Design-Build Construction of ARS/WSU Plant Bioscience Research Facility, Pullman, WA

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Seattle District (NWS) intends to procure design and construction services for a new ARS/WSU Plant Biosciences Research Building (PBRB), located on the Washington State University (WSU) campus, within the Research Education Complex (REC). The site is approximately 2.5 acres and will be developed with supporting infrastructure utilities, paved surfaces, site lighting and landscaped areas. The building will be a maximum 113,703 GSF (per calculations as outlined in UFC 3-101-02) and shall provide research and office space representing a diverse mix of disciplines, programs, and groups of approximately 320 researchers and students. The building provides key connections within the REC complex with a direct connection to the Vogel Plant Sciences building to the west, providing office space for researchers with labs in Vogel.  

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Washington State University (WSU) have a long-standing history of joint research dating back to 1931 which has been noted as one of the strongest federal-state partnerships in the nation. The research partnership is segregated by research units which study 1) animal diseases and vaccine development; 2) plant genetics, breeding, genomics, physiology, and disease; 3) grain quality; 4) soil health, conservation, and erosion; 5) long-term agroecosystems research (LTAR); and 6) plant germplasm collection, testing and preservation. 

The new ARS/WSU Plant Biosciences Research Building (PBRB) shall foster and enhance connectedness and provide state-of-the-art research space supporting further collaboration. The PBRB is also referred to as REC3 in the WSU and REC Complex masterplans. Research programs include Hatch Projects (HP) which are comprised of both ARS and WSU scientists with each researcher focusing on a different part of a common research goal. The laboratories required to support the important research missions range from typical Micro/Molecular Biology laboratories to Plant/Soil focused laboratories and other specific research-focused labs as well as many proposed shared research support laboratories. The laboratories are designed utilizing a Laboratory Typology Approach which utilizes a flexible and modular approach to allow space to change and adapt with the needs of the research groups over time. The adjacent Vogel and Plant Sciences buildings (REC5) must remain operational during construction with limited impact to existing building occupants where demolition is required to achieve the desired building connections. 

The project is projected to achieve the goals outlined by the ARS Policy and Procedure for Energy, Water and Sustainability, achieve minimum LEED Silver certification, respond to the Washington Energy Executive Order 20-01 for state efficiency and environmental performance and provide a healthy environment for all building occupants. 

The project is subject to a cost ceiling of $89,000,000 for design and construction. 

Responses to Phase 1 Solicitation responses are due by 10:00AM (Pacific Time) on 5 May 2022. Responses to Phase 1 Solicitation will ONLY be received electronically by email.  Please refer to attached Solicitation for more information.