Building code review applies to all CSU construction and renovation work as well as maintenance operations.

Building code approval for all CSU projects may be performed directly by the Campus Deputy Building Official (CDBO) or, on their behalf, by any of the authorized plan check firms under systemwide agreements. The plan check firms provide only an opinion and recommendation as to code compliance or failure to comply. The CDBO is responsible to make the official determination for code approval.

The base scope of the Plan Check Review (Rider B-1) is intended for the 95% Construction Documents code compliance review that covers all aspects and disciplines of the project. Supplementary advisory fire code/code assessment review and access compliance code review prior to the 95% Construction Documents reviews are available on a negotiated fee basis as part of Rider B-2 of the Service Order. Additional reviews may be negotiated as part of the Rider B-2 of the MEA.

A seismic assessment is required for all projects according to Board of Trustees’ policy.

For Major Capital Projects, an outside seismic peer review is required by the specific peer reviewer or his/her designee assigned to each campus.

Minor Capital Projects may be submitted for peer review, or may be reviewed and approved administratively by the campus, at the discretion of the Campus Deputy Building Official. This is discussed more fully in Section 3.7, Peer Review for Small Projects, of the CSU Seismic Policy. Seismic Peer Reviewers are assigned to individual campuses of the CSU.  

All peer reviews for the indicated campuses or their off-campus locations are to be performed by the named individuals or their designees. Contact CPDC for determination of applicability for unlisted locations.   

Peer reviews of investigations that are undertaken specifically to investigate the occurrence of geologic and geotechnical seismic hazards (e.g., faulting, liquefaction, land sliding) must be conducted by the Systemwide - Geotechnical the peer reviewer.

A Mechanical Systems Review (MSR) is required for all major capital projects, both state- and non-state-funded, within the CSU system.  Separate Electrical Systems Review (ESR) is highly encouraged, but not required.  Inclusion of a generator, battery storage, or use of project facility for essential functions of the university during an emergency may contribute to inclusion of ESR.

Campuses may select any Mechanical Review Board (MRB) member to perform the project MSR and/or ESR. While the MSR is provided as an advisory to the campus, MSR letters of concurrence are required during the schematic and the construction document phases of the design. To gain full benefit of this review, campuses are encouraged to consider the campus-selected MRB reviewer as an extension of their staff.

Mechanical System Review - Frequently Asked Questions

• 75% Schematic Design Mechanical Systems Review Concurrence
• Completion of Mechanical Systems Review
• Mechanical Systems Review Comment Log
• Electrical Systems Review Comment Log

Building commissioning is required for all new construction over 10,000 square feet, according to the California Building Code. By policy, the California State University expands this requirement to include new and renovation construction of $3,000,000 or greater in construction costs.

Campuses are encouraged to coordinate commissioning policy requirements with Capital Planning Design and Construction (CPDC) planners at the Office of the Chancellor at the onset of each project.

Systemwide Commissioning (Cx) and Monitoring-Based Commissioning (MBCx) Master Enabling Agreements have been executed to support CSU commissioning efforts. Campuses may contract with any of the listed MEA firms through their respective MEA agreements.

Campuses will continue to have the option to select either providers from the MEA listing or enter into contracts via Service Agreement with any other qualified firm. When entering into individual Service Agreements outside of the MEA, it is recommended that the Cx and MBCx scopes shown in the base MEA agreements be used for consistency. Contact CPDC’s department of Energy, Sustainability and Transportation for more information.

There are four different levels of estimating service provided by any of the listed service providers. Those levels are: C-1, Order of Magnitude; C-2, Unit of Measure; C-3, Assemblies or Systems; C-4, Unit Price.

As each estimate is differ from another, the University Campus shall contact the service provider before execution of the Service Work Authorization with the details of the scope of work in order to receive a cost estimate for the desired work from the service provider. The received cost estimate shall be incorporated into the work Authorization before execution.

Proper stewardship of the CSU’s facilities requires knowledge of the various components in each building to determine which repairs or modifications may be necessary to restore the systems and building to an acceptable condition and to provide for long-range facility renewal planning.

A Facilities Condition Assessment will provide this information by inspecting each of the discrete building categories. This includes an evaluation of several building systems, including but not limited to mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems; structural and architectural components; vertical transportation systems; access compliance; and utilities as they relate to each asset in the inspection.

A Facility Condition Assessment (FCA) Master Enabling Agreement has been executed with a pre-qualified firm. Campuses may contract with this firm through the agreement provided below to provide Facility Condition Assessment services. Terms and conditions, including specific fees, have been pre-established in this agreement.

The values below are provided for reference only. They reflect Agency/MEA Agreement amounts or aggressive generic estimates. 2-7 Budget amounts include reserves and will indicate higher amounts.

2016 CSU Project Review Fee Reference Sheet (PDF)

• Special Small Project review fee for Plan Check may apply. Check MEA agreement and provider for applicability.
• CSU Independent Plan Check fees per MEA. A standard review includes access compliance, fire, structural and all aspects of the California Code of Regulations Title 24 review.
• DSA Agency Review Fees Per DSA Online Fee Calculator. Verify the current DSA Fees.
• CASp reviews may be provided in-house or procured on a negotiated fee basis. Fees indicated are generic guidelines only.
• State Fire Marshal (SFM) services are provided at an hourly rate ($237.39 per hour in 2016). SFM fees indicated are ideal case approximations.
  

Job Order Contracts allow the CSU to put immediately-available contractors in place on a substantial number of projects with one competitively bid contract. There are several different JOCs established to perform general and specific types of work. Additionally, in support of the JOC, we’ve included a list of Construction Management Firms who are prequalified to provide construction management services.

The Job Order Contracting (JOC) pre-bid presentation slides are made available to illustrate the JOC concept, required bid documents and information on how to read and evaluate the Construction Task Catalog (Unit Pricing). A contractor who has never bid a JOC is strongly recommended to view the pre-bid presentation.

• CSU JOC Regional Paving Pre-Bid Presentation 2025
• CSU JOC Regional Mechanical Pre-Bid Presentation 2024 – Final
• CSU JOC Regional HAZMAT Pre-Bid Presentation 2025 – Final
• CSU JOC Regional Roofing Pre-Bid Presentation 2024 – Final
  
• CSU JOC Regional General Pre-Bid August 2023 – Final

11 Northern California State University Campuses:
(Chico, East Bay, Fresno, Maritime, Monterey Bay, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Sonoma, and Stanislaus)

11 Southern California State University Campuses and the Office of the Chancellor:
(Bakersfield, Channel Islands, Dominguez Hills, Fullerton, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Northridge, Cal Poly Pomona, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Marcos and Office of the Chancellor in Long Beach)

Use the following links to view Job Order Contract Agreements (For CSU staff, login required)

Visit the Gordian site to learn more about the CSU JOC program or use the following link to view the Gordian Group - CSU Immediate Response - Big Note (For CSU staff, login required)

The Grants Search and Grants Writing Master Agreement provides the CSU with professional services in grant search and grant writing from a bench of pre-approved vendors. The intention of initiating these services is to help the CSU identify and receive external funding for campus infrastructure and development projects that support climate adaptation and resiliency. This master agreement is available to all CSU entities.

This Master Agreement provides the CSU with virtual parking permit management technology and services. These services can improve user experience and streamline campus parking operations, management, and enforcement. Additionally, virtual parking permit implementation can help reduce paper waste, optimize parking efficiency, and encourage alternative transportation, helping to lower vehicle dependency on campus.

Bluebeam Revu is a software solution that has become one of the most widely used products by Owners, Architects, Engineers, and Construction professionals to streamline their daily digital workflows. Bluebeam will be required for future DSA submittals. Bluebeam Revu and the cloud-based collaboration platform, Bluebeam Studio, serve as essential workflow solutions that connect all projects and teams, increasing productivity to save time and money. 

• Streamline daily workflows and administrative tasks 
• Create, store, manage, and access digital documents 
• Collaborate in real time with project teams all over the world 
• Assist Facilities and Planning teams to manage assets and plan projects