Switchgear Replacement and Upgrades Project for Bldg 49

The National Institutes of Health is soliciting proposals for design-build services to replace outdated emergency electrical power equipment in Building 49 at its Bethesda, Maryland campus (75N98026R00123), with proposals due August 10, 2026 and a mandatory site visit requirement for all offerors. This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside — the primary eligibility filter.

The scope encompasses replacement of a 1500 kW diesel generator, day tanks, switchgear, switchboard, distribution panels, and transfer switches in the electrical vault to meet current standards for capacity, efficiency, and reliability. The project is located at Building 13, 2nd Floor, Wing C, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. Offerors must attend the mandatory site visit to be eligible for award and must submit three proposal volumes: technical proposal, firm-fixed-price proposal covering all labor, supervision, materials, equipment, transportation, permits, bonds, insurance, overhead, profit, and subcontractor costs; and past performance documentation with at least three similar projects completed within the past five years. Qualified key personnel include a superintendent with relevant experience. A preliminary project schedule with milestones and a detailed technical approach addressing construction methodology, quality control, safety management, site management, and subcontractor management are required.

The estimated construction project magnitude is between $5 million and $10 million. The contract performance period runs from August 11, 2026 to January 26, 2027, with a 168-day delivery deadline after award. Performance and payment bonds are required, and Davis-Bacon Act wage requirements apply. Award will be made using Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) methodology to the responsible small business offeror submitting a technically acceptable proposal at the lowest evaluated price with reasonable, balanced, and realistic pricing. The Contracting Officer is Brian K. Baek; the Contracting Officer's Representative is Alexander (Earl) Johnson.