NIGP 89574: Welding Goggles, Helmets, Chin Straps, and Face Shields

NIGP 89574 Welding Goggles, Helmets, Chin Straps, and Face Shields, an Item code, encompasses consumables and protective equipment that state and local governments procure as part of broader welding-program support — though recent solicitations show the code sits within larger blanket agreements for welding materials and supplies rather than as standalone face-protection buys. Community colleges and school districts are the dominant issuing bodies under this code, procuring welding consumables (rods, wire, gas), safety equipment (gloves, face shields), and vent extraction infrastructure to support vocational and technical welding curricula. Evaluation typically weighs purchase price (35 percent), product quality (15 percent), vendor references (15 percent), ability to meet district needs (15 percent), and vendor history or total cost of ownership (5–10 percent), with state-of-Texas vendor status factored as a tiebreaker in some cases. Collin College (Texas), Northside Independent School District (Texas), and Mt. San Antonio Community College District (California) have posted recent solicitations; multi-vendor awards are standard to ensure supply continuity across multiple product lines and backup sources.

Recent activity clusters in Texas and California. Collin College issued Invitation to Bid FY2024-ITB-020 (due March 19, 2024) and FY2024-ITB-024 (due April 19, 2024), each seeking three-year contracts with an estimated annual volume of $400,000 for welding materials and supplies; both emphasize multi-vendor awards and require account-representative support for problem-solving. Northside Independent School District posted IFB 2026-054 (due March 5, 2026) for as-needed welding consumables and safety equipment across 147 campuses, replacing an expiring contract and requiring all vendors to resubmit to maintain business. Mt. San Antonio Community College District issued bid 2026-067 (due July 16, 2026) for purchase and installation of forty-seven flexible vent extraction arms at $150,000 base estimate, requiring California Contractor's License C-20 and DIR registration with a 3 percent Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise participation goal. No incumbent vendors are identified in these solicitations; competition appears open and price-driven with quality and service as secondary factors.