SUBJECT: Sources Sought (RFI) - B-21 Low Observable / Radio Frequency Hangar
DISCLAIMER. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) / SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. This notice is issued solely for market research, information, and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposals (RFP), a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), or a commitment by the Government to write, issue, or award an agreement or contract. The Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. All response costs will be borne solely by the interested party.
PURPOSE. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Fort Worth District, is conducting active public market intelligence to gauge industry interest, capacity, and capability from commercial construction firms, design-builders, and Non-Traditional Defense Contractors (NDCs). The intent is to gather critical feedback regarding advanced commercial construction methodologies, project delivery risks, and acquisition preferences to support our upcoming project delivery selection.
- ACQUISITION STRATEGY & NON-FAR MODEL.
- Statutory Authority: This project will potentially be executed as a Progressive Design-Build (PDB), Design-Build to Budget (DBtB) or Construction Management at Risk (CM@Risk) project utilizing Other Transaction Authority (OTA) pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 2808a.
- Non-FAR Environment: Prospective partners are advised that the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) does NOT apply to this procurement. The negotiated, bilateral Other Transaction Agreement will serve as the sole governing contract. Standard FAR clauses are inapplicable, though federal statutory constraints (such as federal fiscal law, criminal statutes, and general civil laws) remain fully applicable.
- Agreement Mechanics:
- PBD Procurement Process: Phase 1, Design & Pre-Construction Services, a design-builder will be selected through a qualifications-based selection (QBS) process. The government will then negotiate a fee for Phase 1 services. There is no requirement to submit price proposals or design concepts during the initial selection. Phase 2, Final Design & Construction, is executed via a bilateral modification to the OT Agreement upon successful negotiation of a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) at approximately 65% design maturity. The Agreement contains an "off-ramp" clause allowing the Government to retain the design and procure construction separately if GMP negotiations fail.
- DBtB Procurement Process: Solicitation and evaluation during Phase 1 focuses on the qualifications, past performance, and integrated Design-Build experience of each offeror. The Government is evaluating the team and not necessarily how the offeror will design the structure. The Phase 1 evaluation results in the selection of three of the most highly qualified, competitive teams to proceed to Phase 2. Phase 2, the Government will issue the final RFP exclusively to the down-selected teams. This RFP includes the validated, performance-based requirements, establishes the firm Construction Cost Limit (CCL), and clearly defines the basic scope.
- Construction Management at Risk (CM@Risk) Procurement Process: Early involvement, separate contracts, guaranteed maximum price and collaborative delivery.
- PROJECT OVERVIEW & SCOPE.
- Title: B-21 Low Observable / Radio Frequency Hangar
- Location: Dyess Air Force Base, Texas
- Scope: Construct a new 95,529 sq. ft. Low Observable Corrosion Control Hangar (LO) and a Radio Frequency Facility (RF) for the new B-21 weapons system. The project demands a highly collaborative and iterative design process to manage complexity and a critical schedule.
- Target Price Range (TPR): The Government has established The Government's Target Price Estimate for construction is between $280,000,000 and $300,000,000.
- Projected Award Date: The Government targets the formal award of the Agreement Phase 1 (Design and Preconstruction Services) on or about July 2027.
- Current Design is at 100%. The Government is willing to revert to a 35% design, allowing the awardee and designer the ability to collaborate during an OTA procurement process.
- Period of Performance (POP): The projected construction timeline is approximately 1217 calendar days following the execution of the Phase 2 Construction modification.
- Product Service Code (PSC): Y1BG (Construction of Electronic and Communications Facilities).
- NAICS Code: 236220 (Commercial and Institutional Building Construction).
- INNOVATIVE METHODOLOGIES & FEEDBACK AREAS. In accordance with Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) Design Instruction #3, the Government is seeking commercial industry feedback regarding the feasibility and market capacity for the following innovative methods:
- Modular and Off-Site Prefabrication: Fabricating large sections of the facility or complex mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems in factory-controlled environments to compress the construction schedule.
- 3D Printing: Utilizing large-scale 3D printing for secondary building components, non-load-bearing walls, or perimeter security fencing.
- Advanced Materials: Incorporating self-healing concrete to reduce lifecycle maintenance and maximize structural integrity, or utilizing high-performance insulation (e.g., aerogels or vacuum-insulated panels) to meet high-performance building standards.
Submissions: Submit your capabilities statement and Market Intelligence response (attachment) via email toThomas Howard at Thomas.W.Howard@usace.army.mil and Nicholas Johnston at Nicholas.I.Johnston@usace.army.mil no later than Wednesday, September 23st, 2026 at 2:00 PM CDT (21:00 UTC).
Use email subject: "Sources Sought Response: B21 Low Observable/Radio Frequency Hanger (LO/RF) Market Intel - [Your Firm Name]".
File Naming Convention: Market Intel_B21 LO/RF_[FIRM NAME]
