USACE Basis of Design J&A for Interior Finishes - Notice of Intent
Closed Special Notice Posted
- Agency
-
ENDIST Louisville
US Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), specifically the Engineering District Louisville, has issued a Special Notice regarding a class justification and approval (J&A) for other than full and open competition in federal contracting. This notice pertains to the use of "brand name or equal" references in construction contract solicitations, which USACE seeks to authorize on a class basis rather than requiring individual justifications for each contract. The estimated value of this class J&A is $700 million and will cover construction projects spanning Fiscal Years 2027 through 2031. This action is required by Section 888(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 and implemented through the Defense Acquisition Regulation Supplement. The Special Notice was posted on October 30, 2025, with a due date of November 14, 2025.
The primary objective of this class J&A is to streamline the contracting process by allowing USACE Contracting Officers to efficiently communicate interior finish specifications—including colors, patterns, textures, and textile designs—without executing individual justifications for each construction project. The brand name or equal references serve as quality standards without limiting competition, as contractors retain the option to propose equivalent products subject to Contracting Officer approval. This class authorization satisfies multiple regulatory requirements under the Federal Acquisition Regulation and DFARS provisions, eliminating the need for repetitive individual J&As across projects. The notice clarifies that this authorization applies broadly to all USACE construction projects requiring interior finish designations rather than single-project applications. No specific set-aside has been designated for this opportunity, and contractors should note that equivalent products may be substituted provided they meet the established quality standards outlined in contract specifications.
Notice text
USACE requests a class justification and approval (J&A) for other than full and open competition to allow Contracting Officers to issue solicitations for construction contracts where “brand name or equal” references are necessary to effectively communicate interior color and finish selections. The estimated cost for this class J&A is $700 million, covering projects from Fiscal Year (FY) 27 through FY31.
Notification of Brand Name or Equal Items. In accordance with Section 888(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) (Public Law 114-328) as implemented by Defense Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 206.302-1(c)(2), the class justification and approval (J&A) addressed in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.303 is required in order to allow USACE Contracting Officer’s to issue solicitations for construction contracts, where “brand name or equal” references are necessary to effectively communicate finish selections (colors, patterns, textures, and textile designs) for interior finishes. This class J&A satisfies the requirements of DFARS 206.302-1 paragraphs (c) and (S-70), and DFARS 213.501 paragraph (a), and alleviates the need to execute an individual J&A on a contract-by-contract basis when using such descriptions or specifications in accordance with FAR 6.3, DFARS 206.3, FAR 13.5, and DFARS 213.5. The plans and specifications issued as part of a construction solicitation may include brand name or equal references for architectural finishes that shall be regarded as establishing a standard of quality and shall not be construed as limiting competition to the identified brand. The Contractor may, at its option, use any product that, in the judgement of the Contracting Officer, is equal to that named in the specifications, unless otherwise specifically provided in the contract.
This Notice of Intent is not applicable to any single project but covers all construction projects for which the designation of finish colors and/or aesthetic is reasonably anticipated. The funding for these projects encompasses all funds USACE obligates for construction including the Civil Works Mission, the Military Construction Mission and all projects executed by USACE contracting in support of International and Interagency Missions. The individual projects this J&A covers will be solicited across the USACE districts, using whatever acquisition method is deemed most appropriate for the requirement. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement which shall be considered by the agency. The submission must be received no later 1400 PM Eastern Time on 14 November 2025 to Stephanie.N.Drees@usace.army.mil. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL.
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