USDA-NRCS Blythe Easement WRE Construction, Fayette County, IL
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), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is soliciting bids for the Blythe Easement WRE Construction project in Fayette County, Illinois. This is an Invitation for Bid (IFB) to establish a Firm Fixed-Price contract for wetland restoration construction services. The opportunity is a Total Small Business Set-Aside. Bids are due by June 3, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. CST.
Scope of Work
The contractor will furnish all necessary personnel, supplies, materials, and incidentals to complete the Blythe Easement WRE construction. Specific work includes mobilization, seeding, excavation, plastic pipe installation, earthfill, tile work, and riprap. The project involves the construction of two earthen berms with associated pipe and water control structures (WCS), pool excavation, and auxiliary spillways. Detailed engineering drawings and construction specifications are provided, covering aspects like Mobilization, Seeding, Excavation, Plastic Pipe, Earthfill, Structure Removal, and Rock Riprap. Construction must be completed within 90 days after the Notice to Proceed.
Key clarifications from vendor questions include:
- Work hours can be six days a week, 10 hours per day, with inspector/COR presence for non-continuous inspection items.
- Stripped topsoil from berm footprints can be used in the top 6" of berm construction; excess returned to the pool.
- Pipe caps must have proper fitment and a lifespan greater than 15 years (no rubber caps/plugs).
- Fertilizer and lime must be applied and incorporated to a minimum depth of 3" before seeding (seed depth 1/4"-1/2" max).
- No mulch is required on the berm.
- Riprap size is RR3.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Firm Fixed-Price
- Estimated Value: Between $200,000.00 and $250,000.00
- Period of Performance: 90 days after Notice to Proceed
- Set-Aside: 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside
- Product Service Code: Y1QA (Construction Of Restoration Of Real Property)
Submission & Evaluation
- Bids Due: June 3, 2026, 12:00 p.m. CST, submitted electronically to mark.domingo@usda.gov.
- A bid bond of 20% of the bid price is required.
- Questions Due: May 20, 2026, 12:00 p.m. CST, via email to mark.domingo@usda.gov.
- Award will be made to the responsible bidder whose bid is conforming and most advantageous to the Government, considering only price. Bids will be evaluated without discussions.
- Potential unbalanced pricing and unrealistically low bids may lead to rejection.
- Contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) to be eligible for award.
- A Payment Bond (SF-25A), Irrevocable Letter of Credit (ILC), or Tripartite Escrow Agreement for 100% of the project cost is required within 10 days of award.
Key Dates
- Published Date: June 3, 2026
- Site Visit: May 13, 2026, 10:00 a.m. CT (USDA-NRCS Field Office in Vandalia, IL) - Already occurred.
- Public Bid Opening: June 4, 2026, 1:00 PM CT / 2:00 PM ET via Microsoft Teams conference call (Dial-in: +1 469-294-4461,,231321375#; Conference ID: 231 321 375#).
Additional Notes
Bidders must adhere to construction drawings, specifications, and current heavy construction wage determinations (IL20260016) for various labor classifications in Illinois counties. Compliance with OSHA standards and accident prevention measures is mandatory.