Request for Information/Market Intelligence Notice: Microgrid Projects – Use of Progressive Design Build (PDB) with Other Transaction Authority (OTA)

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) / MARKET RESEARCH NOTICE: This is a request for information (RFI) for market intelligence and for informational purposes only. This announcement does not constitute a solicitation or a request for proposal (RFP), and no solicitation is currently available. Participation in this RFI is strictly voluntary. The Government will not be obligated to award any agreement or contract because of this RFI, nor will it reimburse respondents for any costs associated with the preparation or submission of information. Submitting a response will not affect a firm’s ability to submit a proposal should a formal solicitation be issued in the future.

NAICS CODE: 237130 Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction

SMALL BUSINESS STANDARD: $45,000,000.00

NOTE: While Other Transaction Authority is not subject to FAR based small business regulations, this NAICS code is provided for market research to help the Government understand the size and demographics of the interested industrial base.

PROGRAM/PROJECT OVERVIEW: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Louisville District, has a requirement to execute the construction of microgrids that will provide emergency support to all Installation Energy and Water Plans (IEWP) and critical facilities for 14+ calendar days in the event of a utility grid outage. The Government is evaluating the feasibility of executing these requirements via Progressive Design-Build (PDB) utilizing an Other Transaction (OT) Agreement under the statutory authority of 10 U.S.C. § 2808a.  The Louisville District is considering the PDB OTA approach for various microgrid projects within the continental United States.

Summaries of potential projects being considered for this acquisition strategy are as follows:

Fort Sill Power Generation & Microgrid, Ft. Sill, Oklahoma: Design and construction of a microgrid on Fort Sill powered by a new black start capable 18MW natural gas reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE) power plant.  The plant will be required to limit its potential to emit to maintain the installation’s existing synthetic minor air permit.  The microgrid will provide emergency support to a portion of the critical facilities for 14+ days in the event of a utility grid outage. During a utility grid outage, the microgrid, energized by the 18MW natural gas RICE plant, will island a portion of the installation from the grid, shed non-critical loads where economically feasible, and provide support to the IEWP identified critical facilities within the islanded area. The microgrid will consist of the following: An 18MW natural gas RICE plant located within one or more weather-protective shelters on an elevated plot of open land to the southeast of building 3933.  An electrical interconnection of the new RICE plant to an existing electrical substation.  A natural gas pipeline to connect the RICE plant to the natural gas infrastructure. Modifications to the existing substation.  A microgrid control system with fiber optic and other communications infrastructure to control the various components.  Underground utilities and site work features such as grading, drainage, pads, access drive, site lighting, and perimeter fence.   

Camp Parks Reserve Forces Training Area (PRFTA) Microgrid and Power Generation, Camp Parks, California: Expand an existing microgrid to provide resilient power for the entire peak critical load of Camp Parks Reserve Forces Training Area (PRFTA).  Project will include natural gas generators with a total of 1650KW total capacity, 5,000KWH Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), microgrid, transformers, controls, switches, and a medium voltage distribution system. The project will also include utilities, additional underground electrical distribution system, site improvements, communication infrastructure, and integration with the existing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. The microgrid will integrate the existing 2,100KWac solar PV arrays and 2,332 KWh BESS to provide resilient power for the peak load demand at PRFTA.

INFORMATION REQUESTED: Interested industry partners are requested to respond to the following questions to help shape the final acquisition strategy:

Company Profile:

Q1. Business Name

Q2. Address

Q3. Point of Contract (Name, Title)

Q4. Phone Number

Q5. Email Address

Q6. Unique Entity ID

Q7. Cage Code

Q8. Socioeconomic Status (Other Than Small, Small, 8(a), SDVOSB, etc.)

Q9. Participating Role (Prime Contractor, Subcontractor, Design Firm, Other)

Other Transaction Authority (OTA) & Statutory Compliance:

Q10. OTA Experience – Describe your firm’s previous experience, if any, executing projects utilizing OTA.

Q11. What project characteristics make PDB OTA particularly advantageous or disadvantageous for this requirement?

Progressive Design-Build (PDB) / Early Contractor Involvement:

Q12. What minimum level of detail (e.g., Statement of Need, conceptual site plans, target budget) does your firm require prior to entering Phase 1 (Design/Pre-construction) to feel confident in the project's viability?

Q13.  What collaborative mechanisms (such as joint design charrettes, target-value design workshops, or phased scoping approvals) do you recommend the Government implement in the first 30-90 days to rapidly transition from a "blank page" to a mutually agreed-upon baseline?

Q14. Describe your experience executing Progressive Design-Build, Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), or other highly collaborative delivery methods where designer and builder worked collaboratively with the owner before locking in a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP).

Feedback on the Acquisition Strategy & Alternatives:

Q15. Does the proposed PDB-OTA strategy incentivize your firm to participate? Why or why not?

Q16. Are there alternative acquisition strategies, commercial phasing arrangements, or risk-sharing terms that the Government has not considered that would yield a higher quality facility, faster delivery, or lower cost?

Bonding Capability:

Q17. Specify your maximum bonding (single and aggregate) as a sole prime contractor and/or as a joint venture.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Please submit your responses by 16 October 2026 at 1000 hrs Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) to MAJ Lesa Sylve at lesa.b.sylve@usace.army.mil.

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 these projects 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.