SUBJECT
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Approve selection committee’s recommendation to authorize staff negotiations with Grace Design Studios, LLC, to provide architectural and engineering services for the Polk County Fire Rescue Administration Headquarters. (No Fiscal Impact)
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DESCRIPTION
The Facilities Management Division requested Procurement solicit proposals from qualified architectural firms for design, permitting, bidding and construction administration of the new Fire Rescue Administration headquarters to be located at the Polk County Public Safety Complex on Jim Keene Boulevard in Winter Haven.
This project is part of the master planning study developed by S/L/A/M Collaborative, Inc., which aims to optimize future development on County owned property along Jim Keene Boulevard, northwest of its intersection with Winter Lake Road. The new Fire Rescue Headquarters will replace outdated facilities and establish a modern, efficient, and secure hub that supports the essential work of Polk County Fire Rescue.
Request for Proposal (RFP) 26-054, Architectural & Engineering Services for Polk County Fire Rescue Administration Headquarters was issued, and twelve proposals were received. The selection committee met on January 27, 2026, to evaluate and score the proposals. The five highest scored firms were elevated to interviews. On February 10, 2026, the selection committee conducted interviews and received presentations from the proposers. After the interviews, the selection committee ranked the proposers. The consensus of the selection committee was to request the Board authorize staff to enter into negotiations with all proposers interviewed, beginning with the highest ranked proposer, Grace Design Studios, LLC.
The following is a listing of the firms and their rankings:
Firm Location Rank
Grace Design Studio Lakeland, FL 1
CMHM Architects, Inc. Lakeland, FL 2
The Lunz Group Lakeland, FL 3
Parlier & Crews Architects Lake Wales, FL 4
PBK Architects Florida, Inc. Tampa, FL 5
A recommendation of award was posted, and no protests were received.
RECOMMENDATION
Request Board approve the selection committee’s recommendation and authorize staff enter into contract negotiations with all proposers, beginning with the highest-ranked proposer, The Grace Design Studios, LLC for RFP 26-054, Architectural & Engineering Services for Polk County Fire Rescue Administration Headquarters and moving to the second-highest ranked proposer and so on, if negotiations with Grace Design Studios, LLC are unsuccessful.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with negotiations.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Tabatha Shirah
Senior Procurement Analyst
(863) 534-5935
tabathashirah@polkfl.gov <mailto:tabathashirah@polkfl.gov>