Six development teams have strongly indicated their interest in partnering with the University of California, Merced, to realize campus growth plans for 2020.
A second round of requests for qualifications (RFQ) yielded extremely detailed statements of qualifications (SOQ) to participate in the 2020 Project.
The project includes the comprehensive development of academic, administrative, research, recreational, student-services and housing facilities. This includes infrastructure, utilities, outdoor recreation areas, open spaces, roads, parking and landscaping.
One of the key goals of the project is to accommodate projected student enrollment growth from 6,200 to 10,000 by the year 2020.
Originally issued in Spring 2014, the 2020 Project RFQ was reissued Sept. 25 to enable prospective teams to expand on details so reviewers would have a fuller picture of the quality of their work and their experience in completing projects like this. The reissued RFQ closed Oct. 24.
“We are pleased by the response we continue to receive as the 2020 Project moves forward,” Vice Chancellor for Planning and Budget Daniel Feitelberg said. “The caliber and composition of teams reflect the robust interest we have seen all year.”
The teams that submitted SOQs (in alphabetical order) are:
- EP2 Developers
- E3 2020
- Gateway2Learn
- Innovation Partners
- Merced Campus Collaborative
- Merced 2020 Partners
A more detailed list of the responding teams can be found on the project website. All six teams that submitted SOQs earlier this year submitted again, with only a few changes in team composition. During the next two months, UC Merced will evaluate the SOQs based on evaluation criteria set forth in the reissued RFQ.
The next step is the short-listing of teams. Finalists will then be asked to design and present detailed proposals. A development team is expected to be selected by the end of 2015. The chosen development team will create facilities that support an inspiring and dynamic living and learning environment, providing opportunities for interdisciplinary scholarly activities.
The 2020 Project calls for developing up to 1.85 million square feet of new teaching, research and residential facilities on a 219-acre, university-owned site that includes the existing campus.
The university aims to deliver the first building as early as the summer of 2017.
