Sources Sought / Market Intelligence: Multi-Projects for Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) Program – Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) utilizing Other Transaction Authority (OTA)

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) / MARKET INTELLIGENCE NOTICE

This is a Request for Information (RFI) for market intelligence and planning purposes only. This announcement does not constitute a Solicitation, Request for Proposal (RFP), or Request for Project Proposals (RPP), and no formal solicitation is currently available.

Participation in this RFI is strictly voluntary. The Government will not be obligated to award any contract or agreement because of this RFI, nor will it reimburse respondents for any costs associated with the preparation or submission of information. Submitting a response will not affect a firm’s ability to submit a proposal or bid should a formal solicitation or project announcement be issued in the future.

• North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 236220 – Commercial and Institutional Building Construction and 237310 – Highway, Street and Bridge Construction. (Note: While Other Transaction Authority is not governed by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)-based small business set-aside regulations, this NAICS code is provided for market research purposes to assist the Government in understanding the industrial base demographics and capability.)
• Small Business Size Standard: $45.0 Million

_______________________________________________________________

PROGRAM & PROJECT OVERVIEW

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Louisville District, is conducting market intelligence to assess industry interest, capability, and commercial best practices for delivering multiple military construction (MILCON) / sustainment projects for the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) program utilizing Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) executed under Other Transaction Authority (OTA) pursuant to Title 10, United States Code (U.S.C.) Section 2808a.

The Louisville District intends to award six separate, standalone OT agreements (one per project), while using this consolidated RFI to survey industry capacity and interest in CMAR with OTA across multiple projects within the Air Force Reserve portfolio. The projects under evaluation include:

Project 1: Mass Parking Apron (MPA) Paving Rows C&D — Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana

• Estimated Acquisition Magnitude: $35,000,000 – $45,000,000
• Scope of Work Summary: Correct approximately 9.6 acres of failing Mass Parking Apron paving through full-depth Portland cement concrete pavement replacement to support KC-135 and KC-46 aircraft operations at Grissom Air Reserve Base (ARB), Indiana. Due to the required concrete volume, the project requires an on-site concrete batch plant. The project also includes partial replacement of existing storm-drainage utilities supporting the apron.
• Current Design Status: The design is 65% complete. The Designer of Record is working toward a 95% design deliverable in October 2026.
• Anticipated CMAR Entry Point: ~95% Design

Project 2: Combined Operations Facility Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, New York

Estimated Acquisition Magnitude: $35,000,000 – $50,000,000

• Scope of Work Summary:
• Construct a new two-story, 54,000 square foot facility to consolidate the 914 Operations Group functions, including the 914 Operations Group Staff, 914 Operations Support Squadron (with Aircrew Flight Equipment), 328th Air Refueling Squadron, and 914th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. The facility will provide administrative, operational, training, and support spaces to include a command suite, crew readiness areas, kitchen/dining and sleeping quarters for 10 alert aircrew, fitness and locker facilities, flight planning, SERE, night vision device maintenance, mobility operations, weather, secured briefing rooms, and a multi-use auditorium, along with shared conference, break, and storage spaces. The project includes a reinforced concrete foundation with spread footings, reinforced masonry walls with brick veneer, structural steel framing, standing seam metal roof, elevator, emergency generator, fire protection, mass notification, communications, exterior lighting, and all supporting utilities. Site improvements will include access roads, parking, sidewalks, and stormwater management. The facility is located along the airfield and potential PFAS-contaminated soil, and groundwater may be encountered and require testing for appropriate management and disposal during construction.
• Current Design Status: The design is 100% complete (Certified Final) but requires a Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) refresh.
• Anticipated CMAR Entry Point: ~95% Design

Project 3: Renovate Fuel Cell Hangar, Building 647– Patrick Space Force Base, FL

• Estimated Acquisition Magnitude: $18,000,000 – $30,000,000
• Scope of Work Summary:
• The Government requires comprehensive repair and renovation of Fuel Cell Hangar Building 647 to restore full operational capability in support of aircraft fuel cell maintenance activities. The work encompasses the hangar bay, associated maintenance areas, and administrative spaces. The project includes testing for hazardous materials and appropriate abatement where required.  Exterior work includes full roofing system replacement (including gutters and downspouts), replacement of louvers and windows, reskinning of the hangar exterior with insulated panels, major repairs to hangar doors and top rails, replacement of roll-up doors (including the aircraft tail rudder door), replacement of exterior man doors, repair of the exterior stairway, and replacement of the lightning protection system.   Interior work includes reconfiguring the first and second floor administrative spaces to meet user requirements and standards, including a breakroom and conference room on the second floor.  Major building systems requiring repair or replacement include heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; electrical distribution and related components; fire protection and suppression systems (including removal of existing foam systems and installation of a code-compliant replacement); communications infrastructure; provide a new fire alarm/mass notification system, and all associated control systems.   Site preparation, utility connections, and related support work are also included.  All work shall be performed in accordance with applicable Unified Facilities Criteria, National Fire Protection Association standards, and installation requirements. Sustainable design and construction practices consistent with current Department of Defense guidance will be incorporated.
• Current Design Status: The design is 65% complete.
• Anticipated CMAR Entry Point: ~95% Design

Project 4: Communications Facility – Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station, PA

Estimated Acquisition Magnitude: $15,000,000 – $30,000,000

• Scope of Work Summary:

Construction of a new 11,615 SF facility to support the mission of the 911th Communications Squadron.  Construction to include concrete foundation and floor slab, steel frame, roof, CMU or metal stud backup, metal stud and gypsum board interior walls, interior finishes, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning, electrical and communications systems, emergency generator, delivery and storage area, and supporting utility infrastructure.  The project will include demolition of the existing facility with exception of the demarcation room and construct sidewalks and horizontal assets. Due to cost and the Growth Off Set Policy, the demolished facility will be replaced with one of equal size.  Facilities will be designed as permanent construction in accordance with the Department of Defense Unified Facilities Criteria 1-200-01. Sustainable principles, to include life-cycle cost effective practices will be integrated with the design, development and construction of the project in accordance with Unified Facility Criteria 1-200-02. This includes preparation of life-cycle cost analysis for energy consuming systems, renewable energy generating systems.  This project will comply with the Department of Defense antiterrorism/force protection requirements per Unified Facilities Criteria 4-010-01.

Current Design Status: The design is 100% complete (Corrected Final).

Anticipated CMAR Entry Point: ~95% Design

Project 5: Repair East Apron Asphalt Surface – Westover Air Reserve Base, MA

Estimated Acquisition Magnitude: $10,000,000 – $30,000,000

• Scope of Work Summary:

Demolish asphalt pavement on East Apron and in front of Hangar 7040, full depth. Work shall include full-depth pavement replacement. Install new base material and airfield hot mix asphalt. Install pavement markings according to applicable airfield requirements. Sustainable principles, to include life cycle cost-effective practices, will be integrated into the design, development, and construction of the project in accordance with UFC 1-200- 02. Provide a load bearing asphalt transition surface between aircraft parking spots to support Regional ISO Maintenance and 8 permanently assigned C-5M aircraft. The objective of this project is to reconstruct the taxi-lane portion of the ramp and the hangar access apron with a new bituminous asphalt pavement profile which will provide the required structural capacity to support the primary mission of the C-5M located at Westover ARB. The project will also include stormwater drainage modifications to address surface drainage deficiencies. Underdrains will be incorporated in the new construction.

Current Design Status: The design is 35% complete. The Designer of Record is working toward a 65% design deliverable in October 2026.

Anticipated CMAR Entry Point: ~95% Design

Project 6: Taxiway Golf Extension, Westover Air Reserve Base, MA

Estimated Acquisition Magnitude: $25,000,000 – $35,000,000

Scope of Work Summary:
Construction of an extension of Taxiway Golf to provide a complete, permanent, and operational airfield facility. Work includes site preparation, earthwork, grading, stormwater drainage, placement of reinforced rigid concrete pavement, heavy-duty paved shoulders, taxiway edge lighting, airfield signage, UFC-compliant pavement markings, and the relocation of conflicting electrical and communications utilities. The project also encompasses the demolition and disposal of an existing CMU secondary electrical building, associated equipment pads (supporting a sectionalizing switch, transformer, and backup generator), and the secondary duct bank leading to the glide slope antenna. All construction activities must incorporate Best Management Practices (BMPs) to meet state stormwater discharge permits and fulfill state-mandated compensatory mitigation for impacted grassland bird habitat. Facilities and infrastructure must be designed and constructed as permanent facilities complying with DoD Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC)—specifically UFC 1-200-01 (General Building Requirements), UFC 1-200-02 (High Performance and Sustainable Building Requirements), and Antiterrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) standards per UFC 4-010-01 and UFC 4-022-02.  Airfield mix design approval by USACE Transportation Center of Expertise is mandatory. The location for an on-site batch plant has been approved.

Current Design Status:
The design is 100% complete (Corrected Final).

Anticipated CMAR Entry Point:
~95% Design

_______________________________________________________________

PRIMARY ACQUISITION STRATEGY UNDER EVALUATION: CMAR VIA OTHER TRANSACTION AUTHORITY (OTA)

The Louisville District is evaluating a Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) delivery strategy utilizing an Other Transaction (OT) Agreement under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 2808a.

This authority authorizes transactions other than standard contracts to carry out facility repair and construction projects – including planning, design, engineering, piloting, and execution – enabling early contractor involvement, commercial pricing transparency, and schedule and cost efficiencies.

_______________________________________________________________

The CMAR Course of Action (10 U.S.C. § 2808a)

Under this collaborative framework, the construction contractor is onboarded prior to construction execution (e.g., at 60%–100% maturity) to act as a design-assist preconstruction partner alongside the Government's Designer of Record (DOR), provide constructability reviews, etc.:

• Phase 1 – Preconstruction Services: The contractor is awarded a Phase 1 agreement to perform constructability and value engineering reviews and reports, building system optimization, supply chain lead-time mitigation, BIM clash detection, and open-book market trade pricing against Government MII (MCACES 2nd Generation) parametric estimates.
• Phase 2 – Construction Execution ("At-Risk"): As the design reaches 100% completion (or constructability reviews are completed), the contractor converts to an "At-Risk" general constructor under a negotiated Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). While the DOR retains professional engineering liability for the design, the contractor assumes responsibility for construction coordination, site logistics, schedule compliance, and trade execution. Phase 2 will be executed via bilateral modification to the agreement. If a GMP cannot be agreed upon, the Government retains an “off-ramp” to execute the physical construction under a separate acquisition strategy.

Pricing Structure

1. Preconstruction Services Fee: A defined, firm-fixed-price fee compensating the builder for preconstruction consulting, value engineering, cost modeling, and scheduling support.
2. The Target Fee (CMAR Fee): The contractor's transparent corporate markup and management fee for the construction phase, established competitively during Phase 1 selection.
3. Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP): The validated ceiling price for the construction effort, comprising Direct Subcontract Costs (derived through open-book market bidding) + Validated General Conditions + Agreed Target Fee + Shared Contingency Pool.

Phased Execution Architecture

• Solicitation / Down-Select: Prospective vendors submit concise capability statements and narrative white papers detailing CMAR experience, past collaborative delivery performance, key personnel qualifications, and preconstruction management approach.
• Oral Presentations / Pitch Meetings: Shortlisted teams present their approach to Government stakeholders, demonstrating how their Preconstruction Director, Project Manager, and Superintendent will interface with the DOR and USACE cost engineers.
• Bridging the Final Design Gap: The builder actively evaluates design options, verifies local trade availability, and executes subcontractor bid packaging.
• Risk Allocation: During Phase 1, the builder actively identifies ambiguities and constructability conflicts. Upon bilateral agreement on the GMP and execution of Phase 2, the contractor cannot submit claims for constructability coordination errors or field interferences that should reasonably have been addressed during the collaborative preconstruction phase.

_______________________________________________________________

INFORMATION REQUESTED FROM INDUSTRY

Interested firms are invited to provide comprehensive responses to the questions below to assist the Louisville District in tailoring this acquisition.

Section 1: Company Profile & Project Interest

1. Firm Information:     

• Firm Name:
• Corporate Address:
• Point of Contact (Name, Title, Phone, Email):
• Unique Entity ID (UEI) & Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code:
• Socioeconomic Classification(s) (e.g., Other Than Small Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged (SDB), 8(a), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVOSB), Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone).

2. Project Interest: Indicate which of the projects your firm would potentially compete for:

• MPA Paving Rows C&D — Grissom Air Reserve Base, IN
•  Combined Operations Facility Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, NY
• Renovate Fuel Cell Hangar, Building 647– Patrick Space Force Base, FL
• Communications Facility – Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station, PA
• Repair East Apron Asphalt Surface – Westover Air Reserve Base, MA
• Taxiway Golf Extension, Westover Air Reserve Base, MA

3. Role: What is your anticipated teaming role (e.g., Prime CMAR Contractor, Joint Venture Partner, Major Specialty Subcontractor)?

Section 2: Other Transaction Authority (OTA) & Statutory Flexibilities

4. OTA Experience: What experience does your organization have executing projects utilizing Other Transaction Authorities (10 U.S.C. § 2808a, 10 U.S.C. § 4022, or civilian equivalent)?

Section 3: CMAR Delivery & Multi-Project Considerations

5. Design Entry Point: Given that the six (6) projects are currently at 65% design and beyond, what is the optimal design maturity point for your firm to enter as a CMAR partner to provide maximum cost and schedule benefits? Provide thoughts on CMAR at >90% stage, allowing for constructability reviews, cost estimating, and open book negotiations/GMP prior to construction execution vs. traditional FAR-based Design-Bid-Build.

6. Design Maturity & Early-Builder Benefits: Given the scale of these Army Reserve Center projects, what are the primary benefits of bringing on a CMAR builder during the preconstruction phase (e.g., at 90% design), and how can the Government maximize those benefits? 

Section 4: Specialized Facility & Technical Capabilities

7. Heavy-Duty Airfield Paving (Grissom ARB & Westover ARB): Describe your firm’s experience with large-scale, heavy-duty airfield pavement projects for strategic air mobility aircraft (e.g., C-5M, KC-46). Specifically, address experience with both full-depth Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) and hot mix asphalt replacement, operation of on-site concrete batch plants, installation of taxiway lighting and signage, and managing construction phasing on an active airfield.

8. Multi-Story Mission Operations Facilities (Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station (ARS)): Describe your firm's experience constructing new multi-story operational facilities for military clients. Highlight experience with mixed-use spaces including administrative offices, secure briefing rooms, alert crew quarters (lodging/dining), and training areas. Address your approach to meeting DoD Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) standards and managing projects with potential soil or groundwater contamination (e.g., PFAS).

9. Hangar Renovation & Systems Modernization (Patrick Space Force Base (SFB)): Detail your firm’s experience in the comprehensive renovation of aircraft maintenance hangars. Describe projects involving the replacement of major building systems (HVAC, electrical), removal and replacement of legacy fire suppression systems (e.g., AFFF/foam), full building envelope restoration (roofing, wall panels), and repair/replacement of large-scale hangar door systems.

10. Mission-Critical Communications Facilities (Pittsburgh ARS): Describe your experience constructing facilities designed to support critical communications squadrons or data center operations. Include experience with electrical and HVAC system redundancy, emergency power generation, and building security and infrastructure required to meet UFC 4-010-01 for Antiterrorism/Force Protection.

11. Airfield Environmental & Utility Coordination (Westover ARB): Detail your experience executing airfield projects that required significant environmental coordination and mitigation, such as compensatory mitigation for impacted wildlife habitats. Additionally, describe your experience with projects involving the demolition and relocation of critical airfield utilities like electrical duct banks and communications lines.

Section 5: Bonding & Financial Capacity

12. Bonding Capacity: Specify your maximum bonding (Single and Aggregate) as a Sole Prime Contractor and/or as a Joint Venture.

Section 6: Feedback on the Acquisition Strategy & Alternatives:

13. Does the proposed CMAR-OTA strategy incentivize your firm to participate? Why or why not?

14. Are there alternative acquisition strategies, phasing approaches, or commercial practices the Government has not considered that would yield a better facility, faster delivery, or lower cost?

15.  Differentiating Evaluation Criteria: To differentiate high-performing CMAR collaborative builders from traditional low-bid general contractors, what evaluation criteria (e.g., past collaborative-delivery/CMAR performance, key personnel/superintendent experience, trade-partner/subcontractor open-book engagement strategy, or proposed General Conditions fees) should carry the greatest weight in the Government's evaluation?

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Submission Requirement: The only authorized transmission method of responses is via filling out the survey form. No other transmission method will be accepted. Please limit your capability statement to the space provided within the form. The Market Intelligence Response Form can be accessed at https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/JC6MaPurdX

 or via the QR Code provided in the attachment.

Please submit your responses by 14 October 2026 at 1100 Eastern Time.

The questionnaire is the Government's primary mechanism for obtaining detailed market intelligence and addresses industry capability, experience, technical capabilities, construction considerations, and recommended OTA and commercial practices.

The Government welcomes candid industry feedback and recommendations regarding commercial practices, agreement terms, project phasing, risk sharing, governance, pricing approaches, and other considerations that could improve successful execution of this project under 10 U.S.C. § 2808a.

Interested firms are encouraged to add themselves to the Interested Vendors List associated with this announcement on SAM.gov to receive future updates.

Note: Do not submit proprietary trade secrets, protected technologies, or classified information in your response. All feedback received will be handled as public market research to shape the Government's final acquisition approach.

Survey Link:

https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/JC6MaPurdX