REQUEST FOR INFORMATION -ADVANCE NOTICE TO INDUSTRY: Potential Use of Other Transaction Authority (OTA) for the Facilities Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization (FSRM) Program at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM)

1. NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER

This is a Request for Information (RFI) issued solely for market intelligence and acquisition planning purposes.  It does not constitute a formal Solicitation, Request for Proposal (RFP), or Request for Qualifications (RFQ), and no solicitation is currently available.  Participation in this RFI is strictly voluntary.  The Government will not award any agreement or contract as a result of this notice, nor will it reimburse respondents for any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response.  Submission of a response does not obligate the Government in any way, and will not affect a firm's ability to submit a proposal should a formal solicitation be issued in the future.
 

While Other Transaction (OT) Agreements executed under 10 U.S.C. § 2808a are not subject to standard FAR-based small business set-aside regulations, the Government is highly interested in understanding the size, demographics, and capabilities of the interested industrial base.

2. PURPOSE

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Seattle District, on behalf of Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), is conducting market intelligence to explore the use of Other Transaction Authority (OTA) under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 2808a to provide an innovative, programmatic approach to delivering its Facilities Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization (FSRM) program.

3. PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The scope of the JBLM FSRM Program includes operational facilities, training sites, administrative spaces, barracks/troop housing, utility infrastructure systems (HVAC, electrical, fire protection), and site work for JBLM Garrison facilities Projects will span multiple facility types across JBLM (Lewis Main, McChord Field, and Yakima Training Center).

Projects will be primarily general construction activities including but not limited to: renovation, repairs, building expansions, and pre-engineered buildings (not to exceed the statutory limit for new construction), or repair by replacement.  Scope may also include preventative maintenance, environmental abatement (e.g., asbestos and lead-based paint abatement), erosion control, and earthwork.  Construction situations may include but are not limited to: civil, mechanical, plumbing, structural, electrical, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), fire protection systems, communications systems, and anti-terrorism and force protection.

4. POTENTIAL ACQUISITION STRATEGY

The Government intends to establish a Master OT Agreement framework with the following characteristics:

•           Aggregate Program Value: Approximately $100 Million.

•           Structure: A single Master OT Agreement under which a pool of multiple pre-qualified design-build (or equivalent) teams will be established.

•           Period of Performance: A 5-year base period with the potential to extend to a total of 7 years.

•           Work Packages: Individual FSRM projects will be packaged and assigned to teams within the pre-qualified pool over the life of the agreement.

•           Project Delivery Methods: Individual work packages may be executed utilizing Progressive Design-Build (PDB), Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), or other collaborative, fast-tracked commercial delivery methods tailored to the specific project.

•           Anticipated Two-Step Selection Process: To minimize bid-and-proposal costs for industry, the Government intends to utilize a streamlined, Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) process to select the pool of partners:

            Step 1 (Request for Qualifications): Proposers submit a highly concise Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) focusing on team capability, alternative delivery past performance, and collaborative philosophy.  No pricing will be evaluated.

            Step 2 (Pitch Presentations): Shortlisted firms will be invited to participate in confidential, interactive "Pitch Presentations" and workshops to evaluate team chemistry, real-time problem-solving, and open-book commercial capability.

5. ANTICIPATED INDUSTRY DAY

USACE Seattle District anticipates hosting an Industry Day in the Seattle area on or about 20 October 2026.  The Industry Day is intended to:
•           Provide an overview of the JBLM FSRM OTA concept, anticipated Master Agreement structure, and potential scope
•           Share the Government’s current thinking on delivery methods (including but not limited to Progressive Design-Build)
•           Obtain industry feedback on commercial practices, teaming, pricing approaches, risk allocation, and barriers to participation
•           Allow one-on-one or small-group discussions with interested firms (as capacity permits)

Exact date, time, location, registration instructions, and agenda will be published in a subsequent notice (SAM.gov and/or direct distribution to respondents to this RFI).  Firms that respond to this RFI will be prioritized for Industry Day communications.

6. RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS

Interested parties are requested to submit responses by completing the online questionnaire at:

https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/FeJXcQu89F

The questionnaire is the Government's primary mechanism for obtaining detailed market intelligence and addresses industry capability, experience, technical capabilities, construction considerations, and recommended OTA and commercial practices.

If necessary, interested parties may also submit a brief capabilities statement containing relevant information not otherwise addressed in the questionnaire.  Capability statements shall not exceed 5 pages in length.  The Government requests that firms avoid duplicating information already provided through the questionnaire.

Supplemental capability statements are requested to be submitted via email to the individual(s) listed below no later than 10:00 AM Pacific Time on 15 September 2026.  Late responses may still be considered at the Government’s discretion but are not guaranteed review prior to strategy finalization.
 

Jeffrey Ross, Contracting Officer
Brett Vegeto, Contracting Officer
JBLM Special Projects Branch
Contracting Division, Seattle District, Northwestern Division
Email: jeffrey.a.ross@usace.army.mil
Email: brett.s.vegeto@usace.army.mil

Subject line: “RFI Response – JBLM FSRM Other Transaction Authority – [Firm Name]”
 

The Government welcomes candid industry feedback and recommendations regarding commercial practices, agreement terms, project phasing, risk sharing, governance, pricing approaches, and other considerations that could improve successful execution of this project under 10 U.S.C. § 2808a.

Interested firms are encouraged to add themselves to the Interested Vendors List associated with this announcement on SAM.gov to receive future updates.

Note: Do not submit proprietary trade secrets, protected technologies, or classified information in your response.  All feedback received will be handled as public market research to shape the Government's final acquisition approach.