59-002-09 Handbook[1].pdf

This is a solicitation document from the State of Maine Division of Purchases for the procurement of bumper stickers displaying the message "Leave Your Firewood at Home." The solicitation calls for sealed bids to be submitted to the Division of Purchases at 9 State House Station, Augusta, Maine, prior to the specified opening time, with bids due May 18, 2010. The contract period may be extended beyond the initial expiration date with contractor consent, with a maximum total contract period not to exceed three years. Any contract overrun is capped at 3%.

The pricing structure includes a 10% price preference for bids offering paper or paper products containing a minimum of 30% post-consumer recycled material that fall within 10% of the lowest compliant bid, provided vendors explicitly identify their bids as offering recycled materials. The state is authorized to pay a price premium of up to 4 percent above the lowest bid to secure products containing 100 percent post-consumer recycled or certified virgin fiber; when no bids meet that threshold, preference is awarded to products with the highest percentage of recycled or certified content, provided the price does not exceed 4 percent above the lowest submitted bid. All bids must specify the percentage of post-consumer recycled fiber content and certified virgin fiber content, with chain-of-custody certification documentation required for certified fiber from well-managed forest land certified by recognized forestry programs including the American Tree Farm System, Forest Stewardship Council, Master Logger Certification Program, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, or Sustainable Forestry Initiative. Awards may be given to in-state bidders or those offering commodities produced or manufactured in Maine when price, quality, and availability are equal. Past performance may be considered as a factor in the award decision. The state reserves the right to reject any or all bids and waive any formalities.