NAICS 236220 opportunity scan (Feb 2026): VA renovations, security upgrades, and a large USACE design-build in PA

Executive takeaway

This NAICS 236220 cluster is split between (1) smaller VA medical center construction tasks (security/access device install, site prep, imaging pad) and (2) one very large U.S. Army Corps of Engineers two-phase design-build to budget project at Letterkenny Army Depot. If you are chasing VA work, watch for administrative tripwires (e.g., mandatory site visit attendance and bid submission rules). If you are a design-build prime with depth in demolition, heavy site utilities, and bay-style industrial facilities, the USACE pre-solicitation is the standout—but it is explicitly not requesting proposals yet.

What the buyer is trying to do

Across these notices, buyers are trying to complete facility upgrades and targeted construction at federal sites:

• VA medical center upgrades and renovations, including installation/testing of security and access devices, site preparation, and a renovation project that includes added asbestos abatement and a required allowance line item.
• Small facility improvement for USFWS housing quarters (bathroom installation) in Washington.
• Major depot modernization via USACE: demolish an existing building and design/build a new component rebuild shop with repair bays, admin space, and extensive site work—competed unrestricted using a two-phase design-build to budget approach.

What work is implied (bullets)

• Security/access device work (VA): provision, installation, and testing of security and access devices; contractor-furnished supervision, labor, tools, transportation, materials, supplies, equipment, licenses; government provides some specific devices while contractor provides conduit, cabling, terminations, and testing; work to conform with applicable regulations/codes/standards including VA, OSHA, and NIST requirements (verify full list in the solicitation package/attachments).
• Bathroom installation (USFWS): bathroom install at quarters (details not included in the snippet; verify in attachments).
• Site prep (VA): “Site Prep for D758 & D759” (scope not described in the snippet; verify in attachments).
• Renovation with asbestos abatement (VA): renovate 6B for outpatient mental health; amendment adds asbestos abatement of the entire construction area (estimated 17,000 SF); revised bid sheet requires inclusion of an allowance line item; revised drawings and updated equipment specs referenced in the amendment (verify in attachments).
• Design-build industrial facility (USACE): demolition of an existing 16,700 GSF building; construction of a new ~72,000 GSF facility with vehicle repair bays, administrative offices, building support areas; extensive site work including utilities, paving, and parking; offeror responsible for developing the design solution (government will not provide detailed construction plans due to design-build nature).

Who should bid / who should pass (bullets)

• Bid if…
  • You are an SDVOSBC/VOSB (and SBA-certified in the SBA certification database) pursuing the VA security/access installation opportunity that is identified as SDVOSBC set-aside.
  • You have demonstrated experience in healthcare campus construction work with code-driven requirements and controlled access/security device installation and testing.
  • You can meet mandatory administrative gates on VA IFBs (e.g., site visit attendance and bid submission method requirements).
  • You are a design-build prime (or strong JV) capable of delivering a large industrial repair facility with demolition and extensive site work under a two-phase process (USACE pre-solicitation).
• Pass if…
  • You cannot document SDVOSBC/VOSB eligibility/certification where required for set-aside actions.
  • You did not attend a mandatory site visit for the VA renovation IFB (the amendment states bids will only be accepted from firms who attended).
  • You are not positioned for asbestos abatement coordination (or do not have reliable abatement subcontract coverage) on the renovation that added abatement across the construction area.
  • You are not ready for the resources and schedule implied by a 1,095-day design-build delivery (USACE).

Response package checklist (bullets; if unknown say “verify in attachments”)

• Confirm NAICS 236220 applicability and any additional NAICS/PSC requirements (verify in attachments).
• For SDVOSBC set-asides: ensure SBA certification database listing is current and representations align with the solicitation language.
• For VA renovation IFB amendment: use the revised bid sheet and include the stated allowance line item as instructed (verify in attachments).
• For VA renovation IFB: confirm you are on the mandatory site visit sign-in sheet and follow the bid submission instructions; the amendment states no emailed bids will be accepted (verify SF 1442 instructions in the solicitation).
• For security/access device project: confirm understanding of what the government will provide versus contractor-furnished items (devices vs. conduit/cabling/terminations/testing) and include compliance approach for VA/OSHA/NIST (verify full requirements in attachments).
• For USACE design-build pre-solicitation: track the stated intent to issue a Phase One RFQ (qualifications) and be prepared for shortlisting and proprietary meetings in Phase Two (details to be confirmed when released).

Pricing & strategy notes (how to research pricing; do not invent pricing numbers)

• Start with the amendment impacts: for the VA renovation, the added asbestos abatement (entire construction area, estimated 17,000 SF) and the required allowance line item should drive both direct costs and contingency posture. Make sure your takeoff aligns with the revised drawings listed in the amendment (verify in attachments).
• Separate “provided by VA” vs. “contractor provided” on the security/access work: price conduit/cabling/terminations/testing and any required licenses/tools explicitly, and confirm what specific devices the VA will furnish.
• Use comparable federal medical center work to validate labor productivity assumptions: security device installs in active facilities often carry access controls, coordination, and testing constraints—confirm in the full solicitation.
• For the USACE design-build: use the stated construction cost limitation and the design responsibility to shape your approach; build a pricing research file using recent industrial bay facilities with similar site utilities/paving/parking scopes, then refine once Phase Two technical requirements are available.

Subcontracting / teaming ideas (bullets)

• Security/access device install (VA): team with low-voltage/security integrators for device commissioning/testing support, and electrical subs for conduit/cabling runs (as needed per the scope).
• Renovation with abatement (VA): line up an asbestos abatement subcontractor early and coordinate sequencing with demolition, MEP, and infection control constraints (verify actual requirements in attachments).
• USACE design-build: consider partnering (or JV) with an A/E firm experienced in design-build industrial facilities; include site/civil partners strong in utilities, paving, and parking delivery.
• Small bathroom install (USFWS): local GC with dependable plumbing/electrical subs and the ability to work in occupied quarters (verify constraints in attachments).

Risks & watch-outs (bullets)

• Mandatory site visit gate: the VA renovation amendment states bids will only be accepted from firms who attended the mandatory site visit; confirm your attendance status against the sign-in sheet.
• Bid submission rules: the VA renovation amendment states no emailed bids will be accepted—follow the SF 1442 instructions exactly.
• Amendment-driven scope changes: revised drawings/specs and added abatement can invalidate earlier takeoffs—recheck all updated attachments.
• Standards compliance: the VA security/access work references VA/OSHA/NIST requirements; confirm and document compliance approach in your quote package.
• Pre-solicitation vs. active solicitation: the USACE notice is explicitly pre-solicitation only and not accepting proposals now—avoid spending bid dollars before the Phase One RFQ posts.

Related opportunities

• Z1DA--Upgrade Locksmith Security 583-26-503
• Y1AZ--Renovate 6B for Outpatient Mental Health (Project 526-19-122)
• Component Rebuild Shop at Letterkenny Army Depot
• Z--WA-SPRING CRK NFH-QTRS #2 Bathroom Install
• Z1DA--Construct Mobile Imaging Pad (VA-26-00014107)
• Z1DA--Site Prep for D758 & D759 506-CSI-133
• P400--528A5-26-504 Building 6 Ground Floor Abatement (CANANDAIGUA VAMC)

How to act on this

1. Pick your lane: VA small construction/security work vs. USACE large design-build pursuit.
2. Download the full solicitation packages and re-check amendments (especially revised bid sheet/drawings and any mandatory site visit requirements).
3. Build a compliance-first bid plan: submission method, certifications (if SDVOSBC/VOSB), and required pricing structure (e.g., allowance line item).
4. If you need capture support, market research, or teaming strategy, engage Federal Bid Partners LLC to accelerate qualification and response planning.