This posting is a Request for Proposals to provide schematic designs, cost estimates, and a implementation schedule for each of 3-4 concepts for a Pilot Scale Bioproduction Laboratory in the St. Louis region to support the planning and funding for this facility. It is anticipated that a design team could include:
1) A Construction and Engineering Firm, OR
2) A Team of an Equipment Supplier, Architectural Firm, and Construction Firm, or some combination.
If the latter is a Architecture or Equipment Supplier, the other team members would be agreed to mutually.
BioSTL is seeking to work with a skilled design team (“Team”) who are committed to collaboratively developing a unique and tailored solution to the development of a Pilot Scale Bioproduction Facility (“Facility”). The outcome will be thoughtful, meaningful, and functional, and will serve the interest of startups and entrepreneurs to scale their process and produce initial product for testing. BioSTL is not seeking a fully developed solution through the RFP process, but rather is seeking a team with whom we can collaborate and develop the most successful site and building concept that meets the need, and that can be further developed when funding has been secured. The selected Team will demonstrate a very clear understanding of the distinction and opportunities between an immediate design-build type of solution and a process of exploring designs.
In consultation with BioSTL leadership and staff, the design Team (“Team”) will produce project deliverables which will include, but not necessarily be limited to, schematic-level plans, elevations, building massing, and site characteristics, engineered building systems narratives for accurate cost estimation, building and construction recommendations, detailed cost estimates, cost for environmental study, and schedules to construct the Facility according to a set of functional and programmatic specifications. The study will assist BioSTL and its partners’ decisions about the basic size and costs for such a facility in the St. Louis region, and serve as the basis for fund raising goals. The results of the study will determine future phases of this work, but this schematic step shall constitute its own completed study.
BioSTL expects to retain the Team over a 1-3-month period. The Team will be compensated on either an hourly basis or a fixed project rate. Please refer to Section IV for more details.
Since 2001, BioSTL has laid the foundation of the bio-innovation economy in St. Louis with a comprehensive set of transformational programs that has advanced the region’s leadership in solving important world challenges in agriculture, medicine, health care, and other technology areas. BioSTL has introduced nationally acclaimed initiatives in startup creation and investment via its investment arm, the BioGenerator, strategic business attraction via its GlobalSTL initiative, physical environment development including the Cortex Innovation District and BioGenerator Labs, entrepreneur support, seed and venture capital, development of a diverse and inclusive workforce, and public policy.
BioSTL is seeking to develop an economical, shared microbial bioproduction facility that will be a resource for startup companies to develop their production process and produce pilot scale quantities of product for early testing purposes. The facility would allow companies to avoid normally high capital cost investment in their own pilot facility, and it would specifically serve the needs of low-margin agricultural and food companies in the biomanufacturing area. Currently, agriculture and food companies have difficulty affording pilot scale costs, and it is challenging for them to compete for commercial production assistance due to competition with higher margin products. By capitalizing the cost of construction and charging rent for the access and capabilities of the facility, BioSTL hopes to offer scale up and pilot scale services that agricultural and food companies can afford. Such a facility would be the first of its kind in serving the biomanufacturing community with a non-university affiliated, non-profit, pilot scale production facility and could serve as a template for the construction of other regional facilities.
BioSTL has won a $2.96 million competitive grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce, entitled the Center for National Pandemic Resiliency through Bioscience (“CPR”). The grant, with nearly $750,000 in matching funds from BioSTL, will position the St. Louis region as a laboratory for innovation designed to help U.S. communities prevent, cure and recover from outbreaks of infectious disease and other health-related crises. The Center’s overall objectives are accelerating and piloting innovations that promote future pandemic response and recovery, while creating new economic opportunity, diversifying the local economy, and advancing health and economic equity. Specifically, the CPR has four pillars of activity, which will ultimately help establish St. Louis as a preferred destination for commercializing and piloting innovations in the bio-business area. The pillars are: 1) commercialization; 2) attracting global innovation; 3) workforce development; and 4) physical infrastructure.
The Bioproduction Facility is a key aspect of the physical infrastructure pillar. The Bioproduction Facility was conceived to build regional capacity to commercialize technology and scale companies in St. Louis, but also contribute to the national ecosystem of biomanufacturing. Leveraging a regional Advisory Board and national network, an initial feasibility (FEL 1A) study stage helped map demand and defined four conceptual approaches. The schematic design and cost study that constitutes this RFP will further that work to help inform
BioSTL and its partners - including the Cortex Innovation Community and 39 North Community on the architectural, engineering, and building costs for four concept approaches.
BioSTL has envisioned four base concepts (below) for a bioproduction facility, each one with three functional areas. We would like to quickly screen the proposed sizes and pick one for further follow up. The facilities differ in the number of bioreactor trains (graduated bioreactor sizes) and the types of downstream processing offered as services. The three fundamental functional areas are: microbe growth optimization, microbial production, and downstream processing of product (including space for clients with utility hook-ups). Other functional areas would also support the fundamental areas with such things as media preparation, analytical laboratory support, mechanical room for steam and sterilization, offices, conference rooms, and teaching areas. Possible concept overviews are as follows:
• Concept 1: Estimated at approximately 12,000 square feet (based on areas associated with other existing facilities) with one train of four bioreactors ranging in size from approximately 1 liters to 10,000 liters. The facility will primarily be on one level with the possibility of additional mezzanine or some 2nd level workspace.
• Concept 2: Similar to Concept 1 but including an additional train of bioreactors (totaling 2 trains) of the same size with corresponding increases in square footage.
• Concept 3: Similar to Concept 1 but including an additional 2 trains of bioreactors (total of 3 trains) of the same size with corresponding increases in square footage.
• Concept 4: Phase the construction to build Concept 1 initially and plan for expansion and growth to the Concept 3 level.
Concept 1 would have only the most basic downstream processing equipment, and the latter concepts build on the downstream processing capabilities. We would like to look at these concepts with an initial pass, and then do one complete one at the scale we think works.
For the purposes of this study, a mock site will act as the base.
An initial FEL 1A study and further details of the project’s goals and requirements will be made available to those who submit a bid. These documents will help avoid duplication of previous efforts and to provide greater detail and context to the project to the prospective Team.
The Team will provide services and deliverables during the estimated 1-3-month study period. The objective of the deliverables is to:
• Clearly understand and resolve the organization of building infrastructure, equipment, workplace, and site in the most effective way possible and in a way that can serve as a foundation for advancing the realization of this facility.
• Develop reliable cost scenarios that can be used to establish funding targets.
• Understand potential project duration scenarios.
A. DELIVERABLES are anticipated to include, but may not be limited to the following:
1. SCHEMATIC DESIGN
Develop schematic designs for each of three facility concepts, and a fourth concept built for incremental expansion (as explained in Section II), as outlined below:
1) Sitework
a. Proposed Site Plan(s) accommodating features required for the functionality of the facility and their future growth and in compliance with the FEL 1A study.
b. Site plans should, at a minimum, include overall acreage, functional grading and drainage, anticipated utilities, vehicular and pedestrian access routes for both staff and service functions, service dock elements, landscaping, stormwater management elements, security accommodations, and any other elements determined relevant during the design effort.
2) Architectural
a. Floor Plans of each level accommodating features required for the functionality of the facility and their future growth and in compliance with the FEL 1A study. Floor plans should at a minimum include a structural grid, dimensions and floor elevation benchmarks, major functional areas such as laboratories, media preparation area, production areas, downstream processing areas, office areas, meeting areas, and reception area, mechanical, electrical and telecom rooms and shafts, restrooms, janitor closets, vertical transportation, partition locations and basic types, door and window/glazing locations, service dock elements, and any other elements determined necessary for the facility operation.
b. Interior FFE Plans as required to locate, integrate, and describe finishes, furnishings, and any process and building equipment. Equipment clearances and workflow pathways through the facility shall be indicated.
c. Building Sections – at least two: longitudinal and transverse - and any additional required to communicate the design intent. Should include finished grades and footings, parapets, floor to floor dimensions, benchmark floor elevations, and any other key dimensions and facility features.
d. Elevations of each face including window and door elements, façade material notes, integral site elements and retaining walls, finished grades and footings, utility entry locations, floor to floor dimensions, benchmark floor elevations, and any other key dimensions and facility features.
3) Building Systems
Develop performance criteria narratives, including applicable code standards, basis of design, any potentially required supporting plan drawings and load analyses, for the following building systems to produce accurate concept design planning and pricing:
a. Structural
b. Electrical
c. Lighting
d. Mechanical
e. Telecom
f. Security
4) Code Compliance
State what codes were applied to the proposed designs. Give estimate of costs for site environmental study.
5) Specialty Process Equipment
Cut sheets and equipment relationships will be provided for planning purposes. A process engineer (or knowledgeable equipment vendors) will be provided by BioSTL to guide the proper planning of equipment locations and tie-ins to primary building systems.
6) Outline Specifications
Develop outline specifications as appropriate for the proposed facility designs and to obtain accurate preliminary pricing.
2. COST ANALYSIS
Submit quantitative estimates of project cost for each Concept, developed from the schematic design, as outlined below:
1) Break down the construction estimate into the CSI Master Format divisions.
2) Provide unit costs and quantity multipliers.
3) Estimator may generally break out costs.
4) Include estimated contractor overhead and profit.
5) Include contingencies for design and construction.
6) Include cost escalation based on the developed schedule.
7) Include anticipated associated soft costs and design fees. Work with BioSTL to identify and enumerate soft costs.
3. SCHEDULE
Create full project timelines for each Concept, developed from the schematic design and with input from BioSTL regarding fundraising and site procurement, in Gantt chart format.
B. PROCESS
These deliverables will inform BioSTL and its partners' strategic decisions on future directions for this project and serve as a benchmark for site selection, design, and fundraising requirements. During this estimated 1-3-month effort, we expect:
1) An in-person Kickoff Meeting
2) An in-person or virtual Final Presentation Meeting
3) Weekly virtual project work sessions (1-2 hours) as necessary to review progress and identify information items needed and decisions required.
As necessary, the Team may be able to access facilities and resources within the BioSTL building.
1) Applicants must provide separate technical and cost proposals.
2) Technical Proposal: Technical proposals must include the following information in the order specified.
a) A detailed description of Team’s approach to providing the requested services and scope in Section III.
b) Qualifications narrative describing the assigned staff’s relevant expertise and experience that demonstrates their ability to advise BioSTL and execute the tasks outlined in Section III.
c) Three examples of the assigned staff’s experience, within the past five years, in executing related projects. Such examples should include a detailed description of project objectives and results and a reference for each, including a telephone number and e-mail address.
3) Fee Proposal: Team must supply a fee for this work as a fixed lump sum fee broken out into (2) sections related to the deliverables: “1) Schematic Design” and “2) Cost + 3) Schedule,” along with a total. With an hourly option, please provide the breakdown of hours for each staff member provided in the Designers’ technical proposal, identify each member’s hourly rates and the total cost for the initial term, and indicate whether staff are employees or Team members. Additionally, identify each anticipated staff member’s hourly rate during potential additional service activities and renewal terms. A range of lump sums could be considered if there are additional deliverables that the Team suggests.
Responses to this Request for Proposals (RFP) will be evaluated by a group of people familiar with this effort at BioSTL using the following criteria with the associated weight.
1) Quality of Team’s approach to perform the tasks described (35%)
2) Qualifications of Team and assigned staff to perform the tasks described (25%)
3) Quality and relevance of project examples (20%)
4) Cost Proposal – reasonableness of the cost (20%)
Whether selected or not, applicants for this RFP will not be prohibited from – and will in fact be encouraged to - pursue future phases of work related to this project.
Technical and cost proposals are due no later than at 5:00 p.m. CDT on June 15, 2023 by e-mail to Trenton Colbert at tcolbert@biogenerator.com with the subject line “CPR Design and Engineering RFP.” Please direct questions and confidential inquiries, in writing, to Trenton Colbert at the address above. BioSTL may request applicants with the top scores to meet with BioSTL management via video conferencing. If so, BioSTL will notify the selected applicants of the time and date. Furthermore, BioSTL reserves the right, at its sole and absolute discretion, to amend or modify any provision of this RFP, or to withdraw this RFP at any time prior to contract award. BioSTL shall not be bound by or liable under this RFP and/or any response thereto until a final written contract, incorporating the necessary terms and conditions of the EDA award, has been executed by BioSTL.
BioSTL is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable innovation ecosystem. We encourage submissions vendors from diverse backgrounds who will bring diverse perspectives to this work, including certified MBEs, WBEs, LGBT-owned businesses, VOBs, and SDVOBs.
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