AE Shortlist for GSA PBS in CA, AZ, NV, HI – 2026

Executive Summary

The General Services Administration is requesting Architect-Engineer qualification information for a shortlist in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii. This contract is set aside for small businesses.

Scope & Requirements

The purpose of this announcement is to request new Architect-Engineer (AE) qualification information for the General Services Administration Public Building Service (GSA/PBS) AE Short Selection List.

This notice is specific to the following geographical areas: California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, and various Pacific Territories.

The Short Selection Process utilizes the procedures set forth in Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subsection 36.202-4 for Architect-Engineer (AE) projects with an estimated total fee less than the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $350,000). The AE’s professional qualifications and the firm’s geographic proximity and knowledge of the local area will be used for the first preliminary screening of firms. For each proposed project, GSA will conduct discussions with at least 3 firms to consider anticipated concepts and compare alternative methods for furnishing services. Additional information may be requested during discussions if necessary to facilitate the final ranking of firms. Upon conclusion of discussions, the top three firms will be ranked, and a price proposal will be requested from the highest ranked firm. If a fair and reasonable price cannot be negotiated with the highest ranked firm, a request for a price proposal will be sent to the second ranked firm, and so on until an award can be made at a fair and reasonable price. All acquisitions utilizing the Short Selection List shall be set-aside for small business concerns unless requirements cannot be met by a small business and the Contracting Officer obtains a proper waiver.

GSA will use the Short Selection List to award AE contracts, valued at less than the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $350,000) in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, and various Pacific Territories.

The firm must have NAICS code 541310 – Architectural Services, with a small business size standard of $12.5 million and/or 541330 – Engineering Services, with a small business size standard of $25.5 million. The firm must clearly notate which states they have active production offices and which states they are licensed.

Most work will be executed for repair and alteration projects within existing buildings. The estimated cost of construction at award (ECCA) could range from, but are not limited to, above micro-purchase threshold for construction (currently $2,000) to annual prospectus threshold (currently $3.961M). In accordance with the Brooks Act, fees for design services cannot exceed 6% of the ECCA.

The GSA’s Public Building Service owns or leases an inventory of more than 8,500 assets, maintains over 359 million square feet of owned and leased workspace and preserves more than 500 historic properties nationwide. A broad range of services potentially requested under this short list may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Core Project Life Cycle Services – These services cover the entire project lifecycle, from initial concept to post-construction closeout.
• Planning and Pre-Design
  • Feasibility, pre-design, and project development studies
  • Master planning
  • Cost Estimating
  • Real Estate Market Analysis
• Assessment and Investigation
  • Existing conditions surveys, and field investigation
  • Building condition survey evaluation reports (exterior and interior)
  • Environmental investigation, reviews, inventories, and audits
  • Energy audits and studies
• Design and Documentation
  • Concept design, Design development, and Construction document development (both architectural and engineering)
  • Interior design, including Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FFE)
  • Building standard documents
• Construction Support and Closeout
  • Constructability review and evaluation
  • Submittal and shop drawing review
  • Management and inspection (M&I) services during construction and Construction inspection
  • Building and system commissioning
  • Post Construction Contract Services (PCCS); Record and close-out documents
• Specialized Technical & System Design – Work requested often involves the assessment, repair, and upgrade of existing complex building systems.
• Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP)
  • Full MEP services, including design of HVAC systems and electrical systems and lighting
  • Assessment and design for mechanical components (e.g., pumps, fans, air handlers, water distribution systems) and air distribution
  • Design of water and waste water systems, including performance of sanitary inspections
  • Temperature control assessment and design and BAS system assessment and integration
• Building Structure and Envelope
  • Structural evaluation and design
  • Façade evaluation and remediation design
  • Water infiltration investigation and mitigation design
• Safety, Security, and Compliance
  • Fire and Life Safety evaluation and design
  • Rehabs to improve energy efficiency and safety concerns
  • Seismic & Blast protection and Vertical Transportation
  • Code Compliance
• Suggested AE Disciplines and Expertise – AE/EA firms should include their licensure and/or specialized experience relevant to the contracts targeted for this shortlist. These include, but are not limited to the following disciplines. Coverage across all disciplines is not required:
• Core Architectural and Engineering Disciplines
  • Architecture and Interior Architecture
  • Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Structural & Civil Engineering, and Plumbing
  • Historic Preservation
• Specialized Expertise
  • A Qualified/Licensed Fire Protection Engineer (NCEES)
  • Security
  • Space Planning & Workplace
  • Cost Estimating and Scheduling
  • Environmental Services
• Modernization and Quality Control
  • Building Information Modeling (BIM)
  • Quality control review and Report writing

To be considered for future Architect-Engineer (AE) projects, your firm must submit a package demonstrating the applicability and comparability of its portfolio to the types of services outlined above.

Please submit your complete package as a single PDF document. This file, which should be no larger than 20MB and no more than thirty (30) pages, must contain all submittal documents.

All submissions must be emailed to the following email address: [email protected]. Firms are required to use the following naming convention for both their Submission Email Subject Line and PDF file: 2026 Submission – Firm Name – AE Shortlist CA AZ NV HI.

Note: Hardcopy submissions received by mail will not be filed or considered.

The following information shall be submitted as part of the thirty (30) page limit (LISTED IN REQUIRED ORDER):

DO NOT SUBMIT ANY PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

1. A cover letter should precede your other data. The letter should outline the work your firm specializes in and include a brief description of your firm’s capabilities specifically related to the project examples stated above.
2. SAM Entity Overview Print Out. System for Award Management (SAM) registration is required for award of federal contracts. You must have an active registration in SAM to be considered for project work.
3. Standard Form 330 – Architect-Engineer Qualifications.
4. A separate list of the licensed professionals and the States of their licensing for each.

Note: This AE Shortlist is for the Architecture or Engineering Prime only, consultants are NOT part of this selection process. Submittals that don’t contain the required documentation will be returned for revision.

Organizing your submittal package in the same order enumerated above will facilitate a more efficient review process.

Questions related to this announcement shall be referred to [email protected].

The following information should be easily found in your SF330 Submission:

1. Relevant Project Experience, Demonstrated Comparability and Creative Problem Solving
2. Team Capacity, Management, and Quality Control
3. Key Personnel Education and Qualifications
4. Past Performance

*A Qualified Fire Protection Engineer is an individual with deep knowledge of fire physics and chemistry, meeting one of the following criteria: (a) An engineer with an undergraduate or graduate degree in fire protection/safety engineering, plus a minimum of 4 years of relevant work experience; (b) A registered Professional Engineer (P.E. or similar) in Fire Protection Engineering; or (c) A P.E. in a related engineering discipline who is a Professional Member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and has passed the NCEES fire protection exam.

Please register to attend the industry outreach and Q&A meeting on May 15 at 11am CST.

Compliance & Qualifications

• FAR 19.5

How to Prepare Your Bid

1. Ensure your firm meets the small business size standards for NAICS codes 541310 and 541330.
2. Prepare a comprehensive portfolio showcasing relevant project experience, particularly in repair and alteration projects.
3. Follow submission guidelines closely, including the naming convention for your PDF and email subject line.

Why Small Businesses Should Consider This

This contract presents a valuable opportunity for small businesses due to its total small business set-aside status, allowing only small firms to compete. With the NAICS code 541310, small businesses in the architectural and engineering sectors can leverage their specialized expertise to secure contracts valued under the simplified acquisition threshold.

Additionally, the focus on repair and alteration projects within existing buildings aligns well with the capabilities of many small firms, making this an accessible and potentially lucrative opportunity.