NIGP 34076: Smoke Bombs and Candles, Forestry

NIGP 34076 Smoke Bombs And Candles, Forestry is an Item code that in current state and local practice encompasses fire protection system services including inspection, maintenance, and repair of automatic fire extinguisher systems and sprinkler infrastructure across public facilities. State and local governments soliciting under this code are primarily school districts and county education agencies managing large distributed facility networks. Hillsborough County Public Schools, a repeat buyer in this space, enforces a structural separation-of-duties model requiring one vendor to perform inspections while a separate vendor handles repairs on the same systems—a specification that shapes contract scope and vendor qualification requirements. Proposers must demonstrate capability to service large multi-site operations (HCPS covers 235 schools) while maintaining operational continuity, provide current professional references preferably from school districts, and comply with background screening, E-Verify employment verification, and hazardous materials handling protocols established by the purchasing agency's safety office.

Hillsborough County Public Schools posted RFP 26349-RFP-MST on September 7, 2026, with proposals due October 5, 2026, for fire protection system services covering pre-engineered, engineered CO2 automatic fire extinguisher systems and sprinkler systems across all district facilities. The RFP weights evaluation at Qualifications and Experience (30 percent), Specifications and Scope of Work (25 percent), Cost/Best Value (35 percent), and Small Business Enterprise utilization (10 percent). HCPS encourages use of Office of Supplier Development-certified small business enterprises and awards evaluation points based on the percentage of total contract dollars allocated to certified subcontractors. Pricing covers standard hours (estimated 478 annually, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday–Friday), overtime, and additional items on a cost-plus-markup basis not exceeding 15 percent. A pre-proposal conference was held September 8, 2026, with written questions due September 21, 2026.