# Texas Agencies Seek Bell County Project Bids

The Federal Highway Administration’s next Buy America phase took effect October 1, 2026, requiring manufactured products used on newly obligated federally aided highway projects to be finally assembled in the United States, with more than 55% of component costs from domestic products. At the same time, TxDOT is seeking bids for a $24.68 million, 1.99-mile State Loop 121 segment in Bell County, and Bell County is soliciting proposals for courthouse security and courtroom improvements. Both solicitations close October 6, 2026; the courthouse project is not automatically covered by the federal highway rule.

- **Key deadline:** Bids for the Loop 121 project and proposals for the courthouse work are due October 6, 2026—one day from the current date. Firms interested in either opportunity should review the respective solicitation requirements promptly.
- Highway bidders and suppliers should verify whether the project is subject to the new Buy America phase and assess domestic sourcing, component-cost documentation, material availability, and pricing exposure.
- The courthouse solicitation is a separate construction-manager-at-risk opportunity, estimated at approximately $700,000, covering renovations, ballistic-rated materials, access control, electrical and technology work, and audiovisual systems. Firms should assess it against its own specifications rather than assume the highway rule applies.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance, Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** October 04, 2026

### Government Entities
- Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
- Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
- Bell County

### Sources
- [New ‘Buy America’ rules could reshape government contracting as Bell County projects move forward | Business | kdhnews.com](https://kdhnews.com/business/new-buy-america-rules-could-reshape-government-contracting-as-bell-county-projects-move-forward/article_0486e6ea-9ae4-4b8c-8475-929423e6ebea.html) - The Killeen Daily Herald