Bid guide
How to bid on Governor Control Programming for the DEPT of Defense
What the agency is buying and why a vendor would care
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is conducting market research for services to support the modernization of governor control units at Libby Dam in Libby, Montana. They are looking for firms to provide programming and commissioning support to replace pressure switches with pressure transducers on five governor control units. This involves PLC/HMI development and testing, with optional on-site support for the first unit and remote support for the remaining four.
The government will provide all necessary hardware and handle the physical installation and wiring of the transducers. This is an opportunity for firms with specialized engineering labor in PLC/HMI development and commissioning, particularly those familiar with governor control systems, to potentially secure future work with the USACE.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
This is a Request for Information (RFI), also known as a Sources Sought announcement, published on August 04, 2026. Responses are due by August 17, 2026, at 12:00 PM PDT (which is 3:00 PM ET). This is not a request for proposals, quotations, or bids, and no solicitation is currently available.
The purpose of this RFI is for the government to identify potential qualified businesses and gather information for future acquisition decisions. Submitting a response by the deadline helps the government understand the market and may influence whether a future solicitation is set aside for specific business categories or issued as unrestricted.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is suitable for firms specializing in equipment programming, particularly those with expertise in Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and Human Machine Interface (HMI) development and commissioning. Experience with governor control systems and pressure transducer integration is highly relevant.
The primary NAICS code for this requirement is 541330, Engineering Services, with a small business size standard of $25.5 million. The USACE is interested in responses from businesses of all sizes and socioeconomic categories, including large businesses, small businesses (8(a), Woman Owned, Veteran Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned, Small Disadvantaged, and HUBZone concerns).
How to respond
To respond, you need to provide specific business information and answer capability questions. First, locate the opportunity on the portal by clicking “View original source”. If the first click takes you to the homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account to view documents, though this is not always required.
Your response should include your firm's name, CAGE or UEI, point of contact details, and business size standard based on NAICS code 541330. Indicate if you plan to team or subcontract, specifying anticipated percentages of work and socioeconomic categories of prospective subcontractors. For capability questions, briefly describe your firm's capabilities and relevant experience, including similar services performed within the last 8 years.
Practical tips for preparing a competitive response
Even though this is an RFI and not a bid, a thorough response can position your firm favorably for future solicitations. Clearly articulate your firm's specific experience with PLC/HMI development and commissioning, especially if it relates to governor control units or similar industrial equipment. Highlight any experience with Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions, Inc. or American Governor Company systems, as they are the OEM for Libby Dam's controls.
Pay close attention to the scope of work and government responsibilities. Emphasize your ability to provide specialized engineering labor for in-house development and testing, as well as on-site and remote commissioning support. Ensure your response is concise, directly addresses all requested information, and demonstrates a clear understanding of the technical requirements outlined in the RFI.
See the live bid — deadline, agency details, and how to respond
Dates and requirements can change via addenda; always verify on the bid page and at the original source before responding.
View this bid on BiddingSimpleThis guide was prepared by BiddingSimple from the solicitation’s public posting. It is not official guidance from DEPT of Defense; the original posting controls.