Abilene, TX lease award

Summary (Newest Update)

Background The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), specifically the Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) under the Cotton and Tobacco (C&T) division, is seeking to extend its current lease for office and special purpose space in Abilene, TX. The agency's mission involves cotton classification, which necessitates a dedicated facility for operational efficiency. The current lease is set to expire on May 31, 2026, and the USDA aims to negotiate an extension with the incumbent lessor without engaging in full and open competition. Work Details The contract involves extending the existing lease for up to 60 months starting June 1, 2026. The USDA currently leases 13,209 ABOA/rentable square feet (RSF) of office space and an additional 12,000 square feet of outdoor storage space at 24 Windmill Circle, Abilene, TX. The estimated cost for this lease extension is $18.50 per rentable square foot per year, totaling an annual cost of $244,366.50 and a total contract value of $1,221,832.50 based on market research. The facility includes specialized laboratory space that requires specific environmental controls such as HVAC systems maintaining a temperature of 70 degrees plus or minus 1 degree at 65 percent relative humidity, as well as dust collection systems and specialized lighting. Period of Performance The period of performance for the lease extension will commence on June 1, 2026, and will last for up to 60 months. Place of Performance The contract will be performed at 24 Windmill Circle and lots 103 and 104 on Windmill Circle in Abilene, TX. Bidder Requirements There are no specific bidder requirements stated; however, it is implied that only the current lessor is eligible due to the unique qualifications required for the facility that supports USDA's cotton grading operations.