Big Bill Pants or approved equivalent

The State of Maine Division of Purchases is requesting bids on Big Bill Pants or approved equivalent, with bids due June 18, 2009. A Code of Conduct Affidavit addressing workplace standards, labor compliance, and supply-chain ethics is a mandatory submission requirement.

Bidders must certify that their organization and all suppliers at the point of assembly comply with applicable wage, health, labor, environmental, and safety laws; guarantee freedom of association; meet building and fire codes; and prohibit discrimination in hiring, promotion, and compensation. The affidavit also requires compliance with human and labor rights treaty obligations shared by the United States and the country of assembly, including prohibitions on forced labor, child labor, involuntary prison labor, and physical or sexual abuse. Bidders must furnish the Code of Conduct to each supplier at the point of assembly, obtain their affirmations of compliance, and provide the complete physical location of all plants where assembly occurs, including manufacturer names, street addresses, cities, states, countries, and telephone numbers. The notarized affidavit must be faxed to Sue Garcia at 207-287-6578 by the bid opening date and time.

Awards will be made to the lowest responsible bidder based on best value to the State, considering quality, conformity with specifications, delivery date, and ultimate cost. In tie-bid scenarios, preference is given to in-state bidders or those offering commodities produced or manufactured in Maine. Bids must include separate unit prices for each item, with all discounts and transportation charges prepaid by the contractor unless otherwise specified. The State is exempt from Federal and Maine sales and use taxes and expects bids to exclude these. Bids received after the opening date and time will not be considered. The Division reserves the right to reject any or all bids, waive formalities, accept individual items as deemed in the State's best interest, and increase or decrease ordered quantities by up to 10% unless otherwise stated.