Subterranean environments capable of supporting live-fire exercises

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND YOUR RESPONSE IS NOT AN OFFER. THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION DOES NOT COMMIT THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY ANY COSTS INCURRED IN PREPARATION OF ANY SUBMISSION TO THIS NOTICE, OR TO CONTRACT FOR SERVICES.

This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. All information contained in the RFI is preliminary as well as subject to modification and is in no way binding on the Government.

PURPOSE: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is conducting market research to evaluate the availability of subterranean environments capable of supporting live-fire exercises with energetics weighing up to 5,000 lbs. TNT Net Explosive Weight. Additionally, this research aims to assess the competencies and capabilities of potential contractors.

The government has a long-standing requirement for training site access and supporting services there at to provide unique training opportunities for its military not otherwise available to them at existing government venues.

BACKGROUND: The ERDC Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (ERDC-GSL) requires continuous Research and Development (R&D) and training to be conducted within a sophisticated tactical tunnel. This initiative is part of ERDC’s military engineering research focus, which emphasizes survivability and protective structures. Exclusive access will be needed to a training site having unique size (acreage), topography, and underground access and supporting services. To conduct requisite training events, the government requires access to the training site and supporting services. Contractor provided services will be inclusive of any activity that would be reasonably offered by a venue uniquely built, maintained, and managed to support the conduct of military training ranging in type from conventional to exquisite. The programs are specifically designed to support research initiatives funded by Congressional appropriations and the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). As part of these efforts, ERDC aims to secure access to a subterranean facility located in Kentucky for tactical purposes, addressing a range of potential threats. The intent of this RFI is to gather data to verify the competencies and capabilities of contractors in the marketplace to perform subterranean missions.

The requirements for the site will be, but not limited to:

• Secure storage for high value and sensitive items


• Classroom area for training and briefings


• Underground communications capabilities


• GPS denied capability


• Events up to 5K lbs. of TNT Net Explosive Weight


• Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operations in GPS-denied environments


• Subterranean safety and rescue team


• Operations and Maintenance Support (O&M) to include safety in compliance with OSHA and MSHA safety standards (Portal stabilization, Roof bolting, Wall and column scaling, Road maintenance, Inspection records, Air quality and ventilation)


• Develop, document, maintain and implement ongoing ventilation, rock scaling, roof bolting and de-watering operations and evacuation routes


• Site maintenance to include improved roads as needed per Government


• Event Support to include safety support and post event cleanup


• The facility must have a Facility Clearance (FCL) and all staff members must have Secret or higher clearance level


• The site location should be within 70 miles of Fort Knox, KY

The purpose of this RFI is to obtain availability of vendors and to determine interest in participation before a Request for Proposal (RFP) is released for the required services. Respondents are requested to submit responses to the following questions:

1. Contact information: Interested organizations should respond by providing the Government the following information: point of contact, address, telephone, email address, and CAGE code.


2. Capabilities Statement: A description of capabilities in providing 1) the minimum required capabilities described above. If your organization can provide additional specialized protective structure testing support, please describe and 2) Experience. Previous procurement information, including contract numbers and customers, is recommended.


3. Business Status (based on NAICS 541990): Please indicate the business status of your company (Socio-Economic Factors: 8(a), HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business, Small Disadvantaged Business etc.).

Please provide the above information no later than 1:00 PM Central Standard Time on 12 January 2026. Responses should be emailed to Janalyn Dement at Janalyn.H.Dement@usace.army.mil.