Dive and Scuba Rescue Gear

The Louisville Fire Department Special Units Division is issuing an Invitation for Bid (IFB260224) to procure dive and scuba rescue gear for public safety water rescue, recovery, and emergency response operations. The solicitation requires two specific items: 50 units of Whites Drywear Enviro Hybrid Dry Suit with SLT Hood/Neck Combo in red and 50 units of Whites Drywear Hood/Neck Seal SLT with Standard Large Hood. All equipment must be brand new, unused, current-production items that comply with NFPA, OSHA, and applicable industry standards, with delivery required to LFD Headquarters at 1135 West Jefferson Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40203 by July 1, 2026. The competitive sealed bid process includes a question period running from April 15, 2026 at 3:00 PM EDT through April 22, 2026 at 3:00 PM EDT, with bid submissions due by April 29, 2026 at 3:00 PM EDT through the City of Louisville's Bonfire procurement portal. Bids will be evaluated on three criteria: per-item price (60 points), inventory availability (30 points), and freight/delivery charges (10 points) for a total of 100 points. Vendors must submit all required documentation including good faith efforts forms, vendor information, W-9 forms, Ban the Box compliance certification, acknowledgements and preferences, and price proposals with all shipping costs included on a FOB Delivered basis, with payment terms of Net 30 days and firm pricing required for six months after bid closing.

The procurement includes several preference programs and subcontracting requirements. Vendors may qualify for a local vendor preference offering a 5% reduction in bid price or 5 points, and a minimum wage preference of 5% reduction if paying all full-time employees at least $10.10 per hour. Additionally, Kentucky statutory preferences are available for Correctional Industries and qualified nonprofit agencies serving individuals with disabilities. The solicitation establishes Good Faith Efforts requirements with specific subcontracting goals for Minority/Women/Historically Disadvantaged Business Enterprises: 15% Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), 5% Female Business Enterprise (FBE), and 0.5% Historically Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (HBE), and bidders must complete GFE forms documenting subcontractor efforts and certifications. All vendors must comply with the Louisville Metro Government's "Ban the Box" ordinance prohibiting criminal history inquiries on initial employment applications, register with the Louisville Metro Revenue Commission, and maintain commercial general liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, along with workers' compensation coverage. No incumbent vendors or budget ranges are specified in the solicitation documents.