Explosives RFR 2020~4.docx

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE SERVICES

P.O. BOX 1025 - 1 STATE ROAD, STOW, MA 01775

Request for Response (RFR) Explosive Products Agency RFR Number: # DFS-Explosives-2020

Initial responses are due by: July 2, 2019*

*This is a rolling enrollment bid. Responses may be submitted at any time throughout the duration of the contract.

Please Note: This is a single document associated with a complete Bid (also referred to as Solicitation) that can be found on COMMBUYS (www.COMMBUYS.com). All Bidders are responsible for reviewing and adhering to all information, forms and requirements for the entire Bid, which are all incorporated into the Bid. Bidders may also contact the COMMBUYS Helpdesk at COMMBUYS@state.ma.us or the COMMBUYS Helpline at 1-888-MA-STATE. The Helpline is staffed from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday Eastern Standard or Daylight time, as applicable, except on federal, state and Suffolk county holidays.

SECTION 1: DESCRIPTION OF PROCUREMENT

The purpose of this Request for Response (RFR) is to award a contract to multiple vendors for the purchase of explosive products. Because during the life of the contract these products will have the potential for change, the bidder awarded a contract will be able to add items at the existing cost levels for which their award is made.

Responses will be reviewed at the discretion of the procurement team. Upon completion of the qualification process outlined in the RFR, additional vendors may be added to the qualified list at any time during the contract period, in accordance with the rolling enrollment policy. However, all contracts will expire simultaneously. DFS makes no guarantee of business as a result of a contract award.

This is a small procurement targeted to small businesses participating in the Commonwealth's Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP). The Department intends to evaluate bid responses from and to award a contract to a SBPP-participating business(es) who submit a bid that meets or exceeds the solicitation criteria only. Subcontracting in these types of procurements is limited to no more than 20% of the value of the contract, unless it is with another SBPP registered participant. If determined that there is inadequate SBPP capacity, or no SBPP-participating vendors provide a responsive bid, the Department will evaluate and award bid responses received from non-SBPP businesses. To determine eligibility and to participate in the SBPP, please review the requirements and general program information at www.mass.gov/sbpp.

SECTION 2: ACQUISITION METHOD

__X__ Outright Purchase

SECTION 3: SINGLE OR MULTIPLE VENDORS

__X__ Multiple Vendors

3.1 Rolling Enrollment

Bidders may submit responses in accordance with rolling enrollment at any time during the contract period. Responses will be reviewed at the discretion of the Department of Fire Services, and additional vendors may be added to the qualified list at any time during the period of the contract upon completion of the qualification process outlined in the RFR. However, all contracts will expire simultaneously.

SECTION 4: ELIGIBLE USERS

__X__ This contract will be restricted for use by the Department of Fire Services, the Massachusetts State Police, MEMA, MassPort and any other Agency under the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPPS).

SECTION 5: DURATION OF CONTRACT

The duration of the contract resulting from this RFR will be for two (2) years plus two (2) two-year options to renew. The total maximum contract term is six (6) years.

Section 5.1 Performance and Payment Time Frames Which Exceed Contract Duration

The delivery of products may be made for a period of up to 90 days after the ending date of the contract provided that the purchasing entity has placed its order prior to the ending date of the contract. No new orders may be placed after the contract has expired.

SECTION 6: ANTICIPATED EXPENDITURES & COMPENSATION STRUCTURES

Section 6.1: Anticipated Expenditure.

The value of this contract will be approximately $7,000.00 per year for a total of $42,000.00 over the life of the contract. Amounts indicated are only estimates. Contract amounts during the period of any contract are subject to a selected Bidder's response, and may increase or decrease, based upon contract negotiation, performance selected, appropriation or availability of funds.

The Department of Fire Services makes no guarantee of purchase as a result of this contract. All purchases will be on an as needed basis. DFS will provide a unique purchase order for each order and will not honor any orders placed without a valid purchase order.

*There is a possibility that Federal funds (acquired through grant applications) may be used for this purchase, and that they may also be used for purchases during the renewal periods. The use of federal funds for purchases will be determined at the time of acquisition.

Section 6.2: Compensation Structures.

The cost for products shall be a retail/list price with a percentage off discount. Pricing and/or percent off discounts shall be firm for the initial contract period and for each subsequent contract term. Any additional charges must be identified on the Bidder’s Response Form and accepted by DFS or they will not be allowed. A written quote shall be provided if requested by DFS. A Purchase Order is required prior to any products being shipped. Pre-payments prior to delivery are not allowed. The invoice shall include but not be limited to the date of delivery, DFS purchase order number, list of all parts or equipment purchased, pricing and invoice number.

Section 6.3: Contract Extensions and/or Price Increase.

Prior to the expiration of the initial or subsequent contract periods the Department of Fire Services will notify the vendor in writing of its desire to extend the contract. Upon exercising an option to renew, the vendor may propose a price increase. DFS reserves the right to request additional information on the proposed price increase and may approve, decline or further negotiate the proposed price increase. Price increase requests MUST be submitted on the vendor’s letterhead at the time of contract renewal and MUST include the following:

1. new proposed unit cost;

1. reason for the requested change; and

· documentation supporting the reason for the requested change

SECTION 7: MA STANDARDIZED CONTRACT SPECIFICATIONS

The terms of 801 CMR 21.00: Procurement of Commodities and Services are incorporated by reference into this RFR. Words used in this RFR shall have the meanings defined in 801 CMR 21.00. Additional definitions may also be identified in this RFR. Other terms not defined elsewhere in this document may be defined in OSD’s Glossary of Terms. Unless otherwise specified in this RFR, all communications, responses, and documentation must be in English, all measurements must be provided in feet, inches, and pounds and all cost proposals or figures in U.S. currency. All responses must be submitted in accordance with the specific terms of this RFR.

COMMBUYS Market Center. COMMBUYS is the official source of information for this Bid and is publicly accessible at no charge at www.commbuys.com. Information contained in this document and in COMMBUYS, including file attachments, and information contained in the related Bid Questions and Answers (Q&A), are all components of the Bid, as referenced in COMMBUYS, and are incorporated into the Bid and any resulting contract.

Bidders are solely responsible for obtaining all information distributed for this Bid via COMMBUYS. Bid Q&A supports Bidder submission of written questions associated with a Bid and publication of official answers.

It is each Bidder’s responsibility to check COMMBUYS for:

· Any amendments, addenda or modifications to this Bid, and

· Any Bid Q&A records related to this Bid.

The Commonwealth accepts no responsibility and will provide no accommodation to Bidders who submit a Quote based on an out-of-date Bid or on information received from a source other than COMMBUYS.

COMMBUYS Registration. Bidders may elect to obtain a free COMMBUYS Seller registration which provides value-added features, including automated email notification associated with postings and modifications to COMMBUYS records. However, in order to respond to a Bid, Bidders must register and maintain an active COMMBUYS Seller account.

All Bidders submitting a Quote (previously referred to as Response) in response to this Bid (previously referred to as Solicitation) agree that, if awarded a contract: (1) they will maintain an active seller account in COMMBUYS; (2) they will, when directed to do so by the procuring entity, activate and maintain a COMMBUYS-enabled catalog using Commonwealth Commodity Codes; (3) they will comply with all requests by the procuring entity to utilize COMMBUYS for the purposes of conducting all aspects of purchasing and invoicing with the Commonwealth, as added functionality for the COMMBUYS system is activated; (4) Bidder understands and acknowledges that all references to the Comm-PASS website or related requirements throughout this RFR, shall be superseded by comparable requirements pertaining to the COMMBUYS website; and (6) in the event the Commonwealth adopts an alternate market center system, successful Bidders will be required to utilize such system, as directed by the procuring entity. Commonwealth Commodity Codes are based on the United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC).

The COMMBUYS system introduces new terminology, which bidders must be familiar with in order to conduct business with the Commonwealth. To view this terminology and to learn more about the COMMBUYS system, please visit the COMMBUYS Resource Center.

Multiple Quotes. Bidders may not submit Multiple Quotes in response to a Bid unless the RFR authorizes them to do so. If a Bidder submits multiple quotes in response to an RFR that does not authorize multiple responses, only the latest dated quote submitted prior to the bid opening date will be evaluated.

Quote Content. Bid specifications for delivery, shipping, billing and payment will prevail over any proposed Bidder terms entered as part of the Quote, unless otherwise specified in the Bid.

Supplier Diversity Program (SDP). Massachusetts Executive Order 565 reaffirmed and expanded the Commonwealth’s policy to promote the award of state contracts in a manner that develops and strengthens certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), Minority and Women Nonprofit Organizations (M/WNPOs), Veteran Business Enterprises (VBEs), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises (SDVOBEs), Disability-Owned Business Enterprises (DOBEs), and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Business Enterprises (LGBTBEs).

Partnerships with M/WBEs, M/WNPOs, VBEs and SDVOBEs: All bidders are required to make a significant financial commitment to partner with certified M/WBEs, M/WNPOs, VBEs and/or SDVOBEs certified or verified by the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO). Bidders must identify a commitment in the form of a specific percentage of sales made under the resulting contract that will be spent with an SDP Partner(s) on a Massachusetts fiscal year basis, using SDP Plan Form #1 – SDP Plan Commitment. This percentage commitment will extend for the life of any resulting contract.

This requirement extends to all bidders regardless of their certification status, and no bidder will be awarded a Contract unless and until the above requirement is met. Bidders may not list themselves or affiliates as SDP Partners. In order to ensure compliance with this section and encourage bidder participation, SDP Plans will be evaluated at 10% or more of the total evaluation score for all for Large Procurements (those with a total value of greater than $150,000). SDP Plan submission is encouraged but not required for Small Procurements (those with a total value equal to or less than $150,000).

Once an SDP commitment is approved, the agency will monitor the Contractor’s performance, and use the Contractor’s reported expenditures with M/WBEs, M/WNPOs, VBEs and SDVOBEs to fulfill their own SDP expenditure benchmarks. The Commonwealth reserves the right to contact SDP Partners at any time to request that they attest to the amounts reported to have been paid to them by the Contractor.

SDP Forms: Unless otherwise specified in the RFR, the following SDP forms are required to be submitted by the deadlines noted below in order to meet the mandatory participation requirements of the SDP:

In addition to the requirements above, all bidders must follow the requirements set forth in the Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) Plan Section of the RFR. During the life of the contract, the Commonwealth reserves the right to expand the range of certified business categories available for SDP partnerships to all those mentioned above and/or request reports on the Contractors’ spending with such certified business categories.

Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) Resources:

· Lists of M/WBEs, M/WNPOs, VBEs, SDVOBEs, DOBEs and LGBTBEs certified or verified by the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) are located at www.mass.gov/sdo.

· Resources to assist Prime Bidders in finding potential Certified Partners can be found at www.mass.gov/sdp.

· The Operational Services Division offers trainings on compliance with the SDP Plan requirements. Registration information for upcoming trainings can be found on the Supplier Diversity Program Trainings webpage.

Agricultural Products Preference (only applicable if this is a procurement for Agricultural Products) - Chapter 123 of the Acts of 2006 directs the State Purchasing Agent to grant a preference to products of agriculture grown or produced using locally grown products. Such locally grown or produced products shall be purchased unless the price of the goods exceeds the price of products of agriculture from outside the Commonwealth by more than 10%. For purposes of this preference, products of agriculture are defined to include any agricultural, aquacultural, floricultural or horticultural commodities, the growing and harvesting of forest products, the raising of livestock, including horses, raising of domesticated animals, bees, fur-bearing animals and any forestry or lumbering operations.

Best Value Selection and Negotiation. The Strategic Sourcing Team or SST may select the response(s) which demonstrates the best value overall, including proposed alternatives that will achieve the procurement goals of the department. The SST and a selected bidder, or a contractor, may negotiate a change in any element of contract performance or cost identified in the original RFR or the selected bidder’s or contractor’s response which results in lower costs or a more cost effective or better value than was presented in the selected bidder’s or contractor’s original response.

Bidder Communication. Bidders are prohibited from communicating directly with any employee of the procuring department or any member of the SST regarding this RFR except as specified in this RFR, and no other individual Commonwealth employee or representative is authorized to provide any information or respond to any question or inquiry concerning this RFR. Bidders may contact the contact person for this RFR in the event this RFR is incomplete or the bidder is having trouble obtaining any required attachments electronically through COMMBUYS.

Contract Expansion. If additional funds become available during the contract duration period, the department reserves the right to increase the maximum obligation to some or all contracts executed as a result of this RFR or to execute contracts with contractors not funded in the initial selection process, subject to available funding, satisfactory contract performance and service or commodity need.

Costs. Costs which are not specifically identified in the bidder’s response, and accepted by a department as part of a contract, will not be compensated under any contract awarded pursuant to this RFR. The Commonwealth will not be responsible for any costs or expenses incurred by bidders responding to this RFR.

Electronic Communication/Update of Bidder’s/Contractor’s Contact Information. It is the responsibility of the prospective bidder and awarded contractor to keep current on COMMBUYS the email address of the bidder’s contact person and prospective contract manager, if awarded a contract, and to monitor that email inbox for communications from the SST, including requests for clarification. The SST and the Commonwealth assume no responsibility if a prospective bidder’s/awarded contractor’s designated email address is not current, or if technical problems, including those with the prospective bidder’s/awarded contractor’s computer, network or internet service provider (ISP) cause email communications sent to/from the prospective bidder/awarded contractor and the SST to be lost or rejected by any means including email or spam filtering.

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). All bidders responding to this RFR must agree to participate in the Commonwealth Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) program for receiving payments, unless the bidder can provide compelling proof that it would be unduly burdensome. EFT is a benefit to both contractors and the Commonwealth because it ensures fast, safe and reliable payment directly to contractors and saves both parties the cost of processing checks. Contractors are able to track and verify payments made electronically through the Comptroller’s Vendor Web system. A link to the EFT application can be found on the OSD Forms page (www.mass.gov/osd). Additional information about EFT is available on the VendorWeb site (www.mass.gov/osc). Click on MASSfinance.

Successful bidders, upon notification of contract award, will be required to enroll in EFT as a contract requirement by completing and submitting the Authorization for Electronic Funds Payment Form to this department for review, approval and forwarding to the Office of the Comptroller. If the bidder is already enrolled in the program, it may so indicate in its response. Because the Authorization for Electronic Funds Payment Form contains banking information, this form, and all information contained on this form, shall not be considered a public record and shall not be subject to public disclosure through a public records request.

The requirement to use EFT may be waived by the SST on a case-by-case basis if participation in the program would be unduly burdensome on the bidder. If a bidder is claiming that this requirement is a hardship or unduly burdensome, the specific reason must be documented in its response. The SST will consider such requests on a case-by-case basis and communicate the findings with the bidder.

Executive Order 509, Establishing Nutrition Standards for Food Purchased and Served by State Agencies. Food purchased and served by state agencies must be in compliance with Executive Order 509, issued in January 2009. Under this Executive Order, all contracts resulting from procurements posted after July 1, 2009 that involve the purchase and provision of food must comply with nutrition guidelines established by the Department of Public Health (DPH). The nutrition guidelines are available at the Department’s website: Tools and Resources for Implementation of Executive Order 509.

HIPAA: Business Associate Contractual Obligations. Bidders are notified that any department meeting the definition of a Covered Entity under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) will include in the RFR and resulting contract sufficient language establishing the successful bidder’s contractual obligations, if any, that the department will require in order for the department to comply with HIPAA and the privacy and security regulations promulgated thereunder (45 CFR Parts 160, 162, and 164) (the Privacy and Security Rules). For example, if the department determines that the successful bidder is a business associate performing functions or activities involving protected health information, as such terms are used in the Privacy and Security Rules, then the department will include in the RFR and resulting contract a sufficient description of business associate’s contractual obligations regarding the privacy and security of the protected health information, as listed in 45 CFR 164.314 and 164.504 (e), including, but not limited to, the bidder's obligation to: implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards that reasonably and appropriately protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the protected health information (in whatever form it is maintained or used, including verbal communications); provide individuals access to their records; and strictly limit use and disclosure of the protected health information for only those purposes approved by the department. Further, the department reserves the right to add any requirement during the course of the contract that it determines it must include in the contract in order for the department to comply with the Privacy and Security Rules. Please see other sections of the RFR for any further HIPAA details, if applicable.

Minimum Quote (Bid Response) Duration. Bidders Quotes made in response to this Bid must remain in effect for at least 90 days from the date of quote submission.

Prompt Payment Discounts (PPD). All bidders responding to this procurement must agree to offer discounts through participation in the Commonwealth Prompt Payment Discount (PPD) initiative for receiving early and/or on-time payments, unless the bidder can provide compelling proof that it would be unduly burdensome. PPD benefits both contractors and the Commonwealth. Contractors benefit by increased, usable cash flow as a result of fast and efficient payments for commodities or services rendered. Participation in the Electronic Funds Transfer initiative further maximizes the benefits with payments directed to designated accounts, thus eliminating the impact of check clearance policies and traditional mail lead time or delays. The Commonwealth benefits because contractors reduce the cost of products and services through the applied discount. Payments that are processed electronically can be tracked and verified through the Comptroller’s Vendor Web system. The PPD form can be found as an attachment for this Bid on COMMBUYS.

Bidders must submit agreeable terms for Prompt Payment Discount using the PPD form within their proposal, unless otherwise specified by the SST. The SST will review, negotiate or reject the offering as deemed in the best interest of the Commonwealth.

The requirement to use PPD offerings may be waived by the SST on a case-by-case basis if participation in the program would be unduly burdensome on the bidder. If a bidder is claiming that this requirement is a hardship or unduly burdensome, the specific reason must be documented in or attached to the PPD form.

Public Records. All responses and information submitted in response to this RFR are subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L., c. 66, s. 10, and to c. 4, s. 7, ss. 26. Any statements in submitted responses that are inconsistent with these statutes, including marking by bidders of information as confidential during the quote submission process in COMMBUYS, shall be disregarded.

Reasonable Accommodation. Bidders with disabilities or hardships that seek reasonable accommodation, which may include the receipt of RFR information in an alternative format, must communicate such requests in writing to the contact person. Requests for accommodation will be addressed on a case by case basis. A bidder requesting accommodation must submit a written statement which describes the bidder’s disability and the requested accommodation to the contact person for the RFR. The SST reserves the right to reject unreasonable requests.

Restriction on the Use of the Commonwealth Seal. Bidders and contractors are not allowed to display the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Seal in their bid package or subsequent marketing materials if they are awarded a contract because use of the coat of arms and the Great Seal of the Commonwealth for advertising or commercial purposes is prohibited by law.

Subcontracting Policies. Prior approval of the department is required for any subcontracted service of the contract. Contractors are responsible for the satisfactory performance and adequate oversight of its subcontractors. Human and social service subcontractors are also required to meet the same state and federal financial and program reporting requirements and are held to the same reimbursable cost standards as contractors.

SECTION 8: PERFORMANCE AND CONTRACT SPECIFICATIONS

This is a contract for the outright purchase of explosive products, parts, and accessories. A sample listing of the products is provided, however, the contract is not limited to those items. DFS can purchase any and all items that the vendor can sell within the scope of this RFR. A discount off retail pricing is desired.

Section 8.1 Qualifications

· Each bidder must supply a list of three (3) business references in which similar services have been rendered. The business reference list shall state the company/department name and the contact name of a person employed by the owner who has personal knowledge of the supplier’s contractual and technical performance. Bidder may not use a Department of Fire Services employee as a reference. The Commonwealth reserves the right to disqualify any bidder unable to document its track record, or whose references indicate an unacceptable record, or if a reference is not obtainable from a listed reference after reasonable attempts.

· Each bidder must document that they have been providing explosives for at least two (2) years.

· Each bidder must be a manufacturer or an authorized distributor for which their response is being submitted. A letter from the manufacturer is required as an attachment to your bid (quote) response.

· Bidder must be in full compliance with all Federal and State licensing and permitting laws at all times throughout the duration of the contract and any extended contracts. A copy of your license and/or permit is required as an attachment to your bid (quote) response.

Before awarding a contract, the Department of Fire Services (DFS) reserves the right to require a bidder to submit any additional evidence of its qualifications as may be deemed necessary.

Section 8.2: Product Specifications.

This RFR seeks parts, accessories and supplies for explosive products. Some of the types of products requested are:

· Detonators/Electric Detonators (Blasting Caps)

· Detonating Cord

· Cast Boosters

· Plastic Bonded Explosives

· Electric Matches

· Shock Tube

· Oil Well Perforators

A “sample” of products used by the Department of Fires Services is listed on the Bidder’s Response form. All pricing will be the lowest offered to any organization within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The vendor is not restricted to this list of products and may sell any items that fall under the scope of this RFR. Items not on the list will be priced at the discounted rate listed on the Bidder’s Response Form.

In addition to the “sample” items listed on Bidder’s Response Sheet, bidders must provide at least one of the following: a catalog, website link with a price list or a bidder generated product list of additional products available. All items contained in a catalog/website list and/or bidder generated product list shall be included as part of this RFR. Bidders will provide on the Bidder’s Response Sheet, a percentage discount off the current manufacturer’s list price for these products. The discount should be a minimum discount. Additional discounts may be negotiated between the Department of Fire Services and the contractor for large volume orders or for other purchases where discounts may be appropriate.

As products or manufacturers may change in the future, any list provided may be updated to include future products and additional manufacturers.

Section 8.3: Deliveries.

All items delivered must be a quality product. Any items that are determined by the Department of Fire Services (DFS) to not be a quality product will be rejected and returned at the vendor’s expense.

All quotations shall include any and all shipping charges. Alternative delivery or pick up locations will be considered, if it proves to be a significant cost savings to the Department of Fire Services. Due to the nature of the product, product pick up can only be made by a Certified Bomb Technician or a licensed explosives carrier. All pick-up arrangements shall be made in advance.

A packing slip shall be included in each shipment. On it shall include, but not be limited to the date, our purchase order number, list of all items on original order and status of each.

Products must be packaged and shipped in compliance with the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations for explosive materials. Any delivery received which does not comply with these regulations, will be returned at no cost to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Section 8.4: Payment Specifications.

Proposals requiring any payment prior to delivery will not be acceptable. Invoices shall include but not be limited to the date of delivery, the DFS purchase order number, list of all items, pricing and invoice number. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is tax exempt. The exempt number shall be provided once the contract is awarded. Any shipment not being high quality, damaged or defective in any way will be returned to the vendor at the vendors’ expense. Following acceptance of a product(s) or service and receipt of a properly documented invoice, payment shall be made in accordance with the Commonwealth’s payment policy. A copy of this policy can be found at www.mass.gov/osc. Accelerated payments are available through the Prompt Pay Discount Form. EFT payments are mandatory per Section 7.

SECTION 9: INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES

Section 9.1 Bidder Communication

A bidder’s conference will be NOT be offered. All questions on the RFR may be addressed to Julie Walrath at 978-567-3131 or Julie.Walrath@mass.gov. Bidders are prohibited from communicating with any other employee of the Department of Fire Services.

Section 9.2 Submission Materials

Each bid shall be accompanied by all items referenced in Section 12: Form Submissions. In case of any doubt or difference of opinions as to the items to be furnished herein, the decision of the Department of Fire Services shall be final and binding on both parties.

Section 9.3 Submission Format

Responses must be submitted via an electronic Quote submission through the CommBuys system. Bidders must retain original bid submission via CommBuys and will be required to mail in the original submission upon award. An original, ink signature response package will be required upon award.

Section 9.4 Special Instructions for CommBuys Quote Submission

When preparing a quote in CommBuys in response to this bid, if the bidder’s response is an attachment (Bidder’s Response Form and pricing sheet) the bidder will be required to submit the form as an attachment under the Attachment Tab and not under the Item Tab. Bidder must uncheck the “no bid” box on the item line under the Item Tab and check that “pricing is an attachment” in order to submit a valid quote.

The CommBuys Help Desk can be contacted at 888-627-8283 or commbuys@state.ma.us for assistance in submitting your bid response. The help desk can take up to two (2) days to respond to help tickets. Job aids with step by step instructions are available for sellers on the home page of CommBuys.

SECTION 10: DEADLINE FOR RESPONSES AND PROCUREMENT CALENDAR

Section 10.1 Deadline

Responses must be submitted via an online submission through CommBuys. Please be sure to attach all documents listed in Section 12 to your bid response (quote) and “submit” your quote. It is the responsibility of the bidder to ensure a valid quote has been submitted.

Section 10.2 Procurement Contact

Julie Walrath Procurement Supervisor Department of Fire Services PO Box 1025, 1 State Road Stow, MA 01775 Julie.Walrath@mass.gov 978-567-3131

Section 10.3. Procurement Calendar

*This is a rolling enrollment bid. Responses may be submitted at any time throughout the duration of the contract.

SECTION 11: EVALUATION CRITERIA

Through a point value system, bidder’s submissions will receive points based on the mandatory and desirable requirements stated within the RFR. Final scores will offer the Strategic Sourcing Services Team (SSST) a basis for issuing this contract. Bidders are strongly encouraged to review the evaluation scorecard that has been posed with this RFR. The scorecard includes criteria that will be used to screen proposals as eligible or ineligible based on mandatory requirements listed throughout the RFR. Proposals that are deemed ineligible will NOT be presented to the SSST for further evaluation and scoring.

The following criteria will be evaluated for award considerations:

· Qualifications

· Discount offered, Price

· Product availability

· Delivery support, Distance from Stow, Massachusetts

· Small Business Purchasing Program

SECTION 12: FORM SUBMISSIONS

Forms Required at Bid Response: (Note these original forms will be required to be mailed in upon award – please retain original documents)

· Bidder’s Response Form

· Business Reference Form

· Prompt Pay Discount Form

· Certificate of Non-Collusion

· Contractor Authorized Signatory Form

· Manufacturer Letter (s)

· Copies of licenses/permits or other proof of qualifications

Forms Required Upon Award:

· Commonwealth Standard Contract Form

· W9 (unless already on file with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts)

· Commonwealth Terms and Conditions (unless already on file with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts)

· EFT Form (unless already on file with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts)

· Original Signature documents submitted as a bid response through the CommBuys System (per Section 9.3) Explosives RFR image2.jpeg image1.png image2.png