SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT / INDUSTRY DAY FOR SENTINEL UTILITY CORRIDOR AT MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, MONTANA

This document outlines the USACE Omaha District's proposed Malmstrom Air Force Base Utility Corridor project. Estimated at $1.4 to $2 billion, this project involves planning, designing, and constructing 1,750 to 2,225 miles of underground telecommunications and fiber-optic infrastructure to replace the existing HICS cable while maintaining an active Minuteman III ICBM system. The acquisition is planned as a Progressive Design-Build (PDB) executed via an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) under 10 U.S.C. § 2808a. This delivery method aims to foster early government-industry collaboration, open-book cost estimation, and shared risk management. Project scope includes installing microducts and manholes at a minimum depth of six feet, civil works, environmental and permitting support (including Supplemental Environmental Impact Statements), cultural coordination with Tribal Cultural Specialists, and real estate easement acquisitions. Contractors must navigate Montana's challenging terrain, short construction seasons, and complex infrastructure crossings. The procurement process begins with a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to down-select two to five firms. Following pitch presentations, the selected firm will collaborate with the government on Phase 1 (pre-construction design and planning) before negotiating a Phase 2 modification for construction. Key milestones estimate the pre-solicitation notice in Fall/Winter 2026, the RFQ in Winter 2026/2027, and the Phase 1 award in Spring/Summer 2027. Responses to the associated Sources Sought questionnaire are due by September 24, 2026.

This document is an attendee registration roster for a government-related procurement event, likely a pre-proposal conference, site visit, or industry day associated with a federal, state, or local RFP. The list contains the first names, last names, and email addresses of approximately 144 industry representatives. The participants represent a diverse range of prominent engineering, construction, environmental, and consulting firms, including Aecon, Amentum, AECOM, Jacobs, Stantec, Tetra Tech, Michels Corporation, Salas O'Brien, WSP, and Honeywell. The presence of these specific contractors suggests the underlying procurement involves large-scale infrastructure, civil engineering, environmental remediation, or construction services. This roster serves as a valuable resource for prime contractors seeking subcontractors, joint venture partners, or general networking within the federal and public contracting marketplace.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Omaha District, has issued a Sources Sought Announcement (Number: W9128F26SM024) to conduct market research for the Sentinel Utility Corridor project at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana. The Government is seeking industry feedback to evaluate capabilities for a potential Progressive Design-Build Other Transaction Agreement under 10 U.S.C. § 2808a. The project involves constructing 1,750 to 2,225 miles of underground utility and communications corridors supporting the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent Intercontinental Ballistic Missile System. The scope includes civil work, site restoration, environmental permitting, cultural resources coordination (including Tribal Cultural Specialists), and real estate acquisition. Estimated at $1.4 billion to $2.0 billion, the project is anticipated to receive incremental Military Construction funding from FY 2029 through FY 2033, with completion targeted for 2035. Key execution challenges include navigating Montana's construction season, mountainous terrain, and numerous infrastructure crossings. The Government is utilizing NAICS Code 237130 (Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction) for market research. Interested firms must complete an online Industry Questionnaire and may submit a supplemental Capability Statement of up to 12 pages, highlighting two similar completed projects. Responses must be submitted via email to USACE contacts Brandon P. Landis and John S. Solomon by 2:00 p.m. Central Time on September 24, 2026. A virtual Industry Day will be announced on SAM.gov.

This document outlines the end-to-end process for Military Construction (MILCON) projects utilizing Progressive Design-Build (PDB) with Other Transaction (OT) authority under 10 U.S.C. § 2808a. Designed for facility construction or repair, this framework leverages early government and industry collaboration to improve cost and schedule confidence. The process spans three primary phases: 1. **Pre-Agreement (Planning, Solicitation, & Award):** Involves defining requirements, issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), evaluating Statements of Qualifications (SOQs), down-selecting firms for pitch presentations, and utilizing Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) to award the Phase 1 OT Agreement. 2. **Agreement Phase 1 (Design & Preconstruction Services):** Funded by MILCON design funds, this phase focuses on early alignment, schematic design, technical development, and open-book cost estimation. It features critical "off-ramp" decision points protecting the government before transitioning to Phase 2. 3. **Agreement Phase 2 (Final Design & Construction):** Authorized once cost, scope, schedule, and risk are validated and negotiated to a fixed price. Funded by MILCON construction funds, this phase features overlapping final design development, long-lead procurement, site preparation, phased construction packaging, and final commissioning/turnover. Throughout the lifecycle, tailored governance and oversight ensure continuous risk management, cost transparency, and schedule reviews to guarantee successful mission completion.

This USACE playbook provides a comprehensive guide for Project Delivery Teams (PDTs) to execute Progressive Design-Build (PDB) construction projects utilizing Other Transaction Authority (OTA) under 10 U.S.C. § 2808a. Operating outside the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), this procurement method relies on a negotiated Agreement as the ultimate authority, demanding a shift from rigid regulatory compliance to commercial agility and collaborative risk-sharing. The playbook outlines a structured, phased lifecycle for project execution. The Pre-Agreement phase focuses on market intelligence, a qualifications-based selection process involving a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), a down-select to three teams, and interactive pitch presentations to select the most highly qualified design-builder. Agreement Phase 1 (Design & Pre-Construction) involves collaborative, open-book design development, iterative BCOES reviews, and risk mitigation to establish a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). If negotiations succeed, the project transitions to Agreement Phase 2 (Final Design & Construction), which allows for accelerated fast-tracking and early procurement of long-lead items. To ensure administrative efficiency in a non-FAR environment, the framework establishes critical roles, including the Administrative Agreements Officer (AAO) and the Agreements Officer Representative (AOR). It also emphasizes partnering mechanisms like the Issue Resolution Ladder to resolve disputes at the lowest level. Additionally, the playbook recommends aligning financial line items with commercial standards, such as CSI MasterFormat, to streamline milestone payments while respecting federal fiscal constraints. Ultimately, this paradigm shift aims to deliver complex Department of War projects with greater speed, flexibility, and cost certainty.