APP_Cover_Page_for_IFB_0000037255.docx

This cover page pertains to an Invitation for Bid (IFB) issued by the California Department of General Services, Procurement Division to establish a multi-year statewide contract for bottled drinking water. The solicitation, numbered #0000037255, is structured to serve six geographic regions, with each region further divided into groups. Award will be made on a region-by-region basis, with separate awards for each group within a region to the responsible bidder submitting the lowest cost proposal. The contract term is three years with two one-year extension options available. Upon contract award, the bottled drinking water will be available for use by California state departments, participating local agencies, other states, and local agencies in other states.

The solicitation is being conducted under the Alternative Protest Process as established in Public Contract Code Section 12125 et seq. Bidders who submit proposals are deemed to have consented to participation in this alternative protest procedure. Any bidder intending to protest a proposed contract award must submit a written Notice of Intent to Protest to the Alternative Protest Process Coordinator at the Department of General Services Procurement Division before the close of business on the last day of the protest period, which will be specified in the Notice of Intent to Award. Failure to timely submit a written Notice of Intent to Protest will result in waiver of the bidder's protest rights.