Building One Laboratory 3 Repairs, Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research, Florence, South Carolina

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service is soliciting competitive quotations for Building One Laboratory 3 repairs at the Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research facility in Florence, South Carolina under solicitation number 1232SA26Q0147. The scope of work encompasses comprehensive laboratory renovation including demolition and countertop removal with proper abatement, interior painting, exterior door weatherstripping replacement, electrical receptacle and light switch replacement, complete drain line replacement with new plumbing fixtures, and installation of new casework and countertops. Offerors must submit a technical proposal, cost proposal, and documentation of at least two relevant reference projects completed within the past four years, demonstrating expertise in similar renovation work and compliance with ARS Facilities and Design Standards. The Government will make award using Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable (LPTA) evaluation methodology, selecting one contractor based on lowest pricing among technically acceptable proposals. The deadline for submitting questions to the contracting officer was February 12, 2026, at 10:00 am Central Time, with the original proposal submission deadline of February 20, 2026, at 1:00 pm local time (note: the solicitation notice indicates conflicting dates of February 18 and February 20, with February 20 appearing in multiple official documents).

This solicitation is designated as a Total Small Business Set-Aside, restricting competition to small business concerns under NAICS code 236220 (Commercial and Institutional Building Construction) with a $45.0 million size standard. No incumbent contractor or current contractor is referenced in the solicitation materials. While no specific award value or budget range is disclosed in the solicitation documents, offerors are required to submit bid bonds equal to a minimum of 20 percent of their proposed price, capped at $3,000,000, which suggests anticipated contract values in the range of $15.0 million or less. The project must be completed within 90 calendar days from the notice to proceed, with performance beginning within 10 calendar days of award, and all work performed at the government facility located at 2611 West Lucas Street, Florence, South Carolina 29501. Prevailing wage rates established by the U.S. Department of Labor for Darlington and Florence Counties apply to this construction project, with rates varying by trade classification and effective as of January 2, 2026.