Copy Paper

Kenosha County, Wisconsin, through its Purchasing Division and in cooperation with Value for Local Government, is soliciting bids for a comprehensive copy paper contract covering white and color copy and printer paper. The procurement seeks to establish a contract for eleven base product line items, including white and color copy paper in various sizes (8.5" x 11", 8.5" x 14", and 11" x 17"), along with cover vellum and colored index stock. The estimated annual quantity is approximately 123,842,000 sheets, with participation from multiple Wisconsin local government agencies, including school districts, county courthouses, and cities. Bidders must be original manufacturers or authorized distributors with five years of experience in the copy paper business and provide three references from comparable-sized institutions. The bid submission deadline is November 9, 2022, at 3:00 PM, with a public opening at the Kenosha County Purchasing Division. The contract term is set for January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2025, with two optional one-year renewal periods. Award will be made to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder meeting all specifications, with pricing quoted in U.S. dollars per thousand sheets and required to remain firm for thirty calendar days after bid opening.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the procurement documents. The contract allows for participation by any qualified vendor meeting the specified requirements, including original manufacturers and authorized distributors. While no incumbent vendors are explicitly identified, the order history in Exhibit 1 shows significant paper purchases by Milwaukee Public Schools and various Wisconsin school districts and government entities. The procurement does not specify a precise budget range, but the order history suggests substantial annual purchasing volumes, with the largest single order from Milwaukee Public Schools reaching 1,549,500 sheets in June 2022. Vendors must provide annual reporting in January detailing order activity by agency, product, and pricing. The contract includes comprehensive requirements for delivery (F.O.B. destination with freight included), minimum case quantities, and compliance with Wisconsin ethics statutes and public records laws. Kenosha County is exempt from federal excise taxes and Wisconsin sales taxes, and the successful contractor will be required to meet specific insurance and indemnification obligations.