The Department of State’s Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), Office of Construction Management, is recompeting its Program Management and Engineering Expertise and Services (PMEES) contract. This is a partial small business set-aside IDIQ supporting diplomatic facility construction and renovation at locations worldwide.
Based on the incumbent contract structure, the recompete is anticipated to follow the same 11-award format, with an RFP expected in June 2026 and awards in September 2026. With the solicitation potentially less than two months away, now is the time for firms to evaluate fit, assess teaming needs, and begin positioning before the RFP drops.
OPPORTUNITY SNAPSHOT
- Opportunity: Program Management and Engineering Expertise and Services (PMEES)
- Agency: Department of State, Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), Office of Construction Management
- Estimated Value: $52M
- Expected RFP: June 2026
- Expected Award: September 2026
- Contract Type: Multiple-award IDIQ
- Duration: 1-year base + 4 one-year options (5 years total)
- Number of Awards: 11
- Competition: Partial Small Business Set-Aside
- NAICS: 541330 – Engineering Services ($25.5M size standard)
- Place of Performance: OCONUS (various worldwide locations)
- Security: Secret clearance required at deployment
WHY PMEES MATTERS
OBO is the largest U.S. government construction program across more than 160 countries, responsible for building and maintaining diplomatic facilities, including embassies, consulates, and other mission-critical infrastructure. PMEES provides the engineering and program management backbone for that construction mission, placing qualified architects, engineers, inspectors, and project controls specialists directly on active construction sites abroad.
With 11 awards anticipated which will include small business set-aside awards, PMEES offers meaningful access for small engineering and program management firms.
The incumbent pool includes a mix of large and small businesses and below are some of these awardees:
- Large: Tetra Tech, Michael Baker Corporation
- Small: Planate Management Group, Green Powered Technology, and Fusion Technology
The OCONUS-only performance requirement and clearance demand narrow the competitive field, which works in favor of firms that already have the infrastructure and cleared personnel to support overseas construction programs. Personnel must hold a minimum Secret clearance at the time of deployment to overseas construction sites, must be eligible to obtain a Top-Secret clearance, and must hold a Final Top-Secret clearance prior to deployment to high-threat HUMINT posts.
WHO SHOULD CONSIDER PMEES
PMEES is designed for engineering and program management firms with active construction site experience supporting U.S. government overseas programs. Candidates must have a minimum of ten years of experience on active construction sites, and it should be noted that design office experience does not count.
Firms with the following capabilities and experience should evaluate fit:
- Architecture, civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering on active construction sites
- Project controls and construction management
- Quality control, safety inspection, and field technical support
- OCONUS project experience, particularly in U.S. government or diplomatic facility construction
- Ability to maintain a pool of qualified personnel for rapid deployment worldwide
HOW OST CAN HELP
With the recompete 2 months away and no formal solicitation yet released, now is the right time to evaluate whether PMEES is worth pursuing and begin building a competitive strategy. OST supports engineering and professional services firms pursuing State Department and OBO contracts with:
- Bid/No-Bid assessment: Evaluating alignment with PMEES requirements, clearance posture, and OCONUS staffing capabilities
- Capture planning: Developing win themes and competitive positioning
- Teaming strategy: Identifying complementary partners to strengthen engineering discipline coverage or geographic reach
- Past performance strategy: Documenting relevant construction management and engineering experience from federal or international programs
- Proposal development: Technical approach, past performance narratives, and compliance for IDIQ submissions
If this interests you, please book a call with OST Partner and President Bill Schalik via the button below.
