Cyclic maintenance of water cisterns at dry tortug

The National Park Service Southeast Region seeks cyclic maintenance of water cisterns at Dry Tortugas National Park, with proposals due August 10, 2026, extended from the original August 5 deadline. The procurement is a Total Small Business set-aside, foreclosing bidders outside that category.

Place of performance is Dry Tortugas National Park, approximately 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. The contract period runs from September 14 through November 13, 2026, with a mandatory 10-calendar-day notice to proceed and 60-calendar-day completion timeline. The project includes removal and disposal of roots, vegetation, and debris from interior cistern cells; application of waterproof cement coating (Thoroseal or approved equal, NSF Standard 61 listed for potable water) to approximately 11,682 square feet of interior walls and 365 square feet of below-grade exterior walls; repair of approximately 1,065 square feet of parge coat using American Natural Cement; application of three coats of lime wash to approximately 4,646 square feet of exposed exterior surfaces; and removal and installation of a new 6-inch K-Style copper gutter system with copper flashing. The cistern is divided into three sections with only one section out of service at a time, maintaining water service interruptions under two hours. Contractor personnel must hold confined space entry training and certification; the cistern calls are designated as permit-required confined spaces under 29 CFR 1910.146, and a site-specific confined space entry plan is required. Davis-Bacon prevailing wages apply in Monroe County, Florida.

The project magnitude is between $250,000 and $500,000 as a firm fixed price construction contract. Award value and ceiling are not specified. Evaluation weighs technical approach and past performance and experience significantly more important than cost. An organized site visit is scheduled for July 9 at 10:45 a.m. ET, requiring attendance confirmation by July 8. A 20% bid guarantee is required at submission; the successful contractor must furnish performance and payment bonds at 100% each. Offerors must submit SF-1442 forms, technical proposals not exceeding 20 pages, capabilities and experience documentation, subcontractor information, and at least three past performance questionnaires reflecting similar project magnitude and remote geographic experience.