Site work and new construction of an educational facility in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Completed plans call for the construction of a one-story above grade educational facility.

Southeast New Mexico College is soliciting proposals from qualified firms to provide Architectural Services for one new STEPS Academy Building and related design services. Proposals must be received by SENMC Procurement Services by the specified deadline. Interested parties are directed to refer to the referenced Request for Proposal number for specifics. Deadline to Submit Written Questions Potential Respondents 11/17/2025Any inquiries or requests regarding clarification of this procurement document should be submitted to SENMC Procurement Services in writing at 1500 University Dr., Carlsbad, NM 88220, or purchasing@senmc.edu Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC) is interested in architectural, planning, and professional engineering services for the new construction of an Early Childhood Education and Pre-school center, the S.T.E.P.S. (Science Technology, & Engineering Pre-School) Academy and Planetarium, and associated site improvements, as part of SENMC's comprehensive campus master plan. Also included upon request is the SENMC's Strategic Plan (2025 - 2030), and SENMC's Mission, Vision, and Values statements. The community college in Carlsbad is the oldest two-year institution in the state of New Mexico and was founded in 1950 as the Carlsbad Instructional Center. Ten years later it became part of the New Mexico State University (NMSU)system as a branch campus. On April 10, 2022, it became an independent community college, transitioning from the state land grant system to a separate institution of higher education. SENMC is a fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). SENMC serves a population of more than 55,000 in Eddy County and surrounding communities. Current student population is approximately 1,400, 41 full-time faculty, 63 part-time educators, and another 72 full-time staff employees. The Southeast New Mexico College Facilities Master Plan 2025- 2030 (starting on page 21 and shown on page 23) lists a Community Outreach/Early Childhood Education Center for planned capital outlay priorities and the potential need for an increase in campus square footage to accommodate the educational training & Community Outreach space. There is a high need in the immediate area for dependable childcare, and for a place of hands-on learning in early childhood education, that can be presented as a place for learning. As a part of SENMC's commitment to STEM education, and the community's STEM foundation, as evidenced by the presence of two national laboratories, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, potash mining, and oil and gas production, the educational program will be STEM-focused (hence the facility's name) and include a planetarium, which will be relocated from elsewhere in the community and has a long history of local support. The SENMCcampusinCarlsbad serves a host community population ofresidentsin EddyCounty, with a significant portion of students commuting from the neighboring City of Artesia. The main industries in the area are in oil and natural gas exploration and agriculture. Partnersin this venture are the Carlsbad business and industry with the Carlsbad campus. At present, SENMC does not have an existing building that meets these space needs. The design study currently shows approximately 40,000 sf building but should be evaluated and adjusted based on the programming need for the facility as it is developed. The programming document that is developed should be re-evaluated for current/future enrollment projections, spatial requirements, and regional needs. Site planning and design challenges should also be assessed for campus context and orientation. Space Types STEPS Academy Building space needs: o academic classrooms for Child Students, o academic classrooms for Adult Students, o multi-use space with cooking and serving areas, o observation areas to observe teaching environments, o a small library/reading rooms, o separate entrances for adult faculty and students/children, o administration area w/ nurse office, o lobby entry, o planetarium, o restrooms, o faculty offices, o operational storage, and o exterior enclosed playground yard.