Becht Hall Conversion & Renovation

Clarion University is seeking a comprehensive renovation and conversion project for Becht Hall, a 100+ year-old dormitory building located in Clinton County. The procurement opportunity involves transforming the existing structure into a multi-functional Student Success Center, including offices, classrooms, a campus health center, and student activity spaces. The scope of work encompasses extensive demolition and reconstruction, including removing interior steel, cast iron, wood, and masonry structures while preserving the exterior masonry walls and roof structure. Key deliverables include installing a new interior steel frame with concrete floors, two elevators, a geothermal heating/cooling system with a well field, comprehensive HVAC controls, new plumbing and sprinkler-fire protection systems, electrical system upgrades, IT and communication infrastructure, and emergency power generation. The project must achieve LEED Silver certification according to USGBC standards, requiring compliance with specific green building prerequisites and credits. The contract was posted on April 18, 2013, with proposals due by June 11, 2013, indicating a relatively tight submission timeline.

While specific set-aside designations are not explicitly detailed, the project's complexity suggests potential opportunities for skilled contractors with experience in historic building renovation, green construction, and institutional facilities management. The renovation involves significant infrastructure upgrades, including complete removal of asbestos, interior piping, and plaster walls, which will require specialized environmental and construction expertise. Though a specific budget range is not provided, the extensive scope of work—which includes geothermal systems, comprehensive building systems replacement, and LEED certification requirements—indicates a substantial investment likely in the multi-million dollar range. The project's technical requirements suggest that prospective bidders will need demonstrated capabilities in historical building restoration, sustainable design implementation, complex mechanical and electrical systems integration, and institutional construction management. Contractors will need to demonstrate technical proficiency, environmental compliance expertise, and the ability to execute a comprehensive, multi-phase renovation project while maintaining the building's historical integrity and meeting modern sustainability standards.