How to bid on the FY28 Frequency Converter Plant for the DEPT of Defense

What the agency is buying and why a vendor would care

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking information from local Japanese firms for a new 66kV electrical substation and frequency converter plant at Yokohama North Dock. This facility will convert 50Hz power from TEPCO to 60Hz shore power for U.S. military watercraft. The project includes supporting distribution lines, foundations, utilities, paving, security, fire protection, and other site work.

The estimated project value is between ¥7.5 billion and ¥15 billion. This is a significant construction opportunity for firms specializing in large-scale electrical infrastructure and site development in Japan.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This is a Request for Information (RFI), not a solicitation for bids. The deadline for responses is September 16, 2026, at 3:00 AM ET. All interested firms are highly encouraged to submit a response by this date.

The information gathered from this market survey will be used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Japan Engineering District (POJ) to help make decisions about the project's acquisition strategy. It will not be disclosed outside the agency, though respondents should be aware of regulations concerning the release of information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is specifically for local Japanese firms. To be considered, firms must be physically located and licensed to perform construction in Japan. This includes holding a Japanese civil construction (doboku isshiki koji) license or a Japanese architectural construction (kenchiku isshiki koji) license.

Firms must also be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database. The U.S. Government will not offer 'United States Official Contractor' status under the US-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) to U.S. contractors normally resident in the United States.

How to respond

To access the full Market Questionnaire and submission requirements, you will need to view the original source of the opportunity. You may need a free account to view documents, but for many bids, this is not required.

Firms interested in doing business with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Japan Engineering District, can visit their website for general information.

Practical tips for preparing a competitive response

Since this is an RFI, focus on clearly demonstrating your firm's qualifications, past performance, and expertise relevant to large-scale electrical substation and frequency converter plant construction. Highlight your experience with similar complex infrastructure projects.

The agency is exploring alternative acquisition strategies like Progressive Design Build (PDB) and Integrated Design & Construction (IDAC). If your firm has experience with collaborative project delivery methods, emphasize this in your response. Explain how your firm can contribute to real-time constructability reviews, cost estimations, and supply-chain analysis during the design phase.

Ensure your firm's Japanese civil or architectural construction license is current and accurately reflected on the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) website by the response deadline. Verify your SAM registration is active and up-to-date.