Dell Medical Center at Austin, Texas Enabling Central Utility Plant and Infrastructure

The University of Texas at Austin is soliciting proposals for a Construction Manager-at-Risk to manage the Dell Medical Center at Austin, Texas Enabling Central Utility Plant and Infrastructure (Project No. 102-1611), with proposals due June 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM and public opening June 29, 2026 at 1:00 PM. A mandatory VetHUB subcontracting plan is required; respondents must divide work into reasonable lots, notify a minimum of two certified service-disabled veteran–owned businesses (VetHUBs) for each subcontracting opportunity with at least seven business days for response, and document good faith recruitment efforts. Violations constitute breach of contract, and monthly Progress Assessment Reports are mandatory with each invoice.

The scope encompasses design and construction of a central utility plant across approximately 255,000 gross square feet (three stories plus subgrade) on the Dell Campus for Advanced Research, including electrical power infrastructure with microgrid capabilities, thermal energy systems, emergency and standby power, domestic and sanitary piping, and distribution systems (underground tunnels, duct banks). The facility shall support 19,000 tons of chilled water capacity, 82,500 MBH heating capacity, and 40MW of normal power generation. The CMAR role spans pre-construction phase services (constructability analysis, scheduling, budget consultation, design coordination, bid package strategy, subcontractor procurement, safety oversight) and full construction phase management through closeout. Design starts April 2026; CMAR onboarding is July 2026; long-lead procurement begins September 2026; construction starts September 2026; substantial completion is targeted May 2028 through May 1, 2029.

The Owner established a $400 million Construction Cost Limitation, inclusive of pre-construction fees, general conditions, cost of work, construction phase fees, and contingencies. The CMAR's contingency is capped at three percent of the Construction Cost Limitation (two percent if Design-Assist Subcontractors comprise 50% or more of project value). The CMAR must post a five-percent security bond on the anticipated Guaranteed Maximum Price and, upon GMP acceptance, payment and performance bonds equal to the GMP. Prevailing wage applies per Travis County determination (rates range $14.16 to $39.71 per hour across 28 trades). Mandatory insurance through UT System's Rolling Owner Controlled Insurance Program (ROCIP) includes Workers' Compensation, Commercial General Liability ($2 million per occurrence / $5 million aggregate), and excess liability ($200 million). Contractors must enroll in ROCIP within ten working days of award via MWrap portal and provide monthly payroll reports by the 10th of each month.

A virtual pre-submittal conference is scheduled June 4, 2026 at 10:00 AM; questions are due June 9, 2026 at 12:00 PM. No site tour will be conducted. Evaluation criteria (100 points total) weight construction safety risk management (5 points), CMAR team qualifications (10 points), past performance (15 points), budget establishment and cost control (15 points), schedule management (15 points), quality management and construction methodologies (15 points), problem identification and resolution (10 points), warranty and service support (5 points), and pricing (10 points). Multiple awards may be made at the Owner's discretion to assign discrete scopes to different CMAR firms. Proposals must be submitted electronically through Bonfire in nine separate packages: proposal, safety criteria, execution of offer, VetHUB subcontracting plan, general questionnaire, financials, addenda acknowledgement, surety bond, and pricing.

Compliance with UT Austin Design and Construction Standards applies throughout. Critical requirements include a Project Safety Coordinator with minimum seven years dedicated construction safety experience and five years of safety process management, plus mandatory Project Safety Assistants based on workforce thresholds. Quality control specifications mandate pre-installation meetings for major systems and mock-ups for exterior walls, roofs, lab/patient care rooms, and finishes. As-built deliverables must include 4-mil mylar drawings, marked-up specifications, and operations/maintenance manuals. Construction is restricted to Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding recognized holidays, with 85-decibel noise limits at the perimeter fence. All work is performed in Travis County and the City of Austin.