SAA_Construction_MATOCs_QA_Compilation.pdf

SAA Construction MATOCs Outreach Event - Q&A Compilation This document compiles the questions submitted by industry partners during the SAA Construction MATOCs Outreach Event on July 22, 2026, along with the preliminary responses from the USACE Latin America & Caribbean District.

(Note: Items marked with [Pending Response] require additional input before final publication.)

MATOC Structure & Scope Q: Will these MATOCs be a replacement for Puerto Rico Power Stabilization MATOC or is this supplementary?

A: This will not be a replacement MATOC.

Q: Capacity for both contracts seems very low - have you considered a major weather event that will require a higher capacity contract?

A: Not for the work we are currently anticipating.

Q: Will the RFPs be issued in a pre-solicitation mode prior to their release as a solicitation?

A: Yes.

Q: Are both NAICS codes required to propose?

A: Yes.

Q: How will permitting requirements be handled with OGPe?

A: This will be included in the task order requirements.

Q: How will CMMC requirements play into the MATOCs?

A: CMMC Phase II requirements have been suspended this means CMMC Phase I requirement will need to be met.

Q: Will existing MATOCs like the Ft. Buchanan Microgrid be run by USACE Caribbean District?

A: This will not be a part of this MATOC.

Task Orders & Timelines Q: Are there examples of Task Orders (TOs)?

A: Examples were included in the presentation.

Q: What is the timeline to release TOs?

A: FY27

Q: Cuando sale el RFP para proyectos de construccion? Es design build or design bid? (When will the RFP for construction projects be released? Is it design-build or design-bid-build?)

A: FY27

Design-Build (DB) vs. Design-Bid-Build (DBB) Q: Please elaborate on the District's process to determine if Design-Build or DBB is most appropriate for specific task order projects.

A: Design-Build is the default per ASA/DOW mandate. DBB is utilized in situations where a 100% design is already complete. The choice also depends on the specific scope and magnitude of the project.

Q: What percentage will be Design/Build vs. Design/Bid/Build?

A: The default delivery method will be Design-Build (D-B).

Q: For Design/Bid/Build - will the design be contracted outside of the MATOC contract?

A: Yes.

Q: How do you intend to complete the designs ahead of your D-B-B projects? If contracted out, under which IDIQ?

A: It depends on the specific requirement and project.

Q: Have Design/Bid/Build projects already been identified?

A: Some projects from other districts have been identified.

Q: Since the majority of the work will be DB, do you expect each proponent to have both designer and contractor in one team?

A: This is a Team Agreement and decision.

Q: Can a designer be in more than one team/proposal if the above is correct?

A: This is a Team Agreement and decision.

Q: Please clarify potential conflicts for AEs who hold your AE IDIQs. If they create a concept design, will they be conflicted from a role on a Design-Build team?

A: This is currently under internal discussion. We will consult with the Office of Counsel (OC) to provide a definitive answer.

Evaluation & Past Performance Q: Does USACE plan to solicit these MATOCs as a 2-phase procurement? (Phase 1 - Past Performance/Tech, Phase 2 - Sample/Seed Project) A: We haven't determined this fully at this time and are still discussing it internally, but the final approach will be detailed in the solicitation.

Q: For 2nd phase selection with a pricing component - is that for the final pool or only used for specific DB task orders?

A: The final pool will be evaluated. Task Orders will be evaluated separately based on the specific scope of the TO.

Q: Will DB task orders be two-phased RFPs?

A: Typically DB task orders are one phase in order to make sure there is fair opportunity and since this will be a MATOC that will be the case.

Q: Can you provide some insight on what you anticipate the evaluation criteria to be? How many example projects will you ask for? What will you consider recent & relevant for both construction & design?

A: The evaluation criteria are still under evaluation and development.

Q: Would USACE consider allowing past performance outside of Puerto Rico?

This would increase competition.

A: We are still discussing this option. We welcome industry thoughts and feedback on this approach.

Q: Does USACE plan to allow teaming partners to meet past performance requirements?

A: We are still discussing this internally.

Small Business & Teaming Q: Will there be both Large Business & Small Business opportunities?

A: Yes, there will be opportunity for both.

Q: Will there be a Small Business Only MATOC for both Construction and Infrastructure?

A: The ongoing Market Research phase will determine this, and it will be clearly stated in the solicitation.

Q: Will your projects include multiple set-aside opportunities?

A: The District is still determining this based on market research.

Q: Will there be a HUBZone preference on the Unrestricted MATOC?

A: No.

Q: Why is CESA's HubZone SB goal so high?

A: The standard was set by USACE Headquarters

Q: For firms pursuing these MATOCs, when do you recommend engaging surveying subcontractors? Does USACE see value in prime contractors identifying those partners during the proposal phase rather than waiting until after contract award? (Question from Ruth Trujillo, Professional Surveyor) A: You may want to engage with them now as they will need to be part of the proposal phase.

Alternate Delivery Methods (OTAs) Q: Please speak to SAA's planned use of these MATOCs vs OTAs.

A: The MATOC methods will be the primary for the SAA

Q: Please discuss the process that SAA anticipates following for the use of OTA vehicles.

A: If this method is used that has not been decided as of now.

Q: Please discuss the challenges that SAA is considering regarding the use of OTAs.

A: The primary challenges include the learning curve and the need to train our team on the processes, as well as correctly identifying the right projects to utilize these methods on.

Q: Will the Caribbean District be implementing the progressive design-build model as other districts are doing, and will this be executed by OTAs?

A: Maybe in the future, but we are unsure at this time.

Locations & Specific Projects Q: Will power & water be for PR only or PR & USVI?

A: Its for PR only.

Q: Have USVI projects already been identified?

A: No.

Q: Can you speak to any USVI projects?

A: There is nothing set in stone at this time.

Q: Is there any possibility for the Water/Power/Infrastructure MATOC to be expanded to include USVI projects?

A: USVI will not be included.

Q: For commercial construction: Elementary school coming for Ft Buchanan 2027. When is the RFP scheduled for? Any for Roosevelt Roads or LATAM?

A: the construction RFP for the Middle/High is for FY28

Q: Will the District use MATOC 2 for Design-Build / Alternate Delivery for USACE Civil Works projects?

A: This is still being evaluated

Administration Q: Will an attendees list be made available?

A: Yes.