RFP for Architectural and Engineering Services for R.H. Stafford Library

Location:	Minnesota
Posted:	Dec 1, 2025
Due:	Jan 16, 2026
Agency:	Washington County
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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December 1, 2025

Request for Proposals (RFP)

Architectural & Engineering Services fo

R.H. Stafford Library Improvements Project

Woodbury, MN

This RFP contains the following sections:

SECTION #

1. PROJECT INFORMATION

2. SCOPE OF SERVICES

3. PROPOSAL CONTENT

4. PROPOSAL QUESTIONS

5. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

6. PROPOSAL EVALUATION

APPENDIX A: COUNTY’S STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS

APPENDIX B: FEE PROPOSAL WORKSHEET – EXAMPLE

PAGE #

2-5

6-16

17-19

21-22

24-29

Government Center | 14949 62nd Street North | Stillwater, MN 55082

P: 651-430-6000 | TTY: 651-430-6246

www.washingtoncountymn.gov

RFP for Architectural & Engineering Services

1. Project Information

1.1 Project Overview

Washington County is seeking Architectural and Engineering services for the design and construction of a

Library Improvements project for the R.H. Stafford Branch Library in Woodbury, MN.

Washington County (hereinafter referred to as the COUNTY) makes this Request for Proposals (hereinafter

referred to as RFP) to obtain Proposals for Architectural and Engineering (A/E) services (hereinafter referred

to as the CONSULTANT) that will be used to select a design team for the Project. The Project is generally

described in the “Scope of Services” contained within this RFP.

1.2 Project Background

The existing Washington County R.H. Stafford Branch Library (hereinafter referred to as STAFFORD LIBRARY)

located at 8595 Central Park Place in Woodbury was constructed in 2002 and is currently in need of facility

improvements. The existing Library adjoins the City’s Central Park facility which has just reopened after

undergoing an extensive renovation project throughout 2025. The Stafford Library was included as part of

an overall pre-design feasibility study for the Central Park project back in 2020 but was not included in the

full redesign and construction effort for 2025. Nevertheless, an entirely new roof replacement scope with a

new solar panel array system was provided for Stafford Library as part of the Central Park project in

coordination with the City of Woodbury.

The existing R.H. Stafford Library has become outdated and needs significant improvements. As currently

configured, the Library’s public spaces and staff only spaces lack flexibility to accommodate current and

future programs. Important existing facility considerations include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The only existing public entrance is through the newly renovated City Central Park facility.

• Existing Library operations are split between two floor levels.

• The lower level Library Administration office area has little to no access to daylight.

• The building’s structural and mechanical systems are sized to accommodate potential vertical

expansion.

• The north side of the Library has green space for potential expansion, but this yard area is full of

underground utilities and compromised by a new stormwater basin installed as part of the new Central

Park renovation project.

• The Library has an attached loading dock that provides shared services with the City’s Central Park

operations.

• The existing main level is approximately 30,000 square feet.

• The existing lower level Library area is approximately 9,000 square feet. This includes a dedicated

storage room that is approximately 2,000 square feet.

1.3 County Library Vision

Washington County believes that a strong library is essential for a strong community. We envision a library

where everyone belongs, where services are convenient and accessible, and where our communities have

access to quality resources and the knowledge of incredible library workers.

Washington County Library’s 2024-2028 Strategic Plan (available via the Library website, WashCoLib.org)

features the following four priorities that shape the library’s work and shall be incorporated into the R.H.

Stafford Library Improvement project:

RFP - Washington County R.H. Stafford Library Improvements, Woodbury, MN

RFP for Architectural & Engineering Services

• Evaluate and improve library service delivery.

• Strengthen organizational culture and operational effectiveness.

• Enhance physical spaces and technology infrastructure.

• Expand the reach of the library.

Furthermore, Washington County is committed to embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into all

aspects of our work. The County’s overall vision is to create a vibrant workplace and community that practices

engagement, representation, and service to all members inclusively and equitably with dignity and respect.

Additional project priorities include:

• High-Traffic Design – R.H. Stafford Library is the fifth busiest library in Minnesota and the third busiest

library in the Twin Cities area. The building design, furnishings, and furniture must be appropriate for

a high-traffic space and facilitate easy movement throughout the library.

• Materials Management – This library houses the largest collection of books and other materials within

the library system. The project will need to evaluate storage, display, and merchandising of materials

to make sure the collection is discoverable and accessible to all visitors.

• Safe and Welcoming Spaces – Due to the location and connection to Central Park, R.H. Stafford Library

attracts community members of all ages and with differing needs and priorities for visiting the facility.

The design must include quiet, collaborative, and active spaces that purposefully welcome different

groups, including children, families, teens, remote workers, seniors, and more. Safety for staff and

visitors must also be addressed through building design.

• Community-Centered Design – All spaces in R.H. Stafford Library must be fully accessible and

welcoming to ensure our diverse community can visit the library and know that they belong here.

Effective signage and wayfinding are essential for helping community members navigate the space.

• Literacy-Rich Environments – The children’s area should be a literacy-rich space that invites children

and families to engage in creative play and learning. In addition to independent learning, R.H. Stafford

Library hosts storytimes and other early learning events nearly every day of the week, regularly

bringing in 55 to 85 attendees.

• Flexibility – Library services continually change to meet new community needs. R.H. Stafford Library’s

design needs to be flexible, dynamic, and easily able to evolve as library services change. This also

includes flexible IT systems that allow visitors to access, use, and explore technology in different

formats.

• Effective Work Areas – Staff work areas need to prioritize well-being, ergonomics, efficient materials

processing, and collaboration. They should also be flexible enough to provide space for future staff

growth.

1.4 Project Goals and Objectives

The Consultant shall lead and guide a process that includes two primary phases of design followed by the

construction administration phase. A detailed scope of services for the project is identified in Section 2 of

this RFP, but a high-level overview of just the two design phases is as follows:

Phase 1: Pre-Design Feasibility Study

• Develop a new feasibility study to investigate three primary concept planning options as defined in this

RFP section 2.3.B.

RFP - Washington County R.H. Stafford Library Improvements, Woodbury, MN

RFP for Architectural & Engineering Services

• The Consultant shall facilitate a robust and innovative community engagement effort to gain public

input regarding desired functions and services for the library.

• This first phase of the project shall conclude with the identification of three different facility size and

layout options for the building with corresponding cost estimates for County evaluation and selection.

Phase 2: Detailed Design Process

• Based on the selected option from the Feasibility Study, the Consultant shall develop a detailed design

process through Construction Documents with milestone budget updates.

• The Consultant shall continue the facilitation of a robust and innovative community engagement effort

throughout this process.

Furthermore, to build upon the County Library Vision, a few additional key project objectives for the Library

include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Engagement with Project Partners including: City of Woodbury, SoWashCo Community Education,

TrueLens Community Media, Stonecrest Senior Living, and the YMCA.

o Note: the existing City Central Park facility will remain operational during construction.

o Note: the existing SoWashCo Community Education lower level school will remain operational

during construction.

• Exploration and Implementation of County Library Extended Access:

o Consider options for an additional, separate public entrance for after-hours extended access

(known as the open plus system in the County).

 With the Library’s primary public entrance existing inside the City’s Central Park,

confirmation of the City’s new operational hours will be a driver of this element.

o Code required access to public toilet rooms will be a primary driver of this element.

• Library public spaces shall be creatively flexible and adaptable on a daily basis to accommodate a

multitude of programming needs. This will be particularly important if a lower square footage concept

option is selected from the feasibility study.

• Schedule: The anticipated construction start for the R.H. Stafford Library Project is Spring of 2027. The

actual date will need to be determined in coordination with the reopening date for the Park Grove

Library in Cottage Grove which is scheduled to being construction in Spring of 2026.

o The two County libraries will NOT be closed at the same time.

o Library staffing logistics: R.H. Stafford Library staff will transfer over to Park Grove Library when

it reopens and R.H. Stafford Library simultaneously closes.

Additionally, a few overall County project goals include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Deliver the project within the anticipated Project Construction Budget: $16,500,000

• The County will be using a Construction Manager (CM) delivery method necessitating coordination

with the Consultant team throughout all phases of the project. The awarded CM team will provide

cost estimating services at each design phase milestone.

• Sustainability project goals: Minnesota B3 as a guide only. No formal submission is required.

1.6 Project Schedule

The project work will commence after the award of contract for the selected Consultant. The Consultant will

propose an overall project design schedule based on the following:

RFP - Washington County R.H. Stafford Library Improvements, Woodbury, MN

RFP for Architectural & Engineering Services

Service Type

Request for Proposal (RFP) Solicitation Release

Notice of Intent to Propose Due

Pre-Proposal Site Tour (Existing Stafford Library)

Written Questions Due

County Response to Questions Issued via Addenda

Proposals Due

Consultant Interviews (If Necessary)

Consultant Selection / Notifications

Consultant Contract

Design (all phases, including County review periods)

Construction Bidding & Contracts

Construction

Anticipated Date

December 1, 2025 (Monday)

December 10, 2025 (Wednesday)

December 12, 2025 (Friday)

December 19, 2025 (Friday)

January 7, 2026 (Wednesday)

January 16, 2026 (Friday)

January 26-27, 2026 (Monday-Tuesday)

January 30, 2026 (Friday)

February 2026

March 2026 – February 2027 (12 mo.)

March 2027 – May 2027

2027 (TBD, after Park Grove reopens)

1.7 Project Oversight

Select members of the Washington County Building Services staff and Library staff will serve as the Project

Management Team (hereinafter referred to as PMT) and be responsible for overseeing the design and

construction process. The County’s Building Services Project Manager team will be the consistent, main point

of contact throughout the entirety of the project and will ensure clear communication between the

Consultant team and the County’s project partners as noted above.

The County’s primary Project Manager will be:

Dan Lawrence, Senior Project Manager

Email: Dan.Lawrence@washingtoncountymn.gov

Phone: 651-430-6226

Washington County Government Center

Building Services Division, Public Works

14949 62nd Street North

Stillwater, MN 55082

The County’s secondary Project Manager will be:

Greg Miller, Project Manager

Email: Greg.Miller@washingtoncountymn.gov

Phone: 651-430-6249

Washington County Government Center

Building Services Division, Public Works

14949 62nd Street North

Stillwater, MN 55082

End of Section 1

RFP - Washington County R.H. Stafford Library Improvements, Woodbury, MN

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

Bid Title:	RFP for Architectural and Engineering Services for R.H. Stafford Library
Category:	Washington County Public Works
Status:	Open

RFP for Architectural and Engineering Services for R.H. Stafford Library

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