University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
OP-4: Building Design and Construction

The two engineering staff groups, Building Envelope and Building Systems, collaborate to achieve functional excellence through program and process improvements, defining the most appropriate building systems and achieving economies of scale. The Building Envelope Group provides project support for the structural, building enclosure (roofing, waterproofing, cladding), civil site, and landscaping design of a facility. The Building Systems Group provides project support to the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and system controls design of a facility. The engineering staff develops and maintains technical design guidelines for OFPC and institution use for the project program requirements. Technical construction support is provided when requested by OFPC field personnel. Consultation and participation in special institution studies, are provided upon request by the institution. The Construction Services group assists in monitoring of the building commissioning process and the project safety program. Monitoring of the commissioning process occurs during the initial design, construction and acceptance project phases. Coordinating and monitoring of the project safety program is accomplished through routine site visits, safety performance statistic analysis and development of contractor requirements. The Office of Facilities Planning & Construction (OFPC) delivers unsurpassed, high-value facilities to the institutions of The University of Texas System. From the largest academic campuses to the smallest health science institutions, no one knows the Texas design and construction industry better than OFPC. We deliver unique, superior management support solutions. •Lower Program and Project Management Costs •Driving Lower Total Cost of Ownership •Best-In-Class Management Processes •We Know State and Local Construction •Predictable, Knowledgeable and Your Long-Term Partner •Flexible and Responsive •Following The Law and Minimizing Your Risk •Better, Faster, Economical http://www.utsystem.edu/fpc/homepage.html (retrieved 4/2/2015)

STAC Building =46533 square Feet Performing Arts Complex =24000+11000=35000 square Feet CIP projects must meet the code requirements of the following standards. The engineering group maintains knowledge of the current code requirements, translates those requirements into owners design guidelines and checks for compliance during design reviews. (ref: Owner’s Design Guidelines Appendix C for the current editions of the Codes and Standards in effect for OFPC.)

The two engineering staff groups, Building Envelope and Building Systems, collaborate to achieve functional excellence through program and process improvements, defining the most appropriate building systems and achieving economies of scale. The Building Envelope Group provides project support for the structural, building enclosure (roofing, waterproofing, cladding), civil site, and landscaping design of a facility. The Building Systems Group provides project support to the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and system controls design of a facility. The engineering staff develops and maintains technical design guidelines for OFPC and institution use for the project program requirements. Technical construction support is provided when requested by OFPC field personnel. Consultation and participation in special institution studies, are provided upon request by the institution. The Construction Services group assists in monitoring of the building commissioning process and the project safety program. Monitoring of the commissioning process occurs during the initial design, construction and acceptance project phases. Coordinating and monitoring of the project safety program is accomplished through routine site visits, safety performance statistic analysis and development of contractor requirements. UTPA complies with The Standard Specification Sections is controlled by the Office of Facilities Planning and Construction, The University of Texas System. It is to be used as guideline on all UT System building design. Additionally, The UT System Office of Facilities Planning and Construction (OFPC) ensures compliance with building design best practices and construction guidelines by performing the following: • Best practices for project delivery • Campus infrastructure evaluation assistance •Campus master planning support •Capital improvement planning •Contract management •Contractor bonding and insurance reviews •Design and construction legal, mediation, litigation and claims counsel • Engineering subject matter expert review of design documents and construction quality • Enterprise program management • Facilitate development of owner’s project requirements •Facilitate establishment of the “Basis of Design” •Forensic studies • Historical costs and schedule modeling for various building types & geographical areas • Independent safety inspections • Independent statewide storm water pollution prevention plan inspections • In–house project delivery training • Online building codes access • Permanent University Fund and tuition revenue bond assistance and coordination •Post–occupancy support •Professional and technical process training • Program and project control •Project accounting and audit •Project safety inspections • Real property acquisitions analysis • Standing technical services provider contracts •State energy code review • Standard design guidelines, uniform general conditions and front-end specifications • Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board assistance and coordination • Warranty support (retrieved 4/2/2015)

There are numerous guidelines and policies known as The Standard Specification Section, hence, not uploaded as a single document. They are available for review via https://apps.utsystem.edu/engineeringspecs/Display.aspx