Cator, Ruma & Associates provided design-build support services including development of the performance criteria for the design-build firms and design review and construction support for the mechanical systems. The new 90,000-square-foot ESIF building includes a state-of-the-art high-performance computer data center and multiple laboratories, with a design-build value of approximately $97,000,000.  

Cator, Ruma & Associates worked as part of the Northstar Project Management Team to provide mechanical, electrical, and information technology support services that included creating the performance specifications that defined the mechanical system requirements, performance measures, substantiation, energy efficiency, and defined the program requirements for the unique laboratories and high performance computer data center.  Generating the RFP and performance specifications was a four-month process with extensive meetings and discussions with the research principals to define the program requirements and develop the performance criteria which clearly defined the project scope of work.

Cator, Ruma & Associates assisted in review of the design-build proposals, which involved detailed descriptions of the mechanical systems, preliminary energy models, system one-line diagrams, and load studies. Cator, Ruma & Associates is currently involved with design review of the mechanical, electrical, and IT systems as they are being developed by the design-build contractor.  This design review verifies that the project design meets the performance criteria and program requirements identified in the RFP and performance specifications.

Once construction is underway, Cator, Ruma & Associates will also be on-site for periodic observations to confirm that the installation is in accordance with the project design and that the installed systems meet the performance criteria identified within the performance specifications.