Phase 2 Construct Arabian Leopard Exhibit at the National Zoological Park

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:

1. Working within an occupied, historic campus active with public, staff and animals
2. Coordination of specialty trades within a small site footprint
3. Coordination and installation of specialty animal doors, transfer systems and manually operated remote door controls.
4. Coordination and installation of radiant flooring
5. Coordination and installation of animal containment fencing, mesh and transfer chutes
6. Coordination and installation of shotcrete faux rock and faux trees
7. Mitigation of sound and vibration during construction so as not to harm animals in adjacent habitats
8. 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
9. Procedures and documentation to ensure compliance with the established LEED building criteria
10. 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.