RFP Retamal Dam Buoy System

The United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission is issuing a design-build solicitation for the Retamal Dam Buoy System in Mercedes, Texas (Hidalgo County), with proposals due September 9, 2026, and a mandatory site visit on August 27, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. CST at the USIBWC Mercedes Field Office (325 Golf Course Road, Mercedes, TX 78570).

The scope encompasses complete design and construction of a waterway barrier system including anchors, alert systems, and warning signage to prevent public access to dangerous hydraulics upstream and downstream of Retamal Dam and alert the public to hazards. The contractor furnishes all labor, material, and equipment necessary for design, construction, and closeout documentation, with all work to be completed by May 13, 2026. Work hours are restricted to 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays; overtime requires prior Contracting Officer's Representative approval and is charged to the contractor.

The estimated contract magnitude is between $5 million and $10 million as a firm fixed-price agreement. The contractor must commence work within 10 calendar days of receiving the notice to proceed and complete all work within 485 calendar days. Performance and payment bonds are required within 10 calendar days of award at a penal amount of not less than 100 percent of the contract price. Required insurance includes general liability ($500,000 each occurrence / $1 million aggregate), automobile liability ($250,000 per person / $500,000 per occurrence), workers' compensation, and builder's risk at 100 percent of completed project value. The contractor must furnish extended warranties for two years following substantial completion.

Small business subcontracting goals are 23 percent to small businesses, 5 percent to women-owned small businesses, 5 percent to socially disadvantaged small businesses, 3 percent to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and 3 percent to HUBZone small businesses. The applicable NAICS code is 236220 with a small business size standard of $45 million. Written questions are due August 26, 2026. Invoices must be submitted electronically through the Invoice Processing Platform at www.ipp.gov.