Cloth masks for covid-19

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet issued Request for Bid (RFB) 758 2000000641 seeking to establish master agreements for cloth masks to address COVID-19 pandemic requirements across state agencies and political subdivisions, including cities, counties, and school districts. The solicitation requires vendors to supply double-layered cloth face masks in a one-size-fits-all design with elastic ties in solid neutral colors (black, navy, or brown) that adequately cover the nose and mouth while allowing normal breathing. An initial quantity of 2,000 masks was specified, with the understanding that multiple small orders would be placed by state agencies throughout the one-year contract period based on actual need. Vendors must submit one sample mask prior to bid closing and are responsible for all associated shipping costs; pricing must include F.O.B. Destination Freight Prepaid and Allowed delivery to all state government agencies statewide. The solicitation uses a best value evaluation methodology weighted at 90 points for price (with the lowest bidder receiving maximum points) and 10 points for delivery performance measured in working days, with one percent per day deductions from invoices for each day delivery dates are missed. Vendors' written questions were due by May 4, 2020, at 12:00 PM ET, with bids closing on May 8, 2020, at 1:30 PM ET through the Kentucky eProcurement system, and the Commonwealth intended to award up to three separate contracts to vendors receiving the top three highest evaluated scores.

Kentucky resident bidders receive reciprocal preference equal to preferences given by other states to their own residents, and qualified bidders including Kentucky Correctional Industries (20 percent preference), Kentucky Industries for the Blind (15 percent preference), and nonprofit agencies serving individuals with severe disabilities (15 percent preference) receive additional consideration in the award process. Vendors must comply with multiple statutory requirements including campaign finance laws, sales and use tax registration, state tax obligations, and boycott prohibitions, with all affidavits made under penalty of perjury and requiring notarization; non-compliant bidders or those with poor performance records within the preceding 12 months may be found non-responsible. The initial contract period is one year from the date of award with no optional renewal provisions, and price increases are prohibited during the first 12 months but may be requested thereafter with industry-wide justification submitted 30 days in advance. Electronic bid submission through the Kentucky eProcurement system is mandatory, with paper bids deemed non-responsive, and all proposed pricing must remain valid for a minimum of 60 days after the bid due date. The solicitation does not specify a total contract value or budget range, as quantities are based on actual agency demand throughout the contract period; however, no incumbent vendors or current contractors were identified in the solicitation documents.