calendars 2011

The State of Maine's Division of Purchases is requesting bids on calendars for 2011, with bids due August 9, 2010. Tie bids will be resolved in favor of in-state bidders or those offering commodities produced or manufactured in Maine.

Bidders must submit unit prices for each item as specified, with prices delivered to destination and all discounts included. Bids must be submitted electronically to the Division of Purchases, Room 119, 9 State House Station, State Office Building, Augusta, Maine prior to the opening date and time; sealed bids and amendments received after opening will not be considered. Any discrepancy between unit and total prices will be governed by the unit price on the original bid. Samples must be furnished free of charge when required.

Awards will be made to the lowest responsible bidder considering best value to the State, with evaluation factors including quality, conformity with specifications, delivery date, and ultimate cost. The State reserves the right to reject any or all bids, waive formalities, and increase or decrease quantities by up to 10 percent. All transportation charges shall be prepaid and at the contractor's expense unless otherwise specified. Bidders must specify terms and cash discounts; discounts under 20 days will not be considered in contract awards. The State is exempt from Federal and Maine State Sales and Use Taxes; bidders must quote less these taxes.

If the calendars include paper products or printing services, bidders must specify for each proposed product the percentage of post-consumer recycled fiber content and percentage of certified virgin fiber content sourced from forests certified by ATFS, FSC, MLCP, PEFC, or SFI, and submit proof of the supplier's chain of custody certification. The State may pay a price premium of up to 4% above the low bid to achieve 100% post-consumer recycled or certified virgin fiber content, or will give preference to products with the highest recycled or certified fiber content if available at no more than 4% above the lowest submitted bid price.