How to respond to the Army’s Instrument Landing Structure notice

What the Army is seeking

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, is seeking information from firms about preparing and building an unmanned instrument landing system site at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Work described includes demolition, rerouting drainage and utilities as needed, installing new utility lines and a gate, and filling and grading the site.

The ILS equipment will be furnished and installed by the government under a separate contract. This is a sources-sought market survey for planning, not a request for proposals, and no contract will be awarded from this notice. The estimated work period is 365 days, with a target price range of $7.8 million to $8.4 million.

Dates and what the deadline means

The notice was published October 20, 2026. Responses are due November 2, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Central time, which is 3:00 p.m. Eastern time.

The deadline is for submitting information in response to the market survey, not a bid for a contract. The Army says a future solicitation, if issued, will be announced in SAM. The anticipated solicitation is in the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2027, with award estimated between the third and fourth quarters.

Who this opportunity may suit

This notice is relevant to experienced site preparation and construction firms, particularly businesses working in NAICS 238910, Site Preparation Contractors. The stated small-business size standard for that code is $19 million.

The Army encourages small businesses, including 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, and WOSB firms, as well as other eligible firms, to respond. Small businesses considering a future contract should also review the notice’s limitations on subcontracting provisions.

How to access the notice

Click “View original source” above to open the opportunity on the portal. If the first click takes you to the portal homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid.

A free account may be needed to view documents, though many bids can be viewed without one. Follow the notice’s response instructions when preparing and submitting information; the provided access steps explain how to open the opportunity, not how to submit a response.

Prepare a focused response

Keep the response within the notice’s 10-page limit and address the requested information. The notice states that responses should include the firm’s name, UEI, CAGE Code, address, and point of contact; the supplied description cuts off after that list begins, so check the full notice for the remaining requested items.

Describe relevant experience and capabilities for the site preparation tasks identified, and distinguish the construction work from the government-furnished, government-installed equipment. Be clear and specific about what your firm can perform.

If considering a future bid, assess whether your team can meet the stated 365-day estimate, the target price range and applicable subcontracting limits. The notice also identifies USACE safety requirements and cybersecurity conditions, including Level 1 CMMC at award; review the full notice and applicable requirements before deciding how to proceed.