Solar lighting system for bartow sport complex parking lot

The City of Bartow, Florida, located in Polk County, is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a comprehensive Solar Lighting System for the Bartow Sport Complex Parking Lot at 1105 S. County Road 555, Bartow, Florida. The procurement seeks qualified companies to provide site evaluation, system design, installation planning, manual development, and furnishing of a sustainable solar lighting solution, with the City responsible for actual installation. Sealed proposals are due by 2:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 1st, 2026, submitted either physically to the Purchasing Department at 450 N. Wilson Ave., Bartow, FL 33830, or electronically through the City's OpenGov e-procurement system. Proposers must demonstrate expertise in solar lighting systems, compliance with applicable codes and standards, and long-term maintenance considerations, with minimum qualifications including proper business licensing, demonstrated experience with at least three similar projects completed within the past five years (including at least one for a government municipality), appropriate state licensure, and evidence of financial viability. All materials shall be furnished within 90 days of contract award, and site visits are encouraged at the proposer's convenience during facility hours of 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., seven days a week. Evaluation criteria include executive summary (5 points), organizational resources (5 points), experience and expertise (30 points), approach to project (40 points), W/MBE/Veteran business utilization (5 points), local business utilization (5 points), and performance surveys (10 points), with cost proposals weighted at 10 points out of a total possible 110 points.

The City of Bartow offers purchasing preferences for businesses certified as Woman/Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (W/MBE) or Veteran-Owned Businesses (VBE), as well as for local firms located within the Bartow Utility Services Area (BUSA), creating favorable evaluation advantages for these designated entities. Successful proposers must obtain all required permits and inspection fees at their own expense and maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including commercial general liability of $1,000,000, commercial business automobile liability of $1,000,000, and workers compensation with statutory limits and minimum policy amounts of $1,000,000 each. Bid bonds are required for projects exceeding $150,000, and performance/payment bonds are required for contracts exceeding $250,000. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the available documentation. Specific budget information or award values are not disclosed in the posted materials; pricing information will be evaluated as part of the competitive proposal process, with the resulting agreement requiring approval by the City Commission following award recommendation.