The General Services Administration (GSA), Great Lakes Region 5, announces an opportunity to provide General Construction (GC) services for the International Falls Land Port of Entry project in International Falls, MN.  The GC will be competitively chosen using source selection (FAR 15) procedures. The objective of the source selection process is to select a proposal which represents the best value to the Government. The award will be made to the responsible Offeror whose offer conforms to the solicitation and offers the best value to the Government, considering the technical factors and total evaluated price. For this procurement, the technical factors will be significantly more important than price (FAR 15.101-1, Trade Offs). The technical factors will include Experience in providing General Construction Services on similar projects; Project Management Plan/Approach; Qualifications and Experience of Key Personnel; and Past Performance in providing General Construction on similar projects. A Small Business Subcontracting Plan will be required from any non small business concerns. 

The Government reserves the right to make an award on initial offers, but discussions may be held if appropriate. The estimated total construction costs for the project falls within the approximate range of $193,000,000 to $203,000,000. The General Construction Award is anticipated to commence upon award of the contract in or about Winter 2026, with a performance period of approximately 1103 calendar days for the project after on site notice to proceed and substantial completion.

The anticipated project is a new land port of entry on the northern border in Minnesota. The proposed site is in International Falls, adjacent to the existing Land Port of Entry. This new project will be a gateway to the United States and will transform an obsolete border facility into a state-of-the-art commercial port of entry, which will improve safety and security for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. It shall make a distinct architectural statement that is responsive to the efficient movement of trade and commerce, the security requirements of law enforcement agencies, and the welcoming of visitors and citizens in the United States of America. The intended delivery method is Design-Bid-Build awarded at a firm-fixed price.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the current tenant, and the Department of Agriculture Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be joining CBP as new tenants at the new LPOE.  The existing facility was constructed in 1993, and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Although the existing Land Port of Entry is only roughly 30 years old, it was designed and constructed several years before the creation of  DHS which resulted in significant changes to the way business operations occur at the border. This project represents an opportunity to support the supply chain; International Falls has the highest traffic volume of any port in Minnesota. In 2021, the port facilitated over $12 billion worth of trade. By redesigning and expanding the port’s infrastructure, the port will be able to accommodate higher volumes of trade. 

The newly designed port will increase vehicle and pedestrian processing efficiency and capacity; reduce traffic queues and delays in both directions; minimize conflict points among passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, trains, buses, and pedestrians; add a functional secondary inspection area for commercial vehicles; and accommodate safety, security, technology, and future demand. The site expansion will also provide area for additional customer tenant agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Protection and Quarantine.

Delivery Method
Design-Bid-Build

Scope Summary
The General Construction Contractor (GC) scope of work includes all labor and materials required to provide construction services for the International Falls Land Port of Entry project, which shall cover a wide range of activities as defined below.

The GC shall be an actively engaged member of the project team during construction and turnover/closeout stages. The GC selected for this project shall work in alignment with the GSA and GSA’s selected team, including the Architect and Engineer (A/E) firm, the Construction Manager as Agent (CMa), and other contracts partners. The GC is responsible for the administration of the construction stage and involvement in both project development and closeout stages.

The design for the project will conform to the 2025 PBS Core Building Standards, applicable agency design guides, and other building codes and standards as applicable to this project. Design services will be accomplished through a separate contract, will be necessary to meet the functional requirements of prospective tenants, fulfill policy and regulatory criteria, and provide state of the art workplaces that help define interior design standards for the building. Designed solutions shall be consistent with the latest objectives of GSA, prospective tenants, and best practices in architectural planning and design.

The project is funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA [formally referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law]) and the Inflation Reduction Act. 

Joint Ventures: Joint venture or firm/consultant arrangements will be considered and must submit an acceptable joint venture agreement.

The solicitation package will be available on or about 7/2/2025 and will only be available electronically. Potential Offerors will be responsible for downloading the solicitation from the System for Award Management site, www.SAM.gov, and for monitoring for possible amendments and/or additional information. 

A pre-proposal conference and site-visit will be held in International Falls, MN, and is scheduled for 7/22/2025 at 1:00pm Central Time. A Pre-Proposal registration/RSVP form will be included in the solicitation posting, and anyone interested in attending the pre-proposal conference shall complete the form and submit it no later than 3:00pm Central Time, on 7/18/2025 to the pre-proposal conference. Attendance at this conference is considered vital to the preparation of a competitive and cost effective proposal and to understanding the total result desired by the Government. Failure to attend this meeting may not be used as an excuse for omissions or miscalculations in offers. The offers will be due no later than 3:00pm Central Time on 8/13/2025. 

All responsible sources may submit a bid/proposals which shall be considered by the agency. In order to be eligible for award, offerors are required to provide electronic representations and certifications in the System for Award Management (SAM), which can be accessed at: https://www.sam.gov. An award is anticipated on or about February 2026. 

For additional information, please visit: https://www.gsa.gov/real-estate/gsa-properties/land-ports-of-entry-and-the-bil/bipartisan-infrastructure-law-construction-project/minnesota

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