Sources Sought - Fort Wolters - 21 Oct 2026.pdf

Sources Sought & Other Transaction Authority (OTA) Market Intelligence

SUBJECT: Sources Sought (RFI) – Fort Wolters H Barracks, Mineral Wells, Texas

1. DISCLAIMER. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) / SOURCES

SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. This notice is issued solely for market intelligence, information, and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposals (RFP), a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), or a commitment by the Government to write, issue, or award an agreement. The Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. All response costs will be borne solely by the interested party.

2. PURPOSE. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Fort Worth District, is conducting active public market intelligence to gauge industry interest, capacity, and capability from commercial construction firms, design-builders, and Non-Traditional Defense Contractors (NDCs). The intent is to gather critical feedback regarding advanced commercial construction methodologies, project delivery risks, and acquisition preferences to support our upcoming project delivery selection.

3. ACQUISITION STRATEGY & NON-FAR MODEL.

a. Statutory Authority: This project will potentially be executed as a Progressive Design-Build (PDB) or Design-Build to Budget (DBtB) project utilizing Other Transaction Authority (OTA) pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 2808a.

b. Non-FAR Environment: Prospective partners are advised that the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) does NOT apply to this procurement. The negotiated, bilateral Other Transaction Agreement will serve as the sole governing contract.

Standard FAR clauses are inapplicable, though federal statutory constraints (such as federal fiscal law, criminal statutes, and general civil laws) remain fully applicable.

c. Phased Agreement Mechanics:

(1) PBD Procurement Process: Phase 1, Design & Pre-Construction Services, a design-builder will be selected through a qualifications-based selection (QBS) process. The government will then negotiate a fee for Phase 1 services. There is no requirement to submit price proposals or design concepts during the initial selection.

Phase 2, Final Design & Construction, is executed via a bilateral modification to the OT Agreement upon successful negotiation of a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) at approximately 65% design maturity. The Agreement contains an "off-ramp" clause allowing the Government to retain the design and procure construction separately if GMP negotiations fail.

(2) DBtB Procurement Process: Solicitation and evaluation during Phase 1 focuses on the qualifications, past performance, and integrated Design-Build experience of each offeror. The Government is evaluating the team and not necessarily how the offeror will design the structure. The Phase 1 evaluation results in the selection of three of the most highly qualified, competitive teams to proceed to Phase 2.

Phase 2, the Government will issue the final RFP exclusively to the down-selected teams. This RFP includes the validated, performance-based requirements, establishes the firm Construction Cost Limit (CCL), and clearly defines the basic scope.

Project Information Packet (PIP)

1. Project Overview & Mission Goal

• Project Name/Number: Ft Wolters H Barracks

• Location: Ft Wolters, Mineral Springs, Texas

• Mission Statement: A specially designed Collective Training Unaccompanied

Housing (CT-UH) of permanent construction to replace existing Fort Wolters

Barracks Buildings 00751 and 00752. This repair-by-replacement project includes demolition of the two existing non-mission capable barracks, hazardous material abatement, enhanced antiterrorism/force protection, cybersecurity, sustainability/energy measures, and comprehensive interior design.

• Why DBtB? USACE is seeking industry innovation to maximize facility quality, durability, and performance within a fixed, non-negotiable budget.

2. Functional Requirements (The "What")

• Facility Type: Open Bay Transient Barracks

• Estimated Scale: Approximately 40,000 square feet, two story, 250-person capacity.

• Primary Functional Spaces:

o Space A: Open bay sleeping area o Space B: Latrines & showers o Space C: Laundry area o Space D: Lounge/dayroom & support areas o Space E: Exterior access, site improvements, utility services

• Key Performance Targets: Facilities will be designed for a minimum 25-year life in accordance with DoD Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC 1-200-02), applicable energy efficiency and sustainable design policy, and all local, State, Federal, DoD, Army, and National Guard requirements as per 42 U.S. Code 4154.

3. Known Project Constraints

• Site Conditions: Site repairs and reconstruction will be necessary following demolition to include landscaping, sidewalks, paving, curbing, lighting, electrical, gas, water, sewer, and storm drainage.

• Security/Access: Project is located inside the cantonment area; all personnel must undergo NCIC checks.

• Utilities: Government-furnished utilities are available at the site boundary;

contractor is responsible for final connections

4. The Construction Cost Limitation (CCL)

• The Fixed Budget: $26,000,000.00.

• What it Includes: This amount covers all design services and construction. It excludes Government-furnished equipment (GFE).

• The DBtB Challenge: USACE is seeking a design-build team that can provide the highest level of technical merit, quality, and mission-capability for this fixed amount.

5. Proposed Project Schedule

• Solicitation Release: June 2027

• Agreement Award: September 2027

• Period of Performance: 730 Calendar Days from Notice to Proceed (NTP).

• Critical Milestones: Beneficial Occupancy Date (BOD) required by 30 SEP 2029 to support unit arrival.

6. The Procurement Process (The "Collaborative Path") (NOTE: Change this based on what your procurement type is)

• Potential Agreement Type: The Government is considering executing this project using an Other Transaction (OT) Agreement in lieu of a traditional Federal

Acquisition Regulation (FAR) based contract. We are actively seeking industry feedback to determine if an OT or a FAR-based approach is most appropriate for this specific project.

• Two-Phase Selection: Phase 1 will select the most qualified teams. Phase 2 will evaluate final technical and price proposals.

• Interactive Discussions: The Government intends to hold [Number, e.g., 3] confidential, proprietary meetings with Phase 2 offerors to review concept development and provide real-time feedback prior to final proposal submission.

• Stipends: [Mention if stipends will be offered for Phase 2 unsuccessful offerors per ER 1180-1-9.]

• Incentives: Discuss potential for use of incentives such as award fee plan with example below as a possible alternative.

Note: See link to provide industry feedback https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/ZQ8Rm8MaN7 https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/ZQ8Rm8MaN7