NIGP 03180: Solar Heating Units

NIGP 03180 Solar Heating Units is an Item code under which state and local governments procure solar-powered water supply and heating infrastructure for municipal, county, and utility operations. Recent solicitations show governments buying complete solar photovoltaic systems — panels, inverters, optimizers, controllers, and associated electrical equipment — installed as standalone infrastructure for agricultural water supply, municipal facility operations, utility customer programs, and public agency maintenance services. Boulder County Parks and Open Space issued RFP-300-26 (due September 4, 2026) for installation of six stock water wells with solar pumps, panels, and electrical controllers across two county agricultural properties under a $350,000 contract; the work includes permitting, drilling, infrastructure installation, and a one-year warranty on all equipment. Caltrans has issued three separate IFPQs (22A1329, 22A1330, 22A1331) for photovoltaic system maintenance and repair services across Northern, Central, and Southern California regions, each restricted to certified small businesses or DVBEs and each capped at $484,000 over three-year terms. The City of South Fulton, Georgia solicited RFP 26_09 for solar PV standby response and maintenance services with task orders and no guaranteed quantities. Issuing bodies span county parks departments, state transportation agencies, municipal utilities and engineering departments, and city procurement offices.

Activity concentrates heavily in California, where Caltrans operates distributed PV systems across three regional procurement tracks, and in Colorado and Georgia, where county and municipal governments are investing in solar water infrastructure and facility maintenance. The Boulder County well-drilling solicitation represents agricultural-focused work typical of rural counties managing leased grazing land; the Caltrans work reflects established state transportation infrastructure requiring ongoing technician support and parts replacement. The City of Madison RFQ (due March 6, 2026) sought specific SolarEdge inverters and power optimizers for delivery to a municipal facility, while the Orlando Utilities Commission registered qualified solar photovoltaic contractors through its Preferred Contractor Network for residential and commercial customer referrals. Contractors pursuing this code should hold current electrical or solar contractor licenses (California C-10 or C-46 designations where applicable), maintain commercial general liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence minimum, and be prepared for small-business set-aside eligibility requirements, particularly in California state procurements.