RFQ Repair/Replace Low Water Crossing

The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Grazinglands Research Laboratory in El Reno, Oklahoma is soliciting proposals under a Total Small Business Set-Aside for repair and replacement of a low water crossing in Caddo County, with proposals due September 23, 2026. This is a Small Business set-aside; only firms meeting SBA size standards for NIGP 237310 (Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction) are eligible.

The scope encompasses demolition of the existing low water crossing and construction of a new embankment across a drainage swale. The awardee must install precast concrete culverts, pour a concrete driving surface atop the embankment, lay gravel surfacing connecting to existing roadways, and place 24 inches of rip-rap revetment along slopes and channels per contract drawings. Work must be completed within 365 consecutive calendar days after Notice to Proceed. The contractor must submit a detailed work schedule within 14 days of award and provide monthly updates to the Contracting Officer.

Safety and compliance are central to the scope: the contractor must engage OSHA-certified competent persons, ensure all employees complete 10-hour OSHA Construction Safety training (supervisors 30-hour), maintain daily quality-control inspection records, and submit a site-specific safety plan before work begins. Shop drawings (six copies), samples (within 30 days), daily inspector reports, formal meeting minutes, and as-built drawings (within 15 days of phase completion) are required. The contractor must maintain one-year post-completion warranty with defect remediation at contractor expense, implement a construction waste management plan with minimum 10 percent landfill diversion, and protect existing equipment and property against dust, noise, and debris.

A mandatory site visit is required; contractors must provide valid U.S. or state photo identification and be accompanied by a USDA escort. The contractor is responsible for temporary facilities, sanitary accommodations, temporary utilities with metered electrical service, and water service via ARS distribution systems at no cost.