How to bid on covered parking structure design and build for the Air Force

What the Air Force is buying and why it matters

The Department of the Air Force needs a contractor to design and build two covered aircraft parking structures at Homestead Air Reserve Base in Homestead, Florida. This project involves providing all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, vehicles, supervision, and containers necessary for both the design and construction phases.

This is a 100% competitive small-business set-aside, which means only small businesses can compete for this contract. The estimated period for design and construction is 365 calendar days after the Notice to Proceed is issued. This is an opportunity for construction firms to secure a significant federal contract.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

The solicitation was published on July 24, 2026. The deadline for submitting your complete quote is August 21, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET. It is crucial to submit all required documents, including your bid guarantee, by this exact time.

A site visit is scheduled for August 10, 2026. If you plan to attend, you must register by August 3, 2026. This visit is an important opportunity to understand the project site and ask questions.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is ideal for small businesses in the construction sector, specifically those under NAICS code 236220, Commercial and Institutional Building Construction, with a size standard of $45 million. Firms with experience in design-build projects, particularly those involving aircraft facilities or similar large-scale covered structures, will be well-suited.

Contractors must be prepared to meet bonding requirements, including bid, performance, and payment bonds. Additionally, compliance with NIST/CMMC cybersecurity requirements is mandatory for eligibility.

How to respond to this solicitation

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). You must provide a complete written quote. The solicitation number is FA6648-26-Q-0009, and this number should be included on all packages.

To access the full solicitation details and attachments, you will need to click “View original source” on the portal. If the first click takes you to the homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account on the portal to view all documents.

Practical tips for preparing a competitive response

Carefully review the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and all attachments, especially those related to the Davis-Bacon Act Wage Determination and NIST/CMMC requirements. Ensure your proposal addresses every aspect of the PWS.

Pay close attention to the CLIN structure. The government is open to industry recommendations for revisions to the CLIN structure via pre-proposal RFIs, so consider if any adjustments would benefit your approach. Also, be aware of the liquidated damages clause of $720.19 for each calendar day of delay.

Ensure your firm meets the NIST SP 800-171 assessment score or CMMC Level 2 requirement. If your score is below 110, you must include a plan of improvement with your proposal. Begin this process early as it can take time to achieve compliance or develop a robust plan.