Career and Technical Education Simulators & Related Materials

Northside Independent School District (NISD) in San Antonio, Texas, is seeking sealed bids for Career and Technical Education (CTE) Simulators & Related Materials through Invitation for Bid (IFB) #2025-131. The procurement encompasses a comprehensive range of simulation products, including agriculture simulation models, employability simulations, infant simulators, health science skill simulators, and CTE training simulations. Vendors must submit electronic proposals through the Bonfire Portal by Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 2:00 PM (CT), with the contract valid upon Board of Trustee approval for one year and potential renewal options for two additional one-year periods. Bidders are required to offer a discount from published catalog prices, provide an online catalog, and maintain consistent pricing throughout the contract period. Evaluation criteria will include purchase price, vendor reputation, product quality, and compliance with historical underutilized business requirements. The district serves a large educational ecosystem with 83 elementary schools, 21 middle schools, 13 high schools, 11 magnet schools/programs, 4 special schools, and 15 support sites, indicating a significant potential scope for the selected vendor.

The solicitation does not explicitly specify set-aside designations, but the district appears to emphasize compliance with historical underutilized business requirements, which may provide opportunities for diverse vendors. Vendors must submit multiple required documents, including a Vendor Certification Form, Pricing and Service Affirmation, Bid Sheet, and various compliance certifications. The district will utilize Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for payments, and all purchases will be contingent upon available funds. While specific award values are not detailed, the broad range of CTE simulation materials and the district's extensive network suggest a potentially substantial contract opportunity. This procurement replaces a previous IFB for infant simulators expiring on 12/31/2025, and NISD emphasizes that failure to respond to this new IFB may impact vendors' opportunities to continue business with the district. Interested vendors should carefully review all documentation and ensure complete compliance with the solicitation requirements.