1. Introduction
South King Fire (SKF) is soliciting Statements of Qualifications from experienced professional consulting firms to develop a comprehensive Capital Facilities Plan. The selected consultant will work collaboratively with SKF leadership and staff to evaluate the condition, functionality, utilization, and long-term capital needs of the District's facilities and properties; develop practical improvement concepts; establish planning-level costs; and create a prioritized, phased capital investment strategy.
The Capital Facilities Plan will serve as a decision-making and financial planning tool to guide future capital investments, support responsible stewardship of public resources, and align facility investments with SKF's service goals, operational readiness, governance priorities, and financial capacity.
Background
South King Fire (SKF) serves a population of more than 160,000 citizens within the Cities of Federal Way and Des Moines, as well as unincorporated Lakeland North and Lakeland South, a small portion of the City of Normandy Park, and the City of Auburn�s west hill. The Fire District is a stand-alone district organized under Title 52 R.C.W. Fire Protection Districts, with an elected Board of Fire Commissioners providing governance and policy direction to the Fire Chief and staff of the District.
SKF provides fire suppression, emergency medical services, rescue, hazardous materials, fire marshal services, and public education and information to a diverse and growing population. SKF has 7 fire stations, 1 training facility, 1 administrative office, and 1 logistics center covering nearly 41 square miles. SKF is nearing completion of its new Administration Building and has recently completed seismic retrofits at all but one of its existing fire stations. As the District continues to grow and community service demands evolve, SKF is seeking to take a comprehensive, long-term approach to its facility needs.
This effort will assess the condition, functionality, capacity, and operational suitability of SKF�s existing facilities while identifying future infrastructure needs. The assessment will also evaluate opportunities for facility improvements, modernization, and expansion, including the potential need for additional fire stations to support future service demands.
2. Project Objectives
* Establish a Facility Condition Assessment that includes a current, documented baseline of facility condition and functionality.
* Identify deficiencies, risks, maintenance needs, and capital improvement opportunities.
* Develop conceptual improvement options for existing facilities and other District properties.
* Establish planning-level project scopes, costs, sequencing, and priorities.an
* Create a long-range Capital Facilities Plan and implementation roadmap that can be integrated into SKF's financial planning and future capital funding decisions.
* Provide clear, decision-ready materials for SKF leadership and the Board of Commissioners.
3. Scope of Services
SKF anticipates the selected consultant will provide the services below. Items identified in SKF's review as being addressed through the Standards of Cover (SOC) are intentionally excluded from this RFQ. Respondents may recommend refinements to the remaining scope where those refinements improve the quality, efficiency, or usefulness of the final Capital Facilities Plan.
A. Project Management and Design Support
* Coordinate the overall Capital Facilities Plan process with SKF's designated project team.
* Review and assist in evaluating consultant or subconsultant qualifications, scopes, and work products, as applicable.
* Assist SKF in defining and managing the scope, schedule, decision points, and deliverables for the planning effort.
B. Facility Condition Assessments
Conduct comprehensive assessments of SKF's existing fire stations, administrative facilities, and other District properties identified by SKF. The current planning assumption is seven existing fire stations, training facility (station 68), plus administrative facilities/properties (Fire Administrative Building).
* Architectural and building envelope conditions.
* Structural systems and observable structural concerns.
* Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire/life-safety, and other major building systems.
* Civil/site conditions, access, drainage, paving, utilities, and site constraints, as applicable.
* Functional condition, space utilization, circulation, storage, support spaces, and operational suitability.
* Code, accessibility, safety, resiliency, and other material compliance considerations appropriate to a planning-level assessment.
* Deferred maintenance, lifecycle renewal needs, deficiencies, and improvement opportunities.
* Documentation of findings through facility assessment reports, photographs, condition ratings, and prioritized recommendations.
* Expected remaining useful life for all structures.
C. Conceptual Improvement Planning
* Develop conceptual improvement plans for existing facilities based on assessment findings and SKF priorities.
* Identify programmatic requirements and practical renovation, modernization, expansion, or replacement concepts, as appropriate.
* Address major building systems, functional layouts, living and work areas, equipment/storage needs, and site considerations.
* Prepare schematic-level concepts sufficient to communicate recommended improvements and support planning-level cost development.
* Identify sequencing, phasing, temporary operational impacts, and implementation considerations.
D. Capital Facilities Plan Development
* Develop a comprehensive, long-range Capital Facilities Plan integrating facility condition findings, recommended improvements, costs, priorities, and implementation timing.
* Prioritize projects using clear and defensible criteria such as life safety, regulatory need, facility condition, operational impact, service continuity, risk, cost, and available funding capacity.
* Develop planning-level cost estimates, including appropriate contingencies and escalation assumptions.
* Develop project sequencing and phasing strategies.
E. Strategic Planning and Decision Support
* Facilitate development of project vision, goals, decision criteria, and success measures.
* Develop and document evaluation criteria for comparing and prioritizing capital alternatives.
* Support prioritization and decision-making workshops with SKF leadership and other designated participants.
* Evaluate capital recommendations in the context of operational, staffing, financial, and implementation considerations.
* Coordinate with SKF leadership and the Board regarding strategic direction and key decision points.
F. Stakeholder and Community Engagement
* Support development and facilitation of stakeholder and community engagement strategies aligned with SKF's planning objectives.
* Present findings and recommendations in clear, accessible formats suitable for technical and non�technical audiences.
* Assist in communicating priorities, facility needs, long-range capital considerations, and implementation strategy.
G. Implementation Planning Support
* Develop phased capital investment strategies tied to the recommended project priorities.
* Identify implementation risks, dependencies, and mitigation considerations.
* Evaluate implementation sequencing relative to operational priorities and funding capacity.
* Support SKF's long-range capital planning readiness, including preparation for potential future bond, levy, or other capital funding considerations.
* Assist in developing planning materials suitable for future public communication and decision-making.
H. Project Administration
* Attend a project kickoff meeting and regular project coordination meetings.
* Attend onsite meetings, facility visits, workshops, and presentations as needed.
* Assist with maintaining a project schedule, action-item log, decision log, and deliverable schedule.
* Coordinate with SKF staff, consultants, and other stakeholders as authorized by SKF.
4. Anticipated Deliverables
* Existing facility/building condition assessment reports.
* Facility deficiency, maintenance, lifecycle, and capital needs inventory.
* Conceptual improvement plans and schematic-level planning documents.
* Planning-level cost estimates and project timelines.
* Capital project prioritization framework and prioritized project list.
* Draft Capital Facilities Plan.
* Final Capital Facilities Plan.
* Phased implementation roadmap and capital investment strategy.
* Executive summary and presentation materials for SKF leadership and the Board of Commissioners.
5. Statement of Qualifications Requirements
Statements of Qualifications should be concise and should include, at a minimum:
* Firm overview, organizational structure, and relevant experience.
* Experience developing capital facilities plans, facility condition assessments, and long-range capital programs for fire/EMS agencies, public safety organizations, or comparable public agencies.
* Identification of the proposed project manager, key personnel, and subconsultants, including roles, qualifications, and availability.
* Examples of three to five similar projects, including client, project scope, completion date, and reference contact information.
* Proposed project approach and methodology, including how the team will assess facilities, develop concepts, establish costs, prioritize projects, and create an implementation roadmap.
* Proposed work plan and anticipated schedule.
* Description of the firm's approach to stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and presentation of technical information to governing bodies and the public.
* At least three professional references.
* Identification of any actual or potential conflicts of interest.
* Any additional information that demonstrates the firm's ability to successfully complete the project.
6. Evaluation and Selection
SKF intends to select the most qualified firm based on demonstrated qualifications and the firm's ability to successfully perform the requested services. SKF may conduct interviews with one or more firms before making a final selection.
* Relevant firm and team experience and qualifications.
* Demonstrated experience with fire/EMS, public safety, or comparable public-sector capital facilities planning.
* Understanding of SKF's project objectives and anticipated needs.
* Quality, feasibility, and clarity of the proposed approach and work plan.
* Experience and capability of the proposed project manager and key personnel.
* Ability to communicate complex facility and financial information clearly to leadership, governing bodies, and community stakeholders.
* Three references and demonstrated record of successful project delivery.
7. Contract and Fee Negotiation
Following selection of the most qualified firm, SKF anticipates negotiating a final scope of work, schedule, and professional services fee. The final agreement will incorporate applicable SKF contract requirements,
insurance requirements, and other terms and conditions.
8. Submittal Instructions
Statements of Qualifications must be submitted electronically in PDF format by the deadline shown on the cover page. Late submissions may not be considered.
* Submit to: Kelsey Barrett, Finance Director, Kelsey.barrett@southkingfire.org
* Email subject line: Capital Facilities Plan RFQ � South King Fire
* Questions regarding this RFQ must be submitted to: Kelsey Barrett, Kelsey.barrett@southkingfire.org by 10/14/2026 at 3PM.
9. Terms and Conditions
* SKF reserves the right to reject any or all submittals, waive informalities or irregularities, request additional information, and cancel or modify this RFQ at any time.
* SKF may negotiate the final scope and fee with the selected consultant.
* All costs incurred in preparing a response are the responsibility of the respondent.
* Submittals are subject to the Washington State Public Records Act and may be disclosed upon request, except to the extent an exemption applies.
* The selected consultant will be required to comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and SKF contracting requirements.
10. Anticipated Procurement Schedule
Milestone | Anticipated Date
---|---
RFQ Issued | 9/25/2026
Deadline for Questions | 10/14/2026 @ 3:00 PM
Responses to Questions/Addendum | 10/20/2026
SOQs Due | 10/23/2026 @ 3:00 PM
Consultant Interviews, if conducted | 10/26/2026 - 10/30/2026
Selection/Notice of Intent | Before 11/2/2026
