On completion of the Detailed Facility Program, an architect can be selected. By this time in the planning process there is consensus and a clear understanding of what the new construction or renovation project will entail. This information has been articulated in the Program.

The first step in the architect selection process is to establish a Building Committee that will see the project through all its phases. This could be the Planning Committee or a new committee that is similar in structure. The Committee’s first task is to compile a list of architects to interview for the projected new construction or renovation project. One way to begin is to determine which firms in your vicinity have designed projects that are similar in type and scale. Some of these schools may have been visited in the earlier phases of the planning process. Other schools planning similar work or the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects are also good sources of information.

The selection process takes 11 steps as defined below along with the critical documentation and notification requirements.

Selection Process

1.Narrow the list to less than 20 firms
2.Send each firm a Request for Qualifications
3.Receive their qualifications
4.Prepare selection criteria
5.Review submittals
6.Reduce the list to 3 to 5 firms for more detailed consideration
7.Check references
8.Send each firm on the shorter list a Request for Proposal
9.Receive their proposals
10.Interview the firms of the course of one to two days
11.Evaluate and select

Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

The following list describes the information that is requested from each of the architectural firms in the initial phase of gathering information (step 2 above).

1.Description of firm
2.Résumé's of key personnel
3.Comparable Projects within past 5 years
4.Specific examples from one or two projects
5.Drawings, photos
6.NASF, GSF, construction cost, bid date information for the projects
7.Design team members
8.References

Request for Proposal (RFP)

Information sent by the school to the "short-list" of firms include:

1.Introduction to project
2.Description of process
3.Schedule

a. date for tour of school and existing science, math, and tech-ed space
b. date when proposals are due
c. date for interview and selection

4.Selection criteria that will be used by the school
5.Proposal requirements
6.Summary facility program

a. background and rationale
b. site location
c. facility organization assumptions
d. summary of spaces

Information to be provided by architectural firms in response to RFP:

1.Statement of design philosophy
2.Approach to project
3.Consultants
4.Budget
5.Schedule
6.Staffing and project management
7.Reimbursable costs
8.Sealed fee proposal

Please go to the Design Process.