161-20250319163406 Benton

Benton County, Mississippi, is seeking to procure storm shelters through a competitive bidding process, with bids due by 9:00 A.M. on April 15, 2025. The procurement is for above-ground concrete storm shelters that must meet stringent FEMA P-361 standards, with specific requirements including a 7' x 13' outside dimension, capacity to shelter 13 people, and manufacturing at an NPCA Certified Plant. The shelters must demonstrate exceptional structural integrity, featuring a 4,000 PSI concrete rating, F5/250 MPH wind rating, impact-tested metal door, ventilation, and electrical components. Bidders are required to submit comprehensive construction drawings stamped by a Mississippi-licensed engineer and include full delivery and installation pricing in their proposal. The county has established detailed technical specifications that vendors must precisely meet, and reserves the right to reject any or all bids while also requesting references from current shelter users. The contract period will span one year, beginning April 21, 2025, and ending April 21, 2026, with interested vendors directed to contact Marlene McKenzie at the county's chancery clerk office for any questions.

While no specific set-aside designations or disadvantaged enterprise requirements are explicitly mentioned in the documentation, the bid process appears open to qualified vendors who can meet the technical specifications. The county does not indicate any restrictions on vendor types or sizes, suggesting a competitive opportunity for manufacturers and suppliers capable of producing FEMA-compliant storm shelters. No information is provided about incumbent vendors or existing infrastructure that might require integration. The bid documents do not specify a precise budget range or potential award value, leaving pricing flexibility for vendors to competitively propose their solutions. Vendors will be evaluated based on their ability to meet the comprehensive technical requirements, provide appropriate engineering documentation, include delivery and installation services, and offer competitive pricing for the storm shelter units.