Air Purifiers

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet issued Request for Bid (RFB) 758 2200000105 on behalf of the Department of Education to procure air purification equipment for use in Elliott County and other Kentucky locations. The solicitation sought 63 units each of four line items: Vollara Air and Surface Pro+ Air Purifiers, Vollara Air and Surface Pro+ Air Purifier Active Pure Replacement Cells (to be changed yearly), Vollara Air and Surface Pro+ Filter Assemblies, and Vollara Air and Surface Pro+ Purification Plates. The specified air purifiers feature electrical input of 100-240 VAC at 50/60 Hz, maximum power consumption of 43 watts, coverage ranging from 500 to 2,000 square feet, and include a three-year limited warranty. Bidders were permitted to propose approved equivalent brands or specifications with sufficient supporting descriptive literature, though failure to provide adequate documentation would result in a non-responsive bid determination. The solicitation utilized a best value ranking approach with price accounting for 90 points (lowest bidder receiving maximum points) and delivery accounting for 10 points based on the vendor's stated delivery time in working days. Written questions were due by August 24, 2021 at 10:00 AM ET, and the original bid closing date was September 2, 2021 at 1:30 PM ET; however, a subsequent modification issued on August 31, 2021 cancelled the entire solicitation due to concerns regarding the lack of UL2998 certification and possible emissions from the specified equipment. All pricing was required to be quoted F.O.B. Destination Freight Prepaid and Allowed, exclude federal excise tax and Kentucky sales or use tax, and remain valid for a minimum of 60 calendar days after the bid due date.

The procurement included reciprocal preferences for Kentucky resident bidders and preferences for qualified bidders, including Kentucky Correctional Industries, Kentucky Industries for the Blind, and qualified nonprofit agencies for individuals with severe disabilities. All bidders were required to submit an Annual Affidavit certifying compliance with Kentucky campaign finance laws, sales and use tax registration, state tax non-delinquency, and non-participation in prohibited boycotts. The contract was to be established as a master agreement with an initial one-year period and optional renewal clauses allowing for four additional one-year renewal periods, provided all parties gave written approval and the Commonwealth retained the right to renegotiate terms and conditions for each extended period. Vendors were required to be registered in the Kentucky Vendor Self Service System prior to submission and to bid all line items; multiple bids or alternate pricing was prohibited. Since the solicitation was cancelled on August 31, 2021, no contract was awarded, no incumbent supplier information was relevant, and no specific budget or award value was established for this opportunity.