The current Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse, located in downtown Springfield.
Reminder Publishing file photo
SPRINGFIELD — The state’s Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance has officially posted its requests for proposals for the future Springfield Regional Justice Center project.
Officially released on June 30, the RFP gives bidders a little over three months to submit proposals to build a new courthouse in Springfield, which will be leased by the Massachusetts Trial Court for an initial term of 40 years and a maximum term of 60 years.
According to the RFP, DCAMM seeks approximately 244,000 square feet of usable area in Springfield for the courthouse, but the organization would consider space of 220,000 to 300,000 square feet.
Additionally, the RFP states that the usable area must be within a half mile of public transportation.
“The commonwealth’s objective is to lease space that aligns with the commonwealth’s goals and policy objectives and that is most advantageous to the commonwealth’s needs for the best value,” the RFP says.
DCAMM’s request comes a few weeks after the Healey-Driscoll administration hired Greystone Real Estate Advisory Group to lead the procurement process for the new courthouse project.
According to the announcement sent by the state, “Greystone will provide strategic guidance, evaluation support and negotiation assistance throughout the project, which will contribute to efforts by the Division of Capital Asset Management and the Executive Office of the Trial Court to solicit proposals that meet the priorities stakeholders have expressed.”
“The Healey-Driscoll administration is committed to building a new Springfield Courthouse that meets the needs of the community and the court as expeditiously as possible,” said DCAMM Commissioner Adam Baacke. “DCAMM is pleased to enlist a firm with Greystone’s extensive experience and track record to support this solicitation.”
According to the state, Greystone has been providing commercial real estate service to public, private and not for profit clients since 1999. Their website states that the organization is the “nation’s leader in the management of revenue-producing properties for public transportation agencies.”
“The Trial Court is committed to working closely with DCAMM to ensure the successful delivery of a courthouse that meets the needs of the Springfield community and advances the important work of the justice system,” said Court Administrator Thomas Ambrosino in response to the hiring. “We support DCAMM’s efforts to make the procurement process as transparent and competitive as possible.”
As for the RFP, bidders must submit their proposals on the DCAMM Lease Proposal Form included within the RFP, and can do so by mail, messenger service, in-person or electronically.
Eligible bidders must be the record owner of the proposed property, a tenant of the proposed property whose lease permits subleasing, or the prospective purchaser or a prospective ground tenant of the proposed property whose lease permits subleasing.
The RFP includes other requirements, as well.
“Proposals will be evaluated according to the evaluation criteria, incorporating information within the proposals themselves, insights gathered for site visits, clarifications sought from proposers upon request, and references provided by the proposers,” the RFP says.
“Furthermore, the evaluation process may encompass data from state agencies, individuals, and entities possessing relevant knowledge, as well as insights from commonwealth files and other credible sources.”
Readers can learn more about the RFP and its accompanying documents by visiting its link: tinyurl.com/4dewvr5u. More coverage on the new courthouse is found here: tinyurl.com/yc44utdp.
