Well, we met again with the technical director (lack of a better title, but seems appropriate).
Again distro vs no distro came up. I couldn't really get a word in. Mostly just "it adds cost, and cost = bad; so don't do it..." Seems like the client was thinking of a 'shelf' on the front of the balcony so that's better than racked. I'd rather see nicely racked units with paddles, but that's me. $1k or 3% for distro's and antenna isn't that much...
As far as quote or RFP, I really don't know what they want government procurement procedures... I'll figure that out and do what they need.
Thanks for the ideas everyone!