FY-15 D. C. DOES IT RIGHT- Shirts (Sety-Aside for DCSS Vendors under Advertising and Novelties)

The District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES) has issued a procurement opportunity for FY-15 merchandise procurement, specifically focused on shirts under the "IT RIGHT" program within the Advertising and Novelties category. This solicitation represents a targeted procurement for branded apparel, with a specific focus on shirts as promotional or uniform items. The contract opportunity was posted on August 28, 2015, with a remarkably short response window, closing on August 31, 2015 - indicating an expedited procurement process. The primary objective appears to be acquiring customized shirts, likely for departmental branding, employee uniforms, or promotional purposes. Vendors are expected to provide high-quality, potentially screen-printed or embroidered shirts that meet specific organizational standards and design requirements. The procurement seems to prioritize local vendor participation and potentially seeks vendors with experience in government-related merchandise production.

The contract is explicitly designated as a set-aside opportunity exclusively for District of Columbia Small/Local Business certified vendors, which significantly narrows the competitive field. This restriction ensures that only pre-qualified local businesses can compete for the shirt procurement contract. By limiting participation to DCSS (District of Columbia Small/Local Business) vendors, the procurement aims to support local economic development and provide opportunities for smaller regional businesses. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly detailed in the provided information, set-aside contracts typically have moderate value ranges designed to be achievable for smaller local enterprises. The short turnaround time and specific vendor restrictions suggest this is a tactical, quickly executed procurement intended to support local vendor ecosystem while meeting the Department of Employment Services' immediate merchandise needs.