How to bid on Fire Alarm System Replacement/upgrade for Florida Department of Transportation

What the agency is buying

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is seeking a certified, licensed, and insured fire alarm contractor. The selected contractor will replace and upgrade the existing fire alarm system at FDOT's Materials and Research Office in Davie, Florida. This project involves modernizing the system and ensuring it meets current code compliance.

The work is expected to take 180 days to complete, with an estimated budget of $150,000. This is an opportunity for fire alarm system specialists to work with a state agency on a critical infrastructure upgrade.

Key dates and deadlines

A mandatory pre-bid site visit meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 10:30 AM EST. This meeting will take place at the Florida Department of Transportation, D4 – D6 Materials and Research Office, located at 14200 W State Road 84, Davie, Florida 33325. Attendance is required to submit a bid.

Bids must be delivered to the Florida Department of Transportation-District Four, 3400 West Commercial Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309, by Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 11:00 AM EST. Bids will be opened publicly at the same location on September 29, 2026, at 11:30 AM EST. The bid tabulation and notice of award recommendation will be posted on October 6, 2026, or October 13, 2026, at 4:30 PM EST.

Who this opportunity suits

This solicitation is suitable for fire alarm contractors who are certified, licensed, and insured in Florida. Firms with experience in modernizing and upgrading existing fire alarm systems to meet current code compliance will be well-suited for this project. The opportunity falls under the security category, specifically for fire safety systems.

How to respond

To access the full solicitation documents, you need to visit the State of Florida's Vendor Information Portal, MyFloridaMarketPlace. The posting for Solicitation F4012 (Invitation to Bid) is publicly viewable without needing an account.

Once you have reviewed the posting and all attached documents, submit your response in full accordance with the requirements of the specifications, bidding conditions, and contractual conditions. Bids must be physically delivered to the specified FDOT District Four address before the deadline.

Tips for a competitive response

Since this is an Invitation for Bid (IFB), ensure your bid is complete, accurate, and strictly adheres to all instructions. Pay close attention to the mandatory site visit requirement; failure to attend will likely disqualify your bid. Document your attendance at the site visit.

Review all specifications carefully to ensure your proposed system and installation methods meet or exceed the requirements. Clearly outline your certifications, licenses, and insurance to demonstrate your qualifications. Double-check all pricing and calculations before submission, as IFBs are often awarded based on the lowest responsive and responsible bid.