Fire Extinguishers & Hoses Testing, Inspection, & Training

Waukesha County, Wisconsin is seeking a contractor to provide comprehensive testing, inspection, certification, and training services for fire extinguishers and fire hoses across all county buildings through a competitive bid process (Bid #2026015). The procurement is divided into three groups: Group 1 covers annual maintenance, testing, inspection, and certification of fire extinguishers and hoses with hourly rates for out-of-scope services; Group 2 addresses replacement of extinguishers and hoses utilizing a predetermined formula; and Group 3 encompasses hands-on fire extinguisher use training. Services must be delivered to 47 distinct facility locations across multiple county departments including Public Works, Emergency Preparedness, and Parks & Land Use, spanning municipalities such as Waukesha, Brookfield, New Berlin, Menomonee Falls, and others. For fire extinguishers, the contractor must provide annual maintenance, recharging, parts replacement, and hydrostatic testing but exclude replacement units; for fire hoses, services must include maintenance, re-racking, and hydrostatic testing but exclude replacement hoses. The contractor must be an authorized distributor for replacement fire extinguishers and hoses and must provide evidence of authorization upon request. Pricing must be firm fixed for the initial one-year contract period (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027) with all travel, labor, parts, materials, and expenses included with no trip charges permitted, and a maximum 5 percent markup over vendor cost is allowed for materials. The bid is due electronically through the Waukesha County Bonfire Purchasing Portal by May 14, 2026, at 10:30 AM CDT/CST, with all bids remaining firm for ninety calendar days from the opening date. Bidders must submit responses on provided forms with required signatures, quote all items within each group to be eligible for award on that group, and may bid on individual groups rather than all groups. Award will be made by group to the lowest responsible, responsive bidder.

The procurement documents do not specify set-aside designations or restrictions limiting responses to particular types of organizations or disadvantaged enterprises. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation materials. The contract includes provisions for four optional one-year extensions by mutual consent, with price increases for extension years permitted based on specific indices: the Employment Cost Index for testing, inspection, and training services (capped at 5 percent), the Producer Price Index for replacement equipment (capped at 10 percent), and the Employment Cost Index for hourly labor rates (capped at 5 percent). The contractor must meet comprehensive insurance requirements including Workers' Compensation with $100,000 employer's liability limits, Commercial General Liability with $1,000,000 limits with Waukesha County named as additional insured, and Automobile Liability with $500,000 combined single limits. Out-of-state vendors must register with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions within ten business days of award. Specific budget or award values are not disclosed in the available procurement documents. Payment may be made via P-Card (VISA) with vendors absorbing associated fees, or within thirty days of invoice receipt if credit card payment is not accepted. Prior to award, the Purchasing Division may require proof of financial stability and experience with similar obligations, and certificates of insurance approved by the Risk Manager must be provided before commencement of work.