Army Corps opens $9.5M Alaska survey contract to qualified firms

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Alaska District is seeking qualifications from firms for up to $9.5 million in survey and mapping work across Alaska, split among three firms over five years. The notice lists conflicting submission deadlines: the document header and one section cite 2:00 p.m. Alaska time on July 31, while the submission requirements section states 2:00 p.m. Alaska time on Aug. 1. Firms should monitor the PIEE Solicitation Module for any amended notice clarifying the deadline. The notice is a pre-solicitation for qualifications, not a request for proposals, and states that no projects are yet authorized and work is not guaranteed. The solicitation is open to all firms regardless of size.

Awards are anticipated in the first or second quarter of fiscal year 2027. Each of the three contracts carries a minimum guarantee of $2,500. Virtual interviews will be held with the most highly qualified firms.

The contracts cover topographic, hydrographic, LiDAR, boundary, and GPS surveys statewide. Task orders range from $10,000 to $300,000. Firms must include two surveyors licensed by the State of Alaska, a crew of three party chiefs and six staff surveyors, a hydrographic surveyor with at least five years of experience surveying in navigable channels, and the capacity to handle six task orders at once.

A new federal cybersecurity requirement adds an eligibility hurdle that could be a barrier for smaller Alaska firms. Every offeror must have a NIST score in the Supplier Performance Risk System and achieve Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Level 2 before receiving an award. That requirement applies to each contractor information system that will process, store, or transmit federal contract information or controlled unclassified information. Firms without a NIST score are automatically disqualified. The U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy has noted that some small and rural businesses argue these requirements can disproportionately limit participation in Defense contracts, a tension that reflects a wider federal trend of Defense agencies tightening cybersecurity standards while still seeking small-business participation.

The Corps has also set small-business participation goals for the work: 10% total small business, 5% small disadvantaged, 3% HUBZone, 2% woman-owned, 2% veteran-owned, and 1% service-disabled veteran-owned.

Questions are due through the Corps' ProjNet system by July 21, using bidder inquiry key HI7E7F-I9D275. Qualification packages are submitted electronically using solicitation number W911KB26RA042.