NIGP 20125: Belts and Suspenders

NIGP 20125 Belts and Suspenders, an Item code, encompasses apparel accessories and related decoration services that state and local governments procure for operational and administrative use across school districts, public safety agencies, and other municipal departments. Recent solicitations show the code capturing a broader apparel and accessories category than its name suggests — vendors supply finished apparel items (t-shirts, polos, hats, jackets, sweatshirts, athletic uniforms) alongside customization services such as screen printing, embroidery, and emblems. School districts and county public safety departments are the primary issuing bodies driving activity under this code. Temple Independent School District in Texas is establishing a multi-vendor contract for apparel and accessories with custom decoration services to support 15 campuses and approximately 8,700 students, while Clayton County Board of Commissioners in Georgia is contracting annually for public safety uniforms serving approximately 500 police employees with on-site measurement, embroidery, and alteration services included.

Activity under the code concentrates in the Southeast and Southwest, with recent opportunities posted from Texas and Georgia. The Temple ISD RFP (RFP00627, due October 6, 2026) accepts proposals through an online procurement portal and emphasizes Best Value award criteria including price, product availability, customization capabilities, and prior performance; the contract carries a one-year initial term with two optional one-year renewals and no guaranteed minimum purchase volume. The Clayton County ITB #26-57 (due July 9, 2026) imposes local-presence requirements — bidders must maintain a showroom within 45 miles of Jonesboro, Georgia and demonstrate at least five years of public safety uniform experience — and mandates comprehensive services including alterations at no charge and 30-day delivery windows; the contract runs one year with four optional one-year renewals. Both solicitations use cooperative vendor models allowing single or multiple awards and require vendors to absorb all freight, delivery, and service costs within their pricing.