HI-Hakalau NWR PV System replacement

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking a contractor to replace the photovoltaic (PV) system at the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge in Hawaii. The solicitation, No. 140FC325R0005, requires designing and installing a comprehensive solar power upgrade, including two 48V, 15kW hybrid inverters, lithium chemistry batteries with approximately 50 kWh of storage, and new 400W lead-free PV panels. The procurement will occur in two phases, with Phase I proposals due on January 21, 2025, and Phase II proposals from selected offerors due on March 27, 2025. Evaluation criteria include technical capabilities, system design, and compliance with specified requirements. Contractors must submit detailed unit pricing for base items and optional components, with technical questions accepted until March 11, 2025.

The solicitation is a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 221114, with a size standard of 500 employees. The project is estimated between $100,000-$250,000, with a 180-calendar-day performance period after notice to proceed. The work site is located approximately 39 miles northwest of Hilo, Hawaii, at 6,000 feet elevation, accessible via unpaved county roads. In addition to the base system replacement, the contract includes five optional years of annual maintenance and potential future expansion to accommodate increased electrical loads. The system will replace existing equipment with new components, including Sol-Ark 15k inverters, Sinva 275W solar modules, and a backup Northern Lights 12kW diesel generator, with a 10-year manufacturer's warranty expected for major components.