Renovations to Interdisciplinary Research Building

Augusta University, on behalf of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia in Richmond County, Georgia, is procuring Construction Management/General Contractor (CM/GC) services for Project J-430: Renovations to the Interdisciplinary Research Building. The four-story plus basement facility, which houses wet lab-based research critical to Augusta University's strategic growth plan as Georgia's Health Sciences hub, is experiencing significant temperature and humidity fluctuations that negatively impact research operations. The scope of work includes rebuilding four central air-handling units, replacing one remaining boiler, upgrading pneumatic controls to Direct Digital Control (DDC) systems, implementing redundant chilled water pumping, upgrading compressed air and vacuum systems, and enhancing the Building Automation System (BAS) network. The CM/GC will operate on an Actual Cost plus Fixed Fee basis not to exceed a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), with an estimated preliminary Stated Cost Limitation (SCL) of $4,550,000, and all savings and unused contingency will be returned to the Owner under this open-book arrangement. Key deadlines include Statements of Qualifications due January 9, 2026; a mandatory pre-proposal site visit on February 4, 2026, at 1462 Laney Walker Boulevard, Augusta, Georgia 30912; project proposals due February 20, 2026; and finalist interviews and fee proposals due February 25, 2026. Minimum qualifications require firms to possess bonding capacity equal to or greater than the SCL, current Georgia General Contractor's license, A.M. Best Financial Strength rating of "A-" or better, current liability insurance with a minimum current ratio of 1.0, and a Worker's Compensation Experience Modification Rate (EMR) of 1.2 or less. Selection criteria emphasize firm stability (25%), relevant project experience (45%), and suitability to the project (30%), with Step II evaluation based on previous performance (15%), team qualifications (20%), quality of management plan (15%), interview methodology (25%), and team communications and project solutions (25%).

The procurement does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions limiting participation to particular categories of organizations, allowing all qualified firms meeting the stated criteria to respond. Design professional services commenced November 10, 2025, with construction documents anticipated for completion in March 2026 and construction start scheduled for April 2026; the project must incorporate the requirements of the Energy Efficiency & Sustainable Construction Act of 2008 and Georgia Peach certification with commissioning. The Notice of Intent to Award (NOIA) document identifies Ajax Building Company as the sole qualified supplier from the initial RFQC process, though Addendum 2 indicates that four suppliers—Clifton Construction, Garbutt Construction Company, Sheridan Construction, and Ajax Building Company—advanced to the next phase of the procurement. All proposers are required to submit notarized Certification Forms (Exhibit A) attesting to the accuracy and truthfulness of their proposals, Contractor Affidavits (Exhibit B) demonstrating E-Verify compliance and commitment to federal work authorization verification, Proposer's Disclosure Statements documenting any conflicts of interest or prior transactions with the Board of Regents, and CM/GC Fee Proposals (Exhibit C) with itemized pre-construction and construction fees along with supporting cost breakdowns for pre-construction costs and expenses (Exhibit D) and general conditions (Exhibit E). The project carries a guaranteed maximum price of $46 million with a projected construction fee of $1,231,000, and all inquiries should be directed to Sharlene Redd, the issuing officer, at shredd@augusta.edu or 706-721-4555.