Sources Sought / Market Intelligence: Multi-Projects for Army Reserve Program – Construction Management at Risk (CM@Risk) utilizing Other Transaction Authority (OTA)

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) / MARKET INTELLIGENCE NOTICE

This is a Request for Information (RFI) for market intelligence and planning purposes only. This announcement does not constitute a Solicitation, Request for Proposal (RFP), or Request for Project Proposals (RPP), and no formal solicitation is currently available.

Participation in this RFI is strictly voluntary. The Government will not be obligated to award any contract or agreement because of this RFI, nor will it reimburse respondents for any costs associated with the preparation or submission of information. Submitting a response will not affect a firm’s ability to submit a proposal or bid should a formal solicitation or project announcement be issued in the future.

• NAICS Code: 236220 – Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (Note: While Other Transaction Authority is not governed by FAR-based small business set-aside regulations, this NAICS code is provided for market research purposes to assist the Government in understanding the industrial base demographics and capability.)
• Small Business Size Standard: $45.0 Million

PROGRAM & PROJECT OVERVIEW

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Louisville District, is conducting market intelligence to assess industry interest, capability, and commercial best practices for delivering multiple military construction (MILCON) / sustainment projects for the Army Reserve program utilizing Construction Management at Risk (CM@Risk) executed under Other Transaction Authority (OTA) pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 2808a.

The Louisville District intends to award three separate, standalone OT agreements (one per project), while using this consolidated RFI to survey industry capacity and interest in CM@Risk with OTA across multiple projects within the Army Reserve portfolio. The projects under evaluation include:

Project 1: Collective Training Enlisted Barracks – Devens Reserve Forces Training Area (Devens AR), MA

• Estimated Acquisition Magnitude: $35,000,000 – $45,000,000
• Scope of Work Summary: Construction of a 300 Soldier open-bay Collective Training (CT) Barracks on Devens Reserve Forces Training Area (DRFTA), Devens, MA. Barracks will consist of open bay sleeping rooms, gang latrines, storage, team rooms, laundry, restrooms, and shower facilities. The project will include information systems, fire protection and suppression, and energy monitoring control system connection. Supporting facilities include site development, utilities and connections, lighting, paving, walks, curbs and gutters, storm drainage, landscaping and signage. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning will be provided. Measures in accordance with the Department of Defense (DoD) Minimum Antiterrorism for Buildings standards will be provided. Sustainability, energy, and cybersecurity measures will be provided as will furnishings, equipment, and accessibility for the disabled. The facility will be designed for a minimum life of 40 years in accordance with DoD Unified Facilities Criteria 1-200-2 including energy efficiencies, building envelope, and integrated building systems. This facility is estimated at 46,000 SF
• Current Design Status: Awarded separate barracks project at Devens in Sep 2026 with full design. Will go to 65% for this after survey and Geotech.
• Anticipated CMAR Entry Point: ~65% or ~95% Design

Project 2: Area Maintenance Support Activity (AMSA) Facility – Fort Sheridan, IL

Estimated Acquisition Magnitude: $30,000,000 – $40,000,000

Scope of Work Summary: Construct a 19,000 SF Area Maintenance Support Activity (AMSA) shop at the Philip H. Sheridan Armed Forces Reserve Center (AFRC), Fort Sheridan, IL. The facility will be designed in accordance with the Army Reserve Design Guide, applicable Unified Facility Criteria (UFC) and consists of a high bay drive-thru shop area with supporting admin area. Supporting facilities include organizational parking, concrete aprons, vehicle wash rack/platform, bi-level equipment loading ramp, fencing, walks, signage, curbs and gutters, storm drainage, information systems, and utility connections. Work shall include land clearing, demolition of the existing 26,845 SF AMSA, built in 1939 of CMU, Concrete and steel truss roof construction.  Sustainability/Energy and cybersecurity measures are included. All fixtures, furnishings, and equipment will be provided. Antiterrorism force protection and physical security measures will be incorporated into the design including minimum standoff distances from roads, parking areas and vehicle unloading areas. Access for individuals with disabilities will be provided. Facilities will be designed to a minimum life of 40 years in accordance with DoD's Unified Facilities Criteria 1-200-02 including energy efficiencies, building envelope, and integrated building systems performance.

• Current Design Status: 65%
• Anticipated CMAR Entry Point: ~95% Design

Project 3: Airborne Equipment Parachute Repair Shop – Patton USARC, Bell, CA

• Estimated Acquisition Magnitude: $5,000,000 – $15,000,000
• Scope of Work Summary: Construction of an approximately 1,500SF Parachute Drying Tower for the 346th Quartermaster Company as an add-on to the existing storage facility (B331) at the Patton Hall ARC, CA.
• Current Design Status: 65% design anticipated in December 2026
• Anticipated CMAR Entry Point: ~95% Design

PLANNED ACQUISITION STRATEGY: CM@RISK VIA OTHER TRANSACTION AUTHORITY (OTA)

The Louisville District is evaluating a Construction Management at Risk (CM@Risk) delivery strategy utilizing an Other Transaction (OT) Agreement under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 2808a.

Section 2808a authorizes the Secretary of Defense and the Military Departments to carry out military construction projects involving testing and experimentation with new and emergent construction technologies, commercial practices, and streamlined alternative delivery models. The primary objectives are achieving enhanced mission resilience, accelerated project schedules, improved trade collaboration, and cost transparency.

The CM@Risk Course of Action (10 U.S.C. § 2808a)

Under this collaborative framework, the construction contractor is onboarded prior to construction execution (e.g., at 60%–100% maturity) to act as a design-assist preconstruction partner alongside the Government's Designer of Record (DOR), provide constructability reviews, etc:

• Phase 1 – Preconstruction Services: The contractor is awarded a Phase 1 agreement to perform constructability reviews, value engineering, building system optimization, supply chain lead-time mitigation, BIM clash detection, and open-book market trade pricing against Government MII (MCACES 2nd Generation) parametric estimates.
• Phase 2 – Construction Execution ("At-Risk"): As the design reaches 100% completion (or constructability reviews are completed), the contractor converts to an "At-Risk" general constructor under a negotiated Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). While the DOR retains professional engineering liability for the design, the contractor assumes responsibility for construction coordination, site logistics, schedule compliance, and trade execution. Phase 2 will be executed via bilateral modification to the agreement. If a GMP cannot be agreed upon, the Government retains an “off-ramp” to execute the physical construction under a separate acquisition strategy.

Pricing Structure

1. Preconstruction Services Fee: A defined, firm-fixed-price fee compensating the builder for preconstruction consulting, value engineering, cost modeling, and scheduling support.
2. The Target Fee (CMAR Fee): The contractor's transparent corporate markup and management fee for the construction phase, established competitively during Phase 1 selection.
3. Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP): The validated ceiling price for the construction effort, comprising Direct Subcontract Costs (derived through open-book market bidding) + Validated General Conditions + Agreed Target Fee + Shared Contingency Pool.

Phased Execution Architecture

• Solicitation / Down-Select: Prospective vendors submit concise capability statements and narrative white papers detailing CMAR experience, past collaborative delivery performance, key personnel qualifications, and preconstruction management approach.
• Oral Presentations / Pitch Meetings: Shortlisted teams present their approach to Government stakeholders, demonstrating how their Preconstruction Director, Project Manager, and Superintendent will interface with the DOR and USACE cost engineers.
• Bridging the Final Design Gap: The builder actively evaluates design options, verifies local trade availability, and executes subcontractor bid packaging.
• Risk Allocation: During Phase 1, the builder actively identifies ambiguities and constructability conflicts. Upon bilateral agreement on the GMP and execution of Phase 2, the contractor cannot submit claims for constructability coordination errors or field interferences that should reasonably have been addressed during the collaborative preconstruction phase.

INFORMATION REQUESTED FROM INDUSTRY

Interested firms are invited to provide comprehensive responses to the questions below to assist the Louisville District in tailoring this acquisition.

Section 1: Company Profile & Project Interest

Firm Information:

1. Firm Name.

2. Corporate Address.

3. Point of Contact (Name, Title, Phone, Email).

4. Unique Entity ID (UEI)

5. CAGE Code.

6. Socioeconomic Classification(s) (e.g., Other Than Small Business, Small Business, SDB, 8(a), SDVOSB, WOSB, HUBZone).

7. Project Interest: Indicate which of the projects your firm would potentially compete for:

• Collective Training Enlisted Barracks – Devens AR
• Area Maintenance Support Activity (AMSA) – Fort Sheridan
• Parachute Repair Shop – Patton USARC

8. Role: What is your anticipated teaming role (e.g., Prime CMAR Contractor, Joint Venture Partner, Major Specialty Subcontractor)?

Section 2: Other Transaction Authority (OTA) & Statutory Flexibilities

9. OTA Experience: What experience does your organization have executing projects under DoD Other Transaction Authorities (10 U.S.C. § 2808a, 10 U.S.C. § 4022, or civilian equivalent)?

10. Commercial Terms & Conditions: Under an OTA environment free from standard FAR Part 36 clauses, what commercial terms (e.g., commercial milestone payment schedules, tailored dispute escalation boards, shared cost-savings formulas) would best incentivize top-tier contractor participation?

Section 3: CM@Risk Delivery & Multi-Project Considerations

11. Design Entry Point: Given that the three projects may be at varying design stages (e.g. 65% or 90%), what is the optimal design maturity point for your firm to enter as a CMAR partner to provide maximum cost and schedule benefits?

12. Provide thoughts on CMAR at >90% stage, allowing for constructability reviews, cost estimating, and open book negotiations/GMP prior to construction execution vs. traditional FAR-based Design-Bid-Build.

13. Early Work Packages (EWPs): How would your firm sequence and manage early site preparation, deep foundations, utility relocations, or long-lead equipment procurement prior to 100% design completion under a collaborative CMAR model?

Section 4: Specialized Facility & Technical Capabilities

14. Barracks / High-Density Billeting Experience (Devens AR): Describe your firm's experience with military barracks or multi-story living facilities, including Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) UFC 4-010-01 compliance, acoustic separation, and durable institutional finishes.

15. Industrial Maintenance Facilities (Fort Sheridan AMSA): Describe your experience constructing heavy equipment or military vehicle maintenance facilities involving industrial ventilation, vehicle exhaust extraction, bridge cranes, oil-water separation systems, and high-load exterior concrete pavements.

16. Specialized Climate-Controlled & Rigging Shops (Patton USARC): Describe your experience with specialized clean-span fabrication, airborne rigger or parachute maintenance facilities, high-bay drying towers, or facilities requiring tight environmental humidity/temperature controls.

Section 5: Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), Open-Book Costing & Risk

17. Open-Book Transparency: Describe your approach to transparent trade subcontractor bidding and open-book cost validation alongside USACE MII estimators.

18. Shared Savings & Contingency: What shared-savings mechanisms (e.g., 75/25 or 50/50 split of unspent contractor contingency at completion) have proven most effective in aligning builder and Government incentives?

19. Long-Lead Material Mitigation: What strategies do you employ to navigate long-lead supply chain volatility (e.g., electrical switchgear, chillers, structural steel) during Phase 1 preconstruction?

Section 6: Bonding & Financial Capacity

20. Bonding Capacity: Specify your maximum bonding (Single and Aggregate) as a Sole Prime Contractor and/or as a Joint Venture.

Section 7: Subcontracting

21. Local Labor Market Assessment: Provide your assessment of the current industrial base and local trade labor availability in the Devens, MA; Ft. Sheridan, IL; and Bell, CA markets. Are there specific trades (e.g., electrical, mechanical, concrete) where you anticipate localized shortages, and how does your preconstruction process mitigate this?

22. Subcontractor Competition Strategy: Describe your firm’s strategy for fostering competition and transparency among subcontractors during Phase 1. How would you balance benefits of pre-selecting trusted partners versus conducting open competitions to ensure fair market value and maximize opportunities for local and/or specialized businesses?

23. Subcontractor Risk/Reward Sharing: What models have you used or would you recommend for sharing risk and reward with key subcontractors under a GMP model to incentivize performance?

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Submission Requirement: The only authorized transmission method of responses is via filling out the survey form. No other transmission method will be accepted. Please limit your capability statement to the space provided within the form. The Market Intelligence Response Form can be accessed at https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/en56Ygym1f   or via the QR Code provided in the attachment. 

Please submit your responses by 05 October 2026 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time.

The questionnaire is the Government's primary mechanism for obtaining detailed market intelligence and addresses industry capability, experience, technical capabilities, construction considerations, and recommended OTA and commercial practices.

The Government welcomes candid industry feedback and recommendations regarding commercial practices, agreement terms, project phasing, risk sharing, governance, pricing approaches, and other considerations that could improve successful execution of this project under 10 U.S.C. § 2808a.

Interested firms are encouraged to add themselves to the Interested Vendors List associated with this announcement on SAM.gov to receive future updates.

Note: Do not submit proprietary trade secrets, protected technologies, or classified information in your response.  All feedback received will be handled as public market research to shape the Government's final acquisition approach.