Georgia Pacific branded washroom disposables

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, acting on behalf of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and the State of Wisconsin, is seeking bids for Georgia Pacific branded washroom disposables, including coreless jumbo roll toilet paper, white paper roll towels, and associated dispensers. The procurement stems from a successful two-year pilot test at the Lubar School of Business that demonstrated significant cost savings. The solicitation covers approximately 400 paper towel dispensers for initial installation across 300 restrooms, with specific focus on the UWM Academic Building requiring 1131 Georgia Pacific dispensers. Bidders must provide comprehensive pricing inclusive of products, dispensers, installation, freight, packing, and setup, with no additional charges permitted. The initial contract term is one year, with two optional one-year renewals contingent upon the Department of Administration's approval. Questions were due by July 25, 2017, and original bids were initially due on August 7, 2017, with a subsequent amendment extending the deadline to August 10, 2017, at 2:00 PM Central Daylight Time. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, with the university retaining discretion to award to a single vendor or multiple vendors by product type.

The procurement includes several set-aside and preference opportunities for specific business types. Certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) can receive up to a 5% bid preference, and Disabled Veteran-Owned Business firms may also receive favorable consideration if submitting qualified bids within 5% of the lowest bid. Bidders must have at least three years of experience providing these products with installation services, though installation may be subcontracted if the subcontractor meets the same experience requirement. Vendors must comply with various statutory requirements, including preferences for materials manufactured in the United States and work center certifications for employers of persons with severe disabilities. Historical volume data indicates approximately 129 cases of jumbo coreless toilet paper and 132 cases of white paper roll towels were used during a nineteen-month test period, with residence halls consuming 55 cases in 2015 and 100 cases in 2016. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the procurement suggests a focus on cost-effective solutions with firm pricing required for the first year and any subsequent price increases subject to strict justification requirements. The state is exempt from federal and Wisconsin state and local taxes, except for excise taxes.