The City of Bismarck ND Public Works Department
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
for
ARCHITECTURAL & ENGINEERING SERVICES
For the Construction of a
NEW POLICE HEADQUARTERS
INTRODUCTION
The City of Bismarck (City) Public Works Service Operations is inviting qualified Architectural and/or
Engineering firms to respond to a Request for Qualifications for the construction of a new Police Headquarters
Campus for the City of Bismarck.
BACKGROUND
The Bismarck Police Headquarters have been in their current location, 700 South 9th Street, Bismarck ND
for over 46 years, and they have physically outgrown their existing facility. The Police Department currently
has a total of 166 authorized staff of which 136 are sworn officers. All these personnel are currently working
out of this facility.
The City recently purchased 9.8 acres of land for a new Police Headquarters at 2705 Valley Forge Street,
Bismarck ND. We are looking for an Architectural and/or Engineering Firm(s) to prepare a space analysis to
determine the appropriate size of the new Headquarters allowing for anticipated growth over the next 50
years. Once the space needs are determined, the selected firm will obtain environmental clearances for the
land, (if needed), design the facility, develop specifications, assist in bidding the project and perform
necessary construction oversight.
SCOPE
The selected firm(s) will conduct interviews with appropriate staff and/or group meetings related to space
assessments to determine exact needs and requirements. This will cover a detailed space-by-space
definition of the elements needed for facilities based on current usage, desired new amenities, and a phased
growth plan for future expansions of fleet, personnel, and technological needs. This analysis will include the
potential use of the existing headquarters and Sleepy Hollow facility.
It is anticipated that in order to properly estimate the projected growth of the department, the analysis will
include a summary of recent historical growth trends in population, university and school enrollment data,
City/County economic development reports, annexation data, business growth & building permit trends. It is
anticipated that conversations may be needed with the City of Bismarck Planning Department staff, the
Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC and the Bismarck-Mandan Convention & Visitors Bureau to fully estimate
the appropriate growth over the next 50 years.
The new facility will be located at 2705 Valley Forge Street, in Bismarck. The new facility will feature a one
facility concept, where all police department functions are addressed in one facility. Items that need to be
studied to make recommendations on a future facility are, but not limited to:
• Conduct a thorough evaluation of the Bismarck Police Department operations, and identify areas
where the current facility is not meeting the department’s needs
• A study/evaluation of the routine operations of the Bismarck Police Department in order to achieve a
thorough understanding of the various operations, and/or services
• Identify and determine, for each operational element/unit, a set of specific space needs for both
current and long-term operations (50 years). Phased construction may need to be considered
• Provide approximate construction and furnishings costs for a new facility
• Soil analysis to determine if the site is suitable for construction of such facility
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• Site Security
• Site plan showing building area, parking for police vehicles and equipment, employees and customers
along with any anticipated site amenities needed
• Employee Parking
• Adequate indoor storage for vehicles and equipment needs to be stored inside
• Needs for offices and common workspace areas
• Personnel Records Storage
• Patrol Division Room, Supervisory Office, Files/Storage/Operations
• Records Availability and Records Archives
• State of the art Information Technology
• Communication Systems
• Secure Evidence Storage
• Crime Analysis lab
• Investigations area
• Evidence and Crime Scene Processing areas
• Secure evidence storage area
• Weapons armory
• Interview rooms with closed circuit television
• Multiple meeting rooms for shift briefings, training, conferences, major investigations, emergency
operations, luncheons and training for all staff
• Media Briefing Room
• Drug Enforcement
• Adequate storage space department wide
• Exercise Room
• Locker Rooms and Showers
• Janitor Closets and Storage
• Public Parking
• Secure parking for Fleet and Specialty vehicles
• Secure Employee Parking
• Building Security and CCTV Monitoring
• Emergency Backup Power
• Special Teams Preparations and Storage area
• Special vehicle storage and evidentiary vehicle processing area
• Building expandability
• Crime data operations center
• Drone operation space
• Meet all federal ADA requirements
• Automated Carwash Bay
• Possible Indoor shooting range
• Fuel Island(s)
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SPACE & SITE STUDIES
The City hired Leo A Daly to do a preliminary Space and Site study for a new Police Headquarters building
several years ago. Those studies will be made available to the selected Architect and/or Engineering firm to
build off their findings.
BIDDING METHOD
Depending upon the cost of the project, we will either utilize the design, bid, build method or a Construction
Manager at Risk (CMAR) method where the CMAR would oversee the construction of this project. The firm
selected will have input on which method of bidding would be best for this type of project to ensure the facility
is designed and constructed in the most efficient way possible. If the CMAR method is selected, the selected
Architect and/or Engineer will need to work closely with the selected CMAR firm.
EXISTING FACILITY
As stated previously, the City of Bismarck prefers a “one facility concept”, where everything is located under
one roof, however, should the cost of this one facility concept grow to more than the City can afford, the City
will need the selected Architectural/Engineering firm to analyze the existing facility and make
recommendations on what, if any features could remain at the existing facility, to lower costs, while
maintaining department efficiencies.
EXACT SCOPE OF WORK
This RFQ is intended to give prospective Architects and/or Engineers a basic understanding of what the City
of Bismarck is looking to accomplish, it is not intended to identify every detail needed to construct a new
Police Headquarters. An exact scope of work will be developed with the successful Architect and/or Engineer
and the appropriate fees will be negotiated based on that agreed upon scope of work.
SITE VISIT
Given this is the construction of a new facility a site visit will not be held, however if prospective Architects
and/or Engineers want to view the new site, they can drive by the location at 2705 Valley Forge Street,
Bismarck ND. Visits of the current Bismarck Police Headquarters and the Sleepy Hollow Station can be
arranged with the Bismarck Police Department upon request.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Proposals Due – 3:00 PM CT on Monday, December 1, 2025
Interview Consultants (If needed) – Friday January 9, 2026
Signed Contract – January 30, 2026
Bid Project – February 2027
Construction – Spring 2027
QUALIFICATIONS STATEMENTS DUE: 3:00 PM on Monday December 1, 2025
Submit seven (7) hard copies and one digital copy of proposal to:
Mail or deliver documents:
Public Works Service Operations
Attn: Steve Salwei, Public Works Service Operations Director
Mailing Address: PO Box 5503, Bismarck, ND 58506-5503
Physical Address: 601 South 26th Street, Bismarck ND 58504
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Written proposals shall address the firm’s experience with the construction of other Police Headquarters
or facilities of a similar nature, and your ability to perform the defined services in a timely manner and meet
the above listed timelines. Written proposals shall be limited to a maximum of 20 single-sided or 10 double-
sided pages on standard letter (8-1/2x11) paper using size 11–12 fonts. The primary items for
consideration will be, but not limited to, the firms:
1. Technical capabilities of the firm and of the proposed project team
2. Knowledge, Experience and Performance of Firm(s) with the construction of similar Police
Headquarters Facilities.
3. Understanding of project and proposed work approach
4. Knowledge of regulations around Law Enforcement Facilities and local conditions
5. Ability to respond in a timely manner
6. Relevant experience and availability of qualified personnel.
7. Ability to meet project schedule.
8. Location of the firm.
The architect will be selected based upon Statements of Qualification. A selection committee will rank the
proposals and recommend a single firm to the Board of City Commissioners. A detailed scope of work will
be developed, and the fee will be negotiated with the selected firm. Failure to reach an agreement
acceptable to the City of Bismarck will result in negotiation with the second most qualified firm. A
professional services agreement will be carried out with a single firm.
The City reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or inquiries, waive any informality in the process
or to accept any response it may deem to be in the best interest of the City.
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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
