17-IND-7500-TextileMaterials

This solicitation is for a state and local contract opportunity issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Correction, specifically the Massachusetts Correctional Industries (MassCor) division. The contract seeks to procure a wide range of textile materials and related clothing items, including twill, jersey knit fabric, sweatshirt material, poplin scrubs, denim, blanket material, tube socks, sheeting, terry toweling, broadcloth, poplin chambray, mesh material, as well as sewing thread, embroidery thread, zippers, and fasteners. Bidders must provide products that meet detailed specifications for fiber content, dimensions, weights, finishes, and packaging. The contract will be awarded on a rate basis with no maximum obligation, and the term is up to 3 years with 3 optional 3-year renewal periods, for a total maximum of 12 years. Bids are due by July 12, 2017, and the contract is expected to start on September 1, 2017. Pricing will be evaluated based on factors such as volume purchase discounts, prompt payment discounts, and alternative value grade materials. Bidders must also submit a Supplier Diversity Plan, which will be weighted at a minimum of 10% of the evaluation.

The Commonwealth has indicated that this contract opportunity has a high sensitivity level, and that multiple awards per item are possible. While no specific set-aside requirements are mentioned, the Supplier Diversity Plan suggests a focus on engaging certified diverse businesses. The Commonwealth has provided historical purchasing information, indicating that MassCor has leveraged multiple vendors for these textile materials in the past, including Cotswold Industries, Tabb Textiles, Barton Sewing, Ray Tex, Hyman Brickle & Sons, Amtex Fabrics, and Sew Easy Inc. The estimated annual spend for the various textile items ranges from $5,640 to $142,868.