Barber supplies

The South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) Purchasing Branch issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for barber supplies to support the SCDC Commissary Warehouse. The solicitation seeks seven specific line items: 140 barber cutting capes, 95 neck dusters, 30 clipper guard sets, 55 sanitizing jars, 360 units of clipper oil, 185 neck strips, and 40 clipper cords. All products must be new and meet precise technical specifications, with preferred brands identified for each item or acceptable equal alternatives. Sealed bids were due by March 7, 2024, at 10:00 AM, to be submitted to the SCDC Purchasing Branch at 4530 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210. The contract is structured as a one-year initial term with options to renew for four additional one-year periods, creating a potential maximum contract life of five years. Delivery requirements mandate that products be delivered within 30 days of purchase order receipt, with deliveries accepted Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM on pallets suitable for forklift and pallet jack access.

The solicitation allows vendors to claim South Carolina or U.S. end-product preferences and resident vendor preferences if eligible under state law. Vendor registration with the state is mandatory to submit an offer, and nonresident contractors may be subject to specific tax withholding requirements. The contract was ultimately awarded to Atlanta Barber & Beauty Supply, located in Atlanta, Georgia, with an evaluated contract amount of $6,432.75 and an awarded amount of $6,435.75. The total potential contract value over the five-year period is $32,163.75, with unit prices ranging from $3.20 per sanitizing jar to $17.95 per clipper guard set. Award criteria focused on selecting the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, with specific attention to meeting technical specifications, product compatibility, and adherence to state procurement terms and conditions. Vendors were required to provide certifications including drug-free workplace documentation, ethics compliance, and debarment certifications.