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Request for Qualifications
Date: February 26, 2026
Project: Valdez High School Remodel
Project Number: 25-310-9517
Overview
The purpose of this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is to solicit statements of
qualifications from professional consultants to develop programming and project scope,
provide architectural and engineering services, as well as other services relating to the
renovation of the existing High School building located in Valdez, Alaska. The
Consultant shall conduct design and public meetings, provide information, reports, and
drawings necessary to develop and communicate the project program, education
specifications, concept designs and project costs. All work and deliverables shall be in
accordance with DEED policies and requirements.
The existing high school building is located at 319 Robe River Drive in Valdez, Alaska,
and was constructed in 1976. The approximately 91,000-square-foot facility includes 18
classroom spaces, one designated shop area, four restroom groupings, student gym
locker rooms, an indoor basketball gymnasium, an indoor rifle range, a community-
shared swimming pool, and a library. Additional key spaces include administrative
offices, a faculty room, a cafeteria, and a student lounge that overlooks the cafeteria.
Now approaching 50 years of age, the facility requires significant modernization to
address aging infrastructure, evolving educational requirements, and current standards
for safety, accessibility, and instructional quality. As-built drawings for the school will be
provided as PDF attachments to this document. It should be noted that some smaller-
scale renovation work has occurred to meet the immediate needs of staff and students
in recent years, these may be considered during the planning phases of this project and
may reflect a difference from the as-built drawings provided. In addition to the as-built
drawings, a Conditions Assessment of the school completed in 2022 will be included as
an attached PDF file.
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The intent of this project is to renovate and modernize the existing structure to improve
functionality and better support the school’s academic programs. The proposed remodel
will address outdated and disjointed spaces to create a more cohesive, efficient, and
flexible learning environment for both students and staff. Programming priorities include:
improving the overall learning atmosphere, strengthening connectivity and visibility
throughout the building, enhancing safety and security, and ensuring full compliance
with ADA and other applicable accessibility requirements. The renovation is expected to
support higher instructional standards in language arts, mathematics, and science,
while also enhancing Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways, the arts, and
physical education programs.
Scope of Work & Tasks
Required tasks include but are not limited to:
1. Engagement with City and School District employees/affiliates to develop
programming documents.
2. Develop Education Spec.
3. Community outreach, including presentations to the School Board and
committees.
4. Assist with construction project delivery strategy, bidding assistance, and
construction administration services.
5. Additional tasks include conceptual documents relative to potential uses of
existing space within the VHS school building – with ROM cost estimates.
6. Complete development of VHS Renovation construction documents, cost
estimation, state and federal permit submittals (as required)
7. CA services through construction, including closeout.
The selected consultant will work closely with the appointed Valdez School District
representatives, the Capital Facilities Department, and the City’s insurance carrier.
Note that funding for this project is currently limited to programming and design. The
efforts of the selected design firm, as outlined above, will provide necessary information
for the pursuit of further project funding. To maintain continuity between separate
phases of this project, it is our intent for the selected design firm to remain onboard until
the end of construction unless otherwise specified.
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Deliverables
• Digital copies (in an agreed format) of all presentation and meeting materials;
may be posted on the City of Valdez webpage.
• Meeting summaries for all meetings and workshops -
including written records of all public comments.
• GIS layers/shapefiles of all completed mapping & survey work.
• Programming Documents.
• Disruption Plan and phasing documents.
• Digital copies (in an agreed upon format) of all progress and construction
documents, to include CAD and/or Revit model files as well as digital copies of
final as-builts.
Requirements for Statement of Qualifications
The firm that submits a statement of qualifications must be licensed to do business in
the State of Alaska, and all responsible personnel must have appropriate Alaskan
licenses to conduct the tasks identified in the proposal.
Submissions should be no more than 12 pages excluding front and back cover, cover
letter and dividers Page size shall be 8-1/2” x 11”- Body; 11” x 17” schedule or
charts/diagrams and no font shall be smaller than 10 pt.
Reponses will be limited to page requirements below:
i. Cover Letter
1 page maximum
ii. Response to Criteria
10 page maximum
iii. Resumes
1 page each maximum
The proposals shall be ranked on the following criteria, each category shall be
weighted as shown:
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• Consultant’s experience and Technical Competence (50 points).
1. Successful completion of similar projects. (Note: 2 projects minimum, school
projects preferred)
a. Identify key personnel’s role in project.
b. Provide scope and size of project.
c. Provide references and contact information.
d. Experience and qualifications of firm and proposed staff/sub-
consultants/sub-contractors.
2. Technical ability/experience for major project scopes.
• Demonstrated understanding of remote Alaska projects
• Demonstrated understanding of projects occurring in active public
facilities, including schools.
• Technical competence with the various building systems that need to be
upgraded and integrated within the remodel while maintaining school
functions.
• Understanding and technical knowledge of Department of Education
requirements.
3. Municipal/public project management experience.
4. Alternative Delivery project experience.
5. Disruption Work experience.
• Project Approach and Ability to Successfully Manage Project. (40 points).
1. Identify specific tasks that the Firm is proposing to accomplish in the programming
phase and concept design phase.
2. Proposed deliverable timeline, or relative frequency.
3. The firm’s plan to keep the project on time and within budget?
4. Methods of public outreach and stakeholder coordination.
5. Disruption Plan development approach.
• Overall Quality and Completeness of Response. (10 points).
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Note: The City of Valdez assumes no obligation by accepting a proposal. The City of
Valdez may or may not choose to interview the top-ranked firms before selecting the
best firm for price negotiations. If the City decides to interview consultants, a panel may
be selected from Capital Facilities, School District Representatives, and City
Administration. The panel will consider proposal content and interview results; however,
selection of a consultant following interviews shall supersede proposals scoring/ranks.
- Prior experience in past VHS facility renovations does not preclude a firm from
responding to this RFQ. Considerations for the award of this project will only be
given to those who have responded to this RFQ.
Submissions and Inquiries
Valdez encourages disadvantaged, minority and women-owned consultant firms to
respond.
Submit (1) electronic copy of your Statement of Qualifications via the City’s One Drive
application:
Access to the electronic One Drive must be requested via email to
DAlex@ValdezAK.Gov and cc: Kdwalker@valdezak.gov no later than 4:30pm one
business day prior to submission deadline. Failure to request access in advance may
disqualify a firm’s proposal. Access can be requested well in advance of the deadline.
Any questions regarding this project should be directed to Kasey Walker, Capital
Facilities Director, kdwalker@valdezak.gov.
Questions will be accepted until 4:00pm March 18th, 2026. All questions will be
answered by published addenda.
Proposals will be accepted until 4:00pm local time, March 25th, 2026.
Interviews, if necessary, will take place between March 30, 2026, and April 3, 2026.
This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
