NIH General Construction (Handyman Services) Blanket Purchase Agreement

The National Institutes of Health, Office of Acquisition Management, Division of Construction, Architecture & Engineering, Facilities, and Leasing, is preparing to establish a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) suite for handyman and general construction services as a total small business set-aside, with responses due by May 21, 2026.

NIH anticipates awarding approximately six BPAs (plus or minus) to multiple small business contractors under NAICS 236220 (Commercial and Institutional Building Construction). The small business size standard is $45 million in average annual receipts. Scope includes general handyman services, office and laboratory moves, furniture relocation, patching, painting and surface repairs, minor repairs and maintenance of electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems, preventative maintenance, and alterations to real property. Work is performed at NIH Institutes and Centers in Bethesda, Maryland and subordinate locations.

The BPA term is five years with annual reviews. Contractors must handle requirements valued between below and above the micro-purchase threshold up to the simplified acquisition threshold ($250,000), with the BPA processing approximately 200–300 task orders annually, most valued under $15,000. All construction work is subject to Davis-Bacon Act wage determinations (Montgomery County, Maryland rates effective January 2, 2026); service work is subject to Service Contract Labor Standards (Maryland counties of Frederick and Montgomery, effective March 30, 2026).

Contractors must accept Government Purchase Cards for orders up to $15,000, respond to emergency work orders within 90 minutes, and represent themselves during site visits without subcontractor representation. Evaluation focuses on experience in multi-trade handyman services, volume and consistency of similar projects, quality and timeliness, emergency response capability, and performance trends. Bidders must register in SAM under NAICS 236220, submit pricing using NIH's pricing table with fully burdened hourly labor rates for 17 categories, past performance questionnaires, bonding letters, and Government Purchase Card acceptance acknowledgment. Contractors failing to submit quotes for two consecutive opportunities may be removed.