Tornado Damage Repairs at the USDA-ARS U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, Ft. Pierce, Florida

The work at USDA-ARS U.S Horticulture Laboratory is anticipated to be solicited in the following phases. 

• Phase 1 will consist of demolishing and replacing 9 standard greenhouses, a corridor, vents, and intake screening totaling approximately 20,500 sq ft and repairs to the roofing of the main building. These greenhouses are the most damaged from the tornado damage and currently are unable to be occupied and used.
• Phase 2 will consist of demolishing and replacing 8 standard greenhouses, 4 conditioned greenhouses, corridors, vents, and intake screening totaling approximately 24,000 sq ft and replacing mechanical units on two storage buildings adjacent to the greenhouses.
• Phase 3 will consist of demolishing and replacing 4 standard greenhouses, corridor, vents, and intake screening totaling approximately 11,000 sq ft.
• Phase 4 will consist of demolishing and replacing 6 standard greenhouses, vents, and intake screening totaling approximately 12,500 sq ft.

Picos Farm has 1 greenhouse and 1 hoophouse that will be fully demolished and reconstructed in the same locations. This will be approximately 3,350 sq ft of new structures on the research section of Picos Farm. The other section of the Picos Farm site is near the pond. Three prefabricated, open sided, steel structures with metal roofs that meet current Florida codes for wind resistance will be placed on existing slabs over pumps and mechanical systems to adequately protect them.

Whitmore Farm in Leesburg, Florida, has two existing greenhouses that will be fully demolished including the slabs. A third greenhouse will be fully reskinned and repaired as there is significant damage to the facade system. A new prefabricated pesticide storage building will be built on an existing slab on the west side of the site and the existing small storage structure on the side of an existing building demolished. Two existing pump house structures will be demolished and the disturbed area leveled out with the existing grade.

All greenhouse systems will contain new microgrow control systems, be brought up to Florida containment requirements, and have venting systems properly meshed.

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 36.204 the magnitude of this construction project is more than $10,000,000.00.

USDA will issue a Firm Fixed Price construction contract.  The NAICS Code is anticipated to be 236220 Commercial and Institutional Building Construction with a size standard of $45 Million. 

Potential Offerors are responsible for monitoring this site for release of any amendments.  All offerors shall be registered with the System for Award Management Registration per FAR Clause 52.204-7 and 52.204-8. No paper copies of the solicitation will be mailed and telephone requests will not be honored.

A site showing will be held on Wednesday, May 20, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern.  Attendance is mandatory to submit an offer.  Queestions are due on or after May 26, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern.  Questions received after that date and time will not be answered.