Design New Lacquer Preparation Facility for RDX and HMX Production at Holston Army Ammunition Plant (HSAAP)

The Department of the Army, through the Mission and Installation Contracting Command at Fort Drum, is soliciting Architect-Engineer (A-E) design services for the development of a new Lacquer Preparation Facility and Chemical Storage Tank Farm at the Holston Army Ammunition Plant (HSAAP) in Kingsport, Tennessee. This procurement follows the Brooks Architect-Engineer Act and FAR Subpart 36.6, requiring a qualifications-based selection process emphasizing demonstrated professional competence. The facility will support plastic bonded explosives (PBX) production, crucial for enhancing the Department of Defense's energetic materials manufacturing capabilities. The contract is a firm-fixed-price type anticipated to be awarded in March 2026, with a design completion target of January 2027 and a maximum performance period of 300 calendar days post-award. Evaluation of proposals focuses primarily on the quality of the design approach and technical merit, professional qualifications of key personnel—including licensed engineers across disciplines such as fire protection, structural, civil, systems integration, and sustainability—past performance on similar projects, capacity to execute the work on schedule, and knowledge of local conditions affecting design and construction at the Kingsport facility. Past performance assessments rely on performance records from CPARS, FAPIIS, and provided questionnaires, emphasizing cost control, schedule adherence, and quality. Secondary tie-breaker criteria include geographic proximity to HSAAP, volume of recent DoD contract awards, and small business participation rates. The solicitation mandates detailed submissions using SF 330 forms, including resumes limited to five relevant projects within six years, narratives covering quality control and staffing, organizational charts, and small business subcontracting plans. Firms are restricted from construction participation on the project to avoid conflicts of interest, and only electronic PDF submissions are accepted by the December 19, 2025 deadline. No contract value or specific pricing data is disclosed, reflecting the qualifications-based nature of the procurement. Compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations related to hazardous and energetic materials, as well as professional standards, is required throughout the project.