RFP WRRC Boiler Upgrades

The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is soliciting sealed bids for construction of three boilers (with Boiler #2 as an optional line item) at the Western Regional Research Center in Albany, California, with bids due August 17, 2026, and a mandatory site visit on July 22, 2026. This procurement is set aside for Total Small Business concerns under NAICS 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors).

The estimated project magnitude is between $5 million and $10 million over a one-year performance period from August 25, 2026, to August 24, 2027. Work is performed at 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, CA 94710, with contractors required to commence within 10 calendar days of notice to proceed and complete all work within 365 calendar days. An on-site superintendent is mandatory.

The scope encompasses labor and materials to construct three boilers per provided construction documents. Offerors must submit a completed SF 1442, technical approach narrative with documented experience references from similar federal, state, or university projects completed within the past five years, and a fully completed pricing schedule in Microsoft Excel format. Performance and payment bonds are required. A bid guarantee of not less than 20 percent of the proposed price (not to exceed $3 million) must be submitted using Standard Form 24.

ARS will evaluate offers using Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable (LPTA) methodology, awarding to the responsible offeror with the lowest priced technically acceptable proposal. Contractors are subject to Davis-Bacon prevailing wage standards per Attachment 7 and various FAR and AGAR clauses governing labor standards, small business subcontracting plans, and compliance. Invoices must be submitted electronically through the Treasury Invoice Processing Platform. Requests for Information are due July 30, 2026, at 4:00 PM EST. Site visit registration is required by July 21, 2026, at 12:00 PM PST.