Exterior Signage for UW-Madison Campus and Affiliated Buildings (UW-MAD) [20-5030]

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Purchasing Services is conducting a competitive bid (RFB 20-5030) for exterior signage across the UW-Madison campus and affiliated buildings, seeking vendors capable of fabricating and installing standardized directional and building signs. The procurement encompasses multiple sign types, including post and panel signs, pan signs, hanging signs, and directional signs, with specific design standards detailed in the campus signage specification document. Bidders must demonstrate three years of experience in exterior signage services, provide three business references of comparable size and scope, and submit comprehensive shop drawings with their bid. The solicitation requires bidders to maintain minimum commercial liability and worker's compensation insurance, and provide a five-year warranty on all items. Key dates include written questions due by March 3, 2020, and final bid submissions due March 12, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. CDT, with the contract term running through March 31, 2021. Evaluation criteria will focus on the lowest net unit price or lowest net lot total deemed in the university's best interest, with prices to be firm for the entire contract period and submitted F.O.B. Destination and Installed.

The procurement offers potential supplier diversity preferences for certified Wisconsin Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Woman-Owned Businesses (WBE), and Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (DVB). All contractors and employees must pass criminal background checks before commencing work, and the university reserves the right to terminate the contract with five days' written notice or immediately for performance failures or safety concerns. While the RFB does not specify predetermined quantities, it provides estimated item quantities for bidding purposes, with no guarantee of purchase of any specific quantity or dollar amount. The specifications are particularly strict, as evidenced by Amendment #1, which explicitly requires 4.5-inch extruded square aluminum posts and rejects alternative 4-inch extrusions. Bid prices must remain valid for sixty days from the bid opening date, and bidders must complete standard certifications including non-collusion declarations and conflict of interest disclosures. The procurement covers a comprehensive range of signage for various campus locations, including a specific project for the Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery facility, though no specific total contract value is disclosed in the solicitation documents.