https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2023/10/11/rdlr-architects-acquires-w-squared-architects.html Two Houston-based architecture firms have combined their operations in a merger that they say will help both companies expand their client offerings. RDLR Architects paid an undisclosed sum to acquire W Squared Architects, the two companies announced Oct. 11. RDLR Architects Principal Daniel Ortiz said the acquisition will help his company move into the private commercial market. RDLR Architects, which has been operating in Houston for over four decades, is primarily known for its work on public projects. The company has designed developments for the city of Houston, Fort Bend County, the Houston Airport System, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (commonly called Metro), the Harris County Toll Road Authority, The Harris Center, the U.S. General Services Administration, the U.S. Postal Service, the Texas Department of Transportation and multiple independent school districts. In August, RDLR Architects was tapped to design the College of the Mainland's new public services center under a recently approved $250 million bond. As a minority/women-owned business enterprise, RDLR Architects was recently named one of the Houston Business Journal's outstanding diverse organizations for 2023. W Squared Architects, meanwhile, has designed projects for clients hailing from a variety of industries, including multifamily, office, retail, hospitality and more. RDLR said that adding the firm's expertise will enhance its ability to design commercial projects. With the addition of W Squared, RDLR Architects has a total of 25 employees, including seven architects. An RDLR spokesperson said the company will soon have an eighth architect on staff, once one of the company's employees passes their certification exam. "This is an exciting and pivotal moment for RDLR Architects," Ortiz said. "With a shared vision of community-driven architectural excellence, W [Squared] Architects aligns perfectly with RDLR Architects' growth strategy, and we are thrilled to welcome them into the RDLR family. This strategic move not only strengthens our position in the industry but also allows us to better serve our clients by offering a wider range of services." ______________ New Public Services Centre for College of the Mainland. The project consists of new construction of an approximately 50,000 GSF facility to include programs, classrooms, and offices for Law Enforcement, Fire Protection Technology and Emergency Medical Services. The project will contain a new firing range, outdoor training tower and pad, storage bays for emergency response vehicles and student study/collaboration/lounge spaces. Contractor's cost estimates shall be separated into discrete phases as the Owner may require for completion of the Project and prepared to reflect the full and complete cost of the Project to facilitate the Owner's evaluation of the Total Project Cost and the Owner's right to award multiple Guaranteed Maximum Price proposals as allowed elsewhere in this Agreement. Contractor's cost estimates shall be provided according to standards as specified below. Contractor shall include all costs to construct the building including items such as, General Conditions, bonds, insurance, permit fees, wage rates, Contractor fees, escalation costs, and other costs. A description of the cost assumptions shall be furnished by the Contractor. Contractor's cost estimates shall be provided according to standards as specified below. Contractor shall include all costs to construct the building including items such as, General Conditions, bonds, insurance, permit fees, wage rates, Contractor fees, escalation costs, and other costs. A description of the cost assumptions shall be furnished by the Contractor. The Owner reserves the right to contact any Respondent for clarification after responses are opened and/or to funegotiate with any Respondent if such is deemed desirable by Owner. Question Deadline Sep 11, 2023 at 2:00 PM