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

UTRGV abides by the UT System Sustainability Policy (UTS169). The Facilities Management department has a series of preventative maintenance (PM) schedules that are intended to focus on preserving the facilities at an optimal operating condition. The PM schedules consist of daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, bi-annual, and annual activities performed on equipment and building systems. These schedules are managed by a “computerized maintenance management system” (CMMS) that is known as WTMA (Web-based Maintenance Authority). These maintenance schedules not only assure that a building is operating effectively but also enable the equipment to run efficiently. For several years now, it has been our practice to incorporate the industry’s “best practices” into our everyday activities in order to maintain a respectable level of compliance with the university’s sustainability commitment. Some sustainable practices are also related to operating campus buildings in “occupied and un-occupied” modes which allows for energy conservation efforts. Other practices include re-lamping to more efficient lighting (LED lighting and occupancy sensors) and replacing water fixtures with water saving devices.

UT system guidelines --- Policy: UTS169, Sec. 12: High Performance Buildings. Each institution will strive to achieve a high performance building comparable to a U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (“LEED®”) Certified rating or higher whenever possible, excluding laboratory and acute care and patient care facilities, within the constraints of program needs and budget parameters. U. T. System recognizes and commends the early leadership and accomplishments of LEED® as a green building certification program; however, that certification currently comes with a significant cost in documentation. Therefore, U. T. System strives for a high-performance building standard comparable to LEED® for new major capital projects. Money for certification documentation is better spent obtaining more energy efficient building systems.

ESTAC (Student Academic Center) - 44,392 sqft New Science Bldg.- approx. 112,862 GSF Performing Arts Complex buildings: EPACA - 66,906 sqft EPACB- 24,365 sqft EPACC- 11,274 sqft 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. UTRGV 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

The institution’s building design and construction works toward the sustainable development goal of innovation and infrastructure by building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation.