Phase 2 Construct Arabian Leopard Exhibit at the National Zoological Park
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
AI Contract Overview
The Smithsonian Institution is soliciting proposals for Phase 2 of the Arabian Leopard Facility (ALF) construction project at the National Zoological Park in Washington, DC. This project involves the construction of a Habitats and Animal Care Building, which includes specialized leopard dens, a cubbing den, quarantine stalls, and both public and off-view habitats. The estimated project value exceeds $10 million, and the contract will be awarded as a Firm Fixed Price agreement. This solicitation is restricted to three prequalified firms: Grunley, Consigli, and The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company. The period of performance for the base contract is 578 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed, with a requirement for the contractor to self-perform at least 12% of the total work. The scope of work is highly specialized, requiring expertise in working within an occupied, historic campus while mitigating sound and vibration to protect adjacent animals. Key technical requirements include the installation of specialty animal doors, radiant flooring, containment fencing, and shotcrete faux rock, as well as compliance with LEED building criteria and the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM). The award will be made using Best Value Tradeoff Source Selection Procedures, where non-price factors, such as technical excellence and key personnel experience, are significantly more important than cost. Successful offerors must also meet a 40% small business subcontracting goal and adhere to strict insurance requirements, including $10 million in professional liability coverage. Proposals must be submitted in separate PDF volumes for technical, pricing, and subcontracting plans by 3:00 PM EST on November 13, 2026.
General Info
Agency
NAICS
Place of Performance
Washington, DC, 20008, USASet-Aside
Timeline
Response Deadline
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
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.
Similar Contracts
Same NAICS industry code
More opportunities from Smithsonian Institution
Same awarding agency
Ready to Pursue This Opportunity?
Get AI-powered intelligence on this solicitation and the ones like it
Every page of the solicitation package shredded into a compliance breakdown
AI-powered matching based on your capabilities and past performance
Competitor and incumbent history on the requirement
Automated alerts on amendments, Q&A deadlines, and award
Join 750+ contractors already using CLEATUS