New Engagement Center, Desert Research And Extension Center (Drec), Holtville, California

The project involves constructing a new 6,975 square foot Engagement Center at the Desert Research and Extension Center in Holtville, California, designed to enhance public engagement and applied research capabilities. The facility will include a classroom, offices, storage, restrooms, an engagement space, and a demonstration kitchen, complemented by a 600 square foot greenhouse, a 3,475 square foot covered plaza, an arrival plaza, and presentation gardens. The design prioritizes flexibility, sustainability, and accessibility, seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor environments to support hands-on learning, interactive exhibits, and community collaboration. Alongside the new construction, a former residence and garage will be demolished, another residence will be remodeled, and the central driveway will be upgraded with widened lanes, a dedicated bus pickup and drop-off area, and 15 new parking spaces to improve site access and functionality. The solicitation, numbered 20260731010 and classified under NAICS code 236220, is managed by the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), with the place of performance listed as San Diego, California, though the physical project site is in Holtville. The response deadline is September 5, 2026, and the primary point of contact is Logan Daniels, reachable at logan.daniels@ucop.edu. This initiative aims to elevate DREC into a regional hub for knowledge sharing, expanding its capacity to serve educators, researchers, and the public through a modern, environmentally conscious facility that supports agricultural extension and community engagement across Southern California.