Gaston College Health and Science Education and Simulation Center

Gaston College is seeking a Construction Management-at-Risk (CM@R) firm through a competitive procurement process to construct a new Health and Science Education and Simulation Center in Gaston County, North Carolina. The project involves approximately 110,000 square feet of new construction, either as an addition to the existing David Belk Cannon Health Institute or as a standalone facility, with a comprehensive scope supporting the Gaston Early College of Medical Science and health and human services programs. The procurement will be conducted in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 143-64.31, focusing on selecting the most qualified firm based on demonstrated competence without initial consideration of fee. A mandatory pre-proposal conference is scheduled for June 9th, 2025, with proposal submissions due by July 2nd, 2025, at 4:00 PM. Evaluation criteria will comprehensively assess corporate profile, experience, key personnel qualifications, project approach, and the firm's capability to manage a complex educational and medical facility construction project. The project timeline indicates design completion by May 2026, construction commencement in July 2026, and anticipated occupancy in December 2027. Designers for the project are Morris-Berg Architects in association with BSA LifeStructures.

The procurement emphasizes Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) participation, requiring proposers to develop a plan that encourages minority business involvement and meets or exceeds state statutory goals for minority business engagement. The total project budget is $60,000,000, with the Construction Management Fee to be negotiated based on a percentage of the Cost of Work with the most qualified candidate. While specific restrictions on respondent types are not explicitly detailed, the RFP suggests a preference for firms with demonstrated experience in educational and medical facility construction. The project will require integration with existing Gaston College infrastructure, particularly the David Belk Cannon Health Institute. Proposers will need to demonstrate technical competence, financial stability, and a comprehensive understanding of complex medical and educational facility construction requirements. The procurement process is designed to ensure a highly qualified construction management partner can successfully deliver this significant educational and community-focused infrastructure project.