Memorial Construct Wastewater Treatment Plant

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is soliciting a Construction Manager-at-Risk for the design and construction of a new 1.6 million-gallon-per-day wastewater treatment plant at the Memorial Unit in Rosharon, Texas, under RFQ 696-FD-26-Q035, with Step One qualifications due August 26, 2026 at 3:00 PM CT and a mandatory pre-submittal conference and site visit on July 29, 2026 at 10:00 AM CT. A VetHUB subcontracting participation goal of 3% applies across all construction categories, requiring documented good-faith recruitment of at least two certified VetHUB vendors with a minimum seven-day response period.

The scope encompasses pre-construction services, design collaboration across six design milestones, construction management, project closeout, and warranty. The new plant will replace the existing 0.8 MGD facility and accommodate approximately 400 additional beds at Memorial Unit plus 100 beds for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department's new adjacent facility. The plant will feature activated sludge treatment with nitrification, tertiary filtration, sludge storage, and dewatering. The project involves strict TDCJ security and conduct standards for all personnel, including background checks, contraband prohibitions (firearms, weapons, tobacco, alcohol, controlled substances, cell phones; $35 cash limit per person), tool control procedures for Class A tools, and mandatory security escorts for contractor staff in offender-occupied areas.

The estimated Cost of Work is $40 million with a projected range of $32 million to $56 million. The anticipated contract term spans 25 months total: six months for pre-construction and design, followed by 19 months for construction, with targeted operational status by end of 2028. The CM@R must submit a 5% bid bond deposit of $2 million. Respondents must demonstrate five years of relevant CM@R experience with at least five similar projects completed within the past ten years. The two-step process invites up to five highest-ranked Step One respondents to submit pricing by November 12, 2026 at 3:00 PM CT, with projected award April 21, 2027. Step One evaluation weights Experience and Qualifications at 30%, Methodology and Budget/Schedule Compliance at 20%, and Quality/Safety Programs at 10%, with Litigation History as a pass/fail requirement. Step Two evaluation assigns 40 points to Construction Management and General Conditions fees. Prevailing wage applies, including Davis-Bacon Act requirements and Executive Order 13706 paid sick leave. Performance and payment bonds are required. Pre-submittal conference registration closes July 27, 2026 at 3:00 PM CT.