B302 CHP Electrical Preventative Maintenance Service

Sources Sought

This is a Sources Sought notice issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for market research purposes. NIST is seeking information to determine the availability and capability of small businesses and other than small businesses to provide preventative maintenance, repair, and testing services for high and low voltage electrical equipment of the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system at Building 302, Central Plant, Gaithersburg. This notice is not a solicitation, and no contract will be awarded based on this notice.

NIST has attached a draft Statement of Work (SOW) detailing the anticipated services. The services are expected to be performed during one of two scheduled CHP system shutdowns: Fall 2026 (October) or Spring 2027 (April). The anticipated period of performance is October 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

Industry sources are invited to review the draft SOW and submit responses by 1:00 PM EST on June 17, 2026, to brandon.butler@nist.gov. Responses should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format, use 12-point font, and be limited to ten pages (excluding cover page and commercial pricing). Responses should include:

• Cover page with company and contact information.
• Validation of company size status under NAICS 238210.
• Confirmation of active SAM.gov registration.
• Suggestions for improving the draft SOW for clarity and competitiveness.
• Suggested evaluation factors for a future competitive acquisition.
• Standard commercial pricing information (optional).
• An estimate for the draft SOW requirements (optional, not a proposal).
• Details on the company's safety program.
• Information on compliance with DOT and other applicable regulations.
• Description of the company's ability to complete tasks in the SOW.
• For small businesses, confirmation of ability to comply with FAR 52.219-14 (Limitations on Subcontracting) if set aside.
• Identification of alternative NAICS codes if deemed more appropriate.
• Information on GSA MAS or other federal contract vehicles.
• Identification of any unduly restrictive requirements or barriers to participation, with suggestions for improvement.

NIST is specifically interested in the capabilities of small businesses. Respondents must validate their size status under NAICS 238210. Small businesses should indicate their ability to comply with the Limitations on Subcontracting clause.

Responses are voluntary and NIST may use the information without limitation. NIST reserves the right to follow up with respondents for clarification. Teaming arrangements are permitted, and information must be provided for each entity. NIST is not obligated to provide feedback. A future solicitation may be published on SAM.gov or GSA eBuy.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a PDF portfolio wrapper, indicating that the actual content requires a specific version of Adobe Acrobat or Reader (version X or later) to be opened and viewed properly. It does not contain substantive information about the opportunity itself.

• A prompt to open the PDF portfolio in Acrobat X or Adobe Reader X, or later.
• A button to "Get Adobe Reader Now!"

Bidders need to ensure they have the correct software to access the full set of documents associated with this opportunity. This "attachment" serves as a gateway to the actual solicitation or other relevant documents, rather than containing them directly.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment A - Drawings," provides a comprehensive legend of electrical symbols, abbreviations, and general notes relevant to the electrical systems for the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Addition project at Building 302 Steam Plant. It serves as a reference for understanding the electrical diagrams and specifications.

• Electrical Symbols: Detailed lists and graphical representations of symbols used for lighting fixtures, switches, fire detection/annunciation, telephone systems, single line diagrams, grounding, switchgear, mechanical connections, and security systems.
• Abbreviations: A glossary of common abbreviations used in electrical engineering and project documentation (e.g., A.F.F., NEC, VFD, SCADA).
• General Notes: Important project-specific instructions and requirements, including adherence to the National Electrical Code (NEC), coordination with other trades, weatherproofing requirements for outdoor equipment, conduit sizing, and warranty information.
• Mounting Height Chart: Specifies standard mounting heights for various electrical devices and equipment.
• Cable, Conduit & Equipment Number Legend: Provides a system for identifying and numbering electrical components and pathways.

This attachment is crucial for any bidder involved in the electrical aspects of the project. It defines the standardized language and conventions used throughout the electrical drawings and specifications, ensuring a consistent understanding of system design, component placement, and installation requirements. Bidders must familiarize themselves with this document to accurately interpret the electrical plans and prepare compliant proposals.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment C - CHP maintenance tasks.pdf", outlines the routine and preventive maintenance schedules for the 4160 Volt Switchgear, specifically for the SG4001 unit. It details the tasks, their frequency, and the responsible parties for performing the maintenance.

• Main Bus Compartment: Tasks include removing covers, inspecting bus bars and connections (with torque specifications), cleaning, and vacuuming.
• Cable Compartment: Tasks involve inspecting load connectors, stand-off insulators, primary contact supports, and cable terminations, as well as vacuuming and wiping insulation.
• Circuit Breaker Compartment: Tasks include withdrawing and inspecting circuit breakers, checking shutter hardware, inspecting primary contacts for discoloration and proper contact, cleaning, and inspecting insulators.
• Circuit Breakers: Detailed procedures for inspection, maintenance, E-gap measurement, contact erosion determination, Hi-pot testing, and resistance measurement are provided.
• Frequency: Maintenance tasks are scheduled on a Daily, Monthly, Semi-Annual, Annual, or 3-Year basis.
• Responsibility: Maintenance can be performed by Johnson Controls (Inspection, Maintenance) or NIST (Inspection, Maintenance), with references to NETA MTS and NFPA 70B standards.

This attachment provides critical information regarding the required maintenance procedures for the 4160 Volt Switchgear. Bidders should review these tasks and frequencies to understand the ongoing operational and maintenance requirements associated with the equipment, which may influence their service offerings, pricing, and overall approach to the opportunity.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide preventative maintenance, repair, and testing services for high and low voltage electrical equipment of the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Central Plant (Building 302) in Gaithersburg.

• Perform maintenance, cleaning, inspection, repair, and testing of existing high voltage switchgear, WLI, low voltage switchboard, liquid filled transformer, dry type transformers, motor control center, electrical panel boards, batteries, and battery charger.

• Services to be performed according to manufacturer recommendations and the latest version of ANSI/NETA MTS.

• Includes IR scanning of all electrical equipment and potential use of Ultrasound devices for medium voltage equipment.

• Specific equipment includes: one (1) CHP 5KV switchgear (SG-4001), one (1) CHP 480V Motor Control Center (MCC-7), one (1) CHP step-up transformer (TL-1301), one (1) CHP dry type transformer (TD-4001), one (1) 480V: 208/120V dry type transformer, two (2) battery banks, three (3) chargers, and four (4) electrical panels.

• Refer to provided attachments (O&M, NETA MTS, Attachment C, Attachment G) for detailed tasks, settings, and recommendations.

• Period of Performance: 10/01/2026 - 06/30/2027.

• Services are to be performed during one of two scheduled CHP system shutdowns: Fall 2026 Outage (preferred, in October) or Spring 2027 Outage (in April).

• Work requiring electrical outage must be performed during the Co-gen system shutdown (tentatively Friday evening to Wednesday, with a 36-hour complete CHP system shutdown). Work not requiring an outage can be performed during normal hours (Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM).

• Location: NIST Gaithersburg, Building 302 Central Plant.

• Qualifications: The testing organization must be an independent, third-party entity with NETA accreditation. Personnel must be certified in accordance with ANSI/NETA ETT-2022, with crew leaders holding Level III or higher certification.

• Safety: Use appropriate PPE, eliminate unsafe conditions, follow lockout/tagout procedures, and manufacturer instructions. Report all incidents and discrepancies.

• Coordination: Work must be coordinated with other contractors on-site during outages through the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).

• Deliverables: Job Hazard Analyses (within 3 weeks of award), NETA certifications, work schedule (2 weeks prior to outage), and a final report (within 4 weeks of last test) including summary, equipment description, tests performed, data, analysis, and recommendations.

• Attachments: Various drawings, equipment lists, maintenance plans, safety guidelines, and studies are referenced.

Sources Sought / Request for Information

This notice is a Request for Information (RFI) from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to conduct market research. NIST is seeking to determine the availability and capability of small businesses and other than small businesses to provide preventative maintenance, repair, and testing services for the high and low voltage electrical equipment of the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system at the Central Plant (Building 302) in Gaithersburg. This notice is for market research purposes only and is not a solicitation.

The anticipated services involve maintenance, repair, and testing of electrical equipment for the CHP system. A draft Statement of Work (SOW) is attached for review.

• Anticipated Period of Performance: October 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.

• Services are expected to be performed during one of two scheduled CHP system shutdowns: Fall 2026 (October) or Spring 2027 (April).

• Response Date: June 17, 2026, 01:00 PM EST.

• Submission Instructions: Submit responses to brandon.butler@nist.gov in Microsoft Word or PDF format, using 12-point font, with a 10-page limit (excluding cover page and commercial pricing).

• Information Requested:

  • Cover page with company details and Unique Entity ID.
  • Validation of company size status under NAICS 54519 (Note: The RFI text also mentions NAICS 238210 in the header, bidders should clarify if needed).
  • Confirmation of active SAM.gov registration.
  • Suggestions for improving the draft SOW for clarity and competitiveness.
  • Suggested evaluation factors for award.
  • Standard commercial pricing information (optional).
  • Estimate for draft SOW requirements (optional, not a proposal).
  • Details on the company's safety program.
  • Explanation of compliance with DOT and other applicable regulations.
  • Description of the company's ability to complete tasks in the SOW.
  • For small businesses: confirmation of compliance with FAR 52.219-14 if acquired as a small business set-aside.
  • Identification of alternative NAICS codes if the listed ones are inappropriate.
  • Information on GSA Multiple Award Schedule or other federal contracts.
  • Identification of any unduly restrictive aspects of the requirements and suggestions for improvement, particularly to encourage small business participation.

NIST is assessing the market for potential small business set-asides. Respondents are asked to indicate their small business status and ability to comply with subcontracting limitations if applicable.

• Responses should not contain proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information.
• NIST may follow up for additional information.
• Information provided is voluntary and may be used by NIST without limitation.
• NIST is not obligated to award a contract or provide feedback.
• Responses received after the closing date may not be considered.