USDA Plant Improvement Facility (PIF)

The USDA Plant Improvement Facility (PIF) project, referenced under solicitation number W912PM26BA012, is a pre-solicitation market research notice issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District, to gather industry capability information for the construction of a new 45,000-square-foot laboratory, office, and seed processing facility along with 6,500 square feet of greenhouse and headhouse space on the North Carolina State University campus in Raleigh. The project, estimated to be valued between $25 million and $35 million under DFARS 236.204(i), includes site improvements such as parking, roads, and utilities, as well as an optional 6,000-square-foot equipment storage/shop building. The facility will feature pre-engineered metal construction with a standing seam roof, functional zoning oriented from east to west to support agrarian workflows, and CMU construction with veneer and PVC roofing for auxiliary structures. All submissions must be sent electronically by 18:00 Eastern Time on May 29, 2026, to two designated USACE email addresses, with the subject line formatted precisely as specified. Respondents must provide evidence of recent experience as a prime contractor, joint venture, or mentor-protege on at least three comparable construction projects completed within the last six years, each valued at a minimum of $18 million and totaling no less than 30,000 square feet, including project descriptions, completion dates, contract types, and point-of-contact details for verification. Companies must also submit a surety letter demonstrating both single-project and aggregate bonding capacity, documentation of recognized socio-economic certifications such as 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, or SDB—all verifiable through SAM.gov—and, if applicable, a one-page description of teaming arrangements clearly delineating roles and responsibilities. For mentor-protege collaborations, a signed agreement must confirm that at least 40% of the labor is performed by the protege firm, and if participating in the DoD Mentor-Protege Program, two project examples—one completed by the mentor and one by the protege—are required. All submissions become government property, no compensation is provided for responses, and hard copies or promotional materials are strictly prohibited. While this notice is not a solicitation and does not include evaluation factors, award criteria, contract clauses, or pricing details, it sets the foundation