Request for Qualifications for Design-Build Services for the Forge Project.

The Trustees of the California State University, acting on behalf of California State University, Fresno, is soliciting a Request for Qualifications for design-build services for The Forge Project, an adaptive reuse and renovation of the existing Forestry Building into an Ag-Tech, Bio-Tech, and Engineering Innovation Center, with Statements of Qualifications due September 24, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. and a mandatory RFQ Conference and Site Inspection on September 2, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Respondents must hold a current California Class B contractor license, be registered to bid public works with the California Department of Industrial Relations, and be prequalified by the CSU Prequalification Program (applications due no less than ten business days before the SOQ deadline). The Design-Builder will be responsible for validating and refining the Trustees' conceptual design while maintaining design intent, character, and functional objectives; providing professional design, engineering, permitting, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout services; and achieving a minimum 3% Disabled Veterans Business Enterprise (DVBE) subcontractor participation requirement, with an incentive offering up to 3% additional credit for exceeding this threshold. A 5% small-business bid advantage (capped at $50,000) applies to firms certified as "Small Business" by the California Department of General Services, Office of Small Business and DVBE Services.

The estimated design-build cost is $5.2 million, with an add-alternate of $2 million for a ground-up building. The project is located at 2018 E. Sierra Avenue, Fresno, California. The contract term is approximately 655 calendar days, with liquidated damages at $2,000 per calendar day for late completion and a target completion date of September 29, 2028.

The selection process is two-tiered: up to five finalists will be shortlisted by October 1, 2026 to receive the Request for Proposals. RFP documents will be distributed on or before October 2, 2026, with proposals due October 27, 2026. The successful proposer will be announced November 10, 2026, with Design-Build Agreement execution on December 4, 2026 and Notice to Proceed on December 7, 2026.

Evaluation criteria total 1,000 points: university project experience (400), project staffing and resumes (150), design-build team experience and history (200), safety score (50), prevailing wage penalties (50), conciseness and brevity (50), and supplemental submission materials (100). The project is subject to prevailing wage requirements and may be enrolled in the CSU Builders Risk Insurance Program or Owner-Controlled Insurance Program.