Child, Youth and Adult Life Vests (DGS=OTA)

The California Department of General Services, Procurement Division, is issuing an Invitation for Bid (IFB #0000001706) on behalf of the California Department of Public Health for Child, Youth and Adult Life Vests. The procurement seeks Type III United States Coast Guard (USCG)-approved life vests across three size categories: Child (30-50 lbs), Youth (50-90 lbs), and Adult (over 90 lbs), with a total requirement of 5,656 units (1,414 child, 1,980 youth, and 2,262 adult vests). The life vests must be constructed of lightweight PE foam with 200 or 210 denier nylon shell fabric and feature adjustable straps with quick release buckles. Bids are due on June 1, 2016, by 2:00 PM PST, with the last day to submit questions being May 24, 2016. Successful vendors must complete deliveries to multiple California entities no later than July 8, 2016, with pricing to be F.O.B. Destination and freight prepaid. The state reserves significant flexibility in quantity, with the ability to increase or decrease order volumes by 2,000 units or up to 10,000 additional units at bid prices for State Agencies and California Local Government Agencies within 365 calendar days of bid award.

The solicitation includes several preference programs designed to support diverse business participation, specifically a Small Business preference of 5%, Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) incentives up to 5%, and provisions under the Target Area Contract Preference Act (TACPA). The procurement is being conducted under the Alternative Protest Process per Public Contract Code 12125, which provides specific procedural guidelines for bid challenges. While no incumbent vendors are explicitly mentioned, the solicitation indicates potential for widespread distribution across state and local government agencies in California. The total procurement value is not precisely defined, but with 5,656 life vests required and potential for up to 10,000 additional units, the potential contract value could range significantly depending on per-unit pricing. Sales tax will be handled separately and added at invoicing based on specific delivery location rates, allowing for precise tax calculations. Bidders must carefully review all specifications and comply with the detailed requirements outlined in the solicitation document to be considered for award.