The Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC), in coordination with AFICC, USACE, and IMCOM, is preparing the Resilient Architect-Engineer Services (RAES) opportunity, which is a $3.4 billion Multiple Award IDIQ for Title I, Title II, and design services supporting new construction and repair to vertical facilities.
The solicitation is expected to be released in February, with awards in August 2026. RAES will be structured with two pools—an Unrestricted Pool (6 large business awards) and a Small Business Pool (5 awards, including one Woman-Owned Small Business reserve)—providing architecture and engineering firms with structured, long-term access to federal facility design work across Air Force and Army installations.
OPPORTUNITY SNAPSHOT
- Opportunity: RAES (Resilient Architect-Engineer Services)
- Agency: Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC)
- Participating Agencies: AFICC, USACE, IMCOM
- Value: $3.4B (shared ceiling)
- Expected Solicitation: February 2026 (delayed from January)
- Expected Award: August 2026
- Contract Type: IDIQ – MATOC
- Duration: 5-year base + 5-year option (10 years total)
- Award Structure: Two pools (6 Unrestricted + 5 Small Business)
- Competition Type: Partial Small Business Set-Aside with WOSB Reserve
- Task Order Range: $2,500 minimum / $100M maximum
- NAICS: 541330 – Engineering Services
WHY RAES MATTERS
RAES consolidates architecture and engineering services for military installation infrastructure across Air Force and Army facilities. The contract emphasizes climate-informed design, incorporating climate adaptation, mission resilience, and sustainability into facility planning and construction decisions to support the transition to Net-Zero facilities.
The two-pool structure provides dedicated access for small businesses while maintaining competition across both pools for non-set-aside task orders. This structure ensures small A&E firms have guaranteed access to set-aside work while remaining eligible to compete for all task orders.
RAES, with participation from AFCEC, AFICC, USACE, and IMCOM, provides a cross-agency vehicle for Facilities Sustainment, Restoration & Modernization (FSRM) and Military Construction (MILCON) projects supporting Air Force and Army installations across the United States and territories.
WHO SHOULD CONSIDER RAES
RAES is designed for architecture and engineering firms with experience in federal facility design. The contract scope includes:
Title I Services (Design):
- Field investigations, surveys, and studies
- Preparation of plans, specifications, and cost estimates
- Building Information Modeling (BIM)
- Design-build conceptual designs
- Interior design (furniture, fixtures & equipment)
- Energy Modeling and Life Cycle Cost Analysis
- Value engineering
Title II Services (Construction Support):
- On-site construction supervision and inspection
- Construction quality assurance
- Construction submittal reviews (shop drawings, materials, schedules)
- Claim reviews and designer of record support
Other Services:
- Studies, investigations, surveying and mapping
- Comprehensive planning and program management
- Development of design criteria
- Preparation of operating and maintenance manuals
Firms with capabilities in architecture, structural engineering, civil engineering, mechanical/electrical/plumbing systems, fire protection, construction inspection, and project management should evaluate whether their past performance aligns with RAES requirements.
HOW OST CAN HELP
OST supports architecture and engineering firms pursuing complex federal facility design contracts with:
- Capability alignment: Assess which design service areas and facility types match your past performance and technical capabilities
- Pool strategy: Determine whether to pursue the Small Business Pool or Unrestricted Pool based on your firm’s qualifications
- Past performance strategy: Document relevant A&E experience from federal, state, or commercial facility design projects
- Teaming strategy: Identify and connect with firms for mandatory prime, JV, and teaming partner roles across required disciplines
- Proposal development: SF330 preparation, technical approach, past performance narratives, and compliance
If you’re evaluating whether RAES aligns with your firm’s capabilities or need support developing a competitive proposal, we can help. If this interests you, please book a call with OST Partner and President Bill Schalik via the button below.
