This Solicitation opportunity from Smithsonian Institution was posted on July 9, 2026. The submission period has ended. Browse the details below for market research, or find similar active opportunities.
Construct Arabian Leopard Exhibit at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park
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The Smithsonian Institution is soliciting qualified firms to undertake the Phase 2 construction of the Arabian Leopard Facility at the National Zoological Park in Washington DC, with the project number 2533105. This is a two-step procurement process under FAR Part 15, beginning with a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify firms with the specialized experience necessary to execute a complex, high-standard construction project within an active, historic zoo environment. The facility, located southeast of the Connecticut Avenue entrance, will replace outdated exhibits and feature two 30-foot high mesh-enclosed outdoor habitats for Arabian Leopards, an off-view habitat for quarantine and cubbing, and a fully equipped Animal Care Building with dens, a day room for public viewing, research spaces, and supporting infrastructure. The design incorporates arid landscape elements reflective of the Arabian Peninsula while respecting the historic Olmsted Walk and National Zoo’s status on the National Register of Historic Places. The project is designed with flexibility to accommodate future species such as the Amur Leopard or Jaguars and is intended to support global conservation efforts through an immersive visitor experience and partnerships with the Royal Commission for AlUla in Saudi Arabia. The successful contractor must demonstrate extensive experience working within occupied, sensitive environments, particularly with zoological institutions, and must be fully capable of coordinating specialty construction elements including radiant flooring, animal containment mesh and transfer systems, remotely operated doors, shotcrete faux rock and trees, and vibration and sound mitigation measures to ensure animal welfare. Construction must adhere closely to LEED guidelines and utilize Building Information Modeling (BIM). The work will occur on a constrained site adjacent to existing animal habitats, requiring rigorous coordination with zoo operations, including feeding schedules, veterinary care, public events, and DC noise regulations. The procurement is unrestricted and open to all businesses, with a NAICS code of 236220 and a size standard of $45 million in average annual receipts; however, large businesses must submit a subcontracting plan meeting mandatory goals of 40% for small businesses and at least 7% for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses. A Davis Bacon wage determination applies, and contractors must be registered in SAM prior to award. The project requires performance and payment bonds, comprehensive insurance coverage, and compliance with OSHA, ADA, and EM 385-1-1 safety standards. Proposals in the form of a Statement of Qualifications must be submitted electronically via Dropbox by 3 PM Eastern Time on July 17, 20
General Info
Agency
NAICS
Place of Performance
DC, 20008, USASet-Aside
Timeline
Submission Closed
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
Amendment 0002 to the RFQ is hereby issued and attached for download. The purpose of the amendment is to make the following change to the Solicitation:
Response to RFI Question #5
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Amendment 0001 to the RFQ 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 1-4
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The Smithsonian Institution is issuing this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify qualified firms for the Phase 2 construction of the Arabian Leopard Facility (Project #2533105) at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, located at 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008. The proposed contract listed here is UNRESTRICTED. All responsible sources are encouraged to submit a proposal, which will be considered by the Smithsonian.
This procurement will be conducted as a two-step solicitation process. This RFQ constitutes Step One and is intended to identify qualified firms for participation in Step Two of the procurement for Phase 2 construction of the Arabian Leopard Facility, which consists of the Habitat areas and Animal Care Building. Phase 1 – Early Site was solicited previously from IDIQ Contractors and that award is in process. See Phase 1 – Early Site Drawings and Specifications attached hereto as Appendices 1 and 2 for Phase 1 scope of work, which is provided for reference only. At the conclusion of Phase 1, offerors will be expected to coordinate and take over responsibility for site logistics and overlapping scope such as, but not limited to, the laydown area and erosion and sediment control (E&S) measures.
Background and Project Description
The Smithsonian Institution’s National Zoological Park (NZP) in Washington DC is one of the most visited zoos in the world, attracting millions of visitors annually. The National Zoo was founded by an act of Congress in 1889 and opened in 1891. The campus is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Arabian Leopard Facility (ALF) will be located southeast of the Connecticut Avenue entrance to the National Zoo. It replaces the former Bison Habitat and the existing Zoo in Your Backyard, which is situated along the historic Olmsted Walk, across from the Africa Trail Exhibit (currently under renovation), just north of the Elephant House, and abuts the Panda Habitat.
The Smithsonian’s NZCBI has entered a partnership with the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) in Saudi Arabia to advance Arabian Leopard conservation efforts. The proposed new Arabian Leopard Facility will provide year-round public viewing of adult and cub leopards that will support education around conservation of this unique species. The Facility has three main components: 1) Site; 2) Habitats (East, West and Off View), and 3) Animal Care Building. The Facility has been designed with the flexibility to accommodate future species such as the Amur Leopard or Jaguars. All three Habitat areas have been designed with the influence of the arid, rocky mountains of the Arabian Peninsula while taking into consideration the historic environment of the National Zoological Park Historic District and Olmsted Walk.
This project features two 30-foot high, outdoor, mesh enclosed areas that make up the East and West Habitats. These two Habitats will be open to the public with multiple viewing areas. The rock work and trees within provide opportunities for the cats to display their natural climbing behaviors. The West Habitat area is connected to the Animal Care Building by an overhead animal walkway under which the visitor can walk. Visitors can experience the leopards from a variety of vantage points including from an underground tunnel that traverses a section of the West Habitat. A smaller, Off View Habitat, which is not open to the public, will be used during quarantine, training or cubbing activities.
The Animal Care Building consists of three leopard dens; one cubbing den; one quarantine stall; a day room for visitor viewing of animals all year round; research and staff areas, and; building support areas. The intent of this facility is to create a program like that of the NZCBI Panda program, with the goal of breeding the Arabian Leopards and sharing the story of their conservation and rewilding with Zoo visitors through an immersive habitat experience.
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)
Firm evaluation and selection will be conducted in accordance with FAR Part 15, Best Value Procurement, utilizing a two-step procurement model. Step One of the RFP will consist of a list of prequalifying criteria to assist the agency in identifying those contractors that have demonstrated past specialized experience in comparable and non-comparable projects and other relevant qualifying factors. It is the Smithsonian's intent to advance the most highly qualified companies for further consideration under Step Two, technical and pricing evaluation of the RFP. Companies which are advanced to Step Two of the RFP will be evaluated in accordance with the technical criteria as set forth in the RFP. The Smithsonian Institution intends to award a firm fixed-price construction contract to the successful Contractor.
The Smithsonian anticipates awarding a contract for Phase 2 by February 2027. Construction mobilization shall commence upon notice to proceed (NTP) to be issued upon receipt of Contractor’s insurance and bond. The Smithsonian expects Contractor turnover of the ALF for the receipt of the living collection upon substantial completion due at the end of summer 2028. The new ALF will open to the public in early January 2029 after quarantine and acclimation of the living collection.
The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this procurement is 236220 and the size standard under this code is $45 million average annual receipts over the last three years. This announcement is open to all businesses regardless of size. If the selected firm is a large business, a subcontracting plan consistent with PL 95-507, PL 99-661 and PL 100-656 will be required with the final fee proposal. A minimum goal of 40% of the total planned subcontracting dollars shall be placed with small business concerns. At least 7% of total planned subcontracting dollars shall be placed with Service-Disabled Veteran-owned small businesses (SDV).
Prospective contractors must be registered in the Systems for Award Management (SAM) prior to award of a contract. Information on registration and annual confirmation requirements may be obtained via the Internet at http://www.sam.gov. Lack of registration in the SAM database will make an offeror ineligible for award.
Davis Bacon Wage Determination DC20260002 (Building) and DC20260001 (Heavy) shall apply.
Total period of performance for Construction Services is 19 months from issuance of the Notice to Proceed in February 2027 through Substantial Completion in September 2028.
The estimated construction cost will exceed $10 Million.
REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATIONS
It is desired that all questions/clarifications be sent in, sequentially numbered for example first questions 1,2,3, second set of questions 4, 5, 6, etc. in word format to ChanVC@si.edu. It is requested that all questions be sent in no later than 3 PM Eastern Time on July 3, 2026.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Proposals are to be sent as an electronic copy and is required to be submitted to DropBox.com using the link:
https://www.dropbox.com/request/WjDoOyI1YLjWVLZVx4SD
Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) must be received no later than 3PM Eastern Time on July 17, 2026, to be considered. Please see the attached solicitation for more details regarding submission requirements.
THE STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS DUE DATE IS JULY 17, 2026, AT 3:00PM EST.
THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL.
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