UP-Thompson Bathroom Renovations
| Location: | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Posted: | Nov 21, 2025 |
| Due: | Dec 11, 2025 |
| Agency: | Pennsylvania State University |
| Type of Government: | State & Local |
| Category: |
|
| Solicitation No: | 00-10256.00 |
| Publication URL: | To access bid details, please log in. |
UP-Thompson Bathroom Renovations (00-10256.00)
Project Number
00-10256.00
Project Status
Architect/Engineer and Design/Build Selection
Construction Manager Selection and Other Services
Campus
University Park
Project Description
This Pennsylvania State University Capital Plan project supports the Thompson Bathroom renovations. The project is a targeted renewal effort intended to reduce backlog and modernize the building by replacing the original and existing shared common bathrooms with shared individual private bathrooms clustered in the original "wet core" groupings. The anticipated total project cost (assuming two stacks for the renovation) is $8.4M.
Two-phased bathroom renovation. Other improvements include infrastructure and accessibility upgrades.
Penn State Project Leader Name, Email
Capital Project (>$10M)
No
Project Stage for Architect/Engineer and Design/Build Selection
Long List
Additional Information for Architect/Engineer and Design/Build Selection
Attached please find the RFP with the long list of firms and project information. We thank you for your participation and look forward to seeing the proposals.
Date of Appointment Selection
Jan 05, 2026
Attachments for Architect/Engineering and Design/Build Selection
Project Stage for Construction Manager Selection and Other Services
RFP
Attachments for Construction Manager Selection and Other Services
Due Date
Thu, 12/11/2025 - 12:00
Additional Information for Construction Manager Selection and other Services
The proposal should be sent to Jason Little's attention via email .
Attachment Preview
DATE: October 24, 2025
SUBJECT: Request for Letters of Interest - Architecture/Engineering Team Selection
Thompson Bathroom Renovation – Penn State, University Park Campus
University Park, PA
TO:
Architectural/Engineering Firms
The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) is excited to begin the Architecture/Engineering (A/E) Team
selection process for the anticipated Capital Plan project in support of Thompson Bathroom renovations. The
project is a targeted renewal effort intended to reduce backlog and modernize the building. Penn State is utilizing
a condensed version of its qualification-based A/E Team selection process for this project.
Penn State considers the West Halls Housing complex at its University Park campus, with its three prewar buildings
designed by Charles Z. Klauder, to be historically significant. Thompson Hall, designed by H2L2, was constructed
along with four other postwar buildings. Thompson Hall was named after Moses Thompson, a local ironmaster
with varied business interests. Thompson offered land and financial support for the creation of Penn State and
served as a trustee.
Figure 1 – Thompson Hall Elevation from Original Construction Documents
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Thompson Hall, built in 1950, is approximately 132,600 GSF and houses approximately 470 students. The original
contract for Thompson also included Hamilton and McKee Halls. The three buildings were built concurrently with
Waring Commons. These 1950 buildings, combined with the prewar buildings of Watts, Irvin, and Jordan Halls,
comprise the housing area known as West Halls at the University Park campus.
Recently completed work at Thompson Hall includes the following: slate roof replacement, flooring replacement,
fire alarm system upgrades, and the construction of additional bedrooms in the existing attic space. In 2024 Penn
State created a plan to renovate the bathrooms in several unrenovated residence halls at University Park. The
intention of this project is to renovate two existing stacks of bathrooms per year, one in the spring and one in the
summer. Thompson Hall has three stacks. Initial work of this project will determine which stacks will be renovated,
and if it is feasible to renovate two stacks in the summer to complete the entire building in one year with one
project.
Request for Letters of Interest - Architecture/Engineering Team Selection
Thompson Bathroom Renovation – Penn State, University Park Campus
University Park, PA
Page 2
PROJECT GOALS AND PROGRAM
The project will renew the original and existing shared common bathrooms by replacing them with shared
individual private bathrooms, clustered in the existing bathroom footprint in “wet core” groupings. Each private
bathroom will have a sink, shower, and water closet. In each grouping, one bathroom will be provided without a
shower for quicker turnover. Each wet core grouping will have a sink area open to the corridor. The target
bathroom to student ratio will be one to six.
The project will focus on minimizing the impact on the existing bed count and may include work in adjacent areas
to reallocate beds, baths, and other spaces to achieve this goal and to balance the distribution of fixtures on each
floor and in each area. Work will also include replacing hot and cold distribution lines throughout the building that
serve the bathrooms. Abatement work will be specified by others and included in the bidding documents.
The renovation work done in the spring shall be planned to minimize the impact on the students in residence.
Work areas will be planned to sequester construction away from students, providing a safe and secure
environment for the building occupants. The A/E Team will be an active participant in developing the phasing plan
and will take the lead relative to egress and life safety.
The anticipated Total Project Cost of the project (assuming the renovation of two stacks) is $8.4 million.
PROJECT SCHEDULE AND DELIVERY METHOD
The selected A/E Team will
begin by understanding the
program and evaluating
potential modifications to the
program and its spaces. The
project will follow the standard
design phases – schematic
design, design development,
construction documents,
bidding, and construction
administration, in accordance
with Penn State’s standard 1-P
agreement.
Penn State will execute the
Architect-Engineer contract
shortly after the A/E firm
selection. The program
Figure 2 – 1950s Picture of Thompson Hall
validation and design will begin immediately after. The target project milestones are design completion in late
summer 2026, procurement and approvals complete in fall 2026, construction start after the end of the fall 2026
semester, and construction complete in time for fall arrival 2027.
The successful A/E Team will work in conjunction with Penn State’s selected third-party Construction Manager
(CM) throughout the design and construction phases. The CM selection process is anticipated to be concurrent
with the AE selection. The project will be delivered by the CM at risk, with a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP).
Penn State will manage the design and construction process in a manner similar other Penn State funded capital
projects.
Request for Letters of Interest - Architecture/Engineering Team Selection
Thompson Bathroom Renovation – Penn State, University Park Campus
University Park, PA
Page 3
ARCHITECTURE/ENGINEERING (A/E) TEAM SELECTION PROCESS AND SCHEDULE
The University will perform a two or three step A/E Team selection process for this project with two or three
assessments: Letters of Interest (LOI), Reponses to a Request for Proposals (RFP), and optional (to Penn State) In-
Person Interviews. Each assessment will be separate and distinct. The result of the process selects the full
Architectural and/or Engineering design team, including the architectural team, engineering team, and any
specialty consultants. Firms may identify the full or partial team at this initial LOI phase. However, teams must
identify the entire design team in their responses to the RFP.
A/E Team Selection Schedule
Letters of Interest are due
from lead firms by Noon,
Eastern Standard Time (EST),
November 7, 2025.
The Screening Committee
will review the received
Letters of Interest and
determine a long list of firms.
The Screening Committee
will send the long-listed firms
a Request for Proposal. The
long list of firms and the RFP
will be posted on the OPP
website by the end-of-day,
November 14, 2025.
A tour of the existing
Figure 3 – Toilet Room Plan & Elevations from Original Construction Documents
building will be held at 1 PM,
Eastern Standard Time (EST), November 24, 2025.
Proposals from the long-listed teams are due at Noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST), December 9, 2025.
The Screening Committee will either make a selection or choose three firms from the RFP respondents. If
a selection is not made, short-list results and interview notice will be posted on the OPP website by the
end-of-day, December 15, 2025.
On January 9, 2026 optional in-person interviews are scheduled at a location yet to be determined. This
date will not change, so please plan accordingly. The venue will be shared after the RFP stage.
The A/E Team selection process results will be posted on the OPP website in January 2025. We plan to
start immediately to align with the project schedule.
LETTER OF INTEREST SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
If your firm/team is interested in pursuing this project, please submit a Letter of Interest that, at the least,
includes the following:
1. A brief statement detailing the firm/team’s profile (size, characteristics, unique qualifications, etc.). The
architectural and/or engineering major team members should be identified at this stage.
2. Outline the firm/team’s experience in the planning/design/execution of facilities of similar higher
education programs, scope, size, and complexity. Convey any experience with bathroom renovations and
work in occupied student housing.
Request for Letters of Interest - Architecture/Engineering Team Selection
Thompson Bathroom Renovation – Penn State, University Park Campus
University Park, PA
Page 4
3. Narrate the firm/team’s understanding of water management in student housing bathrooms. Then
discuss some of the unique and critically important issues in designing a project of this type.
4. Include images (captions encouraged) of the firm/team’s most relevant design experience related to this
particular project.
* As applicable throughout the Letter of Interest, provide professional credit to architectural partners
(including design architect and architect of record) for all projects discussed within the proposal and for
all project images shown.
Submit a PDF file of the Letter of Interest by Noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST), November 7, 2025. Limit the
submission to five (5) total letter-size pages. A cover letter, if included, must be within the five (5) total pages.
Send a PDF of the submission electronically to reo100@psu.edu and jvh6712@psu.edu by the submission
deadline. Include the team’s primary contact name and email address for the A/E selection process. Filename of
PDF shall include name of firm and project.
Teams may visit the exterior site during this selection process. Do not enter the building as it is a private student
residence. A guided tour of the building’s interior is planned during the RFP part of the selection process.
Participation in this A/E Team selection process is voluntary, with no cost to or obligation from Penn State. Penn
State reserves the right to waive any irregularity in any submission and to reject any submission or portion thereof.
Penn State reserves the right to modify dates as it deems necessary.
CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-DISCLOSURE
A/E Teams may not make news releases about this project without prior approval from Penn State and then only in
coordination with Penn State. In addition, all information, documents, and correspondence shared within the A/E
selection process are to remain confidential and, as such, are not to be made public in any manner.
Please contact me (information below) and the Project Manager, Richard O’Donald (reo100@psu.edu), in writing
with any questions.
Kindest Regards,
Julie Hedgeland, RA
Sr. Architect
The Pennsylvania State University
Direct: 814-863-5474
Email: jvh6712@psu.edu
cc: Selection Committee
This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
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