How to Spec Sports Lighting for an RFP
A strong sports lighting RFP specifies performance, not just products. It states the IES RP-6 class of play and maintained footcandle and uniformity targets, glare and spill limits, a required photometric study, warranty and L70 minimums, surge protection, controls, and domestic-content compliance where applicable — so undersized, non-compliant bids can't win on price alone. A vague RFP invites a race to the cheapest bid; a performance RFP ensures every bid clears the same bar before price is even considered.
This guide covers what to specify, why the photometric study requirement is the keystone, and how to avoid the under-spec trap.
Specify outcomes, then require the engineering
Write the RFP around the outcome you need, expressed in measurable terms:
| Specify | To ensure |
|---|---|
| RP-6 class & maintained footcandles | The field is bright enough for its use — at year five, not day one |
| Uniformity & glare/spill limits | The field plays well and satisfies zoning |
| 10-year warranty & L70 | Durability and stable output over life |
| Surge protection | Reliability against spikes and lightning |
| Controls & domestic content | Operability and bid eligibility on public funds |
Note the emphasis on maintained values, not initial — a critical word that stops a bid from designing to bright opening-night output that fades below spec.
The photometric study requirement
The keystone of a good RFP is mandating a photometric study from every bidder — point-by-point footcandles, uniformity, an aiming schedule, and a spill analysis. This single requirement is the best filter against suppliers who can't actually prove their numbers, and it makes the bids genuinely comparable: when every proposal is designed to the same RP-6 criteria and backed by a study, you're comparing equivalent outcomes instead of marketing claims.
Avoiding the under-spec trap
The classic mistake is an RFP that lists only wattage or lumens. That lets an undersized system technically qualify, and the cheapest, least-compliant bid wins — leaving the buyer with a field that under-performs and costs more over its life. The fix is to specify maintained RP-6 performance and require proof, then evaluate on compliance, warranty, references, and lifecycle cost rather than upfront price. Duvon provides the documentation a sound RFP should require.
Frequently asked questions
How do you spec sports lighting for an RFP?
Specify performance: RP-6 class with maintained footcandle and uniformity targets, glare/spill limits, a required photometric study, warranty/L70 minimums, surge, controls, and domestic content where applicable.
Why require a photometric study?
It's the best filter against suppliers who can't prove performance, and it makes competing bids genuinely comparable.
What is the under-spec trap?
RFPs listing only wattage or lumens let undersized systems qualify, so the cheapest, least-compliant bid wins. Specifying maintained RP-6 performance prevents it.
How should bids be evaluated?
On compliance, warranty, references, and lifecycle cost — not upfront price alone.
Why specify "maintained" footcandles?
So bids can't quote bright initial output that fades below spec — maintained values hold the target over the system's life.
Ask for help drafting an RFP spec, backed by a free certified photometric study. Get it at duvonlighting.com/free-quote.