Design Build Service New Headquarters

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking qualified contractors to design and build a new headquarters fish laboratory building at San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge in Douglas, Arizona. This design-build contract requires the contractor to complete comprehensive services including architectural and engineering design, construction, equipment relocation, and site preparation within a 180-day performance period (60 days for design and 120 days for construction). Key contract requirements include achieving 30% energy efficiency improvement over ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2013, compliance with the International Building Code and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, submission of a Design/Build Management Plan within 10 days of Notice to Proceed, and incorporation of sustainable design principles. The government will evaluate proposals using a Lowest-Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) approach under FAR 15.101-2, with evaluation factors including technical approach, recent relevant experience, key personnel resumes, design-build team organization, technical solution details, and past performance questionnaires. The proposal submission deadline is May 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time, with all questions regarding the solicitation to be submitted in writing to Contract Specialist JoAnn Mallory no later than five calendar days before the proposal closing date.

This solicitation is designated as a Total Small Business set-aside with no identified incumbent contractor. The estimated project cost ranges from $250,000 to $500,000, with the contractor required to begin performance within 10 calendar days of receiving notice to proceed and complete all work within 180 calendar days. The project encompasses the design and construction of a 45' x 45' fisheries laboratory building (approximately 2,024 square feet total including circulation) with a separate 12' x 30' dry laboratory room, the demolition of the existing fish laboratory facility, installation of two large recirculating aquaculture system tanks, and relocation of existing equipment from the current onsite facility located approximately 250 feet away. Contractors must provide bid guarantees, performance bonds, and payment bonds, along with a Past Performance Questionnaire completed by past clients. The place of performance is San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, located at 7628 North Highway 191, Douglas, Arizona 85607, with delivery expected by March 1, 2027, on an FOB Destination basis.