Envelopes, #11 Regular for DHHS Farmington

The State of Maine Division of Purchases is requesting bids for envelopes, #11 Regular for the Department of Health and Human Services Farmington facility, with bids due March 31, 2010. Bids offering paper products with a minimum of 30% post-consumer recycled content that are within 10% of the lowest compliant bid may receive up to a 10% price preference.

All bidders must specify the percentage of post-consumer recycled fiber content and certified virgin fiber content for each proposed product, along with proof of the supplier's chain of custody certification or equivalent certification status from acceptable third-party forest product certification organizations including the American Tree Farm System, Forest Stewardship Council, Master Logger Certification Program, entities affiliated with the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. Bidders must also identify the certification labels applied by vendors or manufacturers to each paper product.

The State reserves the right to award contracts based in part on the percentage of recycled or certified fiber content in the products offered, with authorization to pay a price premium of up to 4 percent above the lowest submitted bid to secure paper products containing 100 percent post-consumer recycled or certified virgin fiber content. When no bids specify 100 percent qualifying fiber content, preference will be given to products with the highest percentage of post-consumer recycled or certified virgin fiber, provided the products can be purchased at a price no higher than 4 percent above the lowest submitted bid price. Awards will be made to the lowest responsible bidder based on best value considerations including quality, conformity with specifications, delivery date, and ultimate cost to the state; tie bids are resolved in favor of in-state bidders or those offering Maine-manufactured products. The contract permits an overrun not to exceed 3 percent of the awarded quantity and includes an extension clause allowing the State Purchasing Director to extend the contract period beyond the initial expiration date with contractor consent, with a maximum total contract period of three years. All prices must include transportation charges and be quoted less applicable federal and Maine state sales and use taxes. Cash discounts of 20 days or more are considered in bid evaluation.