Tallinn NEC Market Research-20260113.pdf

Department of State 2026 Construction for Design/Build Construction Contract for the New Embassy Compound (NEC) for Tallinn, Estonia

Request for Information - Market Research

This is a Request for Information (RFI) as outlined in FAR 15.201(c) (7). The purpose of this RFI is to accomplish market research pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10, and to identify businesses capable of performing the functions described herein. The government is requesting information regarding the availability and feasibility of attracting firms to support the requirements of THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE (DOS), Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) for the design/build construction services for a New Embassy Compound in Tallinn, Estonia

This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes and DOES NOT constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a commitment on the part of the government to conduct a solicitation for the below-listed services in the future. Responders are advised that the government will not pay for information submitted in response to this RFI, nor will it compensate responders for any costs incurred in the development/furnishing of a response.

Please note that a decision not to submit a response to this RFI will not preclude a vendor from participating in any future solicitation.

1. Project Description –Tallinn Estonia New Embassy Compound (NEC)

SECRET FACILITY AND PERSONNEL SECURITY CLEARANCES ARE REQUIRED

Property Description: The U.S. Embassy in Tallinn, Estonia is relocating from its current leased facility to a stand-alone New Embassy Compound (NEC). The NEC will be situated in the city center with convenient access to public transportation. The project is located on 1.5 hectares (3.7 acres) in the Uus Maailm Sub- District of the City of Tallinn. The official project address is Suur Ameerika Street 3/ Väike-Ameerika Street 4. The site is undeveloped. The site is flat with approximately 0-1% slope to the South/South-west, with a retaining wall and significant grade change at the northern boundary of the site adjacent to Suur Ameerika Street. The site is bounded along its perimeter by Suur Ameerika Street to the north, Väike Ameerika Street to the south, the Super Ministry building to the east, and a private condominium development to the west.

If/when the solicitation is released on Sam.gov, uncleared offerors who are found to be qualified and make the prequalified list will be sponsored for a Facility Clearance (FCL) by the Department of State. All firms including those that form joint ventures must also comply with the FCL requirements. Sponsorship does not guarantee that the firm will receive the clearance.

In order to be eligible for award, the successful offeror must possess a Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) Secret Facility Clearance (FCL), with Secret safeguarding capability, issued in accordance with the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, DOD 5220.22-M.

Foreign firms are not eligible for FCLs. Only U.S. firms organized and operating in the U.S. or Puerto Rico, or a U.S. possession or trusted territory, are eligible for facility clearances. U.S.

firms which are determined to be under Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) are not eligible for an FCL unless actions (as directed and approved by DCSA) can be taken to effectively negate or reduce associated FOCI risks to an acceptable level.

Project Scope: Design-Build (DB) with Bridging Project Delivery The project scope includes a chancery, new main and service compound access control facilities (MCAC/SCAC), a support annex including, maintenance shops, vehicle maintenance, and on-site storage, a utility building, a mail screening facility, a marine security guard residence (MSGR), and staff/visitor/official parking. Construction of full-height perimeter walls is also required.

Anticipated Facilities and Areas:

Facilities: Approximately 14,627 GSM Total

Chancery: ~10,077 GSM Support Annex

Maintenance: ~1,050 GSM Vehicle Maintenance: ~22 GSM On-Site Storage: ~314 GSM

Compound Access Control (CAC) Main CAC: ~222 GSM Service CAC: ~316 GSM

Mail Screening Facility: ~15 GSM Utility Building: ~1,508 GSM

MSGR: ~1,103 GSM

Parking: Approximately 1,115 GSM Total

Official: 27 below-grade structured spaces (~810 GSM) Staff: 5 surface spaces (~150 GSM) Visitor: 8 surface spaces (3 Cars and 5 Motorcycles ~130GSM)

This is a Design-Build contract. The selected contractor will receive bridging documents and will be responsible for developing them to 100% final design, as well as completing all construction work for the New Embassy Compound.

The Contractor shall provide complete design and construction services, contract coordination, and supervision, including but not limited to the management, professional design services, and construction necessary to meet the requirements of this contract within the established schedules.

Construction documents shall be developed in accordance with the Request for Proposal (RFP) Contract Documents and referenced requirements. The Contractor shall execute the project consistent with the OBO mission to provide the most effective facilities for United States diplomacy abroad. Design and construction shall be completed within the Contract Award Amount identified in Contract Section A. Design and construction shall be performed within the period of performance.

Approximate design/build project cost is $250 million - $3395 million. The contract type for this project will be Firm-Fixed Price.

We are seeking both large and small businesses interested in the project. Specifically, for the small businesses that fall under the following Socio-Economic Categories: Small Business (SB), Women Owned Small Business (WOSB), HubZone (HUBZ), 8(a), and Service Disabled, Veteran Owned Businesses under NAICS code 236220. All interested companies must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) and not be on the Excluded Party List.

2. Technical Requirements

2A. Submission Requirements and Format:

2A.1 Organization. Organize submittals by factor according to the list in Section 3.C below.

Tab and clearly identify each factor in the submittal.

2A.2 Language. Use only the English language. Submit an English translation for all information originally provided in another language. If an English translation is not provided, DOS will not review or consider the information submitted only in another language. Non-English language pages are not included in any page counts.

2A.3 Page Limits. Maximum page limits for each factor are identified in Section 3.C. If a submission exceeds the allowable page limits, DOS may consider only the designated number of pages, starting with the first page of each factor.

2A.4 Page Size. Pages are based on a single-sided 8 ½” x 11” (or A4) sheet. Page equivalencies are: one double-sided page = two single-sided pages; 11”x17” fold-outs = two pages per side. Except where otherwise specified, the maximum paper size permitted is 11” x 17” (or A3).

2A.5 Font. Submit offers in size 12 font minimum. Only the Standard Form (SF) 330, required for use by the design subcontractors, may be prepared in size 10 font. SF 330 is available through: http://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/type/TOP

2A.6 Color. Submit text as black writing on a white background. Text that is difficult to read due to the use of colored text, colored background, and/or font selection may result in a failure of one or more factors.

2A.7 Format and Copies. Provide an electronic copy to the emails identified in Section 3.

2A.8 Missing Information. A submission discovered to be incomplete or missing the required information may be eliminated from further consideration.

2A.9 Additional Information. Offerors are cautioned that DOS will consider only the information in the submission and that obtained by DOS from additional sources concerning past performance.

2B. Definitions:

2B.1 Where the term “Offeror” is used, it is intended that requirements for the Offeror apply equally to either a single Contractor or to all parties of a Joint Venture (JV), where applicable.

2B.2 The project(s) included in this solicitation are referenced as “the Project” in Section 4.C.

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/type/TOP

2C. CONTENT OF SUBMISSIONS AND FACTORS FOR EVALUATION:

FACTOR 1: Joint Venture Agreement/Signed Statement of JV Intent & Description of Partnership.

The failure of Factor 1 will result in the failure of the entire submittal. DOS will not review the remaining portions of the submittal if there is the failure of Factor 1.

1.1 Page limit: Three. The JV agreement or Statement of Intent to form a JV does not count against the page limit for this factor.

1.2 If the planned organizational structure for the Offeror is a JV, provide a Statement of

Intent to form a JV, signed by all parties to the JV. If a formal JV has already been formed, the JV agreement may be submitted in lieu of the Statement of Intent. If the Offeror is not submitting as a JV, so state.

1.3 Organizations that wish to rely upon the experience or financial resources of any other legally related entity or organization, including parent companies, subsidiaries, or other related firms, must do so by way of a formal JVonly. A “de facto” JV will not be accepted.

1.4 Describe the relationship of the JV parties.

1.5 Identify each JV party’s role.

1.6 Identify the type and percentage of work assigned to each JV party.

1.7 If the offeror is organized as a Joint Venture, DOS will evaluate whether the roles and responsibilities of the JV parties have been adequately described. This factor is not applicable if there is no JV.

FACTOR 2: Technical Project Experience and Past Performance.

The failure of Factor 2 will result in the failure of the entire submittal. DOS will not review the remaining portions of the submittal if there is the failure of Factor 2.

For sub-factor 2A.1 and 2A.2 there is no set page limit. Offeror shall provide sufficient information to demonstrate successful experience per the listed attributes; including, for each distinct project, a project narrative that shows: initial award amount; contractual period of performance along with the Construction Notice to Proceed date; actual duration to substantial completion or the scheduled substantial completion date if the project is ongoing. If there is a difference between the contractual period of performance and the actual duration or anticipated completion date of the project, provide a detailed explanation about the reason for the difference.

While there is no set limit to the number of pages, the Offeror’s submission in terms of conciseness, relevancy of each narrative, and organization of responses will be considered in determining the Offeror’s capability relative to other offerors.

Sub-factor 2A.1 – Critical/Mandatory Attributes:

Offeror must submit all requested information to be fully considered.

Provide information on 3 or more reference projects of similar scope and complexity to the Tallinn NEC project. Each reference project must be responsive to every factor/attribute. When considering the project’s dollar value, only the Offeror’s own contracted amount shall be considered (i.e., if the referenced project’s total value is $100M but the Offeror was a subcontractor for only $20M of work, it shall be considered for the purposes of this evaluation as a $20M project not $100M).

Financial records and references are requested to assess suitability and confirm performance on jobs of similar scope and complexity. The Offeror should expect that the government will contact provided references as part of the review.

2A.1.A Financial Attributes:

The successful Offeror shall demonstrate the following financial attributes/capabilities:

1. Ability to obtain full bonding for the project – This capability shall be demonstrated by providing documentation showing the Offeror has successfully bonded 3 or more projects in the past 5 years of similar scope, compressed schedule, and complexity, and at minimum 80% of the estimated dollar value to that of the Tallinn NEC project.

2. Ability to manage project finances – This capability shall be demonstrated by providing accounting records/documentation showing the Offeror has experience with accounts payable and accounts receivable balances for 3 or more projects in the past 5 years of similar scope, compressed schedule, and complexity, and at a minimum of 80% of the estimated dollar value of the Tallinn NEC project. Provide records/documentation to describe the financial management system used to manage and track project finances for labor and materials.

3. Credit worthiness – This capability shall be demonstrated by providing documented evidence, such as binding letters of credit and bank statements indicating that, if awarded this contract, creditors will extend sufficient line-of-credit to the Offeror to fund the project start-up as well as on-going project operations. This attribute shall be considered fully satisfied if the Offeror’s total borrowing capacity plus cash on deposit equals to or exceeds 6 months of accounts payable – all expenditures including but not limited to labor, material, consultant services, insurance, transportation – anticipated for the Tallinn NEC project.

4. 2A.1.B Organizational Attributes:

The successful Offeror shall demonstrate the following organizational attributes/capabilities:

1. Ability to manage subcontract formation and administration – This capability shall be demonstrated by providing documented evidence showing that the Offeror has managed the process of subcontract formation administration and closeout for 3 or more projects in the past 5 years of similar scope, compressed schedule, and complexity, and at minimum 80% of the estimated dollar value to that of Tallinn NEC project.

For Offerors who intend on self-performing all aspects of this project, adequate evidence shall consist of names and contact information for all suppliers of major equipment and materials for each reference project.

For Offerors who intend to form subcontract agreements with other general contractors, adequate evidence shall include names and contact information of general contractors with whom the

Offeror has previously worked.

2. Ability to establish foreign business operations – This capability shall be demonstrated by providing documented evidence that the Offeror has established business operations in a foreign country for 3 or more projects in the past 5 years of similar scope, compressed schedule, and complexity, and at minimum 80% of the estimated dollar value to that of the Tallinn NEC project.

Adequate evidence shall consist of, at minimum, business licenses, tax receipts, and other similar documentation showing in part the foreign country business address distinct from the Offeror’s home/U.S. office address.

3. Ability to manage logistics – This capability shall be demonstrated by providing documented evidence that the Offeror has managed projects with complex logistics for 3 or more projects in the past 5 years of similar scope and complexity, and at minimum 80% of the estimated dollar value to that of the Tallinn NEC project. Adequate evidence shall consist of a brief (300 word maximum) narrative describing each project’s principal logistical challenges along with receipts from vendors (e.g., shipping, goods and materials, equipment, lodging, travel, housing rental).

Project logistics will be considered “complex” if they possess the following attributes:

• Projects in foreign urban locations requiring secure material shipping and storage.

• Projects in remote foreign locations with limited or no access to required materials, equipment, local skilled labor, ground transport challenges; unfamiliar local business practices and cultural practices.

• Projects in foreign urban locations with restricted operating hours; requiring advance coordination with local authorities and local residences for work such as movement of large construction vehicles (e.g., cranes);

• Projects in foreign urban locations requiring interface with local authorities for design/building permits; land development permits and work that impacts local infrastructure (e.g., traffic related work, curb cuts, utility connections).

4. Ability to plan work and manage work to a schedule – This capability shall be demonstrated by providing evidence that the Offeror has completed 3 or more projects in the past 5 years of similar scope and complexity, and at minimum 80% of the estimated dollar value to that of the Tallinn NEC project within 7 days of the contracted/scheduled completion date. Adequate evidence of this capability shall consist of an as-built level 2 schedule showing the “as-planned” start and end dates and “statused” with as-built dates. This schedule should be the original DOS approved project schedule. In the event of contract modifications effecting project duration, the original schedule should be “statused” through the time of modification, and the “re-baselined” scheduled also provided. Schedules should be provided with a brief narrative listing the project start and end dates along with milestone dates affecting the schedule. Schedule and data dates shall match the narrative. Schedules used as reporting and forecasting tools (i.e. where durations, activities, and sequencing are regularly updated) are not responsive to this sub-factor.

Sub-factor 2A.2 – Preferred Attributes:

Offeror shall submit documentation demonstrating experience on 3 or more projects in the past 5 years of similar scope, compressed schedule, and complexity, and at minimum 80% of the estimated dollar value to that of the Tallinn NEC project with:

1. Successful Joint Venture partnerships with construction and or/design and/or real estate developer firms in Estonia.

2. Successful subcontracting (where the Offeror was the prime contractor) work with construction and/or design firms in Estonia.

Sub-factor 2A.3 – Limits on Subcontracting.

This project is subject to subcontracting limits of no more than 50% of the total value of the contract, as identified in 22 U.S. Code Section 4852.

Sub-factor 2B Past Performance 2B.1 Page limit for each explanation in 2B.2 and 2B.3: One.

2B.2 Quality: For the past five years on any project the Offeror was involved with, identify whether the Offeror has had any of the following problems, and if so, explain the reasons for and the remedy/resolution of the problem:

2B.2.1 Been terminated for default;

2B.2.2 Been issued a cure notice;

2B.2.3 Been issued a show cause notice;

2B.2.4 Failed to meet a contractual completion date.

2B.2.5 Been assessed liquidated damages;

2B.2.6 Had its performance and payment bond surety notified that the contractor was not fulfilling its contract obligations;

2B.2.7 Had its performance during construction evaluated as unsatisfactory or unacceptable.

2B.3 For each relevant project example submitted per sub-factor 2A, identify performance problems other than those specified in 2B.2 above, including schedule deviations, and describe how the problems were remedied.

2B.4 Compliance with DOS Criteria 2B.4.1 The Offeror is not required to submit any information for Section 2B.4.

2B.4.2 DOS will gather information from interviews with the Bureau of Diplomatic

Security, OBO’s Office of Security Management, and OBO’s project staff who have worked with the Offeror, to assist in the evaluation of the Offeror’s past performance with respect to compliance with DOS criteria.

2B.4.3 Contractors who have no previous experience with DOS shall be given a neutral rating for this portion of the past performance section.

DOS will evaluate the quality of the Offeror’s past performance based on information submitted. DOS will evaluate the Offeror’s record of compliance with Industrial Security and Construction Security requirements for Factor 2B.4. DOS will evaluate the Offeror’s record of project completion and close-out, its approach to problem and change resolution, and its responsiveness to issues and problems raised by OBO for Factor 2B.4.

Additionally, DOS may gather information from other sources to assist in evaluating the quality of the Offeror’s past performance.

FACTOR 3: The Offeror’s Organization and Management The failure of Factor 3 will result in the failure of the entire submittal.

3.1 Page limit: Sections 3.2-3.5; Ten.

3.2 Describe the management process and tools that the Offeror typically employs in managing a project of the type, size, schedule, complexity of the Tallinn NEC project.

3.3 Provide documentation as evidence of completed Design-Build project(s) of the scope and complexity of the Tallinn NEC project from start of final design to substantial completion.

3.4 Identify, by position only, how the Offeror typically staffs a project of the type, size, complexity of the Tallinn NEC project. Show staffing for Home (headquarters and support) & Field Offices. Provide a brief list explaining the roles of each of the typical positions.

3.5 Provide additional relevant information, such as significant achievements, retention of key personnel, and/or timely award of sub-contractors.

DOS will evaluate the Offeror’s management processes and typical organization, considering: decision-making; communication within the team; communication between the Home (headquarters and support) and Field Offices; authority assigned to the Field Office; and tracking of schedules, procurement, and cost.

3. Closing Deadline for Submissions

ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 3:00 P.M. Eastern Time on February 05, 2026.

TRANSMISSION OF INFORMATION: Firms shall submit all responses electronically via e-mail:

Sonja Ablola: ablolas@fan.gov Scott Dye: dyesj@fan.gov

REQUESTS FOR CLARIFICATIONS must be submitted to Sonja Ablola by e-mail at ablolas@state.gov.