Firefighting Gloves

The City of Pittsburgh Office of Management & Budget, on behalf of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire, is soliciting bids for specialized structural firefighting protective gloves through Invitation for Bid #2024-IFB-269. The procurement specifically seeks LION Commander ACE Firefighting Gloves in seven sizes ranging from Small to 4XL, with annual quantities varying between 1-24 gloves per size. These highly specialized protective gloves must meet NFPA 1971 standards and be Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) certified, featuring a complex multi-layer design including side split cowhide leather outer shell, CROSSTECH moisture barrier, Kovenex thermal liner, and Lite-N-Dri thermal insulation. The bid was released on August 19, 2024, with questions due by August 30, 2024, and the final response deadline set for September 16, 2024, at 2:00 pm. The contract period will span from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2027, with potential for two optional one-year renewals. Vendors must submit comprehensive documentation, including a pre-award good faith checklist, vendor contact sheet, registration form, and W-9, indicating a rigorous vendor evaluation process.

The solicitation does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Vendors must include shipping and delivery costs within their bid pricing, with purchases to be made F.O.B. Destination. The gloves are manufactured by LION Protective Gloves in Berlin, Wisconsin, and will be packaged individually in poly bags with user instruction guides. While specific budget ranges are not detailed, the procurement involves a multi-year contract with pricing to be determined by bidders across three contract years. The specification sheet indicates the gloves are manufactured under an ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system, suggesting a high standard of production and quality control. Interested vendors must provide unit costs and meet the comprehensive technical specifications outlined in the bid documents, including detailed material composition, construction techniques, and performance standards for firefighting protective equipment.