CMAR RFP - Texas A&M AgriLife Rio Grande Valley Research Center at McAllen

The Texas A&M University System Office of Facilities Planning & Construction is soliciting a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) proposal for a new research center in McAllen, Texas. The Request for Proposals (RFP-06-3453) seeks a qualified CMAR firm to provide pre-construction services and complete construction for the Texas A&M AgriLife Rio Grande Valley Research Center, located on the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center campus. The proposed facility will be 43,584 gross square feet and include research laboratories, clinical research spaces, a fabrication center, and student center spaces. Proposals must be submitted electronically through e-Builder by 2:00 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, November 6, 2025, with no exceptions for late submissions. The selection process will be conducted according to Texas Education Code 51.782(e), with the Owner ranking respondents based on "best value" criteria and potentially conducting interviews with CMAR firms. The evaluation will focus on the firm's ability to support research initiatives in the Rio Grande Valley, with specific attention to spaces supporting the Institute of Advancing Health through Agriculture.

The procurement does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types. The project's Planning Amount is $53,496,884, with $40,122,679 available for the construction contract. The facility is designed with long-term flexibility, featuring standardized laboratory modules and spaces dedicated to various research programs. Specific research support areas include clinical research spaces, a fitness room, studio kitchen, and a fabrication center focused on developing sensors and controls for food system biosecurity. The project aims to expand research capabilities in the Rio Grande Valley by creating adaptable, technologically advanced research environments. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are mentioned in the available documentation. The project represents a significant investment in agricultural and health research infrastructure, with potential for supporting innovative research initiatives in the region.