MLK Solar Construction :Cost for construction services for installation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) System at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center

The City of Dallas has issued a Request for Information (RFI) through the Department of Energy (DOE) for a solar photovoltaic (PV) system installation project at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, located at 2922 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd in Dallas, Texas. The procurement involves a comprehensive solar construction project for a proposed 1.09MW DC solar PV system to be installed on campus buildings and in the parking lot, with turn-key services including procurement of materials, permitting, installation, interconnection, maintenance, and warranties. Vendors are required to provide detailed cost breakdowns for system components, product cut sheets, manufacturer letters confirming Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act compliance, and potential waiver information for non-compliant components. The project has strict requirements for system components, including certifications for modules, inverters, and racking systems, with solar carports mandated to be at least 9 feet above ground. The RFI is not a formal solicitation but a preparatory step, with an expected Request for Competitive Sealed Proposal (RFCSP) to be published in the 3rd quarter of 2026 and project construction commencing in the 4th quarter of 2026, with a response due date of November 21, 2025.

The project emphasizes participation from diverse vendors, with a vendor list including 290 total vendors and specific focus on minority and women-owned business enterprise (M/WBE) vendors registered with applicable commodity codes. The estimated grant funding is approximately $3.75M, with strict domestic sourcing requirements mandating that materials and components be manufactured in the United States, with over 55% of component costs originating domestically. Vendors must be prepared to submit comprehensive documentation demonstrating compliance with BABA Act provisions, including potential waiver requests for non-domestic components. The project allows for waivers under three potential justification types: nonavailability, unreasonable cost, or public interest, with federal agency review and potential public comment periods. The solar installation will utilize specific technologies like JAM72D-540-MB solar modules and SolarEdge inverters, with the system designed to integrate into the existing community center infrastructure. Potential vendors should be prepared to demonstrate technical capability, domestic manufacturing compliance, and comprehensive solar installation expertise across rooftop and carport mounting configurations.