Presolicitation Notice: Department of State, U.S. Embassy Monrovia New Embassy Compound Utility Optimization Improvement

Pre-Solicitation Synopsis

This document serves as a pre-solicitation notice for a Design-Build Construction Contract for Utility Optimization Improvement at the New Embassy Compound (NEC) in Monrovia, Liberia. The U.S. Department of State (DOS), Bureau of Global Acquisitions, on behalf of the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), is seeking qualified contractors for this project. The acquisition is a small business set-aside.

The project involves Design-Build Construction Services for utility optimization improvements at the NEC, located at 502 Benson Street in Monrovia, Liberia. The scope includes work on various facilities such as the Office Building Chancery (OBC), Marine Security Guard Residence (MSGR), Utility Building (UTL), Warehouse (WHE), and multiple access control points and parking lots.

• Compound Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems: Design and construction of new solar PV systems totaling 1.6MWh STC DC, including parking canopy structures and ground-mounted systems, as well as replacement of existing PV modules. Integration with a microgrid control system is required.

• Compound Site Lighting: Design and installation of LED site and exterior building lighting, replacing all existing exterior luminaires. The system must meet OBO requirements for site security and aesthetic lighting.

• Compound BESS: Design and installation of a commercial, containerized battery energy storage system (BESS) with a capacity of 9500 kWh, integrated with the PV system and generator-backed compound distribution.

• Compound Building Automation System (BAS) Integration: Integration of all new HVAC equipment and controllers into the existing BAS, including updating sequences of operation and graphics.

• Office Building Chancery (OBC) HVAC & Lighting: Demolition and replacement of the existing outdoor air section of AHU-9, including new stainless steel ductwork and a new damper. Interior lighting upgrades are also required.

• Marine Security Guard Residence (MSGR) HVAC & Lighting: Design and installation of a replacement CU system, including refrigerant piping, condenser piping, controls wiring, and electrical power connection. Replacement of outdoor air ductwork and interior lighting upgrades are also included.

• Warehouse (WHE) HVAC & Lighting: Design and installation of a replacement variable speed CU system, including new outdoor air ductwork and interior lighting upgrades. The scope also includes High-Volume, Low-Speed (HVLS) fans for circulation.

• Utility Building (UTL) Lighting: Interior lighting upgrades.

• Support Annex (SPX) Lighting: Interior lighting upgrades.

• Main Compound Access Control (MCAC) Lighting: Interior lighting upgrades.

• Service Compound Access Control (SCAC) Lighting: Interior lighting upgrades.

• Consular Compound Access Control (CCAC) Lighting: Interior lighting upgrades.

• Estimated Design/Build Construction Cost: $25 million - $35 million

• Contract Type: Firm-fixed-price.

• Solicitation Process: Two-phase approach.

  • Phase I: Minimum Mandatory Requirements (MMRs) for eligibility determination.
  • Phase II: Request for Proposals (Technical and Price) from eligible or conditionally eligible offerors.

• Phase I Release: Planned for on/about May 25, 2026.

• Pre-Proposal Conference & Site Visit: Anticipated 10-15 days after Phase II RFP issuance.

• Set-Aside: Small business set-aside.

• SAM.gov Registration: Active SAM.gov registration is required at the time of Phase I proposal submission and throughout the procurement process.

• Facility Clearance: A Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) Secret Facility Clearance (FCL) is required for award and performance. The Department of State will sponsor uncleared eligible/conditionally eligible firms. Foreign firms are not eligible for FCLs. U.S. firms under Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) may not be eligible.

• Interested companies do not need to submit documentation at this time. The solicitation for qualification packages will be posted on SAM.gov at a later date.

• Offerors must maintain the same structure (prime or joint venture) throughout all phases.

• The selected D/B Contractor's Architect/Engineer will be the "Designer of Record."

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a Request for Information (RFI) to conduct market research for a Design/Build Construction Contract for the Utility Optimization Improvement project at the Existing and Old Embassy Compounds in Monrovia, Liberia. The government seeks to identify businesses capable of performing design and construction services for solar PV systems, battery energy storage systems, lighting replacements, and air handling unit replacements. This RFI does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP).

• Design and construction of solar photovoltaic (PV) power systems.

• Design and installation of battery energy storage systems (BESS).

• Replacement of existing interior and exterior lighting systems with LED technology.

• Replacement of air handling units (AHUs) and associated components.

• Integration of new equipment with existing Building Automation Systems (BAS).

• Design and installation of microgrid control systems.

• Security clearance (Secret Facility Clearance) is required for personnel working on the New Embassy Compound (NEC).

• Project involves both unclassified and classified work.

• Limited to United States persons or qualified United States joint venture persons due to technical security requirements.

• Approximate design/build project cost: $11 million - $19 million.

• Contract type: Firm-Fixed Price.

• Submissions must be in PDF format and sent via email to the points of contact listed.

• Evaluation factors include Joint Venture Agreement/Statement of Intent, Technical Project Experience and Past Performance (including financial and organizational attributes), and Organization and Management.

• Specific submission requirements include page limits, font size, language (English), and format.

• Key deadlines:

  • Closing Deadline for Submissions: March 30, 2026, 3:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time.

• Firms must have an active registration in SAM and not be on the Excluded Party List.

• Foreign firms are not eligible for Facility Clearances (FCLs).

• Only U.S. firms are eligible for FCLs, with specific conditions regarding Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI).

• Project is limited to United States persons or qualified United States joint venture persons.

• This notice is for information and planning purposes only and does not commit the government to a future solicitation.

• No payment will be made for information submitted in response to this RFI.

• A decision not to respond will not preclude future participation.