State Building Commission approves CoreCivic contract, awards university projects and updates standard agreements

The State Building Commission voted to award a new contract to CoreCivic to continue private operation of the South Central Correctional Facility and approved several higher-education capital actions and administrative revisions during a regularly scheduled meeting.

The commission approved the CoreCivic contract after the Tennessee Department of Corrections presented the result of a competitive procurement. Frank Strada, commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Corrections, told the commission the department received a single proposal—from the incumbent operator CoreCivic—and that required statutory notifications, including letters to the legislative committee and the attorney general, had been received. "If approved, the contract would take effect on 07/01/2025 and run through 06/30/2028 with renewal options through June 2030," Strada said. Commissioners adopted the item by voice vote.

The commission also approved Middle Tennessee State University’s request to select Annex Group as the best-evaluated proposer in a public–private partnership (P3) procurement for a new residence hall. Dr. Sidney McPhee, president of Middle Tennessee State University, told the commission the RFP sought a development partner to deliver and operate roughly 550 student beds and emphasized affordability and a neutral or positive credit impact in the selection criteria. The commission approved the recommendation by voice vote.

Separately, the University of Tennessee received approval to move forward with an early design phase for a new Chemistry Building in Knoxville. Michelle Crowder, senior director of capital projects for the University of Tennessee, introduced the item and the university’s designer, Kelly Hayden of Barbara McMurray Architects, presented the design. Hayden said the facility will be about 163,000 square feet across eight above‑grade floors, with one level underground, and described a mix of research labs, teaching space and limited public access at the main entry on Cumberland Avenue. The agenda lists the total project cost at $199,000,000 and a maximum allowable construction cost just under $174,000,000; the commission approved the early design phase by voice vote.

The commission adopted routine governance and administrative items: approval of the minutes from the April 10, 2025 meeting; revisions to the State Building Commission bylaws, policies, and procedures (referred to in the record as "SPC bylaws"); and revisions to the standard form of agreement between owner and designer (SBC6) and the standard terms and conditions (SBC6A), which the commission approved to be effective 07/01/2025. The Office of the State Architect reported several items the office approved under delegated authority, including seven change orders, two capital projects in the $100,000–$1,000,000 range, two best‑value construction manager/general contractor awards, two acquisitions of land in fee, the transportation improvement programs report (per the transportation reporting act of 02/2001) and the annual report for the Hermitage (the home of President Andrew Jackson). Commissioners received those reports.

During discussion of the South Central Correctional Facility award commissioners asked about previously reported problems at the site. Strada said the sinkhole at the facility had been filled and that ongoing plumbing issues should be completed by the end of the month. No additional operational transition was required, he said, because CoreCivic is the incumbent operator. There were no requests for public comment recorded for the meeting. The commission adjourned after completing the agenda.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (items 1–14): adopted by voice vote (motion to approve requested by staff). - Middle Tennessee State University P3 residence hall: commission approved selection of Annex Group as best‑evaluated proposer; motion approved by voice vote. - South Central Correctional Facility contract: approved award to CoreCivic; contract effective 07/01/2025–06/30/2028 with renewal options through June 2030; adopted by voice vote. - University of Tennessee Chemistry Building (Knoxville): approved early design phase; total project cost listed at $199,000,000; adopted by voice vote. - Approval of minutes (04/10/2025): adopted by voice vote. - Revisions to SPC bylaws/policies/procedures: adopted by voice vote. - Revisions to SBC6 and SBC6A (standard owner‑designer agreement and terms): adopted; effective 07/01/2025. - Office of the State Architect report items (change orders, capital projects, CM/GC awards, land acquisitions, transportation reporting, Hermitage report): received.

The meeting established a quorum at the outset and completed the agenda with brief discussion on the correctional facility item and standard presentations for capital projects. No public commenters were recorded for the meeting.