12-001284 Assistance to Firefighters Equipment

The North Carolina Department of Insurance, Office of State Fire Marshal, is issuing Invitation for Bids (IFB #12-001284) to procure 57 line items of firefighter equipment for the NC Emergency Training Center through a competitive sealed bidding process. The procurement encompasses hydrant bags, fire hoses in various sizes and colors, nozzles, hand tools, safety equipment, rescue tools, automatic external defibrillators, thermal imaging cameras, and hydraulic rescue tools. The solicitation was posted on February 5, 2026, with a bid submission deadline of February 26, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET via the Ariba Sourcing Tool, with public bid opening occurring on the submission date. The resulting contract will be an Agency Specific Term Contract with an initial three-year term commencing upon final contract execution, with delivery required within 15 consecutive calendar days after purchase order receipt to 44255 Airport Road, New London, NC 28127 on an FOB Destination basis. Award decisions will be based on the responsive bid offering the lowest price meeting specifications, evaluated alongside vendor responsibility factors including past performance, references, and financial stability. Bid prices shall constitute the total cost to the State, including all shipping, delivery, handling, and administrative fees, with no taxes included in proposed prices; prices will remain firm for 365 days from the contract effective date.

Vendors must be registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State and comply with E-Verify system requirements to be eligible for consideration. The procurement includes a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) participation goal of 10% utilization of diverse firms, though no specific set-aside is designated. Bidders must provide at least three customer references for the exact equipment models offered and submit certifications regarding financial condition, lobbying activity, and employment practices. The procurement is funded through a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) awarded to the Office of State Marshal, which restricts the use of funds to equipment that protects the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel against fire and fire-related hazards. The State anticipates the quantities listed as annual estimates only, with no minimum or maximum purchase guarantees; actual orders may be more or less than estimated. No specific budget range or award value has been publicly disclosed in the solicitation materials.