Three firms were chosen by Nye County commissioners Tuesday to submit preliminary proposals to design and build an addition to the Pahrump Justice Facility at 1520 E. Basin Ave.

The firms in their order of ranking include: Korte, with a score of 87 points, JVC/B&H with 80 points and Rafi/Oakview, 72 points. The highest possible ranking is 100 points.

Nye County Manager Ron Williams said he received a letter from Fifth District Judge Robert Lane, asking to be included in the decision making process. The sheriff's department will also be consulted, he said.

The design will be submitted Aug. 15. Judge Lane and Justice of the Peace Tina Brisebill will be asked to provide comments on that submittal, Williams said.

The request for qualifications talks about 17,160 square feet of additions and remodeling.

The work will include a 5,000-square-foot sheriff's evidence locker, a 7,450-square-foot addition to the Pahrump justice court and remodeling of 2,400 square feet to include two courtrooms and office space, a 2,100-square-foot addition to the district attorney and clerk's offices and a 600-square-foot addition for the district court.

In the request for qualifications to potential design-build teams, the county estimates the cost of the design and construction at just over $2 million. Pahrump Justice Tina Brisebill proposed to pay for some of the improvements with money out of a $10 court facility fee.

The request sets out a time line with a bid award by county commissioners Sept. 2, a design deadline of Nov. 1 and construction completion by May 1, 2009. That will be four months after a second justice of the peace takes office in January.

Preliminary submittals will include rough sketches, a proposed plan for management of the design and construction of the project. Final proposals must include architectural renderings of the project and proposed security measures for safe movement of detainees, which is a concern of the sheriff.

* In another building project, commissioners approved a $55,000 contract with Aptus Architecture of Las Vegas for a feasibility study of a new Amargosa Senior Center.

The money is being paid out of the Payment Equal to Taxes the county receives from the U.S. Department of Energy for Yucca Mountain. County officials negotiated a price with the company May 19.

The scope of work includes identifying a site plan; preparing cost estimates for the construction and installation of equipment, along with the layout of a new septic system; identifying any green energy alternatives that can be used and a review of any possible environmental issues with the project.

A kick-off meeting is planned with the public, any stakeholders and the design team to determine if a new senior center is needed, what functions it would have, a prioritized wish list for the new facility, determining the project budget and funding sources and establishing goals for green energy standards.