Detection Sciences Testing and Applied Research (DSTAR)

DESCRIPTION:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Philadelphia District (NAP), is conducting an Industry Day on 28 October 2026 to seek feedback from potential contractors on the Detection Sciences Testing and Applied Research (DSTAR) Project in Egg Harbor Township, NJ.

THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION AND NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED FROM THIS ANNOUCEMENT.

This is a Special Notice and is for planning purposes only as defined by Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) 15.101. This is not a solicitation announcement, nor is it an Invitation for Bid (l FB), Request for Proposal (RFP), or Request for Quote (RFQ). No solicitation is currently published. Participation in this conference by any party does not obligate the Government in any contract award. The Government will not pay for the provision of any information, nor will it compensate any respondents for the development of such information. The Government is not responsible for any costs associated with reviewing the Draft Documents, preparing and submitting comments, or any other efforts towards participation in this conference. Furthermore, the Government is not obligated to compensate respondents for any information received, even if the Draft Documents are revised as a result of a respondent's comment or question. Respondents should refrain from providing proprietary information in the course of the conference, since any information acquired by the Government in this forum will not be treated as proprietary. The information gathered will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. Replies to responses, comments, or suggestions will not be provided or published.

Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL) is a federal laboratory aligned under the Science and Technology Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL) campus is located along the eastern boundary of the William F. Hughes FAA Technical Center at the Atlantic City International Airport. TSL is responsible for researching, developing, engineering, testing and evaluating solutions to detect and mitigate the threat of Improvised Explosive Devices and weapons used against our Nation's transportation systems.

The project entails construction of a Detection Sciences, Testing and Applied Research Center (DSTARC) and the associated Facility for Energetic Materials Research (FEMR) building, including supporting infrastructure (hereafter referred to as the "DSTAR Project").

The project entails the construction of an approx. 40,000 SF Detection Sciences Testing and Applied Research Center (DSTARC) laboratory, an approximately 6,000 SF Facility for Energetic Materials Research (FEMR) laboratory, and ancillary site improvements to support these buildings. The combined buildings will enable TSL to perform trace material characterization and develop testing methods and protocols to detect and mitigate the threat of improvised explosive devices.

The multi-story DSTARC will be composed of pile foundations, steel framing and brick veneer, painted metal panel exterior with standing seam metal roofing. Interior construction will consist of reinforced concrete masonry walls, metal stud, gypsum board walls and operable / movable partition walls Detection Sciences Testing and Applied Research Center laboratory building will include modern office space, conference rooms, laboratory areas, chemical and hazardous waste storage aeras, sensitive compartmented information facility areas, blast hardened features, loading dock, etc. Classified work areas shall be designed in accordance with DHS requirements. Specific laboratories within the DSTAR complex shall be blast hardened to withstand small quantity material detonations of up to 5 grams.

The approximate 6,000 SF Facility for Energetic Materials Research laboratory will include laboratories, office space, and a control room dedicated to energetic materials synthesis and full-scale safety testing of these materials. The Energetic Material Synthesis Laboratory shall be capable of withstanding the detonation of up to two kilograms of explosives without damage to other laboratories or buildings, or serious injury to personnel outside of the Energetic Material Synthesis Laboratory. Other laboratories within the DSTAR complex shall be blast hardened to withstand small quantity material detonations of up to 5 grams.

The project also includes related infrastructure such as parking areas, roads, utilities, and site improvements. Roads and parking will integrate with existing infrastructure in a manner that facilities foot and vehicle traffic in and around the TSL campus.

Minimum Technical Requirements and Critical Features of Work: The DSTAR buildings shall have the capability to securely and efficiently exchange documents with classifications levels up to Top- Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) documents and data with authorized individuals and organizations in Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCIF) and Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS-SCI) Areas.

The DSTARC building will become the main IT hub for the TSL campus. All building controls, security and fire systems, mechanical and information technology systems shall be able to fully integrate with existing TSL infrastructure.

All fire system installations and modifications shall be in accordance with the Transportation Security Laboratory Campus - Wide Fire Alarm System Planning Considerations white paper written by the FAA VVJHTC project Engineering and Construction Office in January 2010.

The Chemistry Complex shall have environmental controls and systems independent of HVAC systems in the rest of the building to prevent or mitigate contamination of these spaces. The HVAC system for the Chemistry Complex shall be able to meet temperature, humidity, and relative pressure requirements and ASHRAE 55 standards while fume hoods are operating.

The DSTAR buildings require enhanced commissioning upon completion to validate energy performance.

Other Known Challenges: The TSL campus is located within the federally secured FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center. The Contractor shall comply with formal administrative requirements and security compliance obligations prior to entering the TSL Campus. The project is located within the NJ Pinelands reserve. All improvements and environmental permits to comply with the stormwater quality, quantity, and recharge requirements as set forth by NJDEP, Pinelands, SCD, Section 438 of EISA 2007 and the NJDEP Stormwater Management Rules and NJDEP Best Management Practices (BMP) standards.

The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) Code applicable to this acquisition is 236220 Commercial and Institutional Building Construction. The Small Business size standard is 45.0M.

The magnitude of this project is between $25,000,000 and $75,000,000.

The following information is provided in this Special Notice:

Event: Industry Day

Date: 28 October 2026

Time: The presentation will begin at 10:00 AM Eastern. Attendees should arrive by 9:00 AM Eastern to allow for processing through Security.

Location: William J. Hughes Technical Center, Atlantic City International Airport, Atlantic City, NJ 08405.

A QR code attachment has been provided for routing to the Main Gate via Google Maps.

Registration: Only registered persons will be permitted to attend the Industry Day. Please provide your name (First Name, Middle Initial, and Last Name), firm's CAGE and/or Unique Entity Identifier (a 12-character alpha numeric ID firm's assigned to an entity by SAM.gov and formerly known as DUNS) number, and name and position title of primary point-of-contact and their telephone number and email address.

Registration will be limited to three (3) attendees per organization or six (6) attendees per joint venture.

Please submit the above mentioned details to Contract Specialist, Eric.A.Leach@usace.army.mil and Contracting Officer, Connor.A.Struckmeyer@usace.army.mil, no later than 3:00 PM Eastern on Wednesday, 21 October 2026.

PLEASE NOTE: The following items are required of all Industry Day attendees.

1. Must be U.S. citizens.
2. If non-CAC or PIV holders, attendees must have REAL-ID driver’s license or a US PASSPORT.
3. After arriving at the main gate, attendees will be able to drive to the William J. Hughes Technical Center and access the parking lot. Attendees are required to immediately check-in with Security upon arrival at the William J. Hughes Technical Center.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Primary Point of Contact: Eric Leach; Eric.A.Leach@usace.army.mil

Alternate Point of Contact: Connor Struckmeyer: Connor.A.Struckmeyer@usace.army.mil