Landers Library Renovation

St. Mary's College of Maryland is requesting proposals for construction services to renovate Hilda C. Landers Library under RFP Solicitation #SMCM-26-055065, with proposals due November 3, 2026, following Amendment No. 2 dated March 2, 2026 that extended the original February 27 deadline. An MBE/DBE participation goal of 10 percent of total contract value (with 3 percent designated for women-owned businesses) applies. The pre-proposal conference and site visit occurred February 4, 2026; questions were due February 13, 2026.

The scope encompasses phased interior renovation of approximately 20,000 square feet across the first, second, and third floors of the existing library building (constructed 1968, major renovation 1990), including demolition, new partitions with STC ratings 49–59, acoustic treatments, flooring upgrades (carpet tile and luxury vinyl), new ceiling systems, lighting and electrical distribution, mechanical and plumbing systems, fire detection and alarm systems, telecommunications infrastructure, audiovisual systems, and furniture installation. The library will remain operational during construction. Specific systems include an analog addressable fire alarm control unit with integrated voice emergency evacuation (NFPA 72 compliant, 4,064 addresses, six notification appliance circuits expandable to 192), magnetic glass markerboards (Claridge Products), and modular signage (2/90 Slide Modular Sign System). Construction documents are dated April 30, 2025, revised through January 23, 2026, with Design Addenda Nos. 1 and 2 issued February 10 and February 25, 2026.

The contract is firm fixed-price for 280 calendar days from award; substantial completion is required by December 4, 2026, with owner occupancy by January 8, 2027. Required insurance includes Commercial General Liability at $1 million per occurrence/$3 million aggregate, Errors and Omissions at $1 million per claim/$3 million aggregate, Crime Insurance at $1 million single loss, and Workers' Compensation at $1 million per occurrence. Bid bonds are 5 percent of bid price; Performance and Payment Bonds are due within 10 days of award at 100 percent each, required by Maryland law for contracts exceeding $100,000. Liquidated damages are assessed at $500 per day for incomplete work beyond the completion date.

Offerors must demonstrate five years of experience in similar construction renovation services and submit minimum three references from public library renovation projects completed within the prior three years. Technical proposals are weighted significantly more heavily than price. General contractors attending the pre-bid conference included Coakley & Williams Construction, Whiting Turner, Harkins Builders, and Sorensen Gross. The project team comprises Quinn Evans Architects, Mueller Associates (MEP), Convergent Technologies Design Group (AV/IT), and Rider Levett Bucknall (cost estimating).