Solicitation
Phase 2 Construct Arabian Leopard Exhibit at the National Zoological Park
Smithsonian Institution
More open Smithsonian Institution contracts
AI summaryOnly three firms prequalified in Step One (Grunley, Consigli and The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company) may send offers to build Phase 2 of the Arabian Leopard Facility at the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park in Washington, DC. The response due date is November 20, 2026, 3:00 PM Eastern, extended from November 13, 2026 by Amendment 0005. It is a firm-fixed-price (FFP: one set price) construction job the Government estimates at over $10,000,000, with 578 calendar days of work after the notice to proceed (NTP: the Government's go-ahead). More in the summary
AI summary Beta
This summary may miss requirements: 4 of 10 attachments weren't read (65 DD Specs.pdf, 2026-09-08 PN 2533105 ALF Phase 2 Step 2 Multi-Year Funding FINAL DRAFT.xlsx and 2 more). Check the attachments on SAM.gov.
Only three firms prequalified in Step One (Grunley, Consigli and The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company) may send offers to build Phase 2 of the Arabian Leopard Facility at the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park in Washington, DC. The response due date is November 20, 2026, 3:00 PM Eastern, extended from November 13, 2026 by Amendment 0005. It is a firm-fixed-price (FFP: one set price) construction job the Government estimates at over $10,000,000, with 578 calendar days of work after the notice to proceed (NTP: the Government's go-ahead).
Who can bid
- Be one of the three firms prequalified in Step One: Grunley, Consigli or The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company. Offers from other firms are not accepted.
- Meet the subcontracting goal of 40 percent with small business concerns and submit a Subcontracting Plan with the proposal.
How to submit: Upload PDF files to the Dropbox request link given in the RFP. What to include is under Full summary below. Check the solicitation's instructions on SAM.gov.
Things to watch (8)
From the version posted Oct 20, 2026.
- Serious: Only three prequalified firms may bid (Step Two of a two-step buy). This is Step Two, for technical and pricing proposals; only the three firms prequalified in Step One may send offers, so any other business is shut out.
- Worth checking: Performance and payment bonds before work starts. The notice to proceed is issued only after the contractor provides performance and payment bonds and a certificate of insurance, which takes surety capacity for a project over $10,000,000.
- Worth checking: Funding set aside covers only the first fiscal year. The Smithsonian has set aside $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, and its obligation beyond that depends on funds becoming available; the price must be split between fiscal years 2027 and 2028.
Show all 8Show fewer
- Worth checking: At least 12 percent self-performance. The prime must do work worth at least 12 percent of the contract with its own organization on site, and the Smithsonian said no reduction will be granted.
- Worth checking: Taking over the Phase 1 contractor's site setup. The Phase 2 winner takes over the laydown area, erosion and sediment controls, sound wall and temporary utilities, plus the fence rental, and must price these in general conditions.
- Worth checking: No weekend or night work; normal hours 6:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Neighborhood restrictions limit work hours at the zoo, and special cases need approval from the contracting officer's technical representative (COTR).
- Worth checking: Key staff and subcontractor requirements. The Quality Control Manager must be full time, five resumes are required, and the Superintendent needs at least 8 years with relevant experience at AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited facilities.
- Minor: The site visit was Oct 23, 2026. Check the notice and its amendments for whether attendance was required, and whether another visit is offered.
Read from the notice and 6 attachments. 4 of 10 not read. Show which files.
- RFP 33330226RT0010015 Arabian Leopard.pdf (read)
- 33330226RT0010015 Amendment 0005.pdf (read)
- 33330226RT0010015 Amendment 0004.pdf (read)
- 33330226RT0010015 Amendment 0003.pdf (read)
- 33330226RT0010015 Amendment 0002.pdf (read)
- 33330226RT0010015 Amendment 0001.pdf (read)
- 65 DD Specs.pdf: not read (it couldn't be opened): open it on SAM.gov
- 2026-09-08 PN 2533105 ALF Phase 2 Step 2 Multi-Year Funding FINAL DRAFT.xlsx: not read (the AI doesn't read this file type yet): open it on SAM.gov
- 65 DD Drawings_ Part 1.pdf: not read (it couldn't be opened): open it on SAM.gov
- 65 DD Drawings_Part 2.pdf: not read (it couldn't be opened): open it on SAM.gov
Full summary
What they want
- Build Phase 2, the Habitats and Animal Care Building, of the Arabian Leopard Facility at the National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC.
- Take over site logistics from the Phase 1 contractor: laydown area, erosion and sediment control, sound wall and temporary utilities. Remove the sound wall when Phase 2 is done.
- Work inside an occupied, historic zoo campus with the public, staff and animals present. Limit sound and vibration near animal habitats and fit work around feeding schedules, veterinary care and public events.
- Install specialty items: animal doors, transfer systems and remote door controls, radiant flooring, animal containment fencing, mesh and transfer chutes, and shotcrete faux rock and faux trees.
- Follow Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) procedures and documentation, and use Building Information Modeling (BIM: a shared 3D digital model of the building).
- Pay federal construction wage rates (Davis-Bacon): Building wage determination DC20260002 and Heavy wage determination DC20260001 apply.
- Perform at least 12 percent of the work with your own organization on site (FAR 52.236-1), with no reduction granted.
- Meet the subcontracting goal of 40 percent participation by small business concerns.
- Contract type
- Firm-fixed-price construction contract
- Period of performance
- 578 calendar days from Notice to Proceed; the RFP gives February 2027 for Notice to Proceed and September 2028 for substantial completion
- Place of performance
- Smithsonian National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
- Estimated value
- Government's estimate: over $10,000,000 for the firm fixed price
- Offers due
- November 20, 2026, 3:00 PM Eastern (EST)
- How to submit
- Upload PDF files to the Dropbox request link given in the RFP
What they'll judge offers on
- Technical Proposal: Factor 2 includes eight key subcontractors (company name and three references each) and resumes for five Construction Services team members (Senior Project Manager, Superintendent, Project Engineer, Site Safety Manager, Quality Control Manager)
- Cost Proposal: Price Proposal Form, bid schedule and Multi-Year Funding Document
What to include when you submit
- Send three separate PDF files: one Technical Proposal, one Cost Proposal and one Subcontracting Plan.
- Cost Proposal includes the Price Proposal Form (bid schedule), the Multi-Year Funding Document and completed Representations and Certifications (Section K).
- The fiscal year 2027 and fiscal year 2028 amounts on the Multi-Year Funding Document must add up to the base total on the bid schedule.
- Use the revised bid schedule form unaltered; micropile unit prices are listed separately and are not added to the total firm fixed price.
- Technical Proposal tab 09 holds five resumes: Senior Project Manager, Superintendent, Project Engineer, Site Safety Manager and Quality Control Manager.
- For each of the eight key subcontractors named in Factor 2, give the company name and three references; subcontractor resumes are not required.
- Subcontracting Plan goes in with the proposal and shows 40 percent small business participation.
- Sign, date and submit the acknowledgment of all amendments with the proposal.
After award, you must have
- Perform at least 12 percent of the work on site with your own organization; no reduction is granted. From 33330226RT0010015 Amendment 0004.pdf:
No reduction to the 12% self performance…
- Furnish performance and payment bonds and a certificate of insurance before the notice to proceed is issued. From RFP 33330226RT0010015 Arabian Leopard.pdf:
Performance and Payment Bonds and…
- Keep a full-time Quality Control Manager during construction. From 33330226RT0010015 Amendment 0004.pdf:
No. The Quality Control Manager (QCM) shall be a full-time…
Current contractor
No incumbent is named. Phase 1 (early site work) was solicited from IDIQ contractors, has been awarded and is in progress; the Phase 2 winner takes over its site logistics. Three firms were prequalified in Step One.
Not in the notice text
- The middle of the RFP (Sections E through M, including the evaluation factors, instructions to bidders and clauses) was left out of the text read, and the 65% design specifications, drawings and multi-year funding spreadsheet are attached but not read.
- How the Technical Proposal factors are weighted, the award method and the page limits are in RFP Sections L and M, which were not read.
- Whether a bid guarantee is required: the Standard Form 1442 checkboxes couldn't be read; check the form on SAM.gov.
- Whether the second site visit is mandatory is not stated in the text read.
- The prequalification solicitation is numbered 33330226FT0010005 in the notice and 33330226RT0010005 in the RFP; ask the contracting officer if it matters.
- The Phase 1 contractor is not named.
Eligibility and how to respond
- No set-aside, but the notice names requirements you must meet before you can bid:
- The notice mentions an approved or qualified source list. Only listed sources may be eligible, so check that your company or product is on it.
- How to submit, from the AI summary: Upload PDF files to the Dropbox request link given in the RFP. Check it in the notice before you send anything.
- Construction contracts over $2,000 pay at least the local Davis-Bacon wage rates, from the wage determination in the solicitation. Price your labor from it: How to price a government contract, and how Davis-Bacon differs from the Service Contract Act.
Notice details
- Posted
- Oct 20, 2026
- Notice type
- Solicitation
- Office
- Smithsonian Institution, Arlington, VA
- Product/service code
- Y1JA · Construction of Museums and Exhibition Buildings
- Business type
- Construction & renovation (FedReady's grouping, from NAICS 236220)
- Versions
6 versions have been posted, newest first.
- Oct 20, 2026 · Amendment 0005 (this version)Due Nov 20, 2026 (changed)
- Oct 19, 2026 · Amendment 0004Due Nov 13, 2026
- Oct 13, 2026 · Amendment 0003Due Nov 13, 2026
- Sep 30, 2026 · Amendment 0002Due Nov 13, 2026
- Sep 21, 2026 · Amendment 0001Due Nov 13, 2026
- Sep 14, 2026 · SolicitationDue Nov 13, 2026
- Attachments
Past awards and competition
Who has won work like this before, the likely incumbent, and what similar contracts paid, from USAspending.gov.
Before you respond
- How to respond to a solicitation (8 steps)
- How to read a government solicitation
- How to price a government contract
Terms on this notice: Solicitation
Full notice text from SAM.gov
Amendment 0005 to the RFP is hereby issued and attached for download. The purpose of the amendment is to make the following changes to the Solicitation: Bid Due Date Extension RFI Due Date CAD & Revit File ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amendment 0004 to the RFP is hereby issued and attached for download. The purpose of the amendment is to make the following changes to the Solicitation: 100% Bid Documents Responses to RFI’s for Questions 225-226 Revised Bid Schedule ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amendment 0003 to the RFP is hereby issued and attached for download. The purpose of the amendment is to make the following changes to the Solicitation: Responses to RFI’s for Questions 53-224 Revised Bid Schedule 2nd Site Visit ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amendment 0002 to the RFP is hereby issued and attached for download. The purpose of the amendment is to make the following changes to the Solicitation: Responses to RFI’s for Questions 1-52 Revised Bid Schedule ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amendment 0001 to the RFP is hereby issued and attached for download. The purpose of the amendment is to make the following change to the Solicitation: Preproposal Meeting Sign-In sheet ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Smithsonian Institution is seeking offers to construct Phase 2 - Habitats & Animal Care Building for the Arabian Leopard Facility (ALF) at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, located at 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, as described herein and the Contract Documents, including, without limitation, in the Specifications and Drawings for SF Project No. 2533105 both dated June 14, 2026. All of the requirements which the successful Offeror must meet concerning this project are set forth in detail in the solicitation Documents included with this Request for Proposal. Upon the receipt of Technical and Cost Proposals and the selection of a successful Offeror, the Smithsonian Institution will execute a Firm Fixed Price construction contract. The Smithsonian currently estimates that the fixed price for the entire project will exceed $10 Million. The Work includes but is not limited to Construction Services for Phase 2 – Habitats and Animal Care Building. This solicitation is for Phase 2 – Habitats and Animal Care Building only. Successful offerors must be capable of performing all work described and contemplated by this solicitation. Critical Elements of the Work: The successful Contractor shall be experienced and fully qualified with critical elements of the project, as listed, but not limited to, the items below: Working within an occupied, historic campus active with public, staff and animals Coordination of specialty trades within a small site footprint Coordination and installation of specialty animal doors, transfer systems and manually operated remote door controls. Coordination and installation of radiant flooring Coordination and installation of animal containment fencing, mesh and transfer chutes Coordination and installation of shotcrete faux rock and faux trees Mitigation of sound and vibration during construction so as not to harm animals in adjacent habitats Coordination of construction activities with Zoo operations to align with feeding schedules, DC zoning community noise regulations, Zoo hours, known and unknown animal welfare issues, veterinary care, and public events Procedures and documentation to ensure compliance with the established LEED building criteria Use of Building Information Modeling (BIM). The following firms were prequalified in solicitation 33330226FT0010005 and are the only firms from which offers will be accepted: Grunley 15020 Shady Grove Road, Suite 500 Rockville, MD 20850 Consigli 1825 K Street, Suite 1000 Washington, DC 20006 The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company 4600 River Road, Suite 200 College Park, MD 20737 PRE-BID TOUR OF THE SITE The Pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for Friday, September 18, 2026, at 9:00 AM Eastern Time. REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATIONS Itis requested that all questions be sent in no later than September 30, 2026. THE PROPOSAL DUE DATE IS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2026, AT 3:00 PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME (EST). The subcontracting goals for this project are: 40% with small business concerns. Davis Bacon Building Wage Determination DC20260002 and DC20260001 shall apply. The Period of Performance for the Base Contract is 578 calendar days from the date of Notice to Proceed.
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