Renovations to Interdisciplinary Research Building

Augusta University, through the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, is seeking design professional services for the J-430 Renovations to Interdisciplinary Research Building project located in Richmond County, Georgia. The procurement is a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and Request for Proposals (RFP) for comprehensive renovation of a 4-story research building housing wet lab-based research facilities. Specific renovation requirements include rebuilding central air-handling units, replacing boilers, upgrading compressed air and vacuum systems, improving chilled water pumping, and enhancing building automation systems. The project will utilize a Construction Manager at Risk delivery method, with design professional services expected to commence by October 13, 2025, and construction documents to be completed by February 2026. Evaluation criteria will focus on firm stability, relevant project experience, and project suitability, with a multi-step selection process involving qualifications review, interviews, and proposal submissions. Qualifications packages are due by August 15, 2025, and the preliminary construction cost is estimated at $5 million, with a design professional base fee of approximately $450,000.

The solicitation requires the design professional to be an architectural/engineering firm performing at least 50% of architectural design services in-house, with flexibility to contract associated firms for remaining design work. There is a strong emphasis on minority-owned and woman-owned business enterprise participation, suggesting potential set-aside or preference provisions for such businesses. The project mandates Georgia Peach certification and requires incorporation of energy efficiency and sustainable construction concepts. Design professionals must demonstrate capabilities in public safety, accessibility, and sustainable design approaches. The total project budget indicates a significant investment in modernizing the Interdisciplinary Research Center, which is critical to Augusta University's strategic growth plan and its designation as Georgia's Health Sciences hub. The renovation aims to address current environmental instability issues, particularly wide temperature and humidity variations that negatively impact research environments.