Fiber Cores

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, on behalf of the Department of Corrections – Kentucky Correctional Industries (KCI), issued a Request for Bid (RFB 758 2200000275) to establish a Master Agreement for polyester fiber cores used in mattress production. The solicitation seeks two sizes of Cumuplush brand fiber cores with 12.5 ounces per square foot (osf) specifications: 2,900 units of 25" x 75" x 5" cores and 2,750 units of 25" x 80" x 5" cores, meeting precise tolerances for loft (1/4"), weight (5%), width and length (1/2"), composed of 100% polyester fiber in white color, and packaged in clear plastic bags. Deliveries must be made Monday through Friday between 7:45 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex in West Liberty, Kentucky. No substitute fiber cores are permitted, as the specified product has undergone burn testing and been verified as compatible with existing mattress production machinery. The RFB was initially released November 15, 2021, with written vendor questions due November 22, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. ET; the final closing date for electronic bid submission through the Kentucky eProcurement system is December 7, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. ET. The contract will be awarded on a best value basis using a ranking approach allocating 90 points to price and 10 points to delivery time, with the lowest-priced bidder receiving maximum price points and delivery time specified in working days; vague delivery terms such as "as required" or "as soon as possible" will result in non-responsive bids. The initial contract period is one year from the date of award with four optional one-year renewal periods.

Kentucky resident bidders are eligible for reciprocal preference scoring, while qualified bidders receive additional preferences: Kentucky Correctional Industries receives a 20 percent preference equal to the maximum points awarded, and other qualified bidders (including Kentucky Industries for the Blind and nonprofit agencies serving individuals with severe disabilities) receive a 15 percent preference. All vendors must be registered with the Commonwealth eProcurement System and submit required documentation including Revenue Form 10A100, proof of Kentucky sales and use tax registration or completion of Form 10A100, Secretary of State registration if applicable, and a notarized Annual Affidavit for Bidders addressing compliance with Kentucky campaign finance laws, ethics restrictions, and other statutory provisions. All proposed pricing must be quoted F.O.B. Destination Freight Prepaid and Allowed, exclusive of federal excise taxes and Kentucky sales or use taxes, and must remain valid for a minimum of 60 calendar days after the bid due date. Price increases are not permitted during the first 12 months of the contract; subsequent increases require 30 days' written notice with industry-wide justification and Commonwealth approval, while price decreases must be reported immediately. A one percent daily deduction from the vendor's invoice applies for each day delivery is late. While a specific contract budget is not disclosed in the solicitation documents, the estimated procurement quantity totals 5,650 units across two fiber core sizes.