Furnish and install PAPIs and REILs at the Albert Whitted Airport

The City of St. Petersburg, Florida, through Pinellas County, is seeking bids for Invitation for Bid (IFB-25-238) to furnish and install Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPIs) and Runway End Identifier Lights (REILs) at Albert Whitted Airport. The project requires procuring and installing four total sets of PAPIs and REILs for Runways 7, 25, 18 & 36, which involves removing existing equipment, testing new lighting systems, and coordinating an FAA flight check for system certification. Vendor qualifications include a minimum of three years of experience in airfield lighting systems installation and maintenance, a current Florida electrical contractor license, and the ability to obtain required insurance. The solicitation was released on July 25, 2025, with a pre-bid meeting scheduled for August 4, 2025, at 10:00am. Vendor questions are due by August 11, 2025, at 5:00pm, with final bid responses required by August 21, 2025, at 3:00pm. The contract is a one-time purchase with all work to be completed within 12 months of contract execution. Award will be made to the lowest responsible and responsive vendor, with evaluation focusing on technical specification compliance, experience, and meeting project requirements.

The procurement includes a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) goal of 15%, indicating a commitment to supporting smaller local businesses. The specific equipment specifications call for ADB Safegate PAPIs and REILs, with detailed technical requirements for each set. Vendors must submit comprehensive cost proposals covering equipment procurement, installation, and delivery. While no specific incumbent vendors are mentioned, the project involves replacing existing airport lighting infrastructure, which suggests a modernization effort for the airport's navigational systems. The bid includes a 5% bid bond requirement, ensuring the selected contractor's commitment to entering the contract and providing a performance bond equal to 100% of the bid amount. The project documents, including existing PAPI-REIL photographs, provide detailed visual and technical context for potential bidders. Although the exact contract value is not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the project—involving four runway lighting sets, equipment procurement, installation, and FAA certification—suggests a significant infrastructure investment for the airport.