Administration Department

Acquisitions Division

Doing business with the USIBWC:

Register Your Business: First, you need to register your business with the System for Award Management (SAM). This is a requirement for doing business with the federal government.  It is the website where organizations within the federal government publish notices on proposed contract actions valued at more than $25,000. These notices, or contract opportunities, cover announcements through official solicitations in the pre-award process. Anyone interested in doing business with the government can use this system to research active opportunities.

System for Award Management (SAM)

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (subpart 4.11) requires that contractors be registered in the SAM database prior to being awarded a contract. Detailed information about SAM is available online at sam.gov/content/home. The SAM Customer Assistance Center can be contacted toll free at 1-888-227-2423.

  1. Find Opportunities: Look for contracting opportunities that match your business offerings. Websites like FedBizOpps.gov and SAM.gov list federal procurement opportunities.
  2. Understand the Requirements: Familiarize yourself with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Read the solicitation and understand the requirement. Attend industry days, site visits, and submit questions as instructed in the solicitation.
  3. Prepare Your Proposal: When you find a suitable opportunity, prepare a detailed proposal that meets all the requirements and deadlines. Follow the instruction as stated in the solicitation.
  4. Submit Your Proposal: Submit your proposal through the appropriate channels, instruction stated in the solicitation.
  5. Follow Up: After submission, follow up to ensure your proposal was received and to address any questions or requests for additional information. Request a debrief after award is issued.
  6. Compliance: Ensure compliance with all contract terms and federal regulations throughout the execution of the contract.

More resources provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Contract Opportunities Center, El Paso Community College.

In addition to SAM, vendors are encouraged to check GSA eBuy, an online RFQ tool that allows federal, state, and local government agencies to request quotes for a wide range of commercial supplies and services. This platform helps vendors find and respond to new government requirements efficiently. https://www.ebuy.gsa.gov/ebuy/

Click here for Construction Contractor Resource Information 

Coming Soon!

The Procurement Forecast tool will be a list of anticipated USIBWC solicitations that small businesses, small, disadvantaged businesses, women-owned small businesses, HUBZone small businesses, and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses may be able to perform under direct contracts with USIBWC.

Procurement Opportunities

A Sources Sought Notice has been posted to SAM.gov, https://sam.gov/opp/289f91fdc57c423e9746612da262fcfc/view  Notice ID number FY26OMSBIWTP.  The information gathered from the sources sought, industry day/s, and the questions below may be used as market research to assist the Government in determining and shaping various aspects of the acquisition process. This includes, but is not limited to, the development of solicitation documents, source selection criteria, contract type, Performance Work Statement (PWS), Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP), and other acquisition-related documents. The responses provided will help the Government understand industry capabilities, identify potential risks, and develop strategies to ensure successful project execution. Your participation and input are greatly appreciated. Please provide responses to Philip Johnson @ Philip.johnson@ibwc.gov.

The United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) requires a contract for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP) and associated facilities in San Diego County, California. The contract type, whether Firm Fixed Priced, Cost Reimbursable, Hybrid, etc., is yet to be determined. The contractor will be responsible for providing all necessary labor, materials, management (including bi-national participation with Mexico), and other resources for full-service O&M of the SBIWTP and its conveyance system, including Canyon Collectors, Pump Stations, and South Bay Land Outfall (SBLO). Full-service O&M encompasses complete facility operation and maintenance, including contract management, planning, supervision, administration, personnel, sampling and laboratory testing, equipment operation and maintenance, system monitoring, data recording, quality control, capital improvements, vehicle fleet management, housekeeping, grounds maintenance, consumable supplies, and other related services.

The SBIWTP, located at 2995 Clearwater Way in San Diego, is a 25 million gallon per day (MGD) wastewater treatment plant treating wastewater from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. The plant discharges an average of 25 MGD of effluent through the South Bay Ocean Outfall (SBOO) and operates under the authority of the USIBWC, complying with various permits and regulations.

In 2024, USIBWC awarded a $600M contract to PCL Construction for the design and construction of the rehabilitation and expansion of the SBIWTP, with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. as the design firm. The project follows the Progressive Design-Build (PDB) contract delivery method. The expansion aims to increase the plant's treatment capacity from 25 MGD to 35 MGD by 2025, with a possible further expansion to 60 MGD by 2027. The PDB team will work closely with the future SBIWTP Operator to rehabilitate and expand the plant, with incremental capacity increases and adjustments to the O&M contract as needed.

The contract will include a 60-day phase-in/out period, a base year from the date of award (March 30, 2027), and four one-year option periods. The procurement is anticipated to be unrestricted under NAICS code 221320 (Sewage Treatment Facilities), with a small business size standard of $50 million. An Industry Day is planned for the week of August 11, 2025, at the SBIWTP to gather industry feedback. Interested parties should contact Philip (Phil) Johnson at philip.johnson@ibwc.gov by July 31, 2025. The solicitation is expected to be posted around September 2025, with a target date that may change. If not posted by October 1, 2025, it indicates the solicitation is not yet available.

REQUEST FOR FEEDBACK:

Cost:

What are the potential cost drivers for operating and maintaining the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP)?

How will costs be affected during the temporary facility's increase to 35MGD and the permanent expansion to 50-60MGD? How can these cost risks be managed and mitigated?

What strategies can be used to manage and mitigate unexpected costs associated with operating and maintaining the plant? How would these strategies change during the increase in temporary capacity from 25MGD to 35MGD and eventually to 50-60MGD?

What measures can be implemented to help potential contractors manage and mitigate unexpected costs associated with operating and maintaining the plant?

 

Technical:

What technical challenges do you anticipate in operating and maintaining the plant? What strategies could be used to manage and mitigate these risks?

What technical challenges do you anticipate during the temporary facility's increase to 35MGD and the permanent expansion to 50-60MGD?

Can you share your experience with similar projects and the lessons learned that could be applied to this project?

Are there any other technical risks that are unique to the O&M services for the SBIWTP?

 

Performance:

What performance metrics would you use to measure the success of the operation and maintenance of the plant?

How would you ensure that your projects meet performance standards?

What are the key resources required to perform these services for a project of this size and complexity?

What other performance risks do you see that may be unique to the O&M services for the SBIWTP?

 

Schedule:

What are the key milestones and timelines for the phase-in period? How will you ensure an effective transition?

How would you manage any delays or disruptions that may occur during the performance? What contingency plans would you have in place to address these issues?

What strategies could you implement to ensure the timely completion of tasks/projects?

What other schedule risks do you see as unique to the O&M services for the SBIWTP?

 

Additional Feedback Requested:

Clarity and completeness of PWS and attachments

Feasibility of the requirements

Suggestions for improvements

Feedback on the contract type (FFP plus Cost Reimbursement, or FFP only). Please provide a recommendation on the most suitable type of contract for this requirement.

Risks and drawbacks

Can your company extend services to the NIWTP in Nogales, AZ? If so, please explain.

Contractor’s experience working with FAR and Government contracts that would be considered the same or similar in size, scope, and complexity

Contractor’s experience in WWTP within the last 5-7 years

Would your company intend to form a Joint Venture, partnership, LLC, or subcontract portions of work to satisfy the requirements listed in this Sources Sought?

Will the majority of the work be subcontracted?

Experience working internationally

Experience working with sediment and waste removal

Experience with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems for WWTP

Budget Division

The Budget Office is responsible for development and oversight of the agency’s operating budget. Insures that appropriated funds are allocated in a legal, responsible, and fair manner as mandated by Congress. Monitors execution of the budget to ensure cost center managers do not exceed allocations.

What We Do

  • Review and validate budget requests submitted by agency cost center managers. Develop and formulate consolidated agency budget for presentation to Department of State. Write and present budget justifications.
  • Allocate funds to various organizations within the agency.
  • Advise Commissioner and department heads on all budgetary matters.
  • Review and analyze execution of the agency’s budget. Identify funding shortfalls and/or excesses and make recommendations to management.
  • Review budget execution documents for propriety (travel orders, purchase requests, personnel actions). Certify availability of funds for each document submitted.
  • Enter commitment and obligation documents into Federal Financial System (FFS).
  • Prepare monthly budget execution and expenditure reports for each organization within the agency.
  • Monitor and research unliquidated obligations to insure timely deobligation of unliquidated balances that will not be used.

Finance and Accounting Division

Our mission is to provide timely and accurate Payroll, Accounting, and Financial services to the agency and its personnel. NOTICE TO ORGANIZATIONS MAKING PAYMENT TO USIBWC BY CHECK: The USIBWC will be converting to Paper Check Conversion (PPC) effective July 22, 2003 for Accounts Receivable. See Required Disclosure and FAQ about this program.

Personnel Support Services Provided by the Financial Services Division:

  • All Payroll Services/Interior Business Center
  • Travel Reimbursement Services
  • Vendor Payment Services
  • Accounts Receivable Billings/Collections
  • Maintenance of accounting and depreciation records for the agency's real and personal property, plant accounts, and capitalized equipment
  • Maintenance of accounting records for agency's construction project appropriations/authorizations, obligations, and expenditures
  • Maintenance of accounting and budgetary records for agency's internal budget and planning efforts.
  • Preparation and Submission of agency's annual financial statements

Quick Links to Interior Business Center and Employee Express

Personal Property Office (PPO) Division

PPO Mission
The mission of the Personal Property Office is to promote accountability and excellence
in property and fleet management, supporting the Agency’s commitment to achieving
maximum organizational effectiveness.

PPO Vision
“Developing master stewards of asset accountability and fleet management, agency
wide.”

Definition
Personal Property – Includes all equipment, material, and supplies not classified as real
property (41 CFR Chapter 102-71).
Fleet Management - involves overseeing all aspects of government vehicles, from
acquisition and disposal to maintenance and usage, ensuring compliance with
regulations and maximizing efficiency and cost-effectiveness (41 CFR 102-34).

Personal Property Management
Control and accountability of property IBWC owned or leased by the US Government
and in the possession of the US IBWC under the US Department of State Foreign Affairs
Manual, 14 FAM 10.
Monitor and Direct reutilization and reallocation of underutilized assets upon
discovery.
Validate authorizations of asset transfers between activities and overseas.
Integrate asset tags of accountable property for trackability and traceability.

Fleet Management
This includes purchasing, leasing, and selling government vehicles, ensuring
compliance with regulations and standards.
Managing vehicle maintenance schedules, repairs, and ensuring vehicles are in safe
and reliable working order.
Tracking fuel consumption, optimizing routes, and exploring alternative fuel options to
reduce costs and environmental impact.
Monitoring vehicle usage, optimizing routes, and ensuring vehicles are used efficiently
to minimize costs and maximize productivity.
Adhering to federal regulations and reporting requirements, such as those outlined in
41 CFR 102-34 Motor Vehicle Management.
US IBWC fleet management and vehicle utilization of 12 US-Mexico borderland
regions (https://www.ibwc.gov/field-offices/).

Roles
Property Administrator of assets and fleet assigned to the US IBWC Office of the
Commissioner,
Federal Acquisition Regulation, (FAR) 52.245-1.
Agency National Utilization Officer providing oversight for the disposal of excess,
broken or unsafe assets through approved methods.
Agency consultant to US Headquarters and the 12 field offices on asset management,
lifecycle, and compliance.

Compliance
Ensure compliance with all Federal and US Section personal property rules, laws,
regulations, guidelines, policies, and directives, including United States Code 40 U.S.C.
§ 524, 10 U.S. Code § 2576a.
• Adhering to federal regulations and reporting requirements, such as those
outlined in 41 CFR 102-34 Motor Vehicle Management.
Annual inventory performance measures of at least 98% asset accountability.
Quality Assurance screening on requisitions, preventing excess purchasing and fraud,
waste, and abuse, Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR Part 10.002.
Critical disposal surveillance program – authorized personnel & requests only.

Federal Auctions
General Services Administration (GSA) is a federal government agency that authorizes
online auctions and purchasing open to the public of excess property assets from other
federal agencies, such as the US IBWC (https://gsaauctions.gov/auctions/home) in
accordance with 40 U.S. Code § 503