How to bid on HVAC Repair by Replacement (6 Units) for the Dept of the Army

What the Army is buying and why it matters to you

The Department of the Army needs a small business to replace six rooftop HVAC units at Building 1611, Fort Bliss, Texas. This project involves furnishing all labor, materials, equipment, tools, transportation, and supplies to replace six Carrier rooftop units with new Trane HVAC units of the same capacity or approved equivalent.

This is a small business set-aside opportunity, meaning only small businesses can bid. The project is expected to cost between $1 million and $5 million, and the work must be completed within 270 days after receiving the notice to proceed. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this work is 238220, with a size standard of $19,000,000.00.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This is a pre-solicitation notice, meaning the formal Invitation for Bids (IFB) is expected to be issued around July 21, 2026. A pre-bid conference and site visit are tentatively scheduled for July 30, 2026, at 9:00 AM MST. The location will be provided in the solicitation. All questions from the pre-bid conference must be submitted by August 6, 2026.

The bid opening date is tentatively scheduled for August 21, 2026, at 12:30 PM ET. Actual dates and times will be confirmed in the official solicitation. It is your responsibility to check the Contract Opportunities page on SAM.gov periodically for any amendments to the solicitation.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for small businesses specializing in HVAC installation and replacement, general construction, or mechanical contracting. Firms with experience in replacing commercial rooftop HVAC units, particularly those familiar with federal contracting requirements and working on military installations, will find this a good fit.

The project's magnitude of construction, between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000, indicates it's for established small businesses capable of handling projects of this scale. You must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) at the time of bid submission.

How to respond to this solicitation

The official solicitation and all related documents, including plans and specifications, will be available only from the Contract Opportunities page on SAM.gov. You will need to access this page to download the Invitation for Bids (IFB) when it is issued.

To view the opportunity on the portal, click the "View original source" link. If you land on the portal's homepage, click the link again. While you may need a free account to view documents for some bids, it is not always required. The government will not issue paper copies, and amendments will be posted electronically.

Practical tips for a competitive response

Ensure your SAM.gov registration is active and up-to-date, including your NAICS code 238220. Review the solicitation carefully once it's released, paying close attention to the specific requirements for the new Trane HVAC units or approved equivalents, and any installation specifications.

Plan to attend the pre-bid conference and site visit if possible. This is your chance to ask questions directly and gain a clearer understanding of the project scope and site conditions. Submit any questions by the deadline to ensure you receive official responses.

Familiarize yourself with FAR Clause 52.219-14(e)(3) (DEVIATION 2021-O0008), Limitations on Subcontracting. For general construction contracts, you cannot pay more than 85 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance, excluding material costs, to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities.