JMU Rental of Office Space-J-035-24

James Madison University (JMU) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP #J-035-24) seeking leased office and administrative space in Harrisonburg, Virginia, specifically targeting two distinct options for organizational units. Option A requests approximately 30 hard-walled offices spanning 6,000 square feet for the Research Economic Development and Innovation (REDI) department, while Option B seeks 30-50 hard-walled offices within 8,500-12,000 square feet for the Institute for Innovation in Health and Human Services (IIHHS). Both options require conference rooms and office service areas, with specific infrastructure requirements including climate-controlled HVAC maintaining 68°F in winter and 74°F in summer, dedicated parking (40 vehicles for Option A, 35-65 vehicles for Option B), and proximity to public transportation. The RFP will evaluate proposals using a 100-point system with criteria including quality of space (30 points), location (30 points), price (20 points), Small/Woman/Minority-owned business utilization plan (15 points), and experience/references (5 points). Sealed proposals are due January 8, 2025, at 2:00 PM EST, with an expected lease effective date between March 15, 2025, and June 1, 2025. The initial lease term is five years with automatic year-to-year renewal options.

The RFP includes a strong emphasis on small, woman, and minority-owned business participation through its evaluation criteria, which allocates 15 points to the Small/Woman/Minority-Owned Business Utilization Plan. The lease is structured as a full-service agreement, including all common area maintenance, management fees, landlord insurance, real estate taxes, and utilities with no pass-through expenses. Annual rent escalations are capped at 2.0% of the previous year's rent, and no security deposit is required. The property must be located within two miles of JMU's campus, within 1/4 mile of public transportation, and comply with ADA requirements. Option B has an additional requirement for a vehicle charging station for the Gus Bus. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the square footage requirements suggest a substantial leasing investment, with Option A estimated at 6,000 square feet and Option B ranging from 8,500 to 12,000 square feet. The RFP indicates a preference for properties that can accommodate the specific needs of research and innovation-focused departments with modern, accessible, and well-equipped office spaces.