The UNC System Office Design/Construction oversees the planning, design, and construction of capital facilities across the University of North Carolina system, ensuring that academic and research infrastructure meets long-term educational and operational needs. Its core mission is to deliver safe, s...
The UNC System Office Design/Construction oversees the planning, design, and construction of capital facilities across the University of North Carolina system, ensuring that academic and research infrastructure meets long-term educational and operational needs. Its core mission is to deliver safe, sustainable, and code-compliant facilities that support teaching, research, and public service across the state’s public universities. Strategic priorities include modernizing aging infrastructure, enhancing energy efficiency, and integrating resilient building systems to support climate adaptation and operational continuity. Key programs focus on institutional capital planning, facility lifecycle management, and coordination of design-build and construction management delivery methods to streamline project execution.
The agency primarily procures commercial and institutional building construction services, along with specialized trade contracting for plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, roofing, and electrical systems. It frequently engages engineering and architectural services to guide project development, and routinely commissions building inspection and testing services to ensure regulatory compliance. Contracts are typically awarded through competitive sealed bidding and negotiated procurement vehicles, often utilizing performance-based specifications and construction management at-risk models to mitigate risk and enhance accountability.
Primary procurement targets include NAICS 236220 (Commercial and Institutional Building Construction), 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors), and 238160 (Roofing Contractors), reflecting a focus on integrated facility upgrades. Engineering and architectural services (541330 and 541310) are consistently engaged to support design-phase rigor. The agency does not employ set-asides and procures from a broad base of qualified contractors, favoring vendors with proven experience in public-sector institutional projects and demonstrated compliance with state building codes and safety standards.
Operated under the North Carolina Department of Administration, the UNC System Office Design/Construction serves all 16 constituent universities statewide. It functions as a centralized procurement and project oversight entity, leveraging standardized contract templates and statewide master agreements to ensure consistency, transparency, and efficiency in capital project delivery across geographically dispersed campuses.
