Fire Extinguishers

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Procurement Services has issued Invitation for Bids (IFB #3000012776) for fire extinguisher services and supplies, including refill, hydrostatic testing, and new equipment purchases. The procurement encompasses multiple line items across varying types and sizes of fire extinguishers, including 2.5-pound, 5-pound, and 10-pound ABC extinguishers; 5-pound and 10-pound CO2 extinguishers; and miscellaneous related services. Successful vendors must provide pick-up, testing, repair if necessary, refilling, and return of extinguishers to the University, as well as supply new replacement extinguishers as required. All deliverables must be completed within 15 consecutive calendar days after receipt of purchase order and delivered to the General Storeroom at 111 Airport Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, with pricing constituting the total delivered cost on a free-on-board destination basis including all shipping and handling charges. Evaluation criteria include lowest responsive bid meeting specifications, quality, reputation, delivery capability, and suitability for intended use. Critical deadlines include a mandatory pre-bid site visit and meeting on May 13, 2026 by 1:00 PM EST, written questions due by May 13, 2026, and sealed bids due electronically through the North Carolina eVP portal by May 22, 2026 at 1:00 PM EST, with public bid opening occurring at that time. Vendor bids must remain valid for 60 days from the bid opening date.

Vendors must be registered in good standing with the State of North Carolina through the eVP portal and comply with all vendor eligibility requirements under North Carolina General Statutes. Employers with more than 25 employees in North Carolina must verify employment authorization through E-Verify, and all vendors must disclose any work performed outside the United States. The University requires manufacturers' standard warranties of a minimum 12 months from equipment operation, covering all defective parts, labor, freight, and technician travel at no additional cost to the University. Prospective bidders must provide at least three references for substantially similar goods and services and submit a certification of financial condition. The University reserves the right to award to a single vendor for all line items or to make separate awards to different vendors for one or more line items, and retains discretion to reject any or all bids. No set-aside designations, incumbent vendor information, or specific award values or budget ranges are disclosed in the solicitation documents.