Aluminum Flat Bars

The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) is issuing an Invitation for Bid (IFB) to procure 6061-T6 aluminum flat bars for use in highway sign support structures. The specification calls for aluminum flat bars measuring 0.375 inches thick, 1.5 inches wide, and 144 inches in length, with a minimum order quantity of 500 units and an estimated total demand of 9,000 units over a three-year contract period. The bars will be delivered to the Enterprise Sign Plant in Bunn, North Carolina, Monday through Thursday between 7:30 AM and 2:00 PM EST, requiring a minimum of two days' notice for each delivery. The IFB was posted on March 13, 2026, with written questions due by March 20, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET, responses to be provided by March 25, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET, and bids due on March 31, 2026 by 2:00 PM ET through the Ariba Sourcing Tool. Vendors must provide three customer references for similar products, submit samples if requested within 14 days at no cost to the state, and furnish mill certifications meeting ASTM B-221 specifications with all deliveries. Pricing will utilize index pricing based on the average Midwest US Transaction Price for aluminum ingot as published in Platt's Metals Week plus a fixed processing fee, with all costs including shipping, delivery, handling, and administrative expenses included in the bid price delivered free-on-board to destination. Vendors must be registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State prior to award, certify financial stability and E-Verify compliance, and demonstrate adherence to fair employment practices and zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policies.

The state has designated a goal of 10 percent utilization of minority-owned, women-owned, and disabled business enterprises as first or second-tier subcontractors, and actively encourages participation from these groups. No incumbent vendors or existing contractors are identified in this procurement. The initial contract term is three years from the effective date, with the state reserving the right to extend for up to 180 days in 90-day-or-less increments. Price increases are prohibited for one year from the contract effective date; thereafter, any increases must be negotiated in writing with supporting documentation. Payment will not be issued until inspection and acceptance of goods are completed. No specific award value or budget range is provided in the solicitation, as compensation will be determined through competitive bidding based on the established pricing structure.