MacDill AFB Seeks Integrated Access Control, Lockdown, Video and Sound-Masking System

Air Force solicitation targets an integrated installation

The Department of the Air Force has issued solicitation FA481426Q0041 for an integrated physical-security, surveillance and sound-masking installation in Building 296 at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida. The work supports the 927th Air Refueling Wing and combines access control, IP video, emergency lockdown functions and acoustic speech-privacy measures in one installation package.

The source documents are dated August 27, 2026. An amendment version was generated on August 28, 2026, which aligns with the reported event date. Offers are due by September 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. This is a solicitation for contractor proposals, not evidence that an award has been made.

Four-door PACS expansion is central to the scope

The Statement of Work calls for expansion of the existing Kantech physical access control system on four designated doors. The required scope includes a multi-door controller, secure readers, door-position contacts, motorized latches, power-transfer hinges, low-voltage wiring, software licensing, programming and connection to a central power supply.

For integrators, the existing-platform requirement is consequential. The project is not framed as a standalone access-control deployment; the selected contractor must engineer hardware, licensing and programming that operate as an extension of the installed PACS. Site validation of door condition, electrified-hardware compatibility, cable routes, controller capacity and authorized credential workflows will therefore be important before finalizing an approach.

Lockdown and video functions must work with facility systems

The surveillance and lockdown portion specifies two 4-megapixel IP cameras compatible with the building’s existing ExacqVision video-management system. The scope also includes two heavy-duty emergency lockdown buttons, an input/output module and four dedicated data drops.

According to the Statement of Work, activation of a lockdown button is intended to provide a dry-contact trigger to the access-control controllers. The PACS must then place controlled doors into a lockdown state, denying access except to personnel configured with override authority. The requirement highlights the need to coordinate physical button hardware, control-panel inputs, PACS logic, network segmentation and documented testing procedures rather than treating emergency controls as an isolated device installation.

Sound masking is specified for speech privacy

The acoustic portion covers four meeting rooms and is designed to reduce the intelligibility of speech that may leak outside those spaces. The solicitation specifies two adjustable noise generators, two 70V/100V amplifiers, 12 corridor speakers, room-level volume controls, relay controls and four illuminated corridor indicators for meetings in progress.

The sound-masking equipment is part of a broader requirement to protect sensitive verbal communications, not simply an office-comfort upgrade. Contractors are expected to provide acoustic calibration and tuning, as well as operator instruction. Procurement teams should distinguish this active masking requirement from passive architectural acoustic treatments, because the installation introduces requirements for amplifier sizing, speaker placement, low-voltage control wiring, power availability and operational handoff.

Elevator coordination, commissioning and site access add delivery complexity

The solicitation also requires an interface for elevator shutdown through a Form C dry contact associated with ground-floor car-call controls. Final elevator termination is to be coordinated with the government-designated elevator service provider. That division of responsibility makes early interface documentation and a clearly defined test sequence important for bidders.

The requested contractor is responsible for materials, equipment, engineering, programming, commissioning, testing and documentation. Deliverables include pre-construction submittals, as-built drawings in PDF and CAD formats, operations and maintenance manuals, and at least four hours of on-site training covering normal operation, sound-masking adjustment and emergency-lockdown procedures.

All work is to occur at Building 296. Contractor personnel will need installation access credentials, and the documents state that uncleared personnel working in secure rooms will receive cleared escorts. The planned performance period is 60 calendar days, with a 12-month workmanship warranty beginning after final government acceptance. The government is identified as furnishing 120VAC outlets, network infrastructure, empty conduit pathways and access to the existing Kantech and ExacqVision platforms.

What the opportunity signals for security contractors

The MacDill requirement is a compact example of converged physical-security procurement: electrified door hardware, PACS programming, IP video, emergency controls, network drops, audio distribution and facilities coordination are all interdependent. Bidders will need capabilities across those disciplines or a well-defined subcontracting and coordination plan.

No product manufacturer is named as a new awardee or preferred source in the reviewed solicitation. Kantech and ExacqVision are named because the new work must integrate with systems already installed in the building. Suppliers and integrators should avoid interpreting the notice as a blanket equipment purchase; it is an installation and integration requirement with specified operational outcomes.