Architectural and Engineering Services
Emergency Department Renovation for Multi-purpose Pediatric Mental Health Care
Purpose
Driscoll Children’s Hospital is soliciting proposals from qualified architectural and engineering (A/E) firms to provide professional design services for the renovation of an existing Emergency Department (ED) space and Inpatient Unit. The project will convert a portion of the current ED into 6 Pediatric Mental Health Emergency Room beds and 2 Inpatient Beds into mental health beds, designed to safely and therapeutically serve pediatric patients experiencing behavioral health crises.
The selected firm will provide full architectural and engineering services from programming through construction administration.
Introduction
Driscoll is a free-standing non-profit pediatric healthcare system headquartered in Corpus Christi, Texas. Due to increased demand for pediatric behavioral health emergency services, the hospital intends to repurpose existing ED and Inpatient space to create a safe, compliant and developmentally appropriate pediatric mental health care environment.
Key project drivers and characteristics include:
- Rising pediatric mental health ED volumes
- Need for ligature-resistant and safe care environments
- “Crisit-to-stabilization” workflows for pediatric and adolescent patients (ages 4-17)
- Separation of pediatric behavioral health patients from general ED populations
- “Swing” Room concept to allow flexibility in care assignment
- Compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements
The project is anticipated to be completed while the Emergency Department and Inpatient floor remain operational.
The terms and conditions of this RFP are set forth in Attachment A.
Scope of Services
The selected firm shall provide complete architectural and engineering services, including all disciplines necessary to deliver a fully coordinated design.
Programming and Pre-Design
- Confirmation of clinical program requirements
- Space programming and test fits
- Phasing and operational continuity planning
- Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) coordination
Architectural Services
- Renovation design for pediatric behavioral health emergency care
- Ligature-resistant and anti-harm design strategies
- Finish and material selection appropriate for pediatric behavioral health settings
Engineering Services
- Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) design
- HVAC system evaluation and modifications
- Electrical systems, lighting, and emergency power
- Fire protection systems
- Low-voltage coordination
- Medical gas modifications if applicable
Regulatory and Code Compliance
- Compliance with all applicable requirements
- Support for Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and state agency reviews
Construction Administration
- Construction administration services
- Review of submittals and shop drawings
- Responses to RFIs
- Participation in construction meetings
- Site observations
- Punch list development and project closeout support
I. RFP Timeline
The timeline for responding to this RFP is as follows:
| Release Request for RFP | 3/31/26 |
|---|---|
| Written Submission Due | 2 weeks |
| Selection | 1 Week |
| Finalize Contract | 1 month |
II. Selection Criteria
Driscoll will evaluate each Respondent’s RFP responses as follows:
- Knowledge, Depth, and Qualifications of Team
- Proposed Approach and Methodology
- Value-Added Services
- Service Fee
- Responsiveness to RFP
III. Submission Requirements
Proposal Requirements
The information listed below is to be provided as a part of your proposal for this Project and formatted in accordance with the outline. In addition to the proposal, you must acknowledge, sign and return Attachments A (“Terms and Conditions”) and B (“Confidentiality Agreement”).
Please provide your submission utilizing;
- No less than an 11-point font size.
- Separate each section to assist in navigating the submittal.
- Number each page consecutively.
- Use of bullets versus lengthy paragraphs should be considered.
- Cover Letter and Introduction (maximum two-page statement).
Section 1 – Firm Information
- Name of Firm
- Primary Address
- Name of Primary Contact and Contact Information
- Form of Business Organization
- Brief History of Firm
Section 2 – Relevant Experience
Provide information for 3 representative projects your firm has been responsible for and describe why they are relevant. Projects must have been completed within the past five years or currently nearing completion. Examples of project relevance include, but are not limited to:
- Children’s hospitals
- Medium-sized acute care hospitals
- Texas-based hospitals
Provide the following information on each project:
- Project name, location, and name of Owner
- Examples of work product
- Architect of Record
- Brief description and specific relevance to this project
- Your firm’s exact role(s)
- Owner reference contact information (name, title, email, telephone)
Section 3 – Organizational Chart / Project Team Resumes
Please provide an organizational chart and the names of each individual who will be assigned to this project if selected (“Project Team”), along with their resumes and reference information.
References should be from an individual in a similar role as planned for this project. If the firm has multiple offices, please identify which office Project Team members will be working from and which office project deliverables will be developed in.
If selected, the firm shall assign and ensure that the Project Team members identified in this RFP are the ones assigned to this project. If an unforeseen circumstance occurs and substitution is necessary, the firm shall, within five (5) days, propose one or more professionals who are at least equal in competency and relevant experiences. Driscoll shall have the opportunity to provide input and approve any such substitutes.
Section 4 and Insurance
Please describe Respondent’s proposed fee, including:
- Basic fee arrangement
- Pricing details for any unanticipated costs.
- Please confirm that the Fee Proposal described above is adequate for the execution of all professional services required by this Request for Proposal.
The firm shall maintain the following insurance coverage for the duration of the Project and shall provide certificates of insurance evidencing such coverage with its proposal and upon request by the Owner.
- Commercial General Liability with policy limits of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) for each occurrence and two million dollars ($2,000,000) in the aggregate for bodily injury and property damage.
- Automobile Liability covering vehicles owned, and non-owned vehicles used, by the Architect with policy limits of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) per accident for bodily injury, death of any person, and property damage arising out of the ownership, maintenance and use of those motor vehicles, along with any other statutorily required automobile coverage.
- Workers’ Compensation at statutory limits.
- Professional Liability covering negligent acts, errors and omissions in the performance of professional services with policy limits of not less than five million dollars ($5,000,000) per claim and five million dollars ($5,000,000) in the aggregate.
Section 5 – Additional Information
Provide additional relevant information in this section that you feel cannot be provided in other Sections.
Authority to Sign
Proposals must be signed by an officer of the firm who is authorized to enter into binding agreements.
Any questions on this request for proposal should be directed to Shane Casady: [email protected]