Fire Extinguisher Maintenance and Replacement

The University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Department of Facilities Management, is soliciting competitive bids for comprehensive fire extinguisher maintenance and replacement services across its campus. The procurement seeks a vendor to provide full-service certification, maintenance, repair, and replacement of fire safety equipment, with a specific requirement that new equipment be Kiddie brand or equivalent. The current inventory encompasses 1,125 fire extinguishers across 40 campus buildings, including various types such as ABC, CO2, Halon, Water Mist, and K Class models. Bidders must demonstrate a minimum of ten years of experience in fire equipment service and repair, and provide three client references comparable to the university's scale. The solicitation requires contractors to maintain commercial general liability insurance of at least $1 million, provide worker's compensation insurance, and comply with NFPA No. 10 standards. The initial bid was posted on April 10, 2020, with written questions due by April 15, 2020, and bid responses due on April 24, 2020, at 2:00 PM CST via an online Skype bid opening. The initial contract term runs from May 1, 2020, through April 30, 2021, with potential renewal options extending the contract through April 30, 2025.

The solicitation includes provisions for potential participation in Wisconsin's Cooperative Purchasing Service, which would allow other municipalities to potentially utilize the contract. Bidders may claim minority business enterprise or disabled veteran-owned business preferences if certified through the Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program. The University reserves the right to extend purchasing eligibility to other UW System campuses, State of Wisconsin agencies, and Wisconsin municipalities. Pricing must remain firm for the initial one-year contract term, with any proposed increases limited to fully documented cost increases and subject to University approval. No minimum order quantity or dollar amount is required, and all deliveries shall be FOB Destination and Installed, with contractors bearing all delivery, installation, freight, insurance, and debris removal costs. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the service and the extensive inventory suggest a potentially significant contract value. Contractors must submit a detailed service schedule to the Construction Project Manager for approval prior to May 1, 2020, and agree to provide pricing for a wide range of maintenance and replacement services as outlined in the detailed cost sheet.