Bid guide
How to bid on road reclamation for Steve Thompson Wildlife Drive, Department of Transportation
What the agency is buying and why it matters
The Department of Transportation is looking for qualified prime contractors for a future project at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge in Cameron County, Texas. This Request for Information (RFI) aims to identify small businesses interested in bidding on a project to reclaim and resurface approximately 13 miles of roads, specifically the Steve Thompson Wildlife Drive.
The work involves full-depth reclamation of existing driving surfaces, including chip seal and gravel, followed by the installation of a new aggregate surface course. Additional tasks include installing an aluminum gate, a concrete pad, safety signs, and speed bumps. The project is estimated to cost between $2 million and $5 million, with construction expected to start in 2027.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
This RFI was published on August 04, 2026. Interested firms must submit their responses by August 19, 2026, at 4:00 PM ET. The deadline for submissions is 2 p.m. Denver time on August 19, 2026.
This is not a request for bids, and plans and specifications are not yet available. The purpose of this RFI is to determine if there is enough interest from qualified small businesses to potentially set aside the future solicitation under a specific small business program. Your response helps the agency decide how to proceed with the formal bid.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is suitable for prime contractors that are certified small businesses, including 8(a), HUBZone, women-owned (WOSB/EDWOSB), and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. Firms should have proven experience in road construction projects comparable in scope, complexity, and contract value.
Specifically, the agency is looking for experience in full-depth reclamation (FDR), installation of new aggregate surface courses, and civil and site works such as concrete pad and aluminum access gate installation. Firms must also demonstrate the financial capacity to bond for a single project of $5 million and provide their aggregate bonding capacity.
How to respond to this RFI
To respond, you must email your submission to [email protected], attention Douglas Whitcomb. Your submission must be received by 2 p.m. local Denver time on August 19, 2026.
Your email must include: a positive statement of your intention to submit a bid as a Prime Contractor for the future solicitation; a list of all confirmed socioeconomic categories that apply to your business (e.g., 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB); a letter from a bonding agent confirming your firm’s capability to bond for a $5 million single project and your aggregate bonding capacity; and a detailed list of completed road construction projects comparable in scope, complexity, and contract value, specifically demonstrating experience in full-depth reclamation, surface treatments, and civil and site works.
Tips for a competitive response
When detailing your comparable projects, focus on those that directly align with the work scopes requested: full-depth reclamation, aggregate surface course installation, and civil/site works like concrete pads and gates. Do not include projects that do not feature these specific work types.
Ensure your bonding letter clearly states both your single project capacity of $5 million and your overall aggregate bonding capacity. This is a critical requirement. Also, double-check that your business is properly certified in the System for Award Management (SAM) and that your socioeconomic status is accurately reflected.
See the live bid — deadline, agency details, and how to respond
Dates and requirements can change via addenda; always verify on the bid page and at the original source before responding.
View this bid on BiddingSimpleThis guide was prepared by BiddingSimple from the solicitation’s public posting. It is not official guidance from Transportation, Department of; the original posting controls.