Klein Memorial Auditorium Solar Panel Installation

The City of Bridgeport, Connecticut, through its Department of Public Purchases, is soliciting competitive proposals for solar panel installation at Klein Memorial Auditorium, a 1,447-seat performing arts center located in Fairfield County. The procurement seeks comprehensive proposals for photovoltaic system design and installation on the facility's roof, which comprises four distinct sections totaling approximately 16,900 square feet and was recently replaced with a TPO roofing system in Spring 2023. Respondents are encouraged to submit multiple proposal options, including outright equipment purchase, roof leasing arrangements, or power purchase agreements, with all submissions to include routine and preventive maintenance services and responsibility for obtaining applicable permits while coordinating with the roof warranty provider. Qualified bidders must demonstrate experience with comparable municipal solar projects, provide references from three completed client projects, and submit resumes of key personnel holding valid Connecticut professional licenses and certifications. The evaluation criteria allocates 40 points to cost of installation, operations, and maintenance; 30 points to responsiveness to solicitation requirements; 20 points to experience and references; and 10 points to project plan and timeline, for a total of 100 points. Critical dates include an optional pre-proposal meeting on April 14, 2026 at 10:00 AM at 910 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport; a question submission deadline of April 21, 2026 at 4:00 PM; written responses to questions by April 28, 2026 at 4:00 PM; and a proposal due date of May 5, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, with all pricing valid for a minimum of 120 days from the April 6, 2026 posting date.

No set-aside designations or restrictions limiting bidder participation have been specified in the solicitation documents. Prior to contract award, successful respondents must provide a Certificate of Insurance meeting minimum coverage requirements, including workers' compensation, commercial general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence with $2,000,000 annual aggregate, automobile liability of $1,000,000 per accident, and professional liability of $1,000,000 per claim and aggregate. The procurement documents include a 36-month service history for Klein Memorial Auditorium providing baseline utility consumption patterns, maintenance records, and operational expenses to enable bidders to accurately calculate projected energy savings and return on investment; additionally, technical roof section drawings with detailed architectural specifications and measurements are provided to assist contractors in estimating costs and planning installation methodology. Services and materials are exempt from Connecticut sales tax. No incumbent vendors or award value ranges have been identified in the available documentation, though the City Selection Committee comprising representatives from the Public Facilities Department and the Energy Improvement District for the City of Bridgeport will oversee the evaluation process, with all submissions becoming property of the City subject to public review under Connecticut open records statutes.