33330225RF0010010 Design Build Services for Solar Project at Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC)

The Smithsonian Institution is seeking offers through this Request for Proposals (RFP) for the for the design and construction of a ground mounted Photovoltaic (PV) project located at Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) 647 Contees Wharf Road, Edgewater, MD., as set forth in the attached documents.

The Smithsonian Institution intends to award one The Smithsonian Institution intends to award a firm fixed-price design-build construction contract to the successful Contractor/Offeror. Estimated cost range is more than $10,000,000. This announcement is open to all businesses regardless of size.

The applicable North American Industry Classification Codes (“NAICS”) are:

• 236220 - Commercial and Institutional Building Construction size standard is $45.0 million.


• 237130 - Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction size standard is $45.0 million.


• 221114 - Solar Electric Power Generation size standard 500 employees


• 541330 – Engineering Services size standard is $47.0 million

The Work includes but is not limited to the following:

The design and construction of a ground mounted Photovoltaic (PV) project consisting consisting of one or two arrays with a combined output of 3.2 Megawatts (MW) DC, with a separately priced option for an increased output of 4.0 Megawatts (MW) DC. The project will be located on one or both of two adjacent parcels of SI property, located near the corner of Muddy Creek Rd. and Cumberstone Rd. in Edgewater, MD 21037. This property is part of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) located at 647 Contees Wharf Road, Edgewater, MD 21037, as described herein and in Part 2 General Requirements and all attachments. Refer to the attachments for a map showing the two agricultural fields that are available for siting the PV project. The project must consist of one or two arrays and connections, as required to fully comply with Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) and MD General Assembly’s net aggregate metering regulation requirements and limitations (State of MD COMAR 20.50.10) and to provide the most cost-effective design and construction solution.

All of the requirements that the successful Offeror must meet concerning this project are set forth in detail in the Solicitation Documents included with this RFP. Upon the receipt of Technical, Cost, and Schedule Proposals and the selection of a successful Offeror, SI will execute a Design/Build construction contract.

This RFP is intended to provide all Offerors with sufficient information to enable them to prepare and submit offers for technical, cost, and schedule review for consideration by SI.

This solicitation neither commits SI to pay any proposal preparation costs nor obligates SI to procure or contract for construction or any other services. It shall not be construed as authorization to proceed with or be reimbursed for any of the costs for any of the work specified herein.

Tour of Site/Pre-Proposal Meeting:

Offerors may tour the site on Thursday February 13, 2025, at 9:00 AM. Additional details will be posted in future amendment. Offerors are required to attend a pre-proposal meeting to be conducted at the site. This meeting will allow Offerors to see the site, proposed connection points, etc. First-hand information concerning the site will be essential in preparing offers. Failure to visit the site will not constitute a basis for a claim for change due to differing site conditions. All answers to every question from any offeror will be provided in writing to all offerors.

Questions/Clarifications:

Kindly submit all questions and clarifications in Word format, with each set of questions numbered sequentially. For example, the first set should be numbered 1, 2, 3, the second set 4, 5, 6, to grantCA@si.edu . It is requested that all questions be sent in by Thursday, February 27, 2025, 3:00PM ET. Submittals must be delivered to Dropbox Link by 3:00 PM ET on March 13, 2025.

The Smithsonian Institution may cancel this RFP without prior notice.