Amistad Reservoir Plugging of Penstock #4
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) is issuing a Presolicitation for a Firm-Fixed Price contract to permanently plug Penstock #4 at Amistad Reservoir in Val Verde County, Texas. This project, estimated between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000, aims to eliminate the need for continued maintenance of the penstock and irrigation gates. The Solicitation is expected to be posted on or about May 30, 2026.
Scope of Work
The project involves major construction efforts, primarily 190 feet below Amistad Dam's service deck, requiring confined space management and handling water infiltrations. Key tasks include:
- Installation of bulkhead, manlift, and unwatering systems.
- Removal and storage of irrigation and penstock gates.
- Lock out/tag out of the penstock gate and unwatering of the work area.
- Installation of concrete forms, grouting tubes, and bypass pipe.
- Installation and grouting of the concrete penstock plug.
- Repair of the penstock invert slab and removal of the orifice structure.
- Epoxy grouting of the penstock plug, if required.
- Removal of upstream penstock form, manlift, unwatering system, and penstock gate.
- Reinstallation of hoists or other equipment moved to facilitate work.
Site Constraints:
- Working hours are 7:00 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday, aligning with adjacent USIBWC facility hours; no work on Federal Holidays.
- Use of the single existing penstock bulkhead (approx. 14.3' W x 24.6' T, 33,000 lbs) requires a mobile crane and coordination.
- Access via Texas Spur 349 is limited to HS-20, with an embankment crest road capacity of 70,000 pounds.
- Workers must pass through a port of entry (10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., subject to change) with proper documentation for reentry to the United States.
Contract & Timeline
- Opportunity Type: Presolicitation (future Firm-Fixed Price contract)
- Magnitude: $1,000,000 to $5,000,000
- NAICS: 237990 (Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction)
- Product Service Code: Z2KA (Repair Or Alteration Of Dams)
- Set-Aside: Not specified (open competition implied by "All responsible sources may submit a bid")
- Work Completion: 300 calendar days after Notice to Proceed (180 days for construction, 120 days for final paperwork).
- Presolicitation Closing: May 13, 2026.
- Solicitation Expected Posting: On or about May 30, 2026.
- Solicitation Availability: Minimum 30 calendar days.
Additional Notes
A site visit date will be listed in the forthcoming Solicitation. The Solicitation will also provide details on how to obtain plans and specifications.