J-133 Laboratory Replacement at Plant No. 1

This solicitation by the Orange County Sanitation District (OC SAN) for Project J-133 entails the demolition of the existing commercial office building at Plant No. 1 and the construction of a new, state-of-the-art 56,000 square foot Central Laboratory. The project will be delivered using a Progressive Design-Build (PDB) approach, with the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) established at around 60% design completion. The overall budget is approximately $99 million, with the procurement process following a best value selection methodology aimed at identifying the most qualified design-build team based on a combination of technical merit and proposed pricing, particularly for Phase 1 services involving staff rates and fees. RFP issuance is anticipated in the first quarter of 2026, with construction scheduled to commence in the second quarter of 2028 and an expected duration of 31 months. Key contract requirements include demonstration of significant experience by the Design-Build team, including prior leadership on at least two similar laboratory projects by the Design-Builder and two comparable projects by the Lead Design Firm, plus extensive involvement of subconsultants with laboratory project experience. The selected team must provide a complete package including demolition, design, construction, and commissioning of the facility along with all furniture, fixtures, equipment, and specialized laboratory instrumentation. Commissioning of all building systems and equipment is mandatory prior to occupation, supported by comprehensive warranty coverage for a full year covering workmanship and materials. The contract incorporates local government standards and California Public Contract Code provisions for dispute resolution and change management, with change orders limited primarily to owner-directed modifications or unforeseen site conditions after GMP establishment. Ownership of all design documents resides with OC SAN who retains the right to use and modify these materials. Third-party consultants including geotechnical, hazardous materials, and commissioning specialists are required as part of the project team. The solicitation is supported by clear points of contact and emphasizes thorough team qualifications, project understanding, and adherence to a detailed schedule to ensure successful delivery of this critical infrastructure upgrade.