PRESENTER: Presenter
Garry Ford, Transportation and Construction Services Director
Ruy Lozano, Fire Chief
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SUBJECT: Title
Discuss and consider approval of a contract with BRW Architects to provide final plans, specifications, estimates, and construction-phase services for a live fire training facility and approval to issue a competitive sealed proposal solicitation as the procurement method for construction of improvements associated with the live fire training facility.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Construction Services and Fire Department
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On June 24, 2019, City Council approved a contract with BRW Architects (BRW) to provide final design, bid phase, and construction phase services for Fire Station #7, located at 357 FM 306, and a Fire Training Complex, located at 353 FM 306.
On February 23, 2022, city staff issued an invitation for a competitive sealed proposal (CSP) for construction of Fire Station 7 and the Fire Training Complex. The proposed Fire Station 7 and Fire Training Complex, including classroom building and design-build specifications for a live fire training field, were bid as one package, with the Fire Station and Fire Training Complex defined as separate projects. The city received four responses on April 7, 2022. The proposals were significantly higher than the proposed budget and represented market cost increases experienced throughout the building industry. The contract for Fire Station 7 was awarded on June 13, 2022, and the project team repackaged the Fire Training Complex to be phased, with the initial effort prioritizing the drainage, utility, and site improvements necessary to develop the site. On March 23, 2023, City Council approved construction of drainage, utility, and site improvements for the Fire Training Complex, which included space for the future live fire training facility.
On January 12, 2026, City Council approved an Interlocal Agreement with the Comal County Emergency Services District 7 (CCESD 7) allowing the City to receive $4 million in funding for a live fire training facility to be located at the Fire Training Complex. The live fire facility will include two burn buildings (one residential configuration and one tower or commercial configuration) that incorporate all occupancy types within the City and CCESD 7, as well as a multi-bay building for storage of training apparatus and associated training gear.
On June 22, 2026, City Council approved a contract with Randall Scott Architects, Inc. for a feasibility study and site assessment for a combined public safety training center. While that study will evaluate the long-term needs of the fire training program, this design and construction of a live fire training facility will ensure the New Braunfels Fire Department is able to maintain the current ISO 1 ranking in the near term.
BRW is pre-qualified on the City’s Professional Services indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) list for architectural services. BRW was selected for their experience and qualifications to complete the final design, bid phase, and construction phase services of the live fire training facility to carry forward the continuity of the previous design effort and constructed site improvements. The Contract with BRW to provide the final design and construction administration for the live fire training facility (burn buildings and multi-bay storage building) includes a not-to-exceed fee of $298,210. The final design of the live fire training facility will be developed from the design-build criteria developed by BRW during the initial design of the Fire Training Complex as a design-build delivery method is no longer recommended for the project.
City staff recommends issuing a competitive sealed proposal (CSP) solicitation as the procurement method for construction of improvements associated with the live fire training facility. The CSP method allows the City to evaluate the most qualified contractors and the best value for the project. After design and bidding are complete, the recommendation for construction contract award will be presented to the City Council for approval.
ISSUE:
Strategic Priorities: Continuing the development of the fire training facility through a partnership with CCESD 7.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
N/A Economic Mobility N/A Enhanced Connectivity N/A Community Identity
YES Organizational Excellence YES Community Well-Being
Organizational Excellence
• Diversify revenue streams to support long-term fiscal sustainability.
o Objective: Exploring expansion of the contract with ESD7 to support recurring resource needs.
Community Well-Being
• Maintain ISO 1 ranking
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for the final design (not to exceed $298,210) is included in the $4 million allocated by the Interlocal Agreement with the Comal County Emergency Services District 7.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of a contract with BRW Architects to provide final plans, specifications, and estimates, and construction phase services for a live fire training facility and approval to issue a competitive sealed proposal solicitation as the procurement method for construction of improvements associated with the live fire training facility.