AL-Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence Expansion

DATE: July 15, 2026
SUBJECT: Construction Management - Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
Sheetz CEE-Building Addition
Altoona Campus, Altoona, PA
PSU PROJECT No: 00-10633.00
TO: Construction Management (CM) Firms
The Pennsylvania State University (University) invites your firm to submit qualifications to provide
Construction Management Services for the above-referenced project.
PROJECT SCOPE/DESCRIPTION:
The Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence (SCCE) is the vision of Steve and Nancy Sheetz with the
mission to provide entrepreneurial education for Penn State Altoona students and the surrounding
community through classroom and experiential training. The existing 14,550 sf building consists of
classrooms, conference rooms, offices, and other supportive spaces for the Sheetz Center. The program
has grown from 8 students in 2012 to approximately 30 - 40 students per class and has outgrown the
capacity of the existing facility. With the continuing generous support of the Sheetz family an expansion
project is envisioned to serve the anticipated increased enrollment of the program.
New Construction Scope: A 2023 feasibility study by Weber Murphy Fox (to be shared with long-listed
firms) outlines a preliminary program and scope, to be validated as part of this project. The draft
program includes approximately 8,700 sf of new construction and features the following:
* A new main entrance
* Collaborative classroom and event space with flexible seating for approximately 250 people
* Active learning spaces for group and individual study, gathering, and lounging
* A space for the Ivyside Eats food pantry
* Additional office space for faculty and staff
* Utility support spaces

Renovation Scope: Approximately 5,700 sf of the existing building has been identified as a priority for
renovation as part of the project. The project will also include the option for removal and replacement
of existing roofing and roof top mechanical equipment.
Project Budget: The identified construction-only budget is $7,800,000.
Project Delivery Method: CM at Risk.
Project Schedule: Along with this CM Selection process a concurrent Designer selection process is
currently under way. PSU will execute the Architect-Engineer contract shortly in September 2026. The
preliminary project schedule anticipates an approximately 10-month design process with a GMP
package at 75% CD, followed by an approximately 18-month construction phase. The project will follow
the standard design phases - SD, DD, CD and CA Phases in accordance with Penn State's standard 1-P
agreement. Our CM firm will be on board shortly after the AE selection process is complete and will be
on-board to assist with design, scheduling and cost estimating.
DESIRED CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES:
The University intends to engage a Construction Management at Risk (CM) firm to provide pre-
construction and construction services for the project described above. The design schedule is as
follows:
The design schedule is as follows: Along with this CM Selection process a concurrent Designer selection
process is currently under way. PSU will execute the Architect-Engineer contract shortly in September
2026. The preliminary project schedule anticipates an approximately 10-month design process with a
GMP package at 75% CD, followed by an approximately 18-month construction phase. The project will
follow the standard design phases - SD, DD, CD and CA Phases in accordance with Penn State's standard
1-P agreement. Our CM firm will be on board shortly after the AE selection process is complete and will
be on-board to assist with design, scheduling and cost estimating.
It is intended that the awarded CM firm will ultimately enter into a guaranteed maximum price (GMP)
contract with the University. The GMP for the Construction portion of the project is targeted to be
established by July, 2027. It is expected that construction will start in September, 2027 with substantial
completion anticipated by November, 2028.

QUALIFICATION SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
If your firm is interested in pursuing this project then provide evidence to the University that you are
highly qualified to perform the desired Construction Management services. Respond on two (2) single
sided A3's (11 x 17) only, size 10 font min., in pdf format, with no cover letter:
Provide evidence of the following (at a minimum):
1. Availability of experienced and exceptional pre-construction and construction staff
2. Recent experience with projects of this size, type, and complexity.
a. Highlight projects that involved members of your proposed staff.
b. Provide completion date and cost information.
3. Experience as a Construction Management at Risk firm.
4. Ability to apply Target Value Delivery and other value-adding lean principles to the project
5. Virtual reality and technology capabilities
6. Established QA/QC protocols during construction
No formal site visits or tours will be provided at this stage but you may visit the site location for further
investigation.
Email your submission, as a PDF attachment, by 12:00 p.m. on August 4, 2026 to my attention at
rae12@psu.edu, with a copy to Jesse Wells at jgw124@psu.edu. In the subject line of your email
submission, please type: "PSU 00-10633.00 Sheetz CEE-Building Addition - Quals - [your firm's name
here]". The PDF attachment shall have the same file name as the subject line.
The University will use a qualifications-based selection process with long list, short list and interviews.
The CM Selection Committee will select a long list of firms based upon an evaluation of the responses to
this RFQ. A Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued to the long-listed firms the week of August 17,
2026. After reviewing the RFP responses several short-listed firms will be selected for interviews.
Interviews will be tentatively planned for the week of October 5, 2026 at a location to be determined.
The final selection will be made after the interviews are completed.

Included is the link to our Form of Agreement 1-CM-GMP, along with the related General Conditions:
Navigate to Section 00 53 00 CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AGREEMENTS
Review this Agreement and related General Conditions to ensure that your firm accepts all terms and
conditions as written. In submitting a proposal for this project, you acknowledge that you concur,
without exception, with all terms, conditions and provisions of Form of Agreement 1-CM-GMP (v.
10/2023) and the related General Conditions (v. 10/2023).
The University reserves the right to waive any informality in any or all proposals, and to reject or accept
any proposal or portion thereof. The University's intent is to identify the firm that can best meet the
demands of the project while ensuring success. The dates listed are target dates established by the
University. The University reserves the right to modify the dates as it deems necessary.
If you have any questions regarding this request please contact me via email.
Sincerely,
Rustyann Echard
Rustyann Echard - PSU Construction & Contract Specialist
cc: J. Bechtel; T.Webber, J.Wells; M.Marasco; CM Selection Committee
Enclosure(s): N/A