How to bid on Seismic Retrofit of the Historic Union Station, Tacoma, WA (GSA)

What the GSA is buying and why it matters

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is conducting market research for a seismic retrofit project at the Historic Union Station in Tacoma, Washington. This is a Request for Information (RFI), not a request for proposals. The GSA is looking for general contractors capable of performing this work, which is estimated to be in the $50–$60 million range.

Your response will help the GSA determine if there are enough small businesses, including HUBZone, Women-Owned, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned small businesses, that can handle this project. They also want to assess the constructability of their design concept and get rough cost estimates. This is an opportunity to show your company's capabilities for a significant federal construction project.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

Responses to this RFI are due by September 14, 2026, at 8:00 AM Central Time. This is a firm deadline, and late submissions will not be considered. The GSA anticipates awarding a contract for these services in Spring/Summer of 2027, with an estimated contract duration of two years and eleven months.

Your submission is for planning purposes only and does not guarantee a future solicitation or contract. However, it is expected that a solicitation will be published based on the outcome of this market research.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is best suited for general contractors with experience in commercial and institutional building construction, specifically those capable of managing projects of $50–$60 million. The applicable NAICS code is 236220, Commercial and Institutional Building Construction, with a small business size standard of $45 million.

The GSA is particularly interested in responses from Small Businesses, HUBZone small businesses, Women-Owned small businesses, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned small businesses, but all qualified interested sources (both large and small businesses) are encouraged to respond. You should have a proven track record as a prime contractor on projects of similar scope, size, complexity, and duration.

How to respond to this RFI

To respond, you need to submit a written Letter of Interest including a Capability Statement. This document must be no more than five single-sided PDF pages. Additional pages will not be considered. Your submission should be sent electronically to Kristin Gilliland (Contracting Officer) at [email protected]. The subject line of your email must be “Tacoma Seismic RFI Response”.

To get the Final Design Concept documents, you must complete the provided CUI Information Request Form and return it to [email protected]. Documents will be distributed only after a properly completed form is received.

Practical tips for a competitive response

Ensure your Unique Entity ID (SAM) is active and your company's registration at sam.gov is current. Clearly state your business size for NAICS code 236220 and any socioeconomic designations your company holds.

Provide detailed descriptions of three projects completed within the past seven years that are similar in scope, size, complexity, and duration to this retrofit. Include customer names, phone numbers, timeliness of performance, and dollar values. Emphasize work performed as a prime contractor.

Include evidence of your company's bonding capability, verifying the ability to bond a single project up to $50,000,000 and your aggregate bonding capacity. If you are part of a joint venture, name all members and their business sizes. If you hold a GSA IDIQ contract, provide the contract number. If you are located outside Tacoma, explain how you would perform the work at a fair and reasonable price. Finally, based on the design concept documents, provide a Rough Order of Magnitude estimate, determine constructability, and offer any pertinent general comments.