Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
FCI Three Rivers-Replace Generators, Transformers, and Electrical Infrastructure
Department of Justice · Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons
More open Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons contracts
AI summaryThe Federal Bureau of Prisons wants a contractor to replace two backup generators, transformers and electrical wiring at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Three Rivers, Texas, while the prison keeps running. Only businesses in the Small Business Administration's 8(a) program (a program for small, disadvantaged firms) can bid, and the response due date is November 30, 2026, 11:00 AM Eastern. It is a firm-fixed-price (FFP: one set price, whatever the work ends up costing) construction job lasting 450 calendar days from the notice to proceed, and a bid bond is required. More in the summary
A newer version of this notice was posted Oct 27, 2026. See the latest version.
AI summary Beta
Summary of the version posted Oct 20, 2026. The notice was amended Oct 27, 2026. Check what else changed on SAM.gov. This summary may miss requirements: 4 of 14 attachments weren't read (Attachment 7- 24Z5AU6-BASIS_OF_DESIGN_MANUAL.pdf, Attachment 6 24Z5AU6-APP_E_-_LIGHT_CALCS.pdf and 2 more). Check the attachments on SAM.gov.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons wants a contractor to replace two backup generators, transformers and electrical wiring at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Three Rivers, Texas, while the prison keeps running. Only businesses in the Small Business Administration's 8(a) program (a program for small, disadvantaged firms) can bid, and the response due date is November 30, 2026, 11:00 AM Eastern. It is a firm-fixed-price (FFP: one set price, whatever the work ends up costing) construction job lasting 450 calendar days from the notice to proceed, and a bid bond is required.
Who can bid
- Be an 8(a) small business (a firm in the Small Business Administration's 8(a) program). The set-aside is 100 percent for 8(a) firms, and the cover letter says the solicitation is open to 8(a) small businesses.
- Be registered in SAM.gov. The Government will review the business size information in your registration against the NAICS 236220 size standard of $45.0 million average annual receipts.
- Provide a bid bond (SF 24) of 20% of the bid price, not to exceed $3 million, from a surety listed in Treasury Circular 570, with the liability limit stated as a dollar amount.
How to submit: Email to hbuck@bop.gov; the original wet-signed bid bond is also mailed to FPC Bryan, ATTN: Heather Buck, PO Box 2197, 1100 Ursuline Dr, Bryan, TX 77805. What to include is under Full summary below. Check the solicitation's instructions on SAM.gov.
Things to watch (14)
- Serious: Only 8(a) firms can bid. This is set aside 100 percent for businesses in the Small Business Administration's 8(a) program; firms outside the program cannot win it.
- Serious: Bid bond with a mailed original. You need a bid bond of 20% of your bid price (up to $3 million) from a Treasury-listed surety, with a scanned copy emailed and the wet-signed original received in Texas by the response due date.
- Serious: Large project with 100% performance and payment bonds. The stated size is $10,000,000 to $20,000,000, and the winner must post performance and payment bonds each equal to the full contract price within 10 days of award.
Show all 14Show fewer
- Serious: Drawings and specifications need an access request. The drawings, project manual, lighting calculations and basis of design manual are controlled files on SAM.gov that you must request access to; the equipment sizes and technical requirements are likely in them.
- Worth checking: Work inside an operating prison. Crews follow escorts, daily tool inventories, badging, and work hours of 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM weekdays, and the Government counts about 1 hour per day for entering and exiting.
- Worth checking: Outage limits and temporary power. You must plan phases to limit electrical outages and supply temporary power for any outage over 24 hours, which adds cost and risk to the price; 7 days' written notice is also needed before disrupting a system.
- Worth checking: Past performance and bank references. Your references and your bank must each email their forms straight to the Contracting Officer, so you need to line them up and follow up with them before the response due date.
- Worth checking: Missing forms can make a quote non-responsive. Leaving out required forms or changing the terms may cause the Government to treat the quote as non-responsive and ineligible for award.
- Worth checking: Evaluation factors described two ways. The notice says quotes are judged on price and past performance, but the attached evaluation document lists five factors, with non-price factors weighted more than price; ask the contracting officer which governs.
- Worth checking: Question deadline times differ. The notice gives November 6, 2026 at 4:00 PM EST for questions, while the Instructions to Offerors give November 6, 2026 at 10:00 AM EST; ask the contracting officer which governs.
- Worth checking: Site visit on October 29, 2026 is optional. The site visit and pre-bid conference are at 8:00 AM CST at the FCI lobby; attendees need an approved criminal history check, with paperwork due October 23, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET per the notice.
- Minor: Davis-Bacon wage rates apply. This construction job is covered by the attached Davis-Bacon wage determination TX20260209 Revision 1 (Live Oak County), so your price must use at least those pay rates.
- Minor: Submittal timing differs between documents. The statement of work wants equipment submittals within 15 days of the notice to proceed, while the solicitation says within 10 calendar days after work begins; the statement of work also gives two different timings for security paperwork.
- Minor: Cover letter shows a different solicitation number. The cover letter's subject line lists a different request for quotations number and calls the award a task order, while the notice and solicitation use 15BNAS27Q00000002 and a single contract.
Read from the notice and 10 attachments. 4 of 14 not read. Show which files.
- Instructions to Offerors Three Rivers Generators.pdf (read)
- Cover Letter Request for Quote Solicitation 15BNAS27Q00000002.pdf (read)
- Attachment 3 SOW TRV 24Z5AU6.pdf (read)
- Cost Summary Spreadsheets.pdf (read)
- Attachment 2 EVALUATION FACTORS AND BASIS FOR AWARD.pdf (read)
- Attachment 1 - Solicitation No. 15BNAS27Q00000002.pdf (read)
- Attachment 11 Whistleblower Information- Employee Rights.pdf (read)
- Attachment 9 SF24-Bid Bond.pdf (read)
- Attachment 8 DBA TX20260209 Revision 1 Live Oak County.pdf (read)
- Attachment 10 NCIC Criminal History Check Form.pdf (read)
- Attachment 7- 24Z5AU6-BASIS_OF_DESIGN_MANUAL.pdf: not read (access is restricted): request it on SAM.gov
- Attachment 6 24Z5AU6-APP_E_-_LIGHT_CALCS.pdf: not read (access is restricted): request it on SAM.gov
- Attachment 5 24Z5AU6-APP_B_-_PROJECT_MANUAL.pdf: not read (access is restricted): request it on SAM.gov
- Attachment 4 24Z5AU6-APP_A-DRAWINGS.pdf: not read (access is restricted): request it on SAM.gov
Full summary
What they want
- Replace Generators 1 and 2 (the facility's two backup generators), the transformer and the electrical wiring and equipment that go with them, as shown in the drawings and specifications. Schedule: contract line item number (CLIN: one priced line of the order) 0001, quantity 1 JB (job), priced as one lump sum.
- Keep FCI Three Rivers running during the work: submit a phasing plan for approval that limits electrical outages, and supply temporary power for any outage longer than 24 hours.
- Do demolition, construction, installation, testing and commissioning (startup checks); give the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) 5 days' notice before final system tests, and have the manufacturer's field representative inspect and report before start-up.
- Send equipment submittals (written descriptions of the equipment you propose) and safety data sheets; keep a submittal register.
- Work inside prison rules: 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM weekdays, staff escorts, tool inventory in and out each day, contractor badges and approved criminal history checks for every worker.
- After testing: deliver an installation certification, operation and maintenance manuals, as-built drawings and warranties, and train at least 2 Bureau of Prisons employees.
- Pay at least the wage rates in the attached Davis-Bacon wage determination (the Department of Labor's required construction pay rates) TX20260209 Revision 1.
- Clean up daily and haul away debris; repair any government property your crews damage.
- Contract type
- Firm-fixed-price construction contract, issued as a request for quote (RFQ) under a combined synopsis/solicitation
- Period of performance
- 450 calendar days from the notice to proceed
- Place of performance
- FCI Three Rivers, 1700 HWY 72 WEST, Three Rivers, TX 78071 (an operating federal prison)
- Estimated value
- Project magnitude between $10,000,000 to $20,000,000 (a size range stated in the solicitation, not a Government estimate)
- How they'll choose
- Best-value tradeoff (the Government may pay more for a better-rated offer); the attached evaluation document says non-price factors combined are significantly more important than price. The notice text itself says quotes are evaluated on price and past performance.
- Offers due
- November 30, 2026, 11:00 AM Eastern (from the version posted Oct 20, 2026; amended since)
- How to submit
- Email to hbuck@bop.gov; the original wet-signed bid bond is also mailed to FPC Bryan, ATTN: Heather Buck, PO Box 2197, 1100 Ursuline Dr, Bryan, TX 77805
What they'll judge offers on
- Technical Approach and Project Execution: understanding of the work, installation method, testing and commissioning, construction phasing, limiting outages, temporary power when outages exceed 24 hours
- Relevant Experience and Technical Capability: similar projects, generator replacement, transformer installation, electrical distribution, work inside operating facilities, qualified staff and equipment
- Project Management, Safety, and Security: scheduling, coordination, quality control, personnel access and security clearances, tool accountability, material storage, electrical safety
- Past Performance: recent, relevant contracts; no record means a Neutral rating
- Price: total firm-fixed price, checked for reasonableness and completeness
What to include when you submit
- Email everything as PDF files to hbuck@bop.gov. Quotes sent by mail or hand carried will not be evaluated. Name the file OFFER_ 15BNAS27Q00000002 _COMPANY NAME_ FCI Three Rivers Generator Install.
- Send all pages of the written solicitation with your quote, plus a technical proposal, a price proposal, a signed Standard Form 1442 (SF 1442: the form you sign and return as your offer) and completed representations and certifications.
- Technical proposal: technical and management approach, anticipated construction schedule with milestones, key personnel, quality control and safety approach, and assumptions that affect performance.
- Price proposal: total price, a breakdown of labor, material and equipment, and basis of estimate. Use the attached Cost Summary Spreadsheets (prime, each subcontractor, and a final summary) or a similar format.
- SF 1442 pages 1 and 2: complete blocks 10 and 14 through 20c, include the signer's title in block 20a, and make the block 14 address match your SAM.gov registration. Include your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), tax ID, CAGE code and email in block 10.
- Section 2 schedule: enter the Unit Price (JB = job) and Amount for CLIN 0001. The amount must match block 17 of the SF 1442.
- Complete the Offeror Representations and Certifications, check (1) or (2) in provision 52.209-13, and complete items (d)(1) and (d)(2) of provision 52.229-11.
- Acknowledge every amendment with your quote.
- Bid bond: send a scanned Standard Form 24 (SF 24) bid bond with the emailed quote. The original, with wet signature and raised seal if applicable, must reach the FPC Bryan address by the response due date.
- Past performance: send the past performance questionnaire to at least 3 companies or government agencies for which you have current work or finished work within the last 24 months. References should be in the same range as your bid price and for similar work. If you have no similar references, include a separate letter saying so.
- Your references must email their completed questionnaires directly to hbuck@bop.gov, not through your firm. Also send the bank reference questionnaire to your bank, and the bank must email it back directly.
- Narrative parts must be searchable PDF files that open in Adobe Acrobat Reader 11 and Microsoft Office Suite 2016, with no embedded sound or video. Label each volume, section and item, and run a virus scan before sending.
After award, you must have
- Within 10 days after award, give the Contracting Officer a performance bond and a payment bond, each for 100 percent of the original contract price. From Attachment 1 - Solicitation No. 15BNAS27Q00000002.pdf:
…contract award shall be 100 percent of the original contract price.
- Carry insurance during the work: workers compensation and employer's liability of at least $100,000, general liability of $500,000 per accident or occurrence for bodily injury, and auto liability of $200,000 per person, $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and $20,000 per occurrence for property damage. From Attachment 1 - Solicitation No. 15BNAS27Q00000002.pdf:
(1) WORKERS COMPENSATION & EMPLOYER'S LIABILITY $100,000…
- Give the COR security clearance paperwork for every worker, including subcontractor workers, within 14 days of the notice to proceed. Only the prime contractor may submit it, and a worker who does not pass must be replaced. From Attachment 3 SOW TRV 24Z5AU6.pdf:
The contractor shall provide the COR with all the necessary security clearance documents for all contractors and…
Not in the notice text
- The drawings (Attachment 4), project manual (Attachment 5), lighting calculations (Attachment 6) and basis of design manual (Attachment 7) are attached but not read; SAM.gov marks them controlled, so request access there. Generator and transformer sizes and technical requirements are likely in them.
- Part of the solicitation document (Attachment 1) was left out of what was read, including some clause text.
- Whether a state electrical contractor license or other trade license is required isn't stated in the text read; check the project manual.
- How many transformers are being replaced isn't stated in the text read; the notice says transformers, and the schedule says transformer.
Eligibility and how to respond
- Only firms in SBA's 8(a) program can bid as the prime contractor. Not in the 8(a) program? How the 8(a) program works. More open 8(a) set-asides under NAICS 236220
- How to submit, from the AI summary: Email to hbuck@bop.gov; the original wet-signed bid bond is also mailed to FPC Bryan, ATTN: Heather Buck, PO Box 2197, 1100 Ursuline Dr, Bryan, TX 77805. Check it in the notice before you send anything.
- Construction contracts over $2,000 pay at least the local Davis-Bacon wage rates, from the wage determination in the solicitation. Price your labor from it: How to price a government contract, and how Davis-Bacon differs from the Service Contract Act.
Notice details
- Posted
- Oct 20, 2026
- Notice type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- Office
- National Acquisitions - Co, Washington, DC
- Product/service code
- Z2NZ · Repair or Alteration of Other Utilities
- Business type
- Construction & renovation (FedReady's grouping, from NAICS 236220)
- Versions
6 versions have been posted, newest first.
- Oct 27, 2026 · Amendment 0005Due Nov 30, 2026
- Oct 20, 2026 · Amendment 0004Due Nov 30, 2026
- Oct 20, 2026 · Amendment 0003 (this version)Due Nov 30, 2026
- Oct 19, 2026 · Amendment 0002Due Nov 30, 2026
- Oct 15, 2026 · Amendment 0001Due Nov 30, 2026
- Oct 15, 2026 · Combined Synopsis/SolicitationDue Nov 30, 2026
- Attachments
Past awards and competition
Who has won work like this before, the likely incumbent, and what similar contracts paid, from USAspending.gov.
Before you respond
- How to respond to a solicitation (8 steps)
- How to read a government solicitation
- How to price a government contract
- Open 8(a) set-aside contracts
Terms on this notice: Solicitation, 8(a) program, Set-aside
Full notice text from SAM.gov
Modification** 10/27/2026 Pre-Bid Meeting will be held on Thursday Oct. 29, 2026- 8:00 AM CST, prior to the site visit to begin. If you are not able to attend the site visit but wanting to attend the Pre-Bid meeting, email Mrs. Buck at hbuck@bop.gov for an invite on TEAMS. ** Instructions to Offerors attached** modification 10-20-2026 **Clarification** Clarification for proposal at the bottom of this page. 10-19-2026 **Update of NCIC due date**Friday, October 23, 2026 This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared in accordance with part 12. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. Offers are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. Modification for site visit date only** Thursday Oct. 29, 2026- 8:00 AM CST Solicitation number 15BNAS27Q00000002 is issued as a Request for Quote (RFQ). The Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP), Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Three Rivers, anticipates the issuance of a solicitation for the award of a firm-fixed-price construction contract for a project titled Replace Generators, Transformers, and Electrical Infrastructure, for FCI Three Rivers located at 1700 HWY 72 WEST, Three Rivers, TX 78071. This acquisition [is] set-aside for 8a small business concerns. This solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses by reference. The full text of provisions and clauses may be accessed electronically at www.acquisition.gov. This announcement constitutes as the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation is issued (see attached) . You are required to provide all pages of the written attached solicitation with your complete quotation. Solicitation Number: 15BNAS27Q00000002 and is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) A statement that the solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2026-1, Effective Date March 13, 2026. This is a 100 percent 8a small business set-aside. The Period of Performance for this project will be 450 Calendar Days from the issuance of the Notice to Proceed. The provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Products and Commercial Services, applies to this acquisition and a statement regarding any addenda to the provision. All quotes will be evaluated based on price and past performance. All quoters are required to submit a complete copy of their Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Products and Commercial Services, with its offer. Clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Products and Commercial Services, applies to this acquisition. SCOPE OF WORK: The contractor will provide all necessary labor, materials, equipment, tools, and incidentals required to Replace Generators, Transformers, and Electrical Infrastructure, for FCI Three Rivers. See the attached Statement of Work for further detailed requirements. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code applicable to this requirement is 236220 (Commercial and Institutional Building Construction) with a corresponding small business size standard of $45.0 million average annual receipts for the firms preceding three fiscal years. The solicitation will only be distributed soley through the Contract Opportunity web-site at https://www.sam.gov. Hard copies of the solicitation will not be made available. The website provides download instructions for documents. All future information about this solicitation, including any amendments will also be distributed soley through this website. Interested parties are responsible for continuously monitoring this website to ensure that they have the most recent information about this proposed contract action. IMPORTANT: Any contractor interested in doing business with the Federal Bureau of Prisons must be registered in https://www.sam.gov. In order to qualify for award, your business size metrics information entered in your SAM registration will be reviewed by the Government to confirm your size business size meets the 8a small business size standard requirement and the U.S. Small Business Administration. All quoters are urged to double check their SAM registration and U.S. Small Business Administration and update as necessary, including the size metrics information. SITE VISIT: An organized site visit has been scheduled for Thursday - 10/29/2026 at 8:00am CST with Mr. Corey Villarreal, at FCI Three Rivers, HWY 72 WEST, Three Rivers, TX 78071. Participants are asked to meet in the lobby area. Attendance is not mandatory but highly advised. All NCIC paperwork must be submitted by 4:00-PM EST on Friday, October 23, 2026 to cvillarreal@bop.gov. Late submissions will not be accepted. Access to government property is subject to approval at the Government’s discretion. Please plan accordingly and ensure paperwork is completed ahead of time. NCIC form is Attachment 10. Questions: All questions are due November 6, 2026 by 4:00 PM EST to hbuck@bop.gov. All answers to questions will be posted on SAM.gov only. SUBMISSION OF QUOTES: All quotes will be submitted electronically via email to hbuck@bop.gov no later than November 30, 2026 at 11am EST. Clarification -- 10-19-26 Electronic copies of each quote shall be compatible with the following software products: Adobe Acrobat Reader 11 and Microsoft Office Suite 2016. Narrative portions of the proposal shall be in Adobe Acrobat portable document file (pdf) searchable text format. The Offeror shall not embed sound or video (e.g., MPEG) files into the proposal files. Electronic files shall be clearly identified for each volume, section, and item. Also see attached example of Cost Summary Spreadsheets- these can be used or something in the like format. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS 1. TECHNICAL PROPOSAL Provide sufficient detail to demonstrate your approach to performing the required construction, including: Technical/Management approach Anticipated construction schedule with milestones Key personnel Quality control and safety approach Assumptions impacting performance 2. PRICE PROPOSAL Provide a complete price proposal, including: Total proposed price Price breakdown (labor, Material, Equipment) (see attached Sample) Basis of estimate Please submit all pages of the solicitation document along with your proposal and the following: 1) Technical Proposal 2) Price Proposal 3) Signed, completed Standard Form 1442. 4) Completed Representations and Certifications.
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