Deep Water Port Design Services

The Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority is requesting proposals for 30% design services of an ocean-side deep water port at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops Island under RFP 27-130300-003-004, with proposals due September 17, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. EST (extended from September 9 via Amendment 1 issued September 2). Award will go to the offeror offering best overall value and fit.

The scope encompasses meetings and coordination, basis of assessment studies, environmental and permitting assessment (including NEPA compliance), coastal engineering analysis, and infrastructure design for at least two deep-water port alternatives. Deliverables include a comprehensive 30% design package with plan views, typical sections, design loading parameters, Class IV cost estimates, and lifecycle cost analyses, due by December 1, 2026. The port is intended to provide supply-chain redundancy, facilitate launch-service-provider access, enable return-to-earth recovery operations, and serve as a Department of Defense utilization asset.

Amendment 1 clarifies that the final Deep Water Port Assessment will be provided post-award, that VCSFA will select the port location and final length before higher-level design phases, that bathymetric data is currently unavailable, and that vessel and operational assumptions will be provided post-award. Design criteria will be established by VCSFA in accordance with Virginia Building Code, ASCE, ASME, and applicable code standards. Environmental testing of sediments from borings is included in scope to determine disposal options for permitting purposes. The contract is fixed firm price and does not require ITAR-controlled technical data in the 30% phase. All personnel must be authorized to work in the United States; U.S. citizenship and valid government-issued photo identification are required for access to VCSFA properties or NASA Wallops Flight Facility.

Evaluation criteria, ranked by priority, are understanding of scope and approach, completion schedule feasibility, cost transparency and reasonableness, and offeror qualifications and experience. Proposals must demonstrate at least three similar past projects. Optional services are available for advancing to 60%, 90%, and 100% (Issued for Construction) phases, each with separate pricing. The selected 30% design firm will have opportunity to bid on future solicitations, including potential Design-Build contracts. A Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement is required. Proposals must acknowledge receipt of Amendment 1 and be emailed to solicitations@vaspace.org.