Army Posts $150 Million Sleeping Bag Solicitation From Natick Base
NATICK — A $150 million federal solicitation for sleeping bags at the Natick Soldier Systems Center surfaced this week, according to a bid notice tied to the Army's Combat Capabilities Development Command. Separately, Natick's Community Preservation Committee is preparing to help steer the Memorial Elementary School building project, and Department of Public Works crews kept several roadway projects moving across town.
TOWN HALL
The U.S. Army's Natick Soldier Systems Center, home to the Combat Capabilities Development Command, is the subject of a $150 million request for proposals covering sleeping bags, according to a solicitation notice circulating this week. The center has long been a major research and development employer in town.
Construction began this week on the Pickerel Pond Connector project, the town said in a News Flash post Tuesday (link: https://www.natickma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=1647). The Department of Public Works also posted its paving schedule for the week of July 20 under the 2026 Roadway Improvements program (https://www.natickma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=1648), and issued an update on the Bacon Street improvements between Marion and Oak streets, part of the 2025 Roadway Improvements Project (https://www.natickma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=1622).
The town's survey on future uses for the former Johnson Elementary School property also remains open, after organizers said the project has pivoted to focus on short-term "interim uses" for the site (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScqNYqs3nYtUWIPlvyrRP8RzRpDMBzw7BjBqdmS0icQlK3fuQ/viewform).
SCHOOLS
Natick's Community Preservation Committee is expected to review a draft project charter this week and choose committee representatives to serve on the Massachusetts School Building Authority panel overseeing the Memorial Elementary School building project, part of the town's broader slate of Community Preservation proposals under discussion.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Charles River dam removal on schedule in South Natick" — MetroWest Daily News reports that the dam-removal and river-restoration project in South Natick, funded in part by a state Dam and Seawall grant, is proceeding on schedule, with a temporary access road recently built behind the spillway (read it at https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/picture-gallery/news/2026/07/21/charles-river-dam-removal-on-schedule-in-south-natick/90998529007/).
"🌱 Patch AM: How July 27 MBTA cuts will affect Natick commuters" — Natick Patch reports that MBTA service reductions taking effect July 27 will change conditions for local commuters (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/natick).
"🌱 Patch AM: Natick piper medals at prestigious Highland Games in Scotland" — Natick Patch reports a local bagpiper won a medal competing at Scotland's Highland Games (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/natick).
COMING UP
Wednesday, July 22, 5:30 p.m.: "Natick In The American Revolution," an event exploring the town's Revolutionary War history, at 321 Speen St., per the Natick Patch calendar (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/dover/calendar/event/20260722/93d226b3-ccc1-44e1-8e48-cb48e532451d/natick-in-the-american-revolution).