RFP NIST Boulder Solar Lighting Upper Site Replacement

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Boulder Campus is soliciting bids on replacement of aging solar-powered exterior pole luminaires with new hard-wired LED pole luminaires throughout selected campus areas under a total small business set-aside, with proposals due August 12, 2026. This is a Design-Build entity acquisition under NAICS 238210 (Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors) with a small business size standard of $19.0 million.

The base scope (CLIN 0001) covers replacement of 15 solar pole luminaires along Curie Circle in front of Building B25, with six option CLINs extending to parking lots, additional building locations, and a solar array demolition site totaling up to 66 additional units. Deliverables include 90% construction documents and issued-for-construction submittals, photometric analysis, structural engineering design stamped by a licensed Colorado Professional Engineer, demolition and installation plans, and as-built documentation. All work must comply with NEC, NIST site standards, and applicable safety and security requirements. Performance activities include demolition and removal of existing systems, design and installation of new pole bases and luminaires, trenching, backfilling, restoration of landscaped and hardscaped areas, equipment labeling, and coordination of electrical shutdowns requiring eight weeks' advance notice.

The period of performance is anticipated to be 365 days from notice to proceed. Construction activities are coordinated with semi-annual full-site shutdowns tentatively scheduled for September 19–20, 2026; May 22–23, 2027; and September 18–19, 2027. All work is subject to City of Boulder sales/use tax, construction wage rate requirements, and prevailing wage determinations. Contractors must provide performance and payment bonds and submit a site-specific Safety Plan within seven days after award. Key personnel — Project Manager, Site Superintendent, and Safety Manager — require contracting officer approval for substitutions. All contractor and subcontractor personnel require background investigations and HSPD-12 compliance for physical or logical access to NIST facilities. No contract value or funding ceiling is disclosed in available sections.