Project Information

Bid Title

RFQ Architectural/Engineering Services

Issuing Agency

Cascade County

Location

Montana

Published Date

Mar 1, 2026

Closing Date

Mar 30, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Bid Title:	RFQ Architectural/Engineering Services
Category:	Request for Proposals
Status:	Open

Description: CASCADE COUNTY  COURTHOUSE ELEVATOR MODERNIZATION REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS Cascade County (County) is currently requesting a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for architectural/engineering services relating to the design and construction for the modernization and upgrade of its exiting elevator located in the Cascade County Courthouse located at 415 2 nd Ave N, Great Falls, Montana 59401. Service may include, but is not limited to preliminary design, community meetings, preparing bidding documents, construction administration, and any other services deemed necessary by the County to complete the project. Questions regarding Project Specifics can be obtained by contacting Les Payne, Director, Cascade County Public Works, 279 Vaughn S. Frontage Road, Great Falls, MT 59404; Phone (406) 454-6920 or at cascadecountymt.gov/bids. All proposals must be submitted in printed format to Cascade County Public Works, located at 279 Vaughn S Frontage, Great Falls, MT., 59404. Two (2) copies of the Proposal are required.  Proposals must be received no later than 2:00 p.m. March 30, 2026. Proposals received by this time and date will be reviewed by the County. Proposals received after the aforementioned time and date will not be considered. Responses may not exceed four (4) one-sided pages, not including resumes of key personnel, and cover letter. The RFQ’s received from qualified firms or individuals will be evaluated using the following criteria: Qualifications of professional personnel to be assigned to project (15%). Capability to meet time and budget requirements for the project (10%). Present and projected workloads at the time of the proposed project (10%). Related Experience on similar projects (25%). Recent work for County (10%). Current work for County (15%). Location of the firm (5%). Overall quality of proposal (10%) Those firms ranked highest by the selection committee may be selected based on the SOQ submitted or interviewed to determine which firm will be awarded the contract, should one be awarded, in the County’s sole and complete discretion. The County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received, to waive informalities to evaluate the proposals submitted, and to accept the proposal which best serves the interest of Cascade County. LEGAL AD PUBLISHED: March 1 st , March 8 th , and March 11 th , 2026 Publication Date/Time: 3/1/2026 8:00 AM Closing Date/Time: 3/30/2026 5:00 PM Related Documents: 2026 RFQ Courthouse Elevator Architect Services 2026 RFQ Legal Ad Courthouse Elevator

Attachment Preview

Cascade County

Courthouse Elevator Modernization

415 2nd Ave N

Great Falls, MT 59401

Request for Qualifications

Architectural/Engineering Services

Cascade County (County) is in the planning stages of the design and construction for an

Upgrade/Modernization to its existing elevator that is located within the existing Cascade County

Courthouse. The upgrade will take place while the building is occupied, and design documents will need

to show the proposed phasing, sitework access, security measures and controls that the General Contractor

will need to provide during construction.

Contingent upon final approval of project, the County is soliciting a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ or

Proposal) for architectural and engineering services to assist in designing and supervising the construction

of this project. Work on this project must comply with all applicable local, state, and federal requirements.

Payment and terms will be negotiated with the selected offeror.

A. Background Information

The proposed project is to complete a modernization upgrade to the existing outdated elevator. During the

upgrade to the existing elevator other repairs may need to take place and bid documents will address these

repairs and upgrades.

B. Scope of Work – Architect/Engineer’s Basic Services

The basic services to be provided will include full-service design and construction administration:

1. The scope of work under the architect/engineer’s basic services consists of those described

and included under normal geotechnical, civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical

engineering services, interior design, and landscaping, as well, the architect/engineer will be

expected to organize and participate in design charrettes with members of the staff, and

department heads. The architect/engineer shall provide a preliminary evaluation of the owner’s

program, schedule and construction budget requirements, each in terms of the other, subject to

the limitations addressed. The design team’s preliminary budget of the project must fit the

proposed budget of the project, or the scope of the project must be adjusted to fit. The

architect/engineer shall assure the design incorporates all state, federal, and building code

requirements such as accessibility requirements under ADA, energy efficiency for existing

buildings, as well as all life safety codes.

2. Preparing the construction bid package in conformance with the applicable federal and state

requirements and supervising the bid advertising, tabulation, and award process, including

preparing the advertisements for bid solicitation, conducting the bid opening and issuing the

notice to proceed;

3. Conducting the preconstruction conference;

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4. Providing regular oversight of construction work, facilitating and recording weekly

construction meetings, construction administration and preparing inspection reports;

5. Providing quality control to ensure the contractor is providing materials, labor and products

consistent with what is identified in the design and specifications;

6. Providing quality control to ensure compliance with technical specifications and conformance

with codes and standards;

7. Reviewing and approving all contractor requests for payment and submitting approved

requests to owner for payment;

8. Providing one complete set of as-built, reproducible plan drawings to owner upon project

completion, based on General Contractors redlines;

9. Conducting final inspection necessary for certificate of completion, etc.

Proposal Content

2 hard copies are required to be submitted timely. Legibility, clarity, and completeness are

essential. Proposals should provide assurance that the firm has the professional capability, availability,

and to satisfactorily and timely complete all the tasks as described in this RFQ. Responses may not exceed

4 one-sided pages, not including resumes of key personnel, and cover letter. Responses should include:

1. The firm’s legal name, address, and telephone number;

2. The principal(s) of the firm and their experience and qualifications;

3. The experience, qualifications, and specific roles of other staff to be assigned to the project;

4. A description of the firm’s prior experience, including design and construction management

of similar projects (include information on size and cost, specific accessibility and special

needs requirements, size of community, location, original construction estimate and final

project costs, and name of the owner’s representative who is knowledgeable regarding the

firm’s performance);

5. A description of the firm’s current work activities and how these would be coordinated with

the project, as well as the firm’s anticipated availability during the term of the project; and

Timeline

The proposals are due March 30, by 2:00 p.m. The architect/engineering contract will be awarded

after all appropriate approvals. It is anticipated that the preliminary design will start in summer 2026

and construction will commence winter of 2026.

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Respondents’ proposals will be evaluated based on the following factors:

1. Consultant Qualifications and Experience (including reference checks) –

demonstrated competence and qualifications for service required

15%

2. Availability and Capacity of the personnel for the entire design team to be assigned

to the project to respond in a timely manner and keep on budget

10%

3. Present and projected workload at the time of proposed project

10%

4. Related Experience on similar projects

25%

5. Recent and current work for County

25%

6. Location of the firm

5%

7. Overall quality of proposal

10%

The selection may be made from this RFQ or selected finalists may be interviewed and will be based on

a selection committee’s evaluation of the written responses. Contract negotiations will commence with

the highest-ranked architectural/engineering firm. The contract will be awarded upon reaching an

appropriate price for this work. If an appropriate agreement cannot be reached with the highest-ranked

firm, the second-ranked architectural/engineering firm will be approached, and so on.

This solicitation is being offered in accordance with federal and state statutes governing procurement of

professional services. Accordingly, the owner reserves the right to negotiate an agreement based on fair

and reasonable compensation for the scope of work and services proposed, as well as the right to reject

any and all responses deemed unqualified, or unsatisfactory. The award will be made to the most qualified

offeror whose proposal is deemed most advantageous to the County, all factors considered. Unsuccessful

offerors will be notified as soon as possible. The County reserves the right to increase the scope of work

with the contractor as long as the increase is within the contractor’s ability.

Questions should be directed to, and proposals should be delivered or sent to:

Les Payne, Director

Cascade County Public Works Department

279 Vaughn S Frontage Rd

Great Falls, MT 59404

(406) 454-6920

Cascade County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.

The owner makes reasonable accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with an

applicant’s ability to compete in the recruitment and selection process or the Contractor’s ability to

perform the essential duties of the job. In order for the owner to make such accommodations, the applicant

must make known any needed accommodation. The TTY number is 1-800-253-4091.

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Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541310Architectural Services
• NAICS 541330Engineering Services

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