TX FW LGA 10(5) Steve Thompson Wildlife Drive

The Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration, through its Central Federal Lands Highway Division, seeks bids under Invitation for Bids 6982AF27B000006 to rehabilitate Steve Thompson Wildlife Drive, with sealed bids due November 3, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. local time. The procurement is a Total Small Business set-aside under NAICS 237310 (Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction), with PSC Y1LB, and electronic bids will not be accepted.

Work is performed at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge in Cameron County, Texas, about 25 miles east of Harlingen, with the place of performance listed as Los Fresnos, Texas 78566. The 12.33-mile project covers full-depth reclamation of chip seal and gravel surfaces, new aggregate surface course, an aluminum gate, a small concrete pad, safety signage, and speed bumps on Steve Thompson Wildlife Drive and Bayside Drive. Three alternate aggregate surface course items (7,500 to 11,500 tons) are bid, with one awarded: Alternate 1 places 2 inches ending at Renee's Overlook Parking Area, Alternate 2 places 2 inches without that terminus, and Alternate 3 places 3 inches ending at Renee's Overlook. Amendment A001, issued October 28, 2026, adds a 500-cubic-yard subexcavation item (A0085) and requires RubberForm Recycled Products speed bumps with RF-DREA14 earth anchors under Section 718.19. A FAR 6.302-1(c) brand-name justification supports single-source purchase of 13 of those speed bumps from RubberForm Recycled Products, LLC.

The contractor must supply all water, locating, permitting, purchasing, and hauling it, because no approved sources exist on the refuge. Work is limited to daylight hours (30 minutes after sunrise to 30 minutes before sunset), with no night work, a 20 mph speed limit, and mandatory one-hour wildlife training. The main entrance gate stays closed to the public at all times, and the contractor must honor youth hunt closures on January 15–17, February 26–28, March 12–14, and March 19–21, 2027. Daily records run through the Government's Masterworks system, and the field office is for exclusive Government use with no utilities available. Davis-Bacon wage rates and the Buy American Act apply.

Bid guarantee is 20 percent of bid price or $3 million, whichever is less, as a bid bond with original signatures and corporate seals; photocopied or faxed bonds are rejected. Performance and payment bonds are due within 10 calendar days of award. The contract is firm fixed price with a mandatory 10-calendar-day start after notice to proceed. Liquidated damages are $3,300 per calendar day of delay. Government file summaries cite an estimated value of $2 million to $5 million. Offers providing less than 60 calendar days for Government acceptance are rejected, and bidders must acknowledge Amendment A001 per its procedures.

The technical recommendation sets a minimum 8-inch aggregate thickness and requires 2 additional inches on the north loop. A Special Contract Revision permits locally available aggregate under revised Section 703. Douglas Whitcomb (cflacquisitions@dot.gov) is the primary point of contact, and Contracting Officer Jorey Deml is the secondary contact. Five vendors have registered as interested parties.