How to bid on Utilities Privatization of the Water System at USAG-HI for DLA

What the agency is buying

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Energy and the U.S. Army are looking for a company to take ownership of and operate the water utility systems at various Army locations on Oahu, Hawaii. This is a Utilities Privatization (UP) opportunity, meaning the selected contractor will assume full ownership and responsibility for the water systems.

The new owner will be responsible for all aspects of the water utility service, including operations, maintenance, repairs, upgrades, replacements, environmental compliance, and all necessary capital investments. The goal is to ensure continuous, adequate, and dependable water service to the government and tenant connections within the service area.

Key dates and deadlines

This is a Request for Information (RFI) with a deadline of September 24, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET. The full solicitation is expected to be released on SAM.gov around September 24, 2026. A pre-proposal conference is estimated to be held within 10 days of the solicitation's release.

It is crucial to note that if you anticipate issues accessing secure documents on SAM.gov, you must notify the contracting office by September 8, 2026. Notifications of access problems after this date will not be considered for extensions to the proposal due date.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for utility companies or other entities with expertise in water utility system ownership, operations, and maintenance. The relevant NAICS code is 221310 (Water Supply and Irrigation Systems).

The requirement is unrestricted, meaning both small and large businesses are encouraged to submit an offer. Other-than-small businesses will need to submit a subcontracting plan with their offer.

How to respond

The solicitation documents will be available on SAM.gov. Some documents will be secured, requiring special access. You must be registered in SAM.gov and have a CAGE Code and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). You will also need a login.gov account linked to your SAM.gov profile to access secure documents.

To test your ability to access secure documents, a test document has been placed under secure package SP060026R0813. It is highly recommended to begin the secure access process as soon as possible due to its lengthy nature. For help with SAM.gov or login.gov, contact the Federal Service Desk.

Tips for a competitive response

Given the nature of utilities privatization, a strong proposal will likely demonstrate extensive experience in managing large-scale water utility systems, including operations, maintenance, and capital investment planning. Highlight your firm's track record in ensuring reliable service and environmental compliance.

Clearly outline your financial capacity to fund all required capital investments for acquiring, maintaining, and operating the utility system. Since past performance information will be directed in the solicitation, prepare to provide detailed and relevant examples of your company's previous work.

Pay close attention to all instructions for secure document access and meet the September 8, 2026 deadline for reporting any access issues. This proactive step can prevent last-minute complications when the full solicitation is released.