Tornado Damage Repairs at the USDA-ARS U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory
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 Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), is planning a Firm Fixed Price construction contract for tornado damage repairs at its U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Ft. Pierce, Florida, Picos Farm, and Whitmore Farm. This is an informational presolicitation notice for a project with a magnitude exceeding $10,000,000.00. The opportunity is designated as a Total Small Business Set-Aside. The Request for Proposal (RFP) is anticipated to be issued on or around April 30, 2026.
Scope of Work
The project involves renovating and repairing multiple sites and buildings affected by recent tornado damage. The work will be phased to allow for continued research operations.
- USDA-ARS U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory (Ft. Pierce, FL):
- Total estimated area: 48,000 sq ft of greenhouses (27 standard, 4 conditioned) and 20,000 sq ft of hallways, vents, and intake screening.
- Phase 1: Demolish/replace 9 standard greenhouses, corridor, vents, intake screening (approx. 20,500 sq ft), and repair main building roofing.
- Phase 2: Demolish/replace 8 standard greenhouses, 4 conditioned greenhouses, corridors, vents, intake screening (approx. 24,000 sq ft), and replace mechanical units on two storage buildings.
- Phase 3: Demolish/replace 4 standard greenhouses, corridor, vents, intake screening (approx. 11,000 sq ft).
- Phase 4: Demolish/replace 6 standard greenhouses, vents, intake screening (approx. 12,500 sq ft).
- Picos Farm (Ft. Pierce, FL): Demolish/reconstruct 1 greenhouse and 1 hoophouse (approx. 3,350 sq ft). Install 3 prefabricated, open-sided, steel structures over pumps/mechanical systems.
- Whitmore Farm (Leesburg, FL): Demolish 2 existing greenhouses (including slabs), reskin/repair 1 greenhouse. Construct a new prefabricated pesticide storage building. Demolish 2 pump house structures. All new greenhouse systems will include microgrow control systems, meet Florida containment requirements, and have properly meshed venting systems.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Firm Fixed Price construction contract.
- Magnitude: More than $10,000,000.00.
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5).
- NAICS: 236220 Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (Size Standard: $45 Million).
- RFP Number: 1232SA26R0020.
- Anticipated RFP Release: On or around April 30, 2026.
- Anticipated Proposal Due: June 1, 2026.
- Published: April 15, 2026.
- Completion Timeframe: To be determined.
Additional Notes
This is an informational notice only. Potential Offerors are responsible for monitoring SAM.gov for the release of the RFP package and any amendments. All offerors must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) per FAR Clauses 52.204-7 and 52.204-8. No status inquiries or requests for additional information will be answered prior to the RFP posting.