UNSPSC 52131606: Roman shade

A type of window covering used to block out the sun. Roman shades are different from standard window shade in that they stack up evenly when being opened; however, when they are open they are visibly smooth, not bumpy or ribbed like typical vertical shades or blinds. Roman shades are usually opened with a cord mechanism, allowing the user to adjust the height of the covered area. In typical construction, cords run vertically on the outdoor side of the blind running through evenly spaced horizontal stiffener rods or eyelets, and attached at the bottom of the blind.

In this case, the opened portion of the blinds remains smooth, while the bottom will be stacked evenly.

UNSPSC 52131606 Roman shade (Commodity) covers the supply and installation of window blinds and shades across municipal, county, and school-district facilities. Recent solicitations show state and local governments buying vertical blinds, mini blinds, and roller shades for police precincts, school buildings, and county department offices. Work typically includes removal of existing treatments, supply of blinds in specified colors and dimensions, installation labor, and delivery. Issuing bodies include city procurement offices (Detroit, Philadelphia), county governments (Pinellas County Schools, Gwinnett County), and independent school districts. Most opportunities are awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and require standard commercial insurance (General Liability with $1 million to $5 million limits depending on scope, Workers' Compensation at statutory limits, and Automobile Liability). Contractors commonly must provide performance and payment bonds, meet debarment and drug-free workplace certifications, and submit three to five years of comparable project references.

Recent activity appears concentrated in the Southeast and Midwest. The City of Detroit Office of Contracting and Procurement issued RFQ 548013 on October 2, 2026, for UV-protected vinyl vertical blinds at the Detroit Police Department's 2nd Precinct, with quotes due October 30, 2026, and a Detroit-resident workforce requirement (50% of hours by Detroit residents, 25% by minorities, 5% by women). Pinellas County School District posted ITB #25-HO-073 on September 28, 2026, for supply and installation of mini blinds, vertical blinds, and roller shades across multiple school facilities, with electronic bids due November 5, 2025, a mandatory pre-bid conference scheduled for October 21, 2025, and a contract valued at approximately $700,000 annually. The City of Philadelphia issued a micro-purchase RFQ (B2727449) on July 2, 2026, for mini blinds with a $45,000 annual cap. Gwinnett County, Georgia, solicited competitive informal written quotes (PE77023NONST2026000000585) on May 1, 2026, for aluminum blinds at its Department of Water Resources facility, with quotes due May 15, 2026, and a pre-quote conference on May 8, 2026.