How to bid on the Nemo Domestic Well project for the Department of Agriculture

What the agency is buying

The U.S. Forest Service needs a contractor to drill and develop a new domestic drinking-water well. The project also includes constructing a water distribution line. This work is required to provide potable water at 12782 Nemo Road in Nemo, South Dakota, as part of a CERCLA action related to groundwater impact.

This is a construction opportunity for small businesses, specifically under NAICS code 237110, which covers Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction. The small business size standard for this code is $45 million.

Key dates and deadlines

The solicitation was published on September 02, 2026. All offers must be submitted by October 14, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET. It is important to submit your quotation before this deadline.

If your firm is awarded the contract, a 100% payment bond will be required within 10 calendar days of the contract award. This bond must be submitted before work can begin.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is a total small-business set-aside. It is suitable for construction firms specializing in water and sewer line construction, particularly those with experience in drilling and developing domestic water wells and installing distribution lines. The project location is 12782 Nemo Road, Nemo, Lawrence County, South Dakota.

How to respond

This is a Request for Quotation (RFQ) under solicitation number 1240LT26Q0175. To access the solicitation and all supporting attachments, you will need to view the original source on the portal.

You may need to click the 'View original source' link twice to reach the bid details. While some documents may require a free account to view, many bids do not. Your offer must include a bid bond on a Standard Form 24 (SF24) for 20% of the total offer price, up to a maximum of $3 million. Failure to provide this bid bond will result in your offer being rejected.

Tips for a competitive response

Ensure your bid bond is correctly completed on Standard Form 24 and submitted with your offer. This is a mandatory requirement for your offer to be considered responsive. Pay close attention to the details of the required work, including both the well drilling and the water distribution line construction.

If awarded, be prepared to provide the 100% payment bond using Standard Form 25A within 10 calendar days. No substitute forms will be accepted for the payment bond. This bond must cover the full contract performance period plus an additional one-year period. Submitting all required forms correctly and on time is crucial for both your initial offer and post-award compliance.