AL- Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence Expansion

DATE: June 29, 2026
SUBJECT: Request for Letters of Interest - Architecture/Engineering Team Selection
Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence Expansion
00-10633.00
Penn State Altoona
TO: Architectural Firms
The Pennsylvania State University (PSU) is excited to begin the Architecture/Engineering (A/E) Team selection
process for the Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence Expansion project, located in downtown Altoona at
1309 11th Avenue. PSU is utilizing its standard qualification-based A/E Team selection process for this project.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence (SCCE) is the vision of Steve and Nancy Sheetz with the mission to
provide entrepreneurial education for Penn State Altoona students and the surrounding community through
classroom and experiential training. The existing 14,550 sf building consists of classrooms, conference rooms,
offices, and other supportive spaces for the Sheetz Center. The program has grown from 8 students in 2012 to
approximately 30 - 40 students per class and has outgrown the capacity of the existing facility. With the continuing
generous support of the Sheetz family an expansion project is envisioned to serve the anticipated increased
enrollment of the program.
New Construction Scope: A 2023 feasibility study by Weber Murphy Fox (to be shared with long-listed firms)
outlines a preliminary program and scope, to be validated as part of this project. The draft program includes
approximately 8,700 sf of new construction and features the following:
A new main entrance
Collaborative classroom and event space with flexible seating for approximately 250 people
Active learning spaces for group and individual study, gathering, and lounging
A space for the Ivyside Eats food pantry
Additional office space for faculty and staff
Utility support spaces
Renovation Scope: Approximately 5,700 sf of the existing building has been identified as a priority for renovation
as part of the project. The project will also include the option for removal and replacement of existing roofing and
roof top mechanical equipment.
Project Budget: The identified construction-only budget is $7,800,000.
Project Delivery Method: CM at Risk.
Project Schedule: PSU will execute the Architect-Engineer contract shortly after the completion of the A/E
selection process in September 2026. The preliminary project schedule anticipates an approximately 10-month
design process with a GMP package at 75% CD, followed by an approximately 18-month construction phase. The
project will follow the standard design phases - SD, DD, CD and CA Phases in accordance with Penn State's
standard 1-P agreement.
Professional Agreement: The Owner's "Form of Agreement 1-P" will be used for this project. The prime firm
(contract holder) of the awarded A/E Team will sign the 1-P Form of Agreement found on the University Design
Standards website under section 00 52 00 (link). By submitting a letter of interest, firms pledge to agree to the
Agreement's terms and conditions without exception or modification.

Letters of Interest
The Pennsylvania State University
Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence - Request for Letters of Interest
June 29, 2026
Page 2
Sustainability: The project will be designed and constructed to meet University Standards including energy
efficiency goals. The project will meet a minimum of LEED Silver equivalent, to be documented via checklist report,
but will not pursue certification.
Photo above: Front view of existing building
ARCHITECTURE/ENGINEERING (A/E) TEAM SELECTION PROCESS AND SCHEDULE
The University will perform a three-step A/E Team selection process for this project with three assessments:
Letters of Interest (LOI), Request for Proposals (RFP), and In-Person Interviews. Each assessment will be separate
and distinct. The result selects the full A/E design team, including the architectural team, engineering team, and
specialty consultants. Firms may decide the makeup of the full or partial team at this initial LOI phase. However,
the next step will require the long-list of teams to identify the entire design team, including all consultants.
A/E Team Selection Schedule:
Letters of Interest are due from lead firms by Noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST), July 21, 2026.
The Screening Committee will review the received Letters of Interest and determine the long-list of firms
that will continue to the next step in the A/E Selection process.
The Long-listed firms will be invited to respond to a Request for Proposal, which will be posted to the
OPP Procurement website by the end-of-day August 4, 2026.
Proposals from the long-listed teams are due at Noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST), August 25, 2026.
The Screening Committee will choose three firms from the RFP respondents. The short-list results and
interview notice will be posted on the OPP website by the end-of-day, September 8, 2026.
On September 29, 2026, in-person interviews will occur at the Sheetz Center in Altoona. This date will not
change, so please plan accordingly.
The A/E Team selection process results will be posted on the OPP website shortly after the interviews are
completed. The design phase is planned to start immediately after contract negotiation to align with the
project schedule.

Letters of Interest
The Pennsylvania State University
Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence - Request for Letters of Interest
June 29, 2026
Page 3
LETTER OF INTEREST SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
If your firm/team is interested in pursuing this project, please submit a Letter of Interest that, at the least,
includes the following:
1. A brief statement detailing the firm/team's profile (size, characteristics, unique qualifications, etc.) and
interest in this project. There is no requirement to identify the entire A/E team at this initial stage of the
process. You can note any engineering and/or specialty consultants to the extent that it is helpful to your
submission. Firms that wish to include an architectural partner at this stage of the process should
describe their partner's anticipated role on the project.
2. Outline the firm/team's experience in the planning/design/execution of facilities of similar higher
education programs, scope, size, and complexity. Highlight your design and technical experience doing
additions and renovations of existing buildings. Highlight your experience designing and delivering
projects made up of the space types that make up this project, including those noted above in the project
description.
3. Include images (captions encouraged) and brief narratives of the firm/team's most relevant design
experience related to this particular project.
4. Narrate the firm/team's vision of what, beyond purely functional issues, constitutes the essence of this
type of facility. Discuss your understanding of some of the unique and critically important issues specific
to this project.
*Note: As applicable throughout the Letter of Interest, provide professional credit to architectural partners
(including design architect, architect of record, and academic planning partners) for all projects discussed
within the proposal and for all project images shown.
Submit a PDF version of the Letter of Interest by Noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST), July 21, 2026. Limit the
submission to five (5) total letter-size pages, single-sided. A cover letter, if included, must be within the five (5)
total pages. Please focus on the most relevant content and prioritize conciseness and legibility. Send a PDF of the
submission electronically to mxu5112@psu.edu and mam326@psu.edu by the submission deadline. Include the
team's primary contact name and email address for duration of the A/E selection process. No hard copies of your
submission are requested nor required.
DISCLAIMERS, CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-DISCLOSURE
PSU encourages A/E teams to visit the site during this selection process. Guided site/building tours are not
provided at this step in the A/E Selection process but will be scheduled later with the long-listed or short-listed
teams.
Participation in this A/E Team selection process is voluntary and at no cost or obligation to PSU. PSU reserves the
right to waive any informality in any submissions and reject any submission or portion thereof. PSU reserves the
right to modify dates as it deems necessary.
A/E Teams may not make news releases about this project without prior approval from PSU and then only in
coordination with PSU. In addition, all information, documents, and correspondence shared within the A/E
selection process are to remain confidential and, as such, are not to be made public in any manner.

Letters of Interest
The Pennsylvania State University
Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence - Request for Letters of Interest
June 29, 2026
Page 4
Penn State appreciates your interest in this project. Please contact me or the Project Manager, Marcus Marasco
with any questions regarding this A/E Selection.
Kindest Regards,
Mauricio Ulloa, AIA, LEED AP
University Architect
mxu5112@psu.edu
814.865.0355
Marcus A. Marasco, P.E.
Project Manager
mam326@psu.edu
814-865-6197