LED red/white obstruction lighting system for K33AC translator tower

The State of Nebraska, specifically through the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Materiel Division's State Purchasing Bureau, issued Invitation to Bid (ITB) Number 6754 OF for a one-time purchase of an LED red/white obstruction lighting system for the K33AC translator tower located in Phelps County. The procurement seeks a qualified contractor to provide a complete lighting system, including hardware, installation, disassembly/removal of the existing incandescent system, and associated freight services. Bidders were required to submit unit and extended prices for the entire project, with technical specifications mandating a fully FAA-compliant LED Medium Intensity L864/L865 system. The bid opening was scheduled for January 27, 2023 at 2:00 PM Central Time, with evaluation criteria focused on selecting the lowest responsible bidder. Contractors were expected to provide a turnkey solution that includes professional installation by trained personnel, functional testing, and ensuring full operational compliance with FAA standards.

The ITB provided potential preference for Nebraska contractors and resident disabled veteran businesses, though no specific set-aside designations were explicitly detailed. Four bidders submitted proposals: AFCOMM, LLC DBA SLATERCOM-WCD, Precision Communications LLC, National Tower Controls, and Drake Lighting. Bid prices ranged from $35,400.00 to $63,350.00, with AFCOMM, LLC ultimately being awarded the contract at the lowest total bid price of $35,400.00. The solicitation did not indicate any specific restrictions on organizational types or detailed incumbent vendor information. The contract represents a single, one-time purchase with no mentioned renewal options or multi-year commitments. The procurement appears to be funded through state sources, with the primary objective of upgrading the existing obstruction lighting system to meet current FAA regulatory requirements and improve tower safety and visibility.