U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Seeks to Lease Office and Related Space in Derwood, Maryland - Request For Lease Proposals (RLP)
AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF.FARM PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION BUSINESS CENTER.FPAC BUS CNTR-MGMT SVS DIV · Response deadline: Fri, 13 Nov 2026
What the government is buying
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking to lease commercial office and related space in Derwood, Maryland. This is a Request for Lease Proposals (RLP), a standard procurement method for federal real property acquisitions where the government invites property owners and developers to submit proposals for leasing space that meets specified requirements.
NAICS code 531120 covers Lessors of Nonresidential Buildings (except Miniwarehouses). In federal leasing, the government typically seeks space that satisfies criteria for size, configuration, accessibility, security, and proximity to other federal facilities or transportation. Lease terms for federal office space commonly run 5–10 years or longer, often with renewal options. The General Services Administration or the occupying agency manages the lease, though FPAC Business Center here appears to be the requiring activity. See the solicitation for specific square footage, lease term, and space configuration requirements.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Agriculture, Department of — Farm Production and Conservation Business Center, FPAC Bus Cntr-Mgmt SVs Div |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | 57-24031-26-FA-RLP |
| NAICS | 531120 |
| Set-aside | No Set aside used |
| Response deadline | November 13, 2026 at 4:30 PM ET |
| Place of performance | Derwood, MD |
Who can bid
This lease opportunity is not set aside for any small business preference program. It is unrestricted, meaning businesses of any size may compete, including large real estate investment trusts, pension funds, individual property owners, and small developers. Small business lessors may bid but will compete against all market participants.
Eligibility requires ownership or control of suitable property in Derwood, Maryland, or the ability to acquire and develop such property before occupancy. Prospective lessors must be registered in SAM.gov and possess a Unique Entity Identifier. Those proposing newly constructed or renovated space must demonstrate financing capacity, development experience, and ability to meet federal leasing timelines. See the solicitation for any specific landlord qualification requirements such as prior federal leasing experience, bonding, or financial capacity thresholds.
How to put together a competitive bid
For an unrestricted federal lease RLP, competition typically centers on rent rate, building quality, location efficiency, and responsiveness to technical requirements.
Property and financial positioning: Gather certified rent rolls, operating statements, and evidence of debt capacity. Federal lease evaluations weigh effective rent—including concessions, tenant improvement allowances, and escalation structures—against market comparables. Prepare a pro forma demonstrating your ability to deliver space at the proposed rate for the full lease term.
Technical compliance: Federal RLPs specify space plans, parking ratios, energy efficiency standards, security requirements, and accessibility compliance with the Architectural Barriers Act and UFAS. Document your building's Energy Star score, any LEED certification, and utility cost histories. Highlight proximity to public transit, as federal sustainability mandates favor transit-accessible locations.
Past performance: Compile references from prior commercial or federal leases, including timely delivery, lease administration responsiveness, and resolution of maintenance issues. If new to federal leasing, emphasize commercial tenant retention rates and property management quality.
Submission mechanics: Follow the RLP's prescribed format precisely. Federal real property solicitations often require sealed pricing, narrative technical responses, and specific representations and certifications. Missing documents or deviations from submission instructions commonly disqualify otherwise competitive proposals.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number 57-24031-26-FA-RLP. Confirm the precise square footage requirement, lease term, services included or excluded in the lease, and any socioeconomic sub-factors. Note the firm response deadline of November 13, 2026 at 4:30 PM Eastern Time—late submissions are not accepted in federal lease procurements. Consider contacting the designated contracting officer with clarifying questions well before the deadline, and conduct a site visit if offered.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →