Michigan State University has released a request for proposal (RFP) for its planned biomedical research center in Grand Rapids to three public-private partnership (P3) firms identified through a previous selection process.
The RFP is the next step of the evaluation process MSU announced in April.
Representatives from the three P3 firms attended MSU’s pre-bid meeting at the Secchia Center, where they received a schematic design for the technically complex research building that is expected to occupy about 50 percent of the former Grand Rapids Press building property.
“We are looking forward to engaging these firms in discussions about a public-private partnership that would bring value to the site and further enhance MSU’s vision for research and the commercialization of science,” said Vennie Gore, MSU vice president for Auxiliary Enterprises.
The bids are due July 29. The proposals will be evaluated against university models and the plan best suited for the biomedical research center will be recommended by the university to the MSU Board of Trustees in December.
Pending appropriate Board of Trustees approvals in the process, including budget and delivery of the project, substantial completion of the facility is expected in late 2017.