Operation and Interpretation of Mill Springs Mill - Kentucky

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking interest in the operation and interpretation of the historic Mill Springs Mill in Monticello, Kentucky, a structure dating to the 1830s and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The contract calls for a small business to manage the seasonal operation of the mill from May through September, including daily de-winterization and winterization, operation of the waterwheel and French burr stones, and delivery of historical interpretation to the public during scheduled hours that include Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and key holidays. The contractor is responsible for providing all labor, equipment, materials, and transportation necessary to maintain and operate the mill with utmost precision, adhering to historic preservation standards and federal safety protocols. Government-furnished property, including lubricants and machinery, must be properly maintained, and all operations must avoid contamination, preserve structural integrity, and ensure visitor safety, with no smoking or fire permitted within 50 feet of the building. Daily inspections, cleaning, and reporting of deficiencies are mandatory, and the Corps retains the right to halt operations if deemed unsafe. The solicitation is a Sources Sought notice under NAICS code 712120, set aside exclusively for small businesses, and requires responders to submit a capability statement including UEI and CAGE codes, proof of small business status, and documentation of relevant experience. All personnel must undergo security vetting via NCIC-III and TSDB, complete anti-terrorism and suspicious activity reporting training, and use E-Verify for employment eligibility. Contractors are liable for government property, must comply with force protection and health conditions, and are prohibited from smoking, consuming alcohol, or displaying unauthorized insignia while on duty. Payments are based on actual days worked, with invoices submitted monthly via mail to a designated office and processed by EFT. The contract does not include line-item pricing or an estimated value, as this is a pre-solicitation market research effort to assess industry capability prior to formal procurement. No formal evaluation factors, contract type, or award mechanism has been established, and all responses must be submitted via email to the contracting specialist by May 6, 2026.