Update: Cancellation of Soliciation

The Bridge of the Americas Land Port of Entry Modernization solicitation is being cancelled.  A protest challenging the Project Labor Agreement (PLA) mandate pursuant to FAR 22.503 was filed at the Court of Federal Claims and the Court has found that the PLA mandate violates  the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) and granted the plaintiff's request for relief.  The Court's Decision was published on January 21, 2025.  Based on the order of the Court, GSA will be reconsidering the PLA requirement and may take corrective actions as appropriate considering the specific needs of this project and the Decision of the Court.  GSA will be conducting market research to assess the specific needs of this project related to the PLA requirement and anticipates posting a new solicitation in upcoming months.  

Amendment 3

Design/Build Contract for the Bridge of the Americas Land Port of Entry Modernization Project.

See attached Amendment 3 (file name: Amendment 3-47PH0824R0007).

Proposal Due date remains the same, October 2, 2024, at 12:00 P.M. Central Daylight Time (CDT).  Only electronic submissions are allowed, and all submissions are to be emailed to Jason Gerloff at: Jason.gerloff@gsa.gov.

Amendment 2

Design/Build Contract for the Bridge of the Americas Land Port of Entry Modernization Project.

See attached Amendment 2 (file name: Amendment 2-47PH0824R0007).

Proposal Due date remains the same, October 2, 2024, at 12:00 P.M. Central Daylight Time (CDT).  Only electronic submissions are allowed, and all submissions are to be emailed to Jason Gerloff at: Jason.gerloff@gsa.gov.

Amendment 1

Design/Build Contract for the Bridge of the Americas Land Port of Entry Modernization Project.

See attached Amendment 1 (file name: Amendment 1 47PH0824R0007).

Proposal Due date remains the same, October 2, 2024, at 12:00 P.M. Central Daylight Time (CDT).  Only electronic submissions are allowed, and all submissions are to be emailed to Jason Gerloff at: Jason.gerloff@gsa.gov.

Solicitation:

Design/Build Contract for the Bridge of the Americas Land Port of Entry Modernization Project.

The General Services Administration (GSA) Design Excellence Program seeks to commission architects, engineers, and construction professionals to maintain and modernize our legacy federal buildings for the next 50 to 100 years of service.  These projects will demonstrate the value of integrated design that balances historic significance with current needs; balances aesthetics, costs, constructability, and reliability; and creates environmentally responsible and superior workplaces for civilian federal employees.

The Bridge of the Americas (BOTA), Land Port of Entry (LPOE), was built in 1967. It is located on the international border separating El Paso, TX, and Juarez, Chihuahua, MX. This LPOE connects with the LPOE of “Cordova” in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, MX. The facility processes privately owned vehicles (POV Mexican), pedestrians, and commercial traffic. The bridge leading to the facility is the only toll-free bridge in El Paso, creating extensive traffic. 

The BOTA LPOE is one of four crossings in El Paso. BOTA is in a populated urban area of El Paso, TX. It sits on approximately 27 acres of fully developed property surrounded on three sides by an extensive highway system. The LPOE is landlocked on all four (4) sides of the port. The port processes toll-free inbound and outbound commercial, non-commercial, and pedestrian traffic. As a result, the volume of traffic is heavy with many travelers and commercial vehicles choosing to enter and exit through this facility in lieu of paying a toll. Much of the port facility has reached the end of its’ life cycle. Most of the buildings and infrastructure are operating beyond capacity. Building, fire and life safety codes have changed so much that the facility is generally non-compliant with the most current codes and standards including CBP design standards. Since this facility operates as a toll-free port of entry, an increase in truck and vehicular traffic in the last few years has created significant congestion so that the site is unable to support this increased volume of traffic.

The planned project is to design and construct a U.S Land Port of Entry that will reflect the critical importance of this crossing as a gateway to the United States of America. 

In this context, GSA announces an opportunity for Design and Construction Excellence in public architecture for performance of Architectural Engineering Design and Construction services in accordance with GSA quality standards and requirements.  A