33330225RF0010010 Design Build Services for Solar Project at Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC)

The Smithsonian Institution is seeking design and build services for a ground-mounted Photovoltaic (PV) solar project at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) in Edgewater, Maryland. The project will involve designing and constructing two solar arrays with a combined output of 4.0 Megawatts (DC), located near the intersection of Muddy Creek Road and Cumberstone Road. The full solicitation is expected to be released in February 2025, with proposals due within 30 days of release, and will be uploaded to SAM.gov. Qualified offerors from multiple North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes, including Commercial and Institutional Building Construction, Power and Communication Line Construction, Solar Electric Power Generation, and Engineering Services, are eligible to submit proposals. The Smithsonian Institution's evaluation panel will be the sole entity determining offeror capabilities and contract performance potential.

The pre-solicitation notice indicates no specific set-aside designations for the contract, which means it is open to all qualified contractors. The total estimated cost range exceeds $10,000,000, suggesting a significant investment in solar infrastructure. The project will be situated on one or both of two adjacent parcels of Smithsonian property at 647 Contees Wharf Road. Size standards for the applicable NAICS codes range from 500 employees to $45.0 million, providing flexibility for various sized businesses to compete. While the notice emphasizes that this is not a formal request for proposal and does not obligate the government to award a contract, it signals a substantial opportunity for contractors with expertise in solar installation and institutional building construction. The geographic location in Maryland and the specific technical requirements of a 4.0 MW solar array suggest a complex and specialized project.