What this opportunity is
The Department of Defense is seeking Progressive Design-Build Services for the Multi-Domain Cyber and Intel Operations Center at Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland AFB, Texas, under Other Transaction Authority. This opportunity is suitable for small businesses experienced in qualifications-based design-build projects, as it emphasizes collaboration and risk management. Interested parties should note that this is a Special Notice for informational purposes, indicating they should prepare for the official solicitation rather than submit bids at this stage.
Analysis by Mindy, grounded in the SAM.gov notice.
Description
SPECIAL NOTICE
For Progressive Design-Build Services under Other Transaction Authority
Project: Multi-Domain Cyber and Intel Operations Center, Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland AFB Texas.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is issuing this special notice to announce an upcoming solicitation for Progressive Design-Build Construction under Other Transaction Authority 10 U.S.C. § 2808a for the Multi-Domain Cyber and Intel Operations Center at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. This notice is for informational and planning purposes to allow interested parties to prepare for the official solicitation release.
Progressive Design-Build (PDB) Approach: This requirement will be executed using a qualifications-based PDB model. Unlike traditional design-bid-build or fixed-price design-build, PDB is a collaborative, two-phase delivery method designed to optimize design, cost, and schedule alignment for complex projects.
The process is defined by two distinct phases under a single contract:
Phase 1 (Design and Preconstruction Services): After selecting a Company to serve as the progressive design-build team (Design-Builder and Designer of Record) based on qualifications and experience, not a final price, the Government, Company, and the end-user work as an integrated team. This phase focuses on collaboratively developing the project design from an early concept to a sufficiently detailed level (typically 60-90% completion). Throughout this phase, the Company provides open-book cost estimates, constructability reviews, and value engineering to progressively align the project scope with the budget.
Phase 2 (Final Design and Construction): Once the design is advanced to an agreed-upon level of completion, the Company submits a commercial proposal, often a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), for the final design and construction work. If the Government and the Company agree on the price and schedule, the contract is modified to authorize Phase 2. If an agreement cannot be reached, the Government has an "off-ramp" option to take the completed design and procure the construction work via other means.
This progressive approach is intended to leverage the builder's expertise early, reduce risk by identifying challenges before construction begins, and provide greater cost certainty and budget control.
Industry Day
USACE intends to conduct an Industry Day at Lackland AFB on 21 July 2026 to provide an overview of the project, acquisition strategy, and anticipated requirements. This event will offer interested parties an opportunity to gain additional insight and ask questions in advance of the solicitation release.
General questions from industry participants will be permitted during the Industry Day; however, all discussions and responses provided during the event are considered unofficial and are for informational purposes only. Statements made during Industry Day do not constitute commitment, authorization, or binding guidance related to the future Program Solicitation. Official Questions and Answers (Q&A) will be accepted and addressed following the release of the Program Solicitation.
Industry Day Registration details:
Date: Tuesday, 21 Jul 2026
Time: 0900-1100
Location: TSA Canine Training Center, 2700 Craw Avenue, Bldg#7337. JBSA-Lackland, TX, 78236.
Registration Instructions: Please RSVP by notifying the individuals below and attaching the base pass access form by 10 Jul 2026. For the base pass access form, please fill out the boxes in Section IV only. This location is on military installation and base access for every attendee is mandatory. Base access forms must be submitted on time to meet required timeline by the security office.
POC: Rodney Alexander, rodney.d.alexander@usace.army.mil; Heather Groff, heather.groff@usace.army.mil
Project Overview
Project Title: Multi-Domain Cyber and Intel Operations Center
Location: Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland AFB Texas
Agency: Air Force
NAICS Code: 236220
Type of Award: Other Transaction Agreement (OTA), Progressive Design Build (PDB), with a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), Part A award for Design Efforts and Part B option for Construction.
Programmed Amount: $986,000,000
Project Description
Construct a Multi-Domain Cyber and Intel Operations Center for the 16th Air Force. This facility will accommodate approximately 3,500 occupants. Construction will consist of a multi-story, high-performance structural steel frame on a reinforced concrete foundation, designed to meet enhanced security standards including progressive collapse resistance. The exterior will feature a professional and impressive "sense of arrival" while maximizing natural light through advanced design techniques, balanced with security and operational constraints. The integrated Visitor Control Center (VCC), physically connected to the main facility to manage access to the secure campus will serve as the main lobby and heritage hall supporting public affairs and visitor education. A significant portion of this facility will be a purpose-built Cyber Operations Data Center, engineered to support high-performance computing (HPC), AI server clusters and Machine Learning (ML) platforms. It will feature scalable, high-density power infrastructure designed for future expansion.
Acquisition Strategy
The USACE will use a streamlined competitive selection process:
Step 1 – Request for Qualifications/White Papers: Interested parties will submit a Statement of Qualifications (max 30 pages).
This initial step serves as a rapid down-select to identify a short list of the most credible and experienced Offerors.
Action: A public solicitation will be posted on SAM.gov, issuing a Request for White Papers. Offerors will be required to respond with a concise, qualifications-based White Paper, not to exceed approximately 30 pages.
Focus: The White Paper will demonstrate the Offeror's corporate …
Source: SAM.gov, as posted. Verify the current solicitation before responding.