Set-Aside Pulse (Feb 13, 2026): Full-and-open construction, brand-name consumables, and OEM-level electrical maintenance

Executive takeaway

Today’s set skews “full and open” and leans heavily toward contractors that already operate in the buyer’s ecosystem: a major historic building renovation in Boston with an explicit $50M–$60M estimate, a brand-name consumable RFQ requiring auditable OEM traceability, and an embassy electrical preventive maintenance requirement framed around OEM-certified technicians and defined Tier III breaker tasks. If you don’t already have the right authorizations (OEM/distributor), local presence (overseas work), or the capacity for a multi-year IDIQ capture, several of these are quick passes.

What the buyer is trying to do

Building 107 renovation (Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston)

The buyer plans to bring a three-story, 60,000 SF masonry building (constructed in 1904) up to modern office use for multi-departmental National Park Service occupancy. The scope is end-to-end: historic envelope upgrades plus a full interior renovation including all MEP/HVAC, with LEED certification targeted (level not specified). The building will be unoccupied during construction.

Brand-name blast media supply (USCG ALC)

The Coast Guard is purchasing a specific blast media: eStrip™ GPX Type VII Corn (Starch-g-Acrylic). This is explicitly brand-name and restricted to the OEM (Archer Daniels Midland) and its licensed distributor (Midvale Group, Inc.) or vendors who can prove complete OEM traceability and provide the required conformance documentation.

Tableau subscription maintenance (FDIC)

FDIC is requesting quotes for Tableau subscription maintenance using an RFQ that requires vendors to complete an attached price schedule and provide representations/certifications and any license terms they want incorporated (with a preference for government-approved terms). Evaluation criteria are referenced in Section M.

Embassy electrical switchgear breaker preventive maintenance (Tashkent)

The U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan is forecasting a solicitation for preventive maintenance of facility electrical switchgear(s), including Tier III breaker maintenance (inspection, cleaning, testing, racking, lubrication, etc.) and appears to require a factory-certified OEM technician.

Planning for a multi-award construction IDIQ (Al Udeid AB, Qatar)

This is a sources sought to gauge interest and capability for a one-year base plus four option years (and a six-month extension of services), with an anticipated six IDIQ awards supporting a broad range of construction disciplines (maintenance/repair/alteration and new construction) primarily at Al Udeid Air Base with potential geographically separated locations in the AOR.

What work is implied (bullets)

• Boston historic renovation: building envelope work consistent with historic standards (repointing; roof deck and insulation; slate roofing; skylights; copper gutters/downspouts; windows) plus full interior renovation for office reuse, including all systems (MEP & HVAC), and LEED certification pursuit (level TBD).
• Brand-name blast media supply: furnish only the brand-name items requested; provide clear, complete, documented, auditable traceability to the OEM or licensed distributor; provide manufacturer COC and contractor conformance documentation in the specified format.
• Tableau maintenance RFQ response: complete and submit the attached Price Schedule (required); provide representations/certifications (Section K); include any EULA/MSA/warranty terms you want incorporated; submit pre-award SCRM information; include GSA Schedule or NASA SEWP contract details if applicable.
• Embassy switchgear maintenance: Tier III breaker maintenance including visual/mechanical inspection by OEM; verification of meters/breakers/controls/remote monitoring equipment; checking for loose parts/connections/indicator lights; cleaning/vacuuming compartments and cabinets; testing electrically operated breakers; racking breakers out/in; lubricating per manufacturer procedures and timetables.
• Qatar MACC sources sought: respond to the attached sources sought document; demonstrate relevant general construction capability for task order-driven scopes across repair/alterations and new construction in the AUAB area of responsibility.

Who should bid / who should pass (bullets)

• Bid: Large or well-capitalized construction firms with demonstrated ability to renovate historic masonry buildings, self-perform or tightly manage MEP/HVAC, and manage LEED-oriented projects for an unoccupied facility.
• Bid: Authorized distributors (or vendors with provable OEM traceability) for the specified eStrip™ GPX Type VII blast media who can produce manufacturer and contractor certificates of conformance.
• Bid: Resellers/partners positioned to quote Tableau subscription maintenance who can accept (or appropriately propose) government-friendly license terms and complete the required price schedule without exceptions.
• Bid: Electrical contractors with access to factory-certified OEM technicians and the specific breaker test equipment required for Tier III electrically operated breaker maintenance in Tashkent.
• Pass: Contractors without overseas performance capability/support (logistics, travel, local compliance) for the embassy requirement.
• Pass: Suppliers unable to provide the required traceability chain back to Archer Daniels Midland or the licensed distributor for the brand-name blast media.
• Pass: Firms not prepared to pursue a multi-year IDIQ capture (MACC) where near-term award is not guaranteed (sources sought only).

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

• FDIC Tableau RFQ (CORHQ-25-Q-0524):
  • Completed Price Schedule (required or quote may be rejected).
  • Section K representations and certifications.
  • EULA/MSA/warranty terms (FDIC prefers government approved terms).
  • Pre-award SCRM information.
  • Proposed GSA Schedule or NASA SEWP contract (if applicable).
  • Questions deadline and quote due date as stated in the RFQ.
• USCG brand-name RFQ (70Z03826QK0000009):
  • Quote/offer per FAR Part 12 commercial item format (no separate written solicitation to follow).
  • Documentation demonstrating OEM/distributor traceability.
  • Manufacturer’s COC and contractor COC per FAR 52.246-15 format.
  • Confirm any additional submission requirements in the attached redacted J&A and solicitation text.
• GSA Building 107 renovation:
  • Request access to secure documents and provide SAM Unique Entity ID to access files.
  • Monitor the posting for RFP release and amendments; verify full proposal requirements in the solicitation when released.
• Embassy breaker maintenance (pre-solicitation):
  • Monitor the embassy procurement site for the solicitation release (pre-solicitation states it is not ready yet).
  • Prepare capability evidence for OEM-certified technician(s), breaker test equipment, and maintenance approach aligned to Tier III tasks; verify exact submission instructions in the issued solicitation.
• AUAB MACC sources sought:
  • Sources sought response aligned to the attached document; verify requested formats, past performance, and capability narrative requirements in attachments.

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

• For the $50M–$60M Building 107 renovation: treat this like a major GC capture. Start by mapping the envelope trades (historic repointing/roofing/slate/copper/windows) and full MEP/HVAC replacement/upgrade workstreams, then build a subcontractor market scan in the Boston area for historic standards experience. If the RFP includes alternates or LEED-related deliverables, isolate those cost drivers early.
• For the brand-name blast media RFQ: pricing strategy is constrained by the brand-name requirement and traceability expectations. Validate your procurement channel (OEM or licensed distributor) first; then benchmark pricing via your authorized distributor agreement and confirm lead times. Any inability to document traceability is a bigger risk than margin optimization.
• For FDIC Tableau maintenance: the attached pricing schedule is the controlling artifact—build your quote to match it exactly. If you plan to include license terms (EULA/MSA), keep them “government-approvable” to avoid commercial-terms friction that can slow award.
• For embassy electrical PM: cost will likely hinge on OEM-certified labor availability, travel/logistics, and the test equipment plan. Build a basis-of-estimate around the defined Tier III tasks (inspection, cleaning, testing, racking, lubrication) and confirm how many switchgear(s)/breakers are in scope once the solicitation posts.
• For the AUAB MACC sources sought: this is a positioning exercise, not a priced bid. Emphasize breadth of disciplines, task-order responsiveness, and ability to perform across geographically separated locations within the AOR.

Subcontracting / teaming ideas (bullets)

• Building 107: team a GC with specialty subs for historic masonry repointing, slate roofing/skylights, copper gutter/downspout fabrication, window restoration/replacement consistent with historic standards, and a strong MEP/HVAC integrator.
• Embassy breaker PM: partner with the relevant switchgear/breaker OEM service network (or an entity that can supply factory-certified technicians) plus a local in-country support subcontractor for logistics and on-site coordination.
• AUAB MACC: consider a core prime plus a bench of specialty subs (civil, electrical, mechanical, interior buildout, maintenance/repair) to cover task order variability over the base and option years.
• Brand-name blast media: if you’re not the OEM/distributor, align with an authorized channel that can provide the full traceability chain and required conformance paperwork.

Risks & watch-outs (bullets)

• Building 107: scope includes historic envelope work “consistent with historic standards” plus full MEP/HVAC—expect rigorous submittals and coordination; LEED level is TBD, so verify what documentation and performance requirements are actually included once the RFP is released.
• Building 107: secure documents require access request and SAM Unique Entity ID—don’t wait until the last minute to obtain access.
• USCG blast media: brand-name requirement; only specified items will be considered. Traceability must be complete and auditable back to OEM/distributor, and all parts must be new approved parts.
• USCG blast media: conformance paperwork is mandatory (manufacturer COC plus contractor COC per FAR 52.246-15 format).
• FDIC Tableau RFQ: failure to complete the attached pricing schedule can result in rejection. Also, commercial EULA/MSA terms can become a blocker if they’re not government-approvable.
• Embassy breaker PM: solicitation is not yet issued; monitor the embassy procurement site and avoid overcommitting resources before requirements (counts/asset details) are confirmed.
• AUAB MACC: sources sought only—no award will be made from this notice, so treat it as capture shaping and past performance positioning.

Related opportunities

• Building 107 Construction Project at the Charlestown Navy Yard (CNY) in Boston, MA
• Sources Sought: Al Udeid Air Base - Multiple Award Construction Contract
• Electrically Operated Breaker Service
• Tableau Subscription Maintenance for FDIC
• eStrip™ GPX Type VII Corn (Starch-g-Acrylic) Blast Media
• Subsurface Data Relay and Iridium GPS Recovery Beacon
• 400 Series Air Filter

How to act on this

1. Pick your lane: major renovation capture vs. quick-turn RFQs vs. sources sought positioning.
2. Download and read the RFQ/attachments; where access is gated, request secure document access with your SAM Unique Entity ID.
3. Build a compliance matrix for each response (price schedule, traceability/COCs, reps & certs, SCRM, and any required technical approach).
4. Line up teaming early for the renovation and MACC (historic envelope, MEP/HVAC, and in-theater execution capability).
5. If you want a second set of eyes on compliance and win themes, engage Federal Bid Partners LLC to pressure-test your response package before submission.