NIGP 96879: Telephone (Utility, Light) Pole Installation, and Relocation Service

NIGP 96879 Telephone (Utility, Light) Pole Installation, and Relocation Service is an Item code that covers the installation, replacement, and maintenance of utility poles supporting electric distribution, telecommunications, and lighting infrastructure. State and local governments soliciting under this code are procuring labor-intensive field work to install new poles, replace deteriorated wooden poles with steel or concrete alternatives, relocate poles to accommodate utility system changes, and perform corrective maintenance on existing pole infrastructure. The buying base spans municipal utilities, county transportation and utility authorities, cooperative electric utilities, and city public works departments across multiple states. Recent opportunities show municipalities and utility authorities issuing ITBs, RFPs, and RFQs for pole replacement projects tied to LED lighting upgrades, infrastructure modernization, and system reliability improvements.

Activity under this code is concentrated in the Southeast and Texas, with recent high-value work in Florida, Georgia, and Texas. The City of Albany, Georgia issued ITB 27-007 for corrective pole maintenance on its 12 kilovolt electrical distribution system (bids due August 14, 2026), specifying that contractors must hold Certified and Qualified Lineman credentials. Keys Energy Services in Key West, Florida solicited sealed proposals for a secondary easement pole replacement project installing approximately 151 distribution poles with relocation of 145 customer service drops on energized 13.8 kilovolt primary lines (proposals due October 23, 2026 via VendorLink or DemandStar). The City of Alpharetta, Georgia issued ITB 27-101 for Wills Park lighting and light pole replacement covering 24 wooden poles to be replaced with steel poles and LED fixture upgrades (bids due September 3, 2026). Broward County's Pine Island Road Capacity Expansion project includes installation of new traffic signals and lighting infrastructure as a subordinate scope within a larger roadway widening bid (responses due June 2, 2026). The code also captures work by electric cooperatives and municipal utilities—Glades Electric Cooperative in Florida issued an RFP for right-of-way trimming and clearance services under energized power lines affecting multiple circuit segments, and Kissimmee Utility Authority solicited continuing conduit installation services at multiple concurrent locations (proposals due July 28, 2026). Most opportunities require contractors to hold professional credentials (lineman certification, electrical contractor licenses), maintain comprehensive general liability and workers' compensation insurance with limits ranging from $1 million to $2 million per occurrence, and obtain performance bonds equal to 100 percent of contract value. Liquidated damages for schedule delays and cost-plus markups for materials and subcontractors are standard contractual features.