How to bid on Underground Utility Locating Services for the Department of Agriculture

What the agency is buying

The Department of Agriculture needs a contractor to provide underground utility locating services. This includes identifying, marking, and digitizing these utilities into Computer Aided Design (CAD) format. The work will be performed at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) and the U.S. National Arboretum (USNA) in areas specified by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

This is an opportunity for small businesses to provide specialized surveying and mapping services to a federal agency.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

The solicitation was published on September 08, 2026. The deadline for submitting quotations is September 16, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET. All required documentation and pricing must be submitted by this time. Late submissions may not be considered by the agency.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is a total set-aside for small business concerns. The relevant North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) Code is 541370, which covers Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services. The small business size standard for this NAICS code is $19.0 million. Firms specializing in utility locating, surveying, and CAD mapping services that meet these small business criteria are suitable for this bid.

How to respond

To access the solicitation, you need to click the “View original source” link. If the first click takes you to the portal’s homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid. You may need to create a free account on the portal to view all the documents, though this is not always necessary for every bid. This is a Request for Quotation (RFQ), and a separate written solicitation will not be issued beyond this announcement.

Tips for preparing a competitive response

Ensure your quotation clearly addresses all requirements outlined in the solicitation, including the scope of work for locating, identifying, marking, and digitizing utilities. Provide a detailed breakdown of your proposed approach, including the labor, materials, supervision, equipment, and transportation you will furnish.

Highlight your firm's experience with similar projects, especially those involving large agricultural or arboretum sites and CAD digitization. Confirm that your business meets the small business size standard for NAICS 541370. Pay close attention to the submission deadline and ensure all required forms and pricing are accurately completed and submitted on time.