Set-Aside Pulse: Two Unrestricted Federal Bids Worth a Fast Read (ISO Registrar Services + Wharf Structural Repairs)

Executive takeaway

Today’s pulse surfaces two unrestricted opportunities that point to very different bid/no-bid decisions. The FAA notice is for ISO 14001 and 45001 registrar services with a near-term response deadline—good for established ISO registrars that can move quickly. The NAVFAC requirement is a substantial waterfront structural repair effort at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (Berth 13), including concrete deck demolition/repairs, piles/caps/beams work, and barge-based access with strict debris prevention.

What the buyer is trying to do

FAA: ISO registrar services

The FAA is seeking third-party registrar services related to ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. The notice record does not include a public description snippet, so bidders should plan on pulling requirements from the solicitation package and any attachments referenced there.

NAVFAC: Berth 13 structural repairs (Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, ME)

NAVFAC is aiming to restore deck loading capacity and extend the usable life of Berth 13, an open wharf structure built in the 1940s. The scope is centered on repairing deteriorated deck sections and critical structural elements (piles, caps, beams, deck, and steel reaction frame connections) so the berth can remain in service.

What work is implied

FAA: ISO 14001 / 45001 registrar services

• Provide registrar services for ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 (verify exact scope, locations, and audit cycle requirements in the solicitation/attachments).
• Prepare documentation and deliverables typical of registrar work (verify in attachments).

NAVFAC: Berth 13 structural repairs

• Structural repairs to an open wharf facility with an approximate construction area of 25,000 SF.
• Concrete wharf deck demolition and repair, including full demolition (1,600 SF) and partial demolition (area TBD) in portions of the deck.
• Outage coordination and removal/replacement of utilities that conflict with concrete repairs.
• Repairs to the steel reaction frame and its connections; timber decking along the outboard face is part of the existing configuration.
• Repairs to the landside fascia beam and crane rail beams.
• Repairs to pile caps, pile jackets, and anodes (including working on the underside of the wharf deck).
• Execution controls to ensure no debris enters the river below during demolition/construction.
• Ability to work from barges and other floating platforms and comply with strict safety protocols.

Who should bid / who should pass

Bid if…

• You are an established ISO registrar that actively supports ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 and can respond quickly for the FAA requirement (details to be confirmed in the solicitation).
• You are a marine/heavy civil contractor with demonstrated experience in wharf/berth structural repairs, including concrete demolition/repair, pile and reaction-frame work, and barge-based operations for the NAVFAC project.
• You can execute stringent environmental/debris controls over water and manage utility outages and coordination.

Pass if…

• You cannot obtain the NAVFAC contract documents package and drawings/reports in time to build an accurate bid.
• You lack marine access capabilities (barges/floating platforms) or do not routinely perform over-water debris prevention measures.
• You are not a registrar for both ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 (or cannot confirm coverage and accreditation requirements once reviewed in attachments).

Response package checklist

FAA: ISO registrar services

• Complete response per solicitation instructions (verify in attachments).
• Scope confirmation for ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 registrar tasks, audit frequency, sites, and deliverables (verify in attachments).
• Past performance and qualifications relevant to ISO registrar services (verify requested format in attachments).
• Pricing submission per instructions (verify in attachments).

NAVFAC: Berth 13 structural repairs

• Read the solicitation package in full and follow all submission instructions (the notice explicitly instructs this).
• Request the referenced contract documents/specs/drawings/reports package (verify the exact file set name in attachments and follow the stated request process).
• Technical approach covering: debris prevention over water, barge/floating platform work plans, demolition and concrete repair sequencing, and utility outage coordination (verify required format in attachments).
• Safety approach suitable for strict safety protocols (verify in attachments).
• Pricing and any required breakdowns (verify in attachments).

Pricing & strategy notes

• Start with document retrieval. For the NAVFAC berth work, pricing accuracy will depend on fully reviewing specs/drawings/reports and understanding the partial demolition area that is “to be determined.”
• Map cost drivers to the implied scope. For Berth 13, expect pricing sensitivity around barge/floating platform logistics, debris containment, underwater/underside access, utility outage coordination, and repair quantities for piles/caps/jackets/anodes.
• For ISO registrar services, focus pricing research on what the solicitation defines for audit scope and cycle (sites, duration, surveillance vs. recertification, and deliverables)—none of which is visible in the notice snippet, so do not assume.
• Use internal benchmarks and recent similar wins/losses by NAICS/PSC alignment, but validate scope match against the actual statement of work once attachments are reviewed.

Subcontracting / teaming ideas

• For Berth 13: team with specialists for barge and floating platform services if you self-perform structural repair but do not own marine equipment.
• For Berth 13: consider subs for utility removal/replacement coordination and targeted structural elements (e.g., focused crews for pile jacket/anode work) depending on your in-house capabilities.
• For ISO registrar services: if permitted by the solicitation, consider teaming for coverage gaps across ISO 14001 vs. ISO 45001 registrar capacity (verify whether subcontracting is allowed and how it must be disclosed in attachments).

Risks & watch-outs

• Document access risk (NAVFAC): the notice indicates you must request key contract documents/specs/drawings/reports—delays here can derail takeoff, means/methods planning, and schedule realism.
• Quantity uncertainty (NAVFAC): partial demolition area is listed as “to be determined,” which can create estimating exposure; use solicitation guidance for how to price allowances/unit prices (verify in attachments).
• Environmental/debris control (NAVFAC): all activities must prevent debris from entering the river—plan for containment, monitoring, and enforcement in work packaging.
• Marine access and safety (NAVFAC): underside deck and pile/anode work requires barges/floating platforms and strict safety protocols; ensure your plan matches site constraints.
• Hidden scope (FAA): the description snippet is not available in the notice record; do not bid until you confirm scope, deliverables, and schedule requirements in the solicitation.
• Timeline (FAA): response deadline is near-term; ensure you can produce a compliant, high-quality submission quickly.

Related opportunities

• International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001, and 45001 Registrar Services
• Berth 13 Structural Repairs, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery ME

How to act on this

1. Open the BidPulsar notice page(s) and download the full solicitation package (and any listed attachments).
2. For Berth 13, request the referenced specs/drawings/reports immediately and build a bid plan around over-water controls and barge access.
3. Run a fast bid/no-bid review against your proven past performance (ISO registrar credentials or marine structural repair track record).
4. Draft your compliance matrix from the solicitation instructions and fill gaps before pricing.

If you want an outside set of eyes on compliance, bid positioning, or teaming strategy, Federal Bid Partners LLC can support capture and proposal development for opportunities like these.