Design-Build Services For The New River Terrace Recreation Center

The District of Columbia Department of General Services is soliciting design-build proposals for the New River Terrace Recreation Center located at 500 36th Street NE in Ward 7, Washington, DC, with proposals due June 30, 2026 and a pre-proposal conference and site visit on June 9, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Local, Small and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (LSDBE) participation is required under the District's SBE Subcontracting Plan, with a mandatory 35 percent subcontracting goal to qualified SBEs or CBEs (or waiver by the Director of the Department of Small & Local Business Development).

The scope encompasses comprehensive design-build services for a fully operational recreation center on a 0.22-acre site in Ward 7, delivering flexible multipurpose community spaces, fitness studio, indoor half basketball court, technology lounge, kitchenette, staff breakroom, restrooms, storage, complete building systems (HVAC, electrical, fire protection, plumbing, security, access control), site improvements, landscaping, ADA accessibility, and community gardening area. The Design-Builder must achieve LEED Gold certification with Net Zero Energy status (annual Energy Use Intensity of 20 or less, DC Energy Code zEPI of 30 or lower), all-electric building systems, and solar-ready roof design. Key preconstruction deliverables include Existing Conditions Assessment (within 12 weeks of Notice to Proceed), Concept Design, Schematic Design, and Design Development documents by January 2028, with Substantial Completion by July 6, 2029 and Final Completion by October 9, 2029. The Design-Builder must comply with Davis-Bacon wage determinations and the DC Living Wage Act (minimum $18.40 per hour effective July 1, 2026 for contracts $100,000 or more). First Source Employment Agreement requirements mandate 51 percent District resident hiring for new positions on this project (valued at $300,000 or more).

The project budget is $18 million with allowances for permits ($250,000), public art ($100,000), utilities ($75,000), public space improvements ($100,000), and owner contingency ($1 million). The contract structure is cost-plus fixed fee with guaranteed maximum price. Liquidated damages are $500 per day for missing Substantial Completion and $7,500 plus $500 per day for failure to timely submit preconstruction deliverables. Questions are due June 16, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. The anticipated award date is August 14, 2026, with Notice to Proceed expected 2–3 weeks after award.