REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) / MARKET RESEARCH NOTICE

CONSTRUCT US SPACE FORCE INTEGRATION FACILITY, F/10852 WPAFB, OHIO

Notice: This is a Request for Information (RFI) for market research and informational purposes only. This announcement does not constitute a Solicitation or a Request for Proposal (RFP), and no solicitation is currently available. Participation in this RFI is strictly voluntary. The Government will not be obligated to award any agreement or contract 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 should a formal solicitation be issued in the future.

NAICS Code: 236220 – Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (Note: While Other Transaction Authority is not subject to FAR-based small business regulations, this NAICS code is provided for market research to help the Government understand the size and demographics of the interested industrial base.)

1. PROJECT OVERVIEW

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), in support of the United States Space Force (USSF), is conducting market research to identify interested and qualified industry partners for the design and construction of the USSF Integration Facility (F/10852) at Wright- Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), Ohio.

The USSF Integration Facility will be a multi-story, highly classified and secure area to enable the Director for National intelligence and the USSF directed/endorsed mission in areas of the highest national security. Workspaces will house intelligence analysis and production for new and expanded mission support for USSF.

The project involves construction of approximately 333,700 SF of multi-story, ICD 705 compliant space. Key features of the project include:

• Structural & Exterior Envelope: Structural frame with metal panels and pre-cast exterior walls. The new facility shall connect to existing Building F10854. Lightning Protection Systems (LPS), and thermal wall envelope (including windows, doors, and wall insulation) will be part of the design/construction.

• High-Security Spaces (ICD 705): Construction of Special Access Program (SAP) spaces and Secure Compartmentalized Information Facilities (SCIFs) built to stringent ICD 705 standards.

• Critical Utilities & MEP: Backup generator facilities and an entirely new, efficient HVAC system (including AHUs, chillers, and controls). The building is anticipated to be in use 24/7 and analysts work-space comfort and equipment shall be considered.

• Life Safety & Fire Protection: Fire suppression, standpipe, and fire sprinkler systems throughout, along with a state-of-the-art addressable fire alarm and mass notification system.

• Phasing & Occupancy: Building 10854 must remain operational and maintain its ICD 705 accreditation. Construction must be carefully phased to maintain mission operations without disruption.

• Estimated Acquisition Magnitude: Approximately $340,000,000.00.

• Funding Source: FY29 Space Force MILCON

2. PLANNED ACQUISITION STRATEGY

The Government is considering utilizing an Other Transaction (OT) Agreement for a prototype project under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 2808a. This authority is intended for military construction projects that involve testing and experimentation associated with new and emergent construction technologies or delivery methodologies to achieve benefits such as enhanced mission resilience, improved installation support, or cost and schedule reduction.

The baseline delivery method under consideration is Progressive Design-Build (PDB).

• Phase 1 (Design & Pre-Construction): The Government and the OT Awardee will work collaboratively to advance the design, perform constructability reviews, conduct open-book cost estimating, and mitigate project risks.

• Phase 2 (Construction): Upon reaching an agreed-upon level of design (e.g., 60% to 90%), the Awardee will propose a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). If accepted, the Government will exercise Phase 2 for construction execution. If a GMP cannot be agreed upon, the Government retains an "off-ramp" to complete the design and construct the facility via alternative methods.

3. INFORMATION REQUESTED

Section 1: Company Profile

• Firm Name, Address, and Point of Contact (Name, Title, Phone, Email).

• Unique Entity ID (UEI).

• Socioeconomic Status (Other Than Small, Small, 8(a), SDVOSB, WOSB, HUBZone, etc.).

• Participating Role (Prime Contractor, Subcontractor, Design Firm, Other) o Describe your firm's strategy for ensuring your information systems (and those of your critical subcontractors) are fully compliant with CMMC Level 2 (Self) requirements prior to contract award.

o Detail your experience in safeguarding Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and managing secure communications on previous federal/military design-build projects.

o How do you plan to handle the exchange of CUI design packages, specifications, and drawings with subcontractors who may have varying levels of cybersecurity maturity?

• Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) & Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification

(CMMC)

o This project will require the selected contractor and its subcontractor(s) to process, store, or transmit CUI and Federal Contract Information (FCI).

o In accordance with the CMMC program (32 CFR part 170) and USACE policy (including Alert 26-HQ-010, Rev1), CMMC Level 2 (Self) will be a mandatory prerequisite prior to award.

o Offerors must have an active SAM registration and a current, verified BASIC confidence level assessment (or higher) posted in the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) in accordance with NIST SP 800-171.

Award Eligibility: An offeror will not be eligible for award if they do not possess the required current CMMC status posted in SPRS prior to award.

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

1. Innovative Technologies & Practices: 10 U.S.C. § 2808a focuses on prototyping with new or emergent construction technologies or innovative processes. Describe any innovative materials, sustainable building technologies, or modern construction processes (e.g., prefabrication, modular MEP systems) your firm could utilize to accelerate the schedule, reduce costs, or increase the building's 50-year life expectancy.

2. OTA Experience: Describe your firm’s experience (if any) executing projects under an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA).

3. Overcoming Traditional Barriers: What commercial or Government-imposed barriers (e.g., traditional FAR-based procurement limitations) make it difficult to implement innovative methods on complex military construction? How can the flexibility of an OTA help overcome these barriers?

4. Custom Commercial Terms & Dispute Resolution: To optimize the flexibilities of the OTA framework, what specific commercial terms (e.g. tailored dispute resolution/rapid escalation mechanisms, commercial milestone payment structures, or shared intellectual property rights for innovative method) would your firm recommend the Government adopt to minimize risk or incentivize your participation?

Section 3: Progressive Design-Build (PDB) / Early Contractor Involvement

1. Information Baseline: What minimum level of detail (e.g., DD Form 1391, conceptual design, spatial programming documents, cultural/environmental issues, utility systems, security requirements, etc.) does your firm require prior to entering Phase 1 (Design & Pre-construction) to feel confident in the project's baseline viability and target budget?

2. Collaborative Framework: What collaborative mechanisms (such as joint design charrettes, target-value design workshops, or phased scoping approvals) do you recommend the Government implement in the first 30-90 days of Phase 1 to rapidly transition from a planning document to an agreed-upon technical baseline?

3. Open-Book Pricing: Describe your experience with "open-book" pricing and transparency during pre-construction. How do you assure the Government that subcontractor and material pricing represent fair market value?

Section 4: Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), Risk Allocation & Compensation

1. Off-Ramp Risk & Design Rights: If the Government and the contractor cannot reach an agreement on the GMP (the "off-ramp"), what specific compensation structures (e.g., design fees, stipends, time-and-materials) would adequately compensate your firm for Phase 1 efforts? Who should retain ownership of the design deliverables in this scenario?

2. GMP Lock-In Milestone: In your experience with highly complex, secure administrative construction, at what design milestone (e.g., 35%, 65%, 95%) is it most advantageous to lock in the GMP, and why?

3. Long-Lead Procurement: How do you handle the procurement of critical, long-lead items (such as backup generators, customized HVAC chiller components, and high-security electrical switchgear) prior to establishing the final construction GMP?

4. Pitch Presentation Preparation: Following the qualifications-based down select, would including a stipend to a limited pool (no more than 3) and/or providing additional proposal preparation time, be beneficial? What information should be provided (e.g. charrette reports, site visits, design meeting(s) with the Gov’t team, etc.) to compete for selection?

Section 5: Secure Spaces (ICD 705), and MEP/Utility Expertise

1. Secure Spaces (ICD 705): Describe your firm's specific experience in constructing and accrediting Special Access Program (SAP) spaces and SCIFs complying with ICD 705 standards. What are the primary risk factors in delivering these facilities on time?

2. Complex MEP Infrastructure: Detail your experience in designing/constructing central energy/chiller plants, high-voltage electrical distribution, backup power generator facilities.

3. CUI & CMMC Implementation Plan:

1. Describe your firm's strategy for ensuring your information systems (and those of your critical subcontractors) are fully compliant with CMMC Level 2 (Self) requirements prior to contract award.

2. Detail your experience in safeguarding Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and managing secure communications on previous federal/military design-build projects.

3. How do you plan to handle the exchange of CUI design packages, specifications, and drawings with subcontractors who may have varying levels of cybersecurity maturity?

Section 6: Teaming & Subcontractor Integration

1. Subcontractor Onboarding: Under a collaborative (PDB) model, how and when do you plan to onboard critical specialty subcontractors (e.g., ICD 705 security, MEP, fire protection, hazardous abatement)?

2. Competition: Will you compete these subcontracts openly during Phase 1 pre-construction, or do you prefer bringing in established, pre-selected trade partners from day one?

Section 7: Bonding & Financial Capability

1. Surety Timelines: If construction bonds are deferred until Phase 2, what is the maximum duration your surety would hold a commitment open between the finalization of the GMP and the Notice to Proceed for construction?

2. Funding Gap Mitigations: If funding or execution authority for Phase 2 construction is delayed (e.g., 90–180 days post-design completion due to O&M/fiscal year cycles), what contractual mechanisms (e.g., escalation clauses, right to off-ramp) would your firm require to maintain the agreement?

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

4. Phased bonding approach: Would a phased bonding structure - where the contractor is only required to bond the value of the phase 1 effort initially, and construction bonds are deferred until the execution of phase 2 - effectively mitigate risk for your firm?

4. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Interested firms are invited to submit their responses to this RFI no later than 06 October 2026 at 1600ET.

Submissions should be sent via email to Mr. Lee Merideth (ranzel.l.merideth@usace.army.mil) in PDF format, not exceeding 15 pages (excluding company brochures or standard profiles).

Please direct all questions regarding this market research notice to the primary Point of Contact listed above.