2025 Reusable Bags

Tompkins County, located in New York State, is soliciting bids for a reusable bag procurement as part of the NYS Single Use Plastic Bag Ban legislation. The county seeks to distribute high-quality reusable shopping bags at no cost to residents with low and fixed incomes. Specified requirements include bags with a minimum 25-pound carrying capacity, at least 75% post-consumer recycled content, a shoulder-style design, two fully attached handles, machine washability, and dimensions of 19"x15" or larger. Bidders must submit proposals online through the Tompkins County website by January 9, 2025, at 2 PM EST, with the contract period running from January 15, 2025, through December 31, 2025. Evaluation criteria will focus on the lowest total bid, completeness of submission, and the bidder's demonstrated capabilities. Vendors are required to provide comprehensive product literature, including manufacturing location, materials, and durability testing, and submit pricing for different quantity tiers (1,000-3,000, 3,001-5,000, and 5,001+ units).

The county strongly encourages participation from Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), with a preference for vendors holding B-corp and fair labor certifications. Historical order quantities range between 2,000 and 7,599 bags annually, depending on available budget. Bidders have flexibility in bag color options, including white, black, or alternative colors, and no logo imprinting is required. The county reserves the right to award the contract by individual item or on an aggregate basis to the most beneficial bidder. Delivery for all ordered bags will be to a single location in Ithaca, NY 14850, and the procurement process allows for sample submissions to help evaluate product quality. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the solicitation suggests a competitive bidding environment with potential for substantial order volumes across multiple quantity tiers.