Policies and Procedures
WestConn’s current planning process is based on the 2007 campus master plan that identified capital projects to enable the university to meet its strategic plan. This planning process allows the university to evaluate options for long-term growth and development. It recommends renovations and/or additions, the construction of new buildings, and the adaptive re-use of existing structures. Collectively, the staff of WestConn’s Planning & Engineering Office, WestConn’s Campus Design Review Committee and members of the CSU System Office are guided by the campus master plan to create a framework for developing projects that reinforce a sense of academic community in an atmosphere conducive to learning.
WestConn encourages participation by all segments of its community to determine the most effective use of the university's facilities. A building committee for each campus building has been established, with each chaired by a dean, department head or presidential appointee. Each building committee is charged with evaluating facility modification requests made by its occupants. Recommendations then are made to the vice president of Finance and Administration. New building projects are assigned to a building committee, comprised of faculty member(s) and administrators and chaired by the director of Planning & Engineering. Ultimately, all major construction issues are brought before the university administration for consideration and approval.
In 2002, the WestConn campus design guidelines document was adopted by the CSU Board of Trustees, and a WCSU review committee was established. All projects pertaining to building exteriors and outdoor public spaces are predicated on the interests, goals and objectives set forth in the design guidelines document.
Procedures on Requests for Proposals
In accordance with the policies and procedures defined by the state Department of Public Works, WestConn seeks bid proposals as follows:
- Construction contracts valued up to $500,000 only are offered
to contractors registered with the Department of Administrative
Services Minority & Small Business Set-Aside Program.
- All projects estimated to exceed $500,000 are advertised in the local newspaper, typically The (Danbury) News-Times and The Hartford Courant. Requests for Proposals (RFPs) also are listed on the Department of Administrative Services Web site, www.das.state.ct.us.
All bids are processed by WestConn’s purchasing department and must be received before the specified date and time indicated on the bid. All late bids are returned to the vendor unopened. On projects estimated to be more than $500,000, bidders must be pre-qualified (see Contractor Pre-qualification Program) before they submit a bid.
A bid bond in the amount of 10 percent of the bid price must be submitted for projects that exceed $50,000.
