NIGP 28540: Grounding Rods and Fittings

NIGP 28540 Grounding Rods and Fittings, an Item code, covers grounding infrastructure components and materials that state and local governments procure primarily as part of lightning protection system installations and electrical utility upgrades. Recent solicitations show state and local buyers purchasing grounding rods, down conductors, air terminals, and related fastening hardware for facility protection and electrical safety compliance. Hall County, Georgia, the City of Tampa, the Alameda Affordable Housing Corporation, and Lubbock Power & Light have all recently solicited work involving grounding rod specification and installation. Counties, municipalities, utility districts, school districts, and affordable housing authorities issue these opportunities, often bundling grounding components into larger lightning protection or electrical infrastructure projects rather than purchasing rods and fittings as standalone commodities.

Geographic activity concentrates in Georgia, Florida, California, and Texas based on recent opportunities. Representative solicitations include Hall County's IFB #025-47 (posted August 20, 2026; bids due September 17, 2026) for lightning protection systems at three fire stations, requiring licensed contractors to design and install complete grounding and air terminal systems compliant with NFPA 780 and UL 96A standards; the City of Tampa's ITB 26P00192 (posted April 24, 2026; bids due April 24, 2026) for a comprehensive lightning protection dissipation system at the McKay Bay Waste to Energy Facility including 126 stainless steel air terminals, tinned copper conductors, ground rods, and grounding infrastructure with an estimated cost of approximately $190,700 to $200,000 and a 5 percent bid discount available for certified Small Local Business Enterprises; and Lubbock Power & Light's quote request 267012ELD (posted July 8, 2026; quotes due July 15, 2026) for 30 anchor rods with twin eyes and 2,000 feet of 350 KCM copper cable rated 25 KV. Turnkey lightning protection design and installation contracts dominate the recent pipeline, with compliance to NFPA 780 and UL 96A appearing as a standard requirement across jurisdictions.