Athletic Football Helmet Purchase and Football Helmet Reconditioning

Louisiana Tech University's Office of Purchasing has issued an Invitation to Bid (Number 50012-614-25) for athletic football helmet purchases and reconditioning services. The procurement seeks sealed bids for football helmets from manufacturers including Schutt, Riddell, and Vicis, along with associated facemasks in multiple sizes and colors. The contract will run from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, with potential renewal for two additional one-year terms. All new helmets must meet 2025 NOCSAE certification standards, and the university will not accept helmets rated RED in NFL safety tier ratings. Bids are specifically due on June 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM, with comprehensive pricing options structured in quantity tiers of 0-10, 11-20, and 20+ units. The university requires detailed reconditioning services for each helmet type, including full inspection, sanitization, paint matching, internal parts replacement, jaw pad replacement, and NOCSAE licensing. Shipping and handling costs must be integrated into per-unit pricing, and the university reserves the right to award items separately, in groups, or on an all-or-none basis.

While no specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the documentation, the bid appears open to qualified vendors capable of meeting the technical specifications and safety standards. The procurement covers Livingston Parish and is part of a broader Louisiana state contracting opportunity. Pricing will be evaluated across multiple tiers and helmet configurations, with a clear emphasis on safety and equipment quality. The university's approach suggests a potential significant investment in athletic equipment, though specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated in the available documentation. Vendors will need to demonstrate compliance with NOCSAE standards, provide comprehensive reconditioning services, and offer competitive pricing across different helmet models and quantity ranges. The contract's potential for two additional one-year renewals indicates the possibility of a sustained business relationship for the successful bidder.