USU Gateway, Project Number PW2511

The Trustees of The California State University is requesting Statements of Qualifications from design-build entities for the USU Gateway, a 45,000–50,000 gross square foot building replacement project at California State University, Northridge, with SOQs due September 28, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. and a pre-submittal conference on August 12, 2026. Respondents must hold a California Contractor License B and achieve prequalification with the Trustees at least ten business days prior to the SOQ deadline.

The project involves demolishing the Southwest Addition and Old Mercantile Buildings and constructing a new University Student Union facility with expanded dining and seating areas, office and program space for Associated Students and the Matador Involvement Center, conference and meeting space, and a Rise Center concept integrating multiple student resource centers. The preliminary design-build maximum acceptance cost is $80 million, with the final cost to be published in the RFP.

The Trustees offer a five percent bid advantage for firms certified as a Small Business by the Department of General Services, Office of Small Business and DVBE Services. The project requires three percent Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation, with incentive bonuses ranging from one to three percent for participation levels exceeding four percent. All respondents and subcontractors at all tiers must register with the Department of Industrial Relations.

The procurement follows a two-step competitive process. A technical review committee will select no more than three finalists from SOQ submissions, with the shortlist published November 23, 2026. A mandatory RFP conference for shortlisted firms is scheduled for January 7, 2027, followed by RFP release on January 11, 2027. The project is subject to prevailing wage rate laws and enrolled in the California State University Builders Risk Insurance Program (BRIP) and Owner-Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP). RFQ documents are available exclusively through PlanetBids. Questions on prequalifications should be directed to cocm.prequal@calstate.edu; general project inquiries to Jenni Cox at 818-677-6567 or jenni.cox@csun.edu.