Flexible Pen

The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for a three-year Agency Specific Term Contract to procure flexible pens for distribution to correctional facilities statewide. The procurement specifically seeks black ink pens that are 4" in length with a clear, soft vinyl sleeve, to be packed in quantities of 144 pens per pack, with an estimated total requirement of 5,400 packs over the contract period. The bid was posted on February 13, 2025, with proposals due on February 27, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET via Microsoft Teams. Vendors must deliver the pens FOB Destination to the Central Supply Warehouse in Raleigh within 14 calendar days after receiving a purchase order. The contract will commence upon final execution and run for three years, with an average anticipated order of approximately 600 packs three times per year. Potential bidders must be registered in North Carolina's Electronic Vendor Portal (eVP) to be eligible for contract award.

The solicitation encourages participation from Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs), with a stated goal of 10% utilization of diverse firms as first or second tier subcontractors. The previous contract was held by Bob Barker Company, Inc., which was awarded the contract in February 2022 at an initial price of $13.04 per pack, with a price increase to $13.56 per pack in January 2023. While specific evaluation criteria are not explicitly detailed in the available documentation, registration in the eVP and compliance with HUB participation guidelines appear to be key requirements. The estimated total contract value, based on historical ordering patterns and current pricing, would approximate $73,224 over the three-year contract period (5,400 packs at $13.56 per pack). Vendors should carefully review all contract specifications and be prepared to meet the delivery and packaging requirements outlined in the IFB.