WVU Replacement Horse Barn

West Virginia University (WVU) is seeking proposals for a Delegated Design project to reconstruct multiple buildings for the Equine program at the J.W. Ruby Research Farm in Reedsville, West Virginia. The project involves replacing a previously fire-damaged horse barn by constructing a new 5,000 SF Horse Barn and Manure Bunk, with optional alternates for an Equipment and Dry Storage Shed and an Event Barn. The RFP (No. 202690000660) requires contractors to design and engineer the proposed buildings while adhering to WVU's program requirements and state building codes. Proposers will be evaluated using a 100-point scoring system across five criteria: Team Qualifications (15 points), Project Experience (15 points), Project/Technical Approach (30 points), Schedule (20 points), and Cost/Value (20 points). A mandatory pre-bid and site visit is scheduled for August 22, 2025, at 11:00 AM EST at the Education Center Building Classroom, with proposals due on September 12, 2025, at 12:00 PM EST. The project has a substantial completion target of May 1, 2026, and final completion set for May 15, 2026, with liquidated damages of $1,000 per calendar day for substantial completion delays and $500 per calendar day for final completion delays.

Contractors must possess a valid West Virginia Contractor's License and maintain an Experience Modification Rate (EMR) of 1.20 or less. The project requires compliance with the West Virginia Jobs Act, mandating that 75% of workers be hired from the local labor market for state-funded public improvement projects exceeding $500,000. Proposers must submit various affidavits, including a Drug Free Workplace Conformance Affidavit and a Purchasing Affidavit, and provide performance and payment bonds for 100% of the contract award. The total available construction budget is $935,000, though WVU acknowledges that this may not be sufficient to complete the entire proposed program and will work with the selected proposer to determine the feasible scope. Contractors must also comply with WVU's Environmental Health & Safety Contractor Safety Program and provide comprehensive insurance coverage, with WVU named as an additional insured. The project involves specialized equine facility components, including custom steel stall elements, automatic waterers, stall mattress systems, and specific electrical and water system requirements.