The BARC animal shelter shall be designed to emphasize and accommodate the adoption of sheltered animals while providing a sustainable structure constructed of low-maintenance, durable, easily sanitized materials. The facility should be inviting to the public and offer a friendly, enjoyable experience presenting animals in an appealing manner. The facility should provide a comfortable, healthy, and low-stress environment for the animals. Both animal and public health, safety, and welfare shall be considered. Animal holding areas should provide as much health protection, safety, and comfort as possible. Please email questions concerning this RFQ to: Richard A. Vella Assistant Director of Real Estate, Design & Construction General Services Department Email: Richard.Vella@houstontx.gov c/o Ulises Gonzalez Senior Project Manager General Services Department Email: Ulises.Gonzalez@houstontx.govmailto:Ulises.Gonzalez@houstontx.gov The new animal shelter shall be located at the existing BARC site at 3200 Carr Street. However, an option to instead locate the animal shelter on approximately 7 acres at 2515 Old Farm Road shall be explored through an operations analysis as the administrative building shall be maintained at 3200 Carr, where current operations are limited. Buffalo Bayou runs through the wooded site at 2515 Old Farm Road and if the adoption center is to be located at that location, existing trees would need to be preserved as much as reasonably possible. The new building should be sized to accommodate 27,000 animals annually. The building shall be no less than 60,988 square feet. All the standard features of robust modern animal shelter/adoption center should be considered including sanitation and grooming areas, cleaning and laundry facilities, commercial refrigeration units, storage, food preparation, commercial walk-in style freezer, waste disposal, large compartment sinks within dog kennels for proper hygiene, employee and volunteer break room, conference room and training room. A medical area with rooms for public wellness, a surgical and recovery area/ room, veterinarian and staff office space, euthanasia, a sallyport for animal control truck deliveries, and owner surrenders shall also be included. Best practices shall be considered in the design for the ventilation, cleaning procedures, water/feeding, and features to control disease. Public parking shall be provided in the front along with secured parking in back for employees. Accommodations shall be provided for an emergency backup generator to power the critical components of the building in the event of power failure. This generator shall be connected to the building's electrical power system via appropriate automatic switching equipment. The new design shall require all ADA regulations to be followed. Existing dome building is to be gutted and preserved. The administration building, and double modular trailers are to be demolished at 3200 Carr Street. Recently installed chillers and AHU's shall be salvaged. The existing warehouse at 3200 Carr Street shall be demolished and replaced with a new warehouse of comparable size. The warehouse is approximately 8,160 square feet and requires cold storage, cameras, office space, restrooms, and its own dedicated backup generator.