Sunny Isles Beach is building a roster of architecture and engineering firms that can be tapped for future capital improvement projects without rebidding each contract individually.

The city announced July 9 that it has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Continuing Architectural and Engineering Services. Solicitation documents, including the submission deadline, are available through the city's electronic procurement platform, DemandStar.

Continuing contracts allow faster project delivery

A continuing services contract allows the city to prequalify licensed architects and engineers who can be assigned to individual projects as needs arise.

The firms could work on projects such as park improvements, building renovations, seawall construction and roadway design. Rather than issuing a new procurement for every project, the city can select firms from its approved roster.

Florida's Consultants' Competitive Negotiation Act requires public agencies to select architects and engineers based on qualifications rather than the lowest bid. The RFQ process evaluates firms on experience, professional credentials and capacity to perform the work.

City has used the process for previous capital projects

Sunny Isles Beach has relied on continuing services contracts before. In June 2022, the city issued an RFQ for continuing landscape architectural services, with 12 firms downloading the solicitation before a contract was awarded.

The city's current 2025-26 Capital Improvement Program includes investments in parks, public infrastructure, facility rehabilitation and major roadway resurfacing. A continuing services roster is intended to provide faster access to design professionals as those projects move forward.

Several infrastructure projects already underway

According to the city's DemandStar procurement records, several capital projects are in various stages of procurement.

The Bella Vista Seawall Replacement and City Annex Building Construction Renovations remain under evaluation, while the 183rd Street and Collins Avenue left-turn conversion contract was awarded in 2025. The Intracoastal Sports Park construction contract was awarded in 2024 after 81 firms expressed interest.

Selection committee will rank qualified firms

Architecture and engineering firms interested in responding can download the solicitation documents through DemandStar.

After the submission deadline, a city selection committee will evaluate and rank the qualified firms. The Sunny Isles Beach City Commission would then consider approval of any resulting continuing services contracts at a public meeting.

Residents can follow the city's capital improvement projects and commission meeting schedule on the city's website.