Construct North Unit Visitor Center at BADL

The National Park Service seeks construction of a new North Unit Visitor Center at Badlands National Park, South Dakota, with bids due October 29, 2026 at 12:00 PM Central Time. This is a 100% Small Business set-aside under NAICS 236220 with a Firm Fixed Price sealed-bid format and a performance period of 730 calendar days from Notice to Proceed (anticipated November 2, 2026 to November 1, 2028).

Place of performance is Interior, South Dakota (25216 SD-240), approximately 200 yards southwest of the existing Cedar Pass Visitor Center. The project involves constructing a one-story, 17,176 gross square foot visitor center with associated site work including utilities, parking, and circulation. The facility will house visitor information services, exhibits, retail, administrative offices, and paleontological displays, accommodating approximately 415 occupants. The project incorporates construction documents prepared by Kenneth Hahn Architects and subordinate engineering firms; all bids must comply with the 100% final design documents without variations or alternative approaches. Changes to construction documents may only be issued by the Contracting Officer through amendment.

Estimated project magnitude is $10 million to $20 million. Davis-Bacon wage requirements apply, with prevailing wage determination SD20260022 covering nine South Dakota counties including Jackson County. Performance and payment bonds are required, with bid bonds due within 10 calendar days of award at 20% of bid price (not to exceed $3 million). Contractors must submit a Limitations on Subcontracting worksheet; the prime contractor must perform a minimum of 15% of work excluding material costs.

Key technical requirements include subsurface conditions per a January 2023 geotechnical report indicating high-swell potential claystone bedrock with foundation design requiring reinforced concrete drilled piers minimum 18 inches in diameter and 15-foot length, or alternative spread footings on imported engineered fill. Construction specifications span 31 divisions and require extensive administrative compliance including Accident Prevention Plan, Construction Schedule with critical path, Schedule of Values, Quality Control Plan, Waste Management Plan, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, Indoor Air Quality Management Plan, and Commissioning Plan prior to preconstruction conference. Work hours are generally 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Site-specific constraints include protection of cultural resources subject to archeological oversight, avoidance of Cedar Pass from the northeast, restrictions on ground disturbance, maintenance of security fencing around wetland areas, and habitat protection for bighorn sheep and pronghorn. Concrete work requires ACI 318 and ACI 301 compliance with testing every 150 cubic yards or 5,000 square feet. Final acceptance requires completion of punch list items within 30 calendar days and submission of manufacturer warranties with operation and maintenance manuals; a one-year construction warranty applies from final acceptance.

Virtual site visit was held September 10, 2026. Questions are being answered in phases, with the Architect and Engineer Designer of Record responses expected on or around October 14, 2026 via Amendment 03. The Contracting Officer commits to providing additional bid due date extensions if necessary to allow prospective bidders at least two weeks to review all Q&As before submission. Contracting Officer is Cole Johnson (Cole_Johnson@ios.doi.gov); Bid Recorder is Stephen Loftus (Stephen_Loftus@ios.doi.gov). Bids must be submitted electronically in PDF format with a maximum email attachment size of 25 MB; virtual bid opening is scheduled for 12:00 PM CT on October 29, 2026 via Microsoft Teams. Award will be made to the lowest-priced, responsive, responsible bidder whose bid conforms to the solicitation; optional line items (East Shade Structure, West Shade Structure, and Concrete Monument Sign at East Entry) will be evaluated for award purposes but do not obligate exercise.