How to bid on Building 1203 renovations at March Air Reserve Base for the US Army Corps of Engineers

What the agency is buying

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to award a small-business set-aside contract for renovations to Building 1203 at March Air Reserve Base in California. This project addresses mechanical system deficiencies and the fire suppression water supply line.

The scope of work includes replacing the entire mechanical systems, such as ductwork, sensors, air handling units, and associated controls, including fire alarm controls. Additionally, the main fire water supply line from the street to the riser room and the post indicator valve (PIV) will be replaced. The project concludes with testing, balancing, and commissioning of the complete mechanical and fire suppression systems.

This is a firm-fixed-price contract with an estimated value between $1 million and $5 million. The work is expected to take 350 days from the notice to proceed.

Key dates and deadlines

This is an advance notice for the project. The official Invitation for Bid (IFB), Solicitation No. W912QR27BA001, is anticipated to be released around September 21, 2026. The deadline for this RFI is September 19, 2026, at 10:00 AM ET. This RFI is for informational purposes; responses are not required.

Once the IFB is released, all amendments will be posted to the same website. It is your responsibility to check the website periodically for any updates to the solicitation.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is a general small-business set-aside, making it suitable for small businesses specializing in commercial and institutional building construction. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this effort is 236220.

Firms with experience in mechanical system replacements, ductwork, air handling units, controls, fire alarm systems, and fire suppression water line installations will find this project aligns with their capabilities. Experience with testing, balancing, and commissioning of such systems is also relevant.

How to access the solicitation

The official solicitation, when posted, will be available free of charge by electronic posting only on the Contracting Opportunities website, www.SAM.gov. Paper copies will not be issued, and telephone or fax requests will not be honored.

To download the solicitation, you may need to register at www.SAM.gov. Project files are in PDF format and can be viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Tips for a competitive response

Ensure your company maintains an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) database at www.sam.gov. If you are a Joint Venture, the JV entity must have a valid SAM registration. An inactive or unsuccessful SAM registration at the time of award may result in the contract being awarded to the next prospective offeror.

Since this is an Invitation for Bid (IFB) and a sealed bid process, focus on providing a complete and accurate bid that strictly adheres to all instructions in the solicitation. Pay close attention to the detailed scope of work, including specific requirements for mechanical systems, fire suppression, testing, and commissioning.

Given the anticipated release date, begin preparing your internal resources and potential subcontractor relationships now. Review similar past projects to understand typical requirements and potential challenges for this type of renovation work at a military installation.