Bid No. 245089 Custom Hearing Protection REBID

The City of Salem, Oregon, through its Department of Public Works - Operations, is seeking a vendor to provide custom hearing protection services for city employees under Bid No. 245089. The procurement requires a contractor to deliver dB blocker convertible vented hearing protection devices with specific features including a cord, carrying case, and accompanying instructions. Key deliverables include on-site ear mold impressions, 5-year storage of ear impressions, a 90-day fit guarantee, and a minimum 3-year material warranty. Vendors must provide custom hearing protection devices across multiple quantity tiers, ranging from single pairs to 200+ pairs, with an initial anticipated order of 101-200 pairs. Technical proposals must include product specifications, and bidders are permitted to submit approved alternative products like Sound Gear By Starkey - Tunz and Trophy Ear - Custom Solid Plugs with Filter. The bid solicitation requires electronic submission through Equity Hub's Bid Locker by December 18, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. local time, with technical questions due by December 11, 2024, at 5:00 PM. The contract term is set from execution until June 30, 2026, with four optional one-year renewal periods.

The procurement appears to have no specific set-aside designations or restrictions limiting respondents, suggesting open competition among qualified vendors. Three vendors submitted bids: Trophy Ear from Dexter, Missouri; Hear Again USA from Brick, New Jersey; and ProtectEar USA from Colorado Springs, Colorado. The bid tabulation sheet indicates ProtectEar USA submitted the lowest total bid at $1,166.00, with pricing ranging from $280.50 for a single pair to $166.00 for orders of 200+ pairs. The contract includes provisions for cooperative purchasing, allowing other public agencies to potentially utilize the agreement. The City will require the awarded vendor to maintain commercial general liability insurance with a combined single limit of not less than $2,000,000 per occurrence. The Notice of Intent to Award indicates PROTECTEAR USA LLC is the intended contract recipient, with the award scheduled for December 27, 2024. Delivery of custom hearing protection devices is required within 45 business days after initial ear impressions, and the agreement allows for potential price increases at renewal, subject to documentation and wholesale price index limitations.