NV ASH meadows NWR CRY sprngs restore

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking design-build services for a comprehensive restoration project at the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Nevada. The solicitation (140FGA25R0003) requires a contractor to plan, design, and execute the decommissioning and removal of Crystal Springs Dam, Horseshoe Dam, and Lower Crystal Springs Dam, along with their associated reservoirs and irrigation infrastructure. The project involves reconstructing spring outflow channels, installing fish barriers, and improving visitor access through new trails and overlook structures. Technical evaluation factors will prioritize contractors' experience with Mojave Desert spring ecosystem restoration, land reclamation, and environmental compliance. Proposals are due by January 30, 2025, at 4:00 PM Eastern, with a two-phase design-build approach that will initially select up to three contractors for further consideration.

The contract is set aside exclusively for small businesses under NAICS code 237990 with a size standard of $45 million. The period of performance spans 1,260 calendar days from the notice to proceed, with work scheduled from April 1, 2025, to September 12, 2028. While a precise award value is not specified, the project complexity and multiple components suggest an estimated magnitude exceeding $10 million. Work will be performed at the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Amargosa Valley, Nevada, with strict environmental and ecological restoration requirements. The project includes base tasks for design and construction and optional tasks related to permitting, environmental assessment, and site improvements. A bid guarantee of 20% of the bid price or $3,000,000 (whichever is less) is required, underscoring the significant scale and complexity of this ecological restoration initiative.