Gaoa melstone DAM reconstruction

The Bureau of Land Management seeks a firm fixed-price construction contract for the reconstruction of Melstone Dam located in Musselshell County, Montana, under NAICS code 237990 (Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction). This comprehensive dam reconstruction project includes demolition of outlet conduit structures, controlled breaches, dewatering, installation of reinforced concrete pipe, concrete work, major excavation and backfill operations, muck excavation, sand filter drain installation, energy dissipation basins, riprap installation, and final grading with topsoiling and restoration. The contractor must demonstrate relevant project experience within the past five years, submit a detailed project schedule with Gantt chart, provide past performance documentation via CPARS reports or questionnaires, and submit competitive pricing for evaluation using a best value tradeoff approach. Critical contract requirements include a minimum 15 percent self-performance by the prime contractor, compliance with prevailing wage rates under Montana Wage Determination MT20260077, performance and payment bonds at 100 percent of contract price, and a bid guarantee of 20 percent of bid price or $3,000,000 (whichever is less). The proposal due date is February 20, 2026, with questions deadline of February 4, 2026, and a mandatory site visit was conducted on January 29, 2026.

This solicitation is designated as a Total Small Business Set-Aside with a size standard of $45.0 million, meaning only small business concerns may submit proposals. The estimated contract value falls between $1 million and $5 million, with construction activities commencing within 10 calendar days of receiving the Notice to Proceed (assumed April 10, 2026) and all work to be completed no later than December 10, 2027. The contractor must complete performance in 300 calendar days, with construction activity and surface disturbance prohibited from March 15 to July 15 annually to protect sage grouse strutting activities and migratory birds, and work hours restricted to 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through Friday unless written approval is obtained for weekend or holiday work. The project involves significant earthwork components, including 34,390 cubic yards of common excavation, 47,150 cubic yards of compacted embankment, and 2,640 tons of new riprap slope protection. The work will be performed at Melstone Dam in Musselshell County, Montana (coordinates 46.603858, -107.902075), with construction work spaces totaling approximately 26.2 acres across multiple parcels and four temporary water storage pond locations identified for construction support.