How to bid on Lackland Laundry and Linen for the DEPT of Defense

What the agency is buying and why it matters

The Defense Health Agency needs a contractor to provide medical-grade bulk laundry and dry-cleaning services for Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center and other clinics at Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) Lackland and JBSA Randolph, Texas. This includes clinical, microfiber, special-item, heavily soiled, and veterinary laundry services.

This is a significant opportunity for a small business to secure a firm-fixed-price contract with the Department of Defense, providing essential support to military healthcare facilities. The contract requires strict adherence to infection control and transportation standards, including guidelines from the CDC, OSHA, and the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC).

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

All questions about this solicitation must be submitted via email by September 3, 2026. This is your chance to clarify any uncertainties before preparing your proposal.

Proposals are due by September 21, 2026, at 12:00 PM Central Standard Time (1:00 PM ET). Late submissions will likely not be considered. The government will award a single firm-fixed-price contract based on compliant proposals that receive a "Pass" for Technical Capability and represent the Best Value through a comparative tradeoff between Past Performance and Price.

Who this opportunity suits

This solicitation is a 100% small business set-aside, specifically for firms in the Drycleaning and Laundry Services (except Coin-Operated) category (NAICS Code 812320). The SBA size standard for this NAICS code is $8.0 million.

It is ideal for small businesses with proven experience in medical-grade laundry and dry-cleaning, particularly those familiar with stringent infection control, quality control, and transportation requirements for healthcare settings. Experience with government contracts, especially follow-on contracts, would be beneficial.

How to respond to this solicitation

To access the solicitation documents, click "View original source" on the portal. If you land on the homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account to view all documents.

Proposals must be submitted electronically via email to the points of contact listed in the solicitation. Be sure to review the "Instructions to Offerors" document for detailed guidance on proposal structure, page limits, and all submission requirements.

Practical tips for a competitive response

Carefully read all solicitation documents, including any amendments and the Q&A section, to fully understand the scope of work and evaluation criteria. Pay close attention to the technical capability requirements and how past performance will be assessed.

Ensure your proposal clearly demonstrates your firm's ability to meet the strict quality control, infection control, and transportation standards, referencing specific guidelines like those from the CDC, OSHA, and HLAC. Highlight any relevant certifications or accreditations.

Provide a clear and competitive price, but also ensure it is realistic for the services required. Emphasize your firm's past performance on similar contracts, especially those involving medical facilities or government agencies, to strengthen your best value proposition.