SOURCE SOUGHT FOR INDUSTRY CAPABILITIES TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT NEW WORLD SCREWWORM FACILITY

This Sources Sought is for the Government to evaluate industry capabilities, assess the feasibility of meeting urgent deadlines, and determine if the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can fulfill the needs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This is not a request for proposals (RFP) or an invitation to bid (IFB). No solicitation is available at this time. Information submitted in response to this request may determine the acquisition strategy.

I. INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Fort Worth District, is conducting market research to identify qualified firms capable of constructing a new, state-of-the-art New World Screw Worm sterile fly facility at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas. This Sources Sought notice is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposals (RFP). It should not be interpreted as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation. Responses received in any form will not be considered offers, and the Government is under no obligation to award a contract as a result of this Sources Sought notice.

The construction of the New World Screwworm (NWS) project is a critical initiative that supports the mission of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Due to the urgent nature of this project, we are looking for prime firms that can mobilize quickly and provide innovative solutions to ensure the project is completed within a short timeframe.

II. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The project involves the design and construction of a complex, specialized facility for the mass rearing and sterilization of New World Screwworm flies. The facility will include, but is not limited to:

• Complete design of the NWS Facility
• Anticipated production of 300 million flies per week
• The facility must accommodate BSL biosecurity protocols with Levels 2 and 3 characteristics (shower/decontamination)
• The facility must accommodate Arthropod Containment Level (ACL) protocols with Level 2 and 3 characteristics

• Laboratory spaces with stringent environmental controls
• Insect rearing rooms
• Sterilization facilities
• Procurement and installation of specialized equipment
• Administrative and support areas
• Associated site infrastructure (utilities, access roads, parking, etc.)
• Estimated 500,000 square feet

Web Links

• -https://www.copeg.org/en/production  (This is a smaller facility only doing 100 million files per week)
• -https://farmpolicynews.illinois.edu/2025/08/usda-to-spend-750-million-on-texas-fly-facility-to-combat-screwworm/
• -https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6396570/#s020
• -https://aspr.hhs.gov/S3/Pages/Biosafety-Level-Requirements.aspx

Maps have been added that show the proposed location.

The estimated magnitude of construction is over $500,000,000.

III. CAPABILITIES SOUGHT

USACE is seeking qualified firms with demonstrated experience in the following areas:

• Large-Scale Design & Construction: Proven ability to manage and execute design and construction projects of similar size and complexity (>$500M).
• Laboratory/Research Facility Construction: Specific experience constructing laboratory facilities, particularly those with specialized environmental control requirements (e.g., biocontainment, temperature/humidity control, specialized ventilation). Experience with USDA or National Institutes of Health (NIH) facility standards is highly desirable.
• Industry Feedback: Feedback & suggestions on successfully executing this unique program. Include but not limited to:
  • Stipends and/or incentives,
  • Phasing & Sequencing
  • Mitigation of supply chain risks/procurement
  • Resourcing strategies (material & labor)
    • Do you have business arrangements with the type of vendors needed
    • Are they in the vicinity of the anticipated location of Moore AFB?
  • Technology & methods (pre-fab., Modular, lean, etc.)
  • Challenges with active runways and planned location
  • Realistic performance period vs expedited DB Construction (assuming 500,000 square feet facility/completion as quick as possible)

IV. INFORMATION REQUESTED

Interested firms are requested to submit the following information: 

1. Company Profile: Please provide your company's name, address, website, and the primary point of contact.

2. Relevant Project Experience: Briefly describe 2-3 projects of similar size, location (south Texas region or similar) and complexity. Highlight your firm’s role, the project value, and key features that are relevant to this project (e.g., laboratory construction, environmental controls). Include project names, locations. If a federal contract, provide contract numbers.

3. Bonding Capacity: Provide documentation (such as a letter from your surety) that verifies your current bonding capacity of $1 billion.

4. Construction Methods: Any information on suggested construction methods or innovative approaches --such as design-build to budget/design build institute of America methods-- to expedite the construction of this project is welcome.

5. Cost accounting standards (CAS): Any information on your firm’s ability to execute using CAS.

The source sought document can also be used by industry to expand on your company's capabilities and or additional details that will inform the Government on how this project can be completed successfully.

V. INDUSTRY DAY

Prime Contractors that provide responses to this Source Sought may be invited to attend  Site Visit/Industry Day at Moore Air Force Base in Texas, date to be determined. The purpose of this Site Visit/Industry Day is to provide additional information about the project and to encourage discussion with potential offerors. It is expected that the Site Visit/Industry Day will take place during October 2025. Please note that the location may change, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

VI: ProjNet Question submission

If you have any questions, please submit via ProjNet. We may not respond until the site visit/industry day, as we are still gathering information.

All questions and/or comments are to be submitted via ProjNet athttp://www.projnet.org/projnet. To submit and review bid inquiry items, bidders will need to be a current registered user or self-register into system. To self-register go to web page, click Quick Add link, select agency USACE, enter Key for this solicitation listed below, and your e-mail address, click Continue. Fill in all required information and click Add User. Verify that information on next screen is correct and click continue. From this page you may view all bidder inquiries or add inquiry. Bidders will receive an acknowledgement of their question via email, followed by an answer to their question after it has been processed by our technical team. 

Sources Sought Number: W9126G26R1AS7

Bidder Inquiry Key is: KXXJ9Z-T38NIQ

VI. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

All responses to this Sources Sought notice must be submitted electronically via email to nicholas.i.johnston@usace.army.mil and dianne.k.grimes@usace.army.mil no later than October 14, 2025, at 11:00am Central Time.  Please use the subject line: “Sources Sought – New World Screw Worm Facility – Moore Air Base”. Respondents should provide the attached source sought template. Additionally, contractors may also provide capability briefs, Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ).  

VII. DISCLAIMER

This Sources Sought notice is not a request for proposals, nor is it a promise to issue a solicitation. The information provided will be used for market research purposes only. The Government will not reimburse firms for any costs associated with responding to this Sources Sought.