Conversion Coated Aluminum Coils

The State of Connecticut Department of Administrative Services, in coordination with the Department of Correction, is soliciting bids for conversion-coated aluminum coils to be used in the production of multi-year reflectorized license plates at the Department of Correction's Plate Shop. The procurement requires aluminum substrate material in coil form treated with a chrome-free conversion coating (Bonderite M-CR 1430c) that is compatible with retroreflective sheeting and capable of withstanding weathering, corrosion, and wear over the plate's service life. Specific technical requirements include alloy-temper 3105-H21 aluminum with a thickness of 0.032 inches and widths of either 12 inches or 7-3/32 inches, wound to nominal weights between 1,700 and 2,000 pounds per coil and packaged on skids not exceeding 4,000 pounds total weight. Deliveries must be made to the Cheshire Correctional Institution Marker Shop during operating hours of 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with 48 hours' advance notice required, and each delivery must include a notarized Certificate of Compliance and traceability tags affixed to each coil. The estimated annual quantity is 240,000 pounds, with the contract term extending from December 1, 2025, through November 30, 2028, with DAS retaining the option to extend for additional terms not exceeding the original three-year period. Evaluation is based on the lowest responsible qualified respondent using a fixed processing or conversion fee per pound quoted by vendors, as the raw aluminum cost is market-driven and identical across suppliers. The solicitation opened October 27, 2025, at 7:00 AM EDT with a vendor question-and-answer period running through November 3, 2025, at 2:00 PM EST, and responses are due November 13, 2025, at 2:00 PM EST, submitted electronically through the CTsource portal. Respondents must provide three references from separate organizations documenting fulfillment of past contract obligations and experience delivering similar supplies, complete product specification and quality documentation, and address compliance certifications including debarment status, OSHA violations, criminal convictions, and campaign contribution certifications.

The solicitation documents do not identify any set-aside designations or restrictions limiting participation to disadvantaged enterprises or specific organization types. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are listed in the available materials. Contractors must satisfy specific operational and compliance requirements, including contractor background clearance for facility access, metal detector screening, and adherence to strict contraband and inmate contact protocols as outlined in the contract attachments. All material must comply with ROHS and REACH regulations and EPA requirements, with certification that no hexavalent chromium or restricted heavy metals are used, and a minimum one-year warranty or manufacturer's standard warranty is required. Commercial general liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate is mandated, with the State named as an additional insured. The pricing structure consists of a variable raw material cost based on the U.S. Midwest Transaction Price for P-1020 aluminum as published by Platts/Argus, plus a fixed processing and conversion cost per pound that remains firm throughout the contract term, with ceiling and floor protection mechanisms limiting price adjustments to 15 percent above or below the baseline awarded price per pound. While a specific award value or budget range is not disclosed in the solicitation materials, the estimated annual consumption of 240,000 pounds over a three-year contract period provides potential vendors with insight into anticipated volume and contract magnitude.