
F. Evaluation Criteria for Selection
Selection Criteria: The DB will be selected using (i) qualifications-based process during the Request for Qualifications
(“RFQ”) stage to develop a short list and (ii) best value process during the Request for Proposal stage. The qualifications-
based criteria for the RFQ is included in this announcement. The best value criteria used in evaluating proposals from
short listed firms will include such factors that are determined to derive or offer the greatest value to the State and Owner,
combining both qualifications and fee.
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Request for Qualifications (Design-Build Contract) continued
Short List: Each firm responding to this RFQ will be evaluated and selected based on its qualifications and the
qualifications and experience of the particular individuals identified as the candidate's proposed team for the Project. After
evaluating the responses to this RFQ, the Contracting Authority will select a short list of no fewer than three candidates
that it considers to be the most qualified, except if the Contracting Authority determines that fewer than three firms are
qualified, it will only select the qualified firms.
Request for Proposal: The short-listed firms shall be sent a Request for Proposal (“RFP”) that will invite the firms to submit
pricing proposals containing their proposed preconstruction stage compensation, construction stage personnel costs,
itemized construction stage general conditions costs, construction stage contingency percentage, construction stage
design fee percentage, and design-build fee percentage. The short-listed candidates will also receive (i) form of the
Agreement with the Contracting Authority containing the contract terms and conditions, (ii) set of the most recent criteria
documents and (iii) proposed Project schedule.
Pre-Proposal Meeting: Prior to submitting a response to the RFP, the short-listed firms will be invited to meet individually
with the Contracting Authority and the Owner. The purpose of the pre-proposal meeting is to permit the short-listed firms
an opportunity to ask the Contracting Authority and the Owner questions in an individual setting to help the firms prepare
their responses to the RFP. The Contracting Authority will notify each short-listed firm to schedule individual times for the
pre-proposal meetings.
Interview: After submitting responses to the RFP, the short-listed firms will be interviewed by the Contracting Authority and
representatives of the Owner. The purpose of the interview will be to meet the proposed Project team, become familiar
with key personnel, and understand the project approach and ability to meet the stated objectives for the Project. Please
be prepared to discuss with specificity the firm’s capacity to conduct this work in compliance with the timetable, budget
and EDGE expectations. The Contracting Authority will notify each short-listed firm to schedule individual times for the
interviews.
Selection Schedule: Tentative schedule is subject to change
Qualifications Due
RFP issued to the Short-Listed Firms
Interviews
Selection of DB
5/15/2026
6/1/2026
6/16/2026
6/19/2026
Cancellation and Rejection: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to reject all proposals and cancel at any time for
any reason this solicitation, any portion of this solicitation or any phase of the Project. The Contracting Authority shall
have no liability to any proposer arising out of such cancellation or rejection. The Contracting Authority reserves the right
to waive minor variations in the selection process.
The University of Cincinnati is no longer able to participate in the State of Ohio EDGE program due to changes at the
Federal level that directly impacted the University of Cincinnati. As such, the maximum score attainable on the scorecard
below will be 95.
Interested DB firms must indicate on their Statement of Qualifications, the locations where their services will be performed
in the spaces provided or by attachment in accordance with the requirements of Executive Order 2019-12D related to
providing services only within the United States and the requirements of Executive Order 2022-02D prohibiting purchases
from or investment in any Russian institution or company. Failure to do so may cause their Statement of Qualifications to
be rejected.
G. Submittal Instructions
Firms are required to submit the current version of Statement of Qualifications (Form F110-330) available via the OFCC
website at https://ofcc.ohio.gov.
Electronic submittals, if requested, should be combined into one PDF file named with the project number listed on the
RFQ and your firm’s name, followed by “SOQ”. Use the “print” feature of Adobe Acrobat or similar software for creating a
PDF rather than using a scanner. If possible, please reduce the file size of the PDF. In Acrobat, go to Advanced, then
PDF Optimizer. Electronic submittals are limited to a maximum file size of 25 MB.
Paper copies of the Statement of Qualifications, if requested, should be stapled only. Do not use special bindings or
coverings of any type. Cover letters and transmittals are not necessary.
CD/DVD copies of the Statement of Qualifications, if requested, should have the sleeve labeled with the project number
and firm name, followed by “SOQ”.
F180-01-2026-JAN
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Request for Qualifications (Design-Build Contract) continued
Facsimile copies of the Statement of Qualifications will not be accepted.
Unless otherwise noted or exempt, all documents submitted to the Contracting Authority in response to this RFQ and
subsequent RFP are public and will be available for inspection at the conclusion of the selection process. The following
information shall remain confidential and will not be released: (1) Proposal Form(s), except for cost category subtotals
which will be transferred to the Best Value Rating Form; (2) Financial Capacity; and (3) Bonding/Insurance.
Proposers are requested to submit the following information in response to this RFQ within Section H of Form F110-330.
1. Summary: Provide a summary, on one page or less, describing why your firm/team is the most qualified for the
Project.
2. Bonding/Insurance: Provide evidence of capacity to provide bonding in the amount of the construction budget
(e.g. a letter from your Surety agent stating that one or more Sureties will issue Bonds in the amount of the
construction budget if your team is selected) and a copy of the firm's certificate of insurance showing the firm's
current limits of liability for commercial general liability, employer's liability, business automobile liability, and
professional liability insurance.
3. Management Systems: Describe the scheduling and cost control systems the firm would propose to use for the
Project
4. Self-Performed Work: Indicate whether the firm intends to self-perform any work on the Project through a
competitive process and, if so, the nature of the work and capability to self-perform.
5. Estimating: Demonstrated track record of performance of in-house estimating on projects comparable to the
Project.
6. Scheduling: Demonstrated track record of performance of managing projects to the original schedule.
Firms are requested to identify professional registrations, memberships and credentials including but not limited to:
LEED GA, LEED AP, LEED AP+, CCCA, CCM, CCS, CDT, CPE, DBIA, and any other appropriate design and
construction industry credentials. Identify that information on the resume page for individual in Block 22, Section E of the
F110-330 form.
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Design-Build Selection Rating Form
State of Standard Forms and Documents
Project Name Various Bldgs. Deferred Maintenance
Project Number Project Number
Proposer Firm Proposer Firm
City, State, Zip City, State, Zip
Selection Criteria
1. Primary Firm Location and Workload (Maximum 10 points)
a. Proximity of firm to project site
b. Amount of contracts awarded by Contracting
Authority in previous 24 months
Less than 25 miles
25 miles to 50 miles
More than 50 miles
Less than $10,000,000
$10,000,000 to $50,000,000
More than $50,000,000
2. Primary Qualifications (Maximum 35 points)
a. Project management lead
b. Project design lead
c. Technical staff
d. Construction administration staff
Experience / ability of project manager to
manage scope / budget / schedule / quality
Experience / creativity of project designer to
achieve owner’s vision and requirements
Experience / ability of technical staff to
coordinate construction documents and
develop accurate estimates and schedules
Experience / ability of field representatives to
identify and solve issues during construction
3. Key Consultant Qualifications (Maximum 15 points)
a. Key consultants
b. Proposed EDGE-certified Consultant participation*
Experience / ability of key consultants to
perform effectively and collaboratively
One point for every 2 percent
increase in Services compensation** over
the EDGE participation goal
4. Overall Team Qualifications (Maximum 10 points)
a. Previous team collaboration
b. LEED*** Registered / Certified project experience
c. BIM project experience
d. Team organization
Less than 3 sample projects
3 to 6 sample projects
More than 6 sample projects
Registered LEED v4 or v4.1 projects
Certified LEED v4 or v4.1 projects
Training and knowledge
Direct project experience
Clarity of responsibility / communication
demonstrated by table of organization
5. Overall Team Experience (Maximum 30 points)
a. Previous team performance
b. Experience with similar projects / delivery methods
c. Budget and schedule management
d. Knowledge of Ohio Capital Improvements process
Past performance as indicated by
evaluations and letters of reference
Less than 3 projects
4 to 6 projects
More than 6 projects
Performance in completing projects within
original construction budget and schedule
Less than 3 projects
4 to 6 projects
More than 6 projects
Value
5
2
0
5
2
0
Score
0 - 10
0 - 10
0 - 10
Max =
25
0-5
0 - 10
0-5
0
2 Max = 3
3
1
2
Max = 2
1
3
Max = 3
0-2
0 - 10
0-3
4-6
7 - 10
0-5
0-1
2-3
4-5
* Must be comprised of consulting firm(s) and NOT the lead firm - For more information on scoring this
and other criteria refer to Document F199-01 - PS Selection Rating Rubric.
** Preconstruction Stage Compensation plus Contract Sum minus Subcontracted Work, Self-performed
Work, and DB’s Contingency
*** Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design administered by Green Business Certification Inc.
Notes:
Evaluator:
Name
Subtotal
F180-01-2026-JAN
Signature
Publish Date: 4/16/2026
Date
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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.