Water and Sewer Utility Services for NIST Gaithersburg Campus
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 Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), on behalf of the Office of Facilities and Property Management (OFPM), intends to contract on a sole source basis with Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) for water and wastewater utility services at the NIST campus in Gaithersburg, Maryland. WSSC is identified as the only provider of such services in Montgomery County. This notice is an intent to award, not a request for competitive proposals. Inquiries regarding this intent are due by May 20, 2026.
Scope of Work
WSSC will provide essential water and wastewater/sewer services for the daily operations of the NIST Gaithersburg campus. Key requirements include:
- Providing services consistent with all applicable laws, rules, codes, industry standards, permits, and regulations.
- Maintaining and operating pipelines and associated equipment in compliance with federal, state, county, and local government regulations.
- Delivering services on an uninterruptible, 365-day per year basis.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Intent to Award (Sole Source)
- Period of Performance: May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027
- Estimated Value: Approximately $4,110,409 ($2,138,340 for water and $1,972,069 for sewer)
- Set-Aside: Not applicable (Sole Source)
- NAICS Code: 924110 (Administration of Air and Water Resources and Solid Waste Management Program)
- Response Due: May 20, 2026, at 2:00 PM UTC
- Published: April 21, 2026, at 2:05 PM UTC
Evaluation
This is a notice of intent to award on a sole-source basis, not a request for competitive proposals. No solicitation package will be issued. Information received in response to this notice will be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future. A determination by the Government not to compete is at its discretion.
Additional Notes
The sole-source justification cites FAR 6.302-1 ("Only one responsible source") and 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1), specifically for acquiring utility services where WSSC is the only provider in the area. Market research confirmed WSSC's unique position, reinforced by the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 26.03.01.05. Inquiries must be submitted via email to helen.wesley@nist.gov and tony.schmidt@nist.gov; no telephone requests will be honored.