Indo-pacific energy and critical minerals project scoping services
Closed Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- 1131PL26R0015
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- Total Small Business
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 541690 Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- PSC
- R499 Support- Professional: Other
- Place of performance
- Arlington, Virginia 22209, United States
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is soliciting proposals for definitional mission services to support project identification, evaluation, and scoping for energy and critical minerals infrastructure opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region, specifically South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Pacific Island countries including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and other Pacific Island nations. The contractor will provide comprehensive technical advisory services including preliminary assessment reports, detailed project reports with technical and financial analyses, scoping missions with site visits, and infrastructure risk screening to help USTDA identify viable projects for funding consideration. Key requirements include delivering up to eight preliminary assessment reports, ten full project reports with Terms of Reference and budgets, conducting scoping missions of up to 14 total travel days visiting 3-4 markets, and providing two activity amendment reviews over the contract period. Evaluation will be based on technical approach, technical expertise, past performance on similar contracts within three years, and price reasonableness, with non-price factors combined being significantly more important than cost. The proposal due date is March 30, 2026, at 1:00 PM Eastern Time, submitted to contractproposals@ustda.gov, and the period to submit questions was March 9, 2026.
This procurement is set aside exclusively for small businesses under NAICS Code 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services), with a $16.5 million estimated award value for a single contract to the responsible offeror representing best value. The contract period of performance is 36 months from the contracting officer's signature date of March 2, 2026, with an optional six-month extension if contract components remain unfulfilled. The contractor must be a U.S. firm or U.S. individual, with all contractor and subcontractor employees being U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents; subcontractor usage is limited to less than 50 percent of the proposed price. Technical proposals must not exceed ten pages and must be submitted separately from pricing information, which requires detailed budget breakdowns in Microsoft Excel format with narrative support using Standard Form 1449. Place of performance is Rosslyn, VA 22209, with cost-reimbursable travel conducted in accordance with federal travel regulations as part of the deliverables.
Notice text
4 versions
Update #4 · Latest ·
AMENDMENT 00002 - RESPONDING (IN BOLD) TO QUESTIONS RECEIVED FOR SOLICITATION NUMBER: 1131PL26RQ0015.(SEE ATTACHMENT 1131PL26RQ0015 A00002) ALL ELSE REMAIN UNCHANGED.
AMENDMENT 0001 : REVISED TITLE AND PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)
REVISED TITLE: INDO-PACIFIC ENERGY AND CRITICAL MINERALS PROJECT SCOPING SERVICES
SOLICITATION NUMBER: 1131PL26RQ0015
ISSUANCE DATE: MARCH 2, 2026
CLOSING DATE: MARCH 30, 2026, 1:00 PM, Arlington, VA Time
This Request for Proposal was prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12 and procedures in Subpart 15.3 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only RFP; offers are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.
This procurement is SET-ASIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES under NAICS Code 541690, Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services. Award is limited to U.S. Firms or U.S. individuals. Contractor and U.S. subcontractor employees used shall be either U.S. citizens or non-U.S. citizens lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
Contractor use of subcontractors is limited to less than fifty percent of the proposed price.
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS REPRESENT THE "PROPOSAL PACKAGE" THAT SHOULD BE RETURNED IN RESPONSE TO THIS SOLICITATION (Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items (SEP 2023)).
According to FAR 52-204-7 (b) (1) An Offeror is required to be registered in SAM when submitting an offer or quotation and shall continue to be registered until time of award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchasing agreement resulting from this solicitation. All Offerors must be registered and have an active status in the SAM database (www.SAM.gov) in order to be eligible for contract award. Offerors are reminded that failure to properly enroll in the SAM database and provide accurate information shall make an offeror ineligible for award as described in FAR 52.204-7.
Should you have any questions, please send them to this office not later than 1:00 p.m., Eastern Time (ET) Monday, March 9, 2026. Send your questions by email to contractproposals@ustda.gov and tjohnson@ustda.gov . Questions submitted by facsimile or to alternate email addresses will NOT be accepted.No phone calls will be accepted.
Any contract awarded to a Contractor who at the time of award was suspended, debarred, and ineligible for receipt of contract with Government Agencies or is in receipt of a notice of proposed debarment from any Government Agency, is voidable at the option of the Government.
Award is limited to U.S. Firms or U.S. individuals. Contractor and U.S. subcontractor employees used shall be either U.S. citizens or non-U.S. citizens lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
Enclosed are the following sections, which contains all information necessary to respond to this RFP:
1. Section B – Schedule of Supplies/Services,
2. Section C – Contract Clauses,
3. Section D – Any Contract Documents, Exhibits and Attachment, and
4. Section E – Instructions to Offerors.
Update #3 ·
AMENDMENT 0001 : REVISED TITLE AND PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)
REVISED TITLE: INDO-PACIFIC ENERGY AND CRITICAL MINERALS PROJECT SCOPING SERVICES
SOLICITATION NUMBER: 1131PL26RQ0015
ISSUANCE DATE: MARCH 2, 2026
CLOSING DATE: MARCH 30, 2026, 1:00 PM, Arlington, VA Time
This Request for Proposal was prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6 and procedures in Subpart 15.3 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only RFP; offers are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.
This procurement is SET-ASIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES under NAICS Code 541690, Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services. Award is limited to U.S. Firms or U.S. individuals. Contractor and U.S. subcontractor employees used shall be either U.S. citizens or non-U.S. citizens lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
Contractor use of subcontractors is limited to less than fifty percent of the proposed price.
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS REPRESENT THE "PROPOSAL PACKAGE" THAT SHOULD BE RETURNED IN RESPONSE TO THIS SOLICITATION (Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items (SEP 2023)).
According to FAR 52-204-7 (b) (1) An Offeror is required to be registered in SAM when submitting an offer or quotation and shall continue to be registered until time of award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchasing agreement resulting from this solicitation. All Offerors must be registered and have an active status in the SAM database (www.SAM.gov) in order to be eligible for contract award. Offerors are reminded that failure to properly enroll in the SAM database and provide accurate information shall make an offeror ineligible for award as described in FAR 52.204-7.
Should you have any questions, please send them to this office not later than 1:00 p.m., Eastern Time (ET) Monday, March 9, 2026. Send your questions by email to contractproposals@ustda.gov and tjohnson@ustda.gov . Questions submitted by facsimile or to alternate email addresses will NOT be accepted.No phone calls will be accepted.
Any contract awarded to a Contractor who at the time of award was suspended, debarred, and ineligible for receipt of contract with Government Agencies or is in receipt of a notice of proposed debarment from any Government Agency, is voidable at the option of the Government.
Award is limited to U.S. Firms or U.S. individuals. Contractor and U.S. subcontractor employees used shall be either U.S. citizens or non-U.S. citizens lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
Enclosed are the following sections, which contains all information necessary to respond to this RFP:
1. Section B – Schedule of Supplies/Services,
2. Section C – Contract Clauses,
3. Section D – Any Contract Documents, Exhibits and Attachment, and
4. Section E – Instructions to Offerors.
Update #2 ·
AMENDMENT 0001 : REVISED TITLE AND PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)
REVISED TITLE: INDO-PACIFIC ENERGY AND CRITICAL MINERALS PROJECT SCOPING SERVICES
SOLICITATION NUMBER: 1131PL26RQ0015
ISSUANCE DATE: MARCH 2, 2026
CLOSING DATE: MARCH 30, 2026, 1:00 PM, Arlington, VA Time
This Request for Proposal was prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6 and procedures in Subpart 15.3 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only RFP; offers are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.
This solicitation is being issued IAW FAR Part 15. The Government will offer one award resulting from this solicitation to the offeror who is deemed responsible and is determined, based on the evaluation factors and sub factors, to represent the best value to the Government.
This procurement is SET-ASIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES under NAICS Code 541690, Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services. Award is limited to U.S. Firms or U.S. individuals. Contractor and U.S. subcontractor employees used shall be either U.S. citizens or non-U.S. citizens lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
Contractor use of subcontractors is limited to less than fifty percent of the proposed price.
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS REPRESENT THE "PROPOSAL PACKAGE" THAT SHOULD BE RETURNED IN RESPONSE TO THIS SOLICITATION (Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items (SEP 2023)).
According to FAR 52-204-7 (b) (1) An Offeror is required to be registered in SAM when submitting an offer or quotation and shall continue to be registered until time of award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchasing agreement resulting from this solicitation. All Offerors must be registered and have an active status in the SAM database (www.SAM.gov) in order to be eligible for contract award. Offerors are reminded that failure to properly enroll in the SAM database and provide accurate information shall make an offeror ineligible for award as described in FAR 52.204-7.
Should you have any questions, please send them to this office not later than 1:00 p.m., Eastern Time (ET) Monday, March 9, 2026. Send your questions by email to contractproposals@ustda.gov and tjohnson@ustda.gov . Questions submitted by facsimile or to alternate email addresses will NOT be accepted.No phone calls will be accepted.
Any contract awarded to a Contractor who at the time of award was suspended, debarred, and ineligible for receipt of contract with Government Agencies or is in receipt of a notice of proposed debarment from any Government Agency, is voidable at the option of the Government.
Award is limited to U.S. Firms or U.S. individuals. Contractor and U.S. subcontractor employees used shall be either U.S. citizens or non-U.S. citizens lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
Enclosed are the following sections, which contains all information necessary to respond to this RFP:
1. Section B – Schedule of Supplies/Services,
2. Section C – Contract Clauses,
3. Section D – Any Contract Documents, Exhibits and Attachment, and
4. Section E – Instructions to Offerors.
Update #1 ·
SOLICITATION NUMBER: 1131PL26RQ0015
ISSUANCE DATE: MARCH 2, 2026
CLOSING DATE: MARCH 30, 2026, 1:00 PM, Arlington, VA Time
This Request for Proposal was prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6 and procedures in Subpart 15.3 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only RFP; offers are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.
This solicitation is being issued IAW FAR Part 15. The Government will offer one award resulting from this solicitation to the offeror who is deemed responsible and is determined, based on the evaluation factors and sub factors, to represent the best value to the Government.
This procurement is SET-ASIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES under NAICS Code 541690, Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services. Award is limited to U.S. Firms or U.S. individuals. Contractor and U.S. subcontractor employees used shall be either U.S. citizens or non-U.S. citizens lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
Contractor use of subcontractors is limited to less than fifty percent of the proposed price.
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS REPRESENT THE "PROPOSAL PACKAGE" THAT SHOULD BE RETURNED IN RESPONSE TO THIS SOLICITATION (Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items (SEP 2023)).
According to FAR 52-204-7 (b) (1) An Offeror is required to be registered in SAM when submitting an offer or quotation and shall continue to be registered until time of award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchasing agreement resulting from this solicitation. All Offerors must be registered and have an active status in the SAM database (www.SAM.gov) in order to be eligible for contract award. Offerors are reminded that failure to properly enroll in the SAM database and provide accurate information shall make an offeror ineligible for award as described in FAR 52.204-7.
Should you have any questions, please send them to this office not later than 1:00 p.m., Eastern Time (ET) Monday, March 9, 2026. Send your questions by email to contractproposals@ustda.gov and tjohnson@ustda.gov . Questions submitted by facsimile or to alternate email addresses will NOT be accepted.No phone calls will be accepted.
Any contract awarded to a Contractor who at the time of award was suspended, debarred, and ineligible for receipt of contract with Government Agencies or is in receipt of a notice of proposed debarment from any Government Agency, is voidable at the option of the Government.
Award is limited to U.S. Firms or U.S. individuals. Contractor and U.S. subcontractor employees used shall be either U.S. citizens or non-U.S. citizens lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
Enclosed are the following sections, which contains all information necessary to respond to this RFP:
1. Section B – Schedule of Supplies/Services,
2. Section C – Contract Clauses,
3. Section D – Any Contract Documents, Exhibits and Attachment, and
4. Section E – Instructions to Offerors.
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