CONTRACT: Personal Hygiene Products

The State of New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services, Bureau of Purchase and Property, issued a competitive bid (RFB 2637-23) for personal hygiene products to be delivered to multiple state agencies, including the Department of Corrections facilities in Concord and Berlin, Glencliff Home, NH Hospital, and Juvenile Justice Services in Manchester. The procurement solicits comprehensive personal care items such as body wash, toothbrushes, combs, deodorants, shampoo, soap, tampons, sanitary napkins, razors, and toothpaste, with estimated annual quantities ranging from 1 to 280 cases per product line item. The bid was posted on July 7, 2022, with a closing date of July 14, 2022, at 10:00 AM EST, and required vendors to submit questions and clarifications by July 11, 2022, at 4:00 PM. Vendors were instructed to provide unit costs, total extensions, brand SKU numbers, and actual pack sizes, with pricing remaining firm for one year and potential annual adjustments capped at the Consumer Price Index. Key vendor requirements included establishing individual customer accounts within three business days, maintaining $1,000,000/$2,000,000 in commercial general liability insurance, and delivering products within ten business days of order placement.

The contract allows participation by political subdivisions and nonprofit organizations under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c), without specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. The contract term spans three years with options for two additional one-year extensions, not exceeding a total five-year period. Vendors in the bid award included Bob Barker, Charm-Tex, Concordance, and Amercare, with total bid amounts ranging from $54,383.30 to $64,900.91, demonstrating a 7 percent cost savings compared to previous pricing. Payment will be processed within 30 days via ACH or Procurement Card, and vendors must submit quarterly and annual usage reports detailing products purchased, manufacturing information, recycling documentation, and total costs. The successful vendors were required to provide all pricing in U.S. dollars, inclusive of delivery and associated costs, with no additional surcharges permitted. Pricing was to be submitted F.O.B. Destination, with vendors delivering directly to the specified state agency locations.