RFQ / BOQ Must-Haves for Solar Street Lights — Tender-Ready Checklist
Most “bad purchases” happen because RFQs are vague and BOQs are incomplete. Suppliers then win by hiding assumptions (dimming, sizing, optics, battery usable energy, QC discipline). This page gives a tender-ready RFQ/BOQ structure that makes bids comparable and enforceable—from photometrics and energy budgeting to IP/IK, traceability, acceptance tests, and warranty SLA.
Where This Guide Fits
- Start here: Buyer’s Guide Hub
- Related system pages: All-in-One Solar Street Lights
- Evidence centers: Spec Definitions · IES/DIALux · Quality Evidence
TL;DR (Tender rules you should enforce)
- Lock comparability: require IES + simulation, declared dimming profile, energy budget sheet (Wavg/Wh-night), and worst-month sizing check.
- Stop “Ah-only” battery traps: require battery in Wh + usable energy policy + BMS protections list.
- Lock configuration: no silent substitutions for sealing-critical parts (gaskets, vents, connectors), optics, LED/driver, and battery pack.
- Make it enforceable: require traceability (serial → QC records) + commissioning record templates + warranty SLA + spares plan.
RFQ vs BOQ (simple definitions)
- RFQ = requirements + evidence + acceptance + commercial terms (what must be true).
- BOQ = bill of quantities + itemized deliverables (what is included, how many, and what documents/services come with it).
RFQ Must-Haves (copy/paste structure)
1) Project scope & application
- Road type and use case (urban, rural, highway, pedestrian path)
- Target lighting intent (refer to local authority/spec, not “looks bright”)
- Operating environment (dust, coastal, flood-prone, vandal risk)
2) Lighting performance requirements (make photometrics mandatory)
- IES file required for the quoted optic
- Simulation PDF required using your declared layout inputs (height/spacing/offset/arm/tilt)
- Declared CCT/CRI and beam/optic type basis
- Delivered lumens for the quoted configuration (not chip lumens)
Reference guides:
3) Energy model requirements (stop hidden sizing assumptions)
- Dimming profile disclosure (time/PIR/hybrid + steps)
- Energy budget sheet: Wavg, runtime hours, Wh/night
- Worst-month/rainy-season sizing sanity check consistent with the energy budget
Reference guides:
4) PV, controller, and charging requirements
- PV module model + datasheet + physical dimensions
- Controller type disclosure (MPPT or PWM) + charging assumptions disclosure
Reference guides:
5) Battery requirements (make Wh and protections mandatory)
- Battery capacity in Wh (nominal voltage + Ah or direct Wh)
- Declared usable energy policy (usable factor + low-voltage cutoffs)
- BMS protections list (over-charge/over-discharge/over-temp/over-current + balancing policy)
Reference guide:
6) Durability: IP/IK and corrosion control
- IP/IK ratings for the assembled product in the delivered configuration
- Configuration disclosure for sealing-critical parts (gaskets, vents, connectors, glands)
- No silent substitutions policy for sealing-critical components
Reference guide:
7) Quality evidence, traceability, and no-silent-substitution
- Serial number system linking unit → key components → QC records
- QC checkpoints disclosed (incoming/inline/final)
- No silent substitutions (optics, LED/driver, battery pack, sealing-critical parts)
8) Installation, commissioning, and acceptance
- Commissioning record templates (layout inputs, dimming settings, serial-to-location mapping)
- Acceptance checklist and photo evidence requirements (connectors/glands/lens seating where applicable)
Reference guide:
9) O&M, spares, and warranty (make support measurable)
- Warranty scope (lamp, battery/BMS, controller, PV) and exclusions
- Warranty claim evidence list and workflow
- SLA (response/diagnosis/dispatch)
- Spares plan (recommended spare ratio and lead time)
Reference guides:
BOQ Must-Haves (itemize deliverables so scope can’t be “shrunk”)
| BOQ Line Item | Minimum Deliverable | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solar street light units | Qty + exact model/configuration | Lock optics, CCT/CRI, dimming mode |
| PV module(s) | Model + datasheet + dimensions | Fit & mounting plan required |
| Battery pack | Wh rating + BMS protections | Usable policy + cutoffs disclosed |
| Controller | MPPT/PWM declared | Charging assumptions disclosed |
| Poles / brackets (if included) | Qty + dimensions/spec | Wind/load considerations |
| Documents | IES + simulation + energy budget sheet | Required for acceptance |
| Commissioning deliverables | Settings + mapping + photos | Warranty enforceability |
| Training / handover | Basic O&M handover pack | Optional but recommended |
| Spares | Spare plan + lead time | Avoid long downtime |
PASS/FAIL screening (use before scoring price)
Mark a bid FAIL (Not Comparable / High Risk) if it lacks any of these:
- IES file + simulation PDF using your declared layout inputs
- Dimming profile disclosure + energy budget sheet (Wavg/Wh-night)
- Worst-month/rainy-season sizing sanity check
- Battery in Wh + usable energy policy + BMS protections list
- IP/IK assembled-product declaration + sealing-critical configuration disclosure
- Warranty SLA + claim evidence workflow + traceability commitment
Internal Link Map (recommended cross-links)
- After “Lighting performance”: link to CCT/CRI/Beam Angle and Pole Height & Spacing.
- After “Energy model”: link to PIR vs Time Dimming, Autonomy Days, Rainy Season Sizing.
- After “PV & controller”: link to Mono vs Poly and MPPT vs PWM.
- After “Battery”: link to LiFePO4 Battery Lifespan.
- After “Durability”: link to IP & IK Selection and Failure Modes.
- After “Acceptance & warranty”: link to Commissioning Checklist, Warranty Terms, Maintenance Plan.
Request RFQ/BOQ Tender Toolkit
This toolkit helps you issue a clean tender that produces comparable bids and enforceable warranties:
- RFQ specification template (evidence pack + acceptance gates)
- BOQ itemization template (scope lock)
- Bid PASS/FAIL checklist (before price scoring)
- Warranty SLA & claim evidence checklist
Want a quick engineering sanity check?
Share your road class, pole height, target lux/uniformity, and worst-month PSH assumptions.
Next Steps (Keep Your Project Tender-Ready)
Ensure your solar street light project meets all procurement and engineering standards.
Templates & Evidence
- 📑 Buyer’s Guide Hub — Pick a scenario & follow evidence-first path.
- 📊 Resources Library — Specs, QC evidence, & IES workflows.
- 🔍 Spec Definitions Hub — Normalize Wavg, Wh, & IP/IK evidence.
- 💡 IES & DIALux Center — Spacing & uniformity validation.
- 🛡️ Quality Testing — Verified proof vs marketing claims.
- 📋 RFQ & BOQ Kit — Templates, clauses & scoring rubrics.
Shortlist a System Type
- 🚀 All-in-One Solar Street Lights
- 🌓 All-in-Two Solar Street Lights
- 🛠️ Split Type Solar Street Lights
- 📏 Solar Pole Lights
- ✨ Decorative Solar Street Lights
- ⚠️ Specific Solutions (Explosion-proof/Hybrid)
FAQ
Why do solar street light tenders fail even with “good brands”?
Because the RFQ allows hidden assumptions. Without IES + simulation, energy budget sheets, worst-month checks, and evidence-based warranty terms, bids are not comparable and failures become disputes.
What is the single most important RFQ deliverable?
The evidence pack: IES + simulation + energy budget sheet (Wavg/Wh-night) + worst-month sizing sanity check, tied to declared dimming and component specifications.
How do I stop silent substitutions after award?
Lock configuration in the RFQ (optics, sealing-critical parts, battery pack, controller type) and require traceability (serial-to-QC records) plus approval for any change.