2026-03145 - Cabell Library 4th Floor Special Collections Renovation 2025

Virginia Commonwealth University is soliciting competitive lump-sum bids for the Cabell Library 4th Floor Special Collections Renovation 2025 (Project Code 2026-03145) in Richmond, with questions and requests for information due October 28, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. and bids due November 17, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. The university has established a 50% Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned (SWaM) business participation goal for capital projects in fiscal year 2025, and contractors are encouraged to include SWaM businesses through partnerships, joint ventures, subcontracts, or other opportunities as certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia's Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity.

The awarded bidder must be registered in eVA and RealSource and meet contractor registration requirements under Virginia Code 54.1-1103. Prevailing wage requirements apply because the contract price exceeds $250,000. For bids over $1,000,000, a 5% bid bond is required, and performance and labor and material payment bonds apply to contracts over $1,000,000. The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code governs the work.

The scope renovates the fourth floor of Cabell Library to expand Special Collections and Archives, including special collections storage, study space, and a Book Arts Classroom. It also expands an existing pre-action sprinkler system and adds a dedicated air-cooled chiller. The building automation component replaces obsolete Distech LON controllers with BACnet MS/TP controllers and integrates them into the existing Tridium Niagara Jaces system. Specifications cover general requirements, demolition, structural, fire protection, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and electronic safety systems. Partial owner occupancy applies, and work is restricted to 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday unless otherwise approved. The owner will perform concurrent work on reinstalled mobile shelving, plywood subfloor, and wall-mounted art racks, and separate contracts cover Spacesaver Corporation equipment.

The university will award to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Responsibility determinations weigh financial ability, relevant experience, prior contract performance, and absence of debarment or criminal convictions related to construction or contracting. If available funds are insufficient, the university may negotiate the total base bid with the lowest responsible bidder, excluding additive items.

A mandatory pre-bid meeting was scheduled for October 21, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the loading dock entrance on North Linden Street, with entry closed at 10:10 a.m. Bidders must visit the site, and subcontractor site visits may be scheduled on request. Addendum 1, dated October 19, 2026, modifies the solicitation and requires bidder acknowledgment. Bids are submitted through the eBuilder Bid Portal, and bid opening is November 18, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom. Architect of record is Glave & Holmes Architecture (Connie Owens), with structural engineering by Dunbar Structural and MEP/FP engineering by Inversity Consulting Engineers.