Acorn & Metcraft Plumbing Supplies

Cook County's Office of the Chief Procurement Officer is soliciting competitive bids for a three-year contract to procure plumbing catalog supplies from Acorn Plumbing Supplies and Metcraft Parts and Accessories through Invitation for Bid (IFB) No. 2521-09090. The procurement is specifically for catalog-referenced plumbing supplies utilizing UNSPSC commodity code 30181800, with bidders required to provide their latest manufacturer catalogs and pricing lists electronically. Vendors must offer the highest percentage discount off the manufacturer's list price and update pricing within one week of any manufacturer changes. Bids are due electronically via the Bonfire platform on November 5, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. local time, with all questions to be submitted by October 15, 2025. Delivery requirements include a 10-business-day timeframe to multiple Cook County locations, and vendors must provide manufacturer warranties, product specification sheets, and be prepared to replace rejected supplies within five business days. The evaluation criteria will focus on responsiveness, vendor responsibility, and the proposed discount percentage.

The contract includes specific set-aside provisions for Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) participation, with subcontracting goals of 4% MBE and 9% WBE of the awarded contract price. Vendors must complete extensive compliance documentation, including subcontractor identification, economic disclosure statements, and certifications regarding business ethics, human rights, and local business preferences. The procurement is structured to encourage participation from veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by people with disabilities, and minority-owned enterprises. The contract will award up to two vendors, each with a not-to-exceed amount of $250,000, totaling a potential $500,000 procurement opportunity. Payment terms are net 60 days, and the contract includes a potential two-year renewal option beyond the initial three-year term. Bidders must demonstrate compliance with various state and county wage, labor, and ethical standards, with potential penalties for non-compliance including contract disqualification.