Managing Capital Projects Across the University
Planning Your Project
Although every space project differs in size and scope, we ask that these guidelines are followed in order for adequate time be allotted to plan, schedule, design, bid and construct your project, and to secure any needed University or City approvals. Please note that your department will be responsible for costs related to any initial feasibility studies necessary to determine the scope and preliminary budget of a proposed project. A project funding source must be identified as part of the Project Request.
Small summer project requests must be received by October 1 to ensure completion prior to the subsequent fall semester. Requests for small projects submitted after October 1, as well as for more complex projects, will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and scheduled according to the time required and the pending workload.
- May cost up to $500,000
- Usually involve one or two trades such as paint, carpet or furniture, but may sometimes involve modification to HVAC or other building systems
These projects typically take 8 to 12 months to design and construct.
- May cost between $500,000 to $1,000,000
- Usually require outside consultants and a general contractor or construction manager, involve multiple construction trades and require ordering long lead items such as steel or mechanical equipment
These projects typically take more than 12 months to design and construct.
- May cost over $1,000,000
- Usually require outside consultants such as an architect and engineer to design and a general contractor or construction manager to build
Initiating a Project
A project initiation request is intended for new construction, a renovation project, (unless it only involves furniture, painting and/or minor repairs); feasibility studies for any upgrade to a building system/utility or a space; and requests for reconfiguration, expansion or an entirely new space. It can be initiated by a school, department, institute, center or by the Central University and should briefly identify the purpose and need of the project, goals or objectives, general scope, space identified, funding strategy, schedule, and special requirements or considerations.
Routine maintenance and repairs should be requested through Operations.
Process and Phases
Capital projects follow the Project Governance for Capital Construction Projects policy, which is found in the University’s Policy Library. Once funding is secured by the project sponsor, all capital projects must follow the procedures as outlined in the policy. Throughout these phases, Capital Project Management and Manhattanville Development Group provide stringent oversight, management and reporting of the project schedule and financial health. The University will also continue its administrative governance via regular meetings at the project stakeholder and working group levels, and monthly governance meetings at the decision maker level.
A comprehensive feasibility assessment of the requested project will be conducted with the support of multiple institutional stakeholders including Operations and Environmental Health and Safety prior to the start of any project. Once the proposed project is determined to be feasible, Capital Project Management/Manhattanville Development Group will undertake a project development phase to define the project’s purpose, goals, scope of work, critical budget and schedule drivers as well as potential risks prior to procuring outside design consultant services.
Capital Project Management and Manhattanville Development Group ensure that the University’s policies and procedures are consistent with the design, building codes and construction industry practices for New York City. During the design phase, Capital Project Management/Manhattanville Development Group will host meetings with the selected design consultants, project stakeholders and researchers to ensure that the proposed design meets the needs of clients, design guidelines and sustainability goals.
Projects are competitively bid consistent with University policies. In addition, Capital Project Management and Manhattanville Development Group ensure that the University’s Minority, Women and Local business enterprise (MWLBE) goals of at least 35 percent trade contractor participation and 40 percent workforce participation are met. This phase also typically includes filing with relevant regulatory agencies.
Capital Project Management and Manhattanville Development Group administer the construction contract and conduct structured meetings with the client to monitor progress and address issues of concern. Capital Project Management and Manhattanville Development Group provide stringent oversight, management and reporting of the project schedule and financial health via their web-based project management system on the Oracle Unifier platform.
Once the construction phase is substantially complete, commissioning engineers manage the systems testing and commissioning phase prior to turning the project over to the client for beneficial occupancy and to Operations for ongoing upkeep and maintenance.