Horse bedding, pure pine shavings, purchase and

Palm Beach County's Purchasing Department issued a Request for Quotation (RFQ) on October 13, 2020, for the supply of pure pine shavings horse bedding through a term contract, with quotes due by November 3, 2020, at 4:00 p.m. Palm Beach County Local Time. The solicitation encompasses two distinct items: Item 1 requires kiln-dried, 100% pine shavings for the Parks & Recreation Department at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center with an estimated annual quantity of 3,500 bags (minimum order 180 bags), and Item 2 supplies similar bedding for the Animal Care & Control Department with an estimated annual quantity of 250 bags (minimum order 15 bags). Both items must meet specific technical specifications including medium flake size, heat-sealed plastic wrapping, and compressed bag dimensions of 3-4 cubic feet and 7-10 cubic feet expanded size for Item 1, and 3-7.5 cubic feet compressed and 4.5-12.5 cubic feet expanded for Item 2, with maximum weights not exceeding 35 pounds and 65 pounds respectively. The successful vendor will be awarded a twelve-month term contract with options to renew for four additional twelve-month periods, subject to mutual written agreement and Board appropriation of funds. Delivery must occur within fifteen calendar days of receiving a delivery order on an F.O.B. destination basis, and vendors must submit firm, fixed unit prices per expanded cubic foot with no escalation clauses that will remain constant throughout the initial term and any renewal periods. The County will award this solicitation item-by-item to the lowest responsive and responsible quoter.

The procurement includes set-aside considerations for Small/Minority/Women Business Enterprise (S/M/WBE) vendors, who must submit completed Schedules 1 and 2 documenting all subcontractor participation and work percentages. A 5% local preference may be applied to Palm Beach County local businesses or Glades businesses that meet permanent place-of-business requirements, verified by current Business Tax Receipt. All vendors must register in the County's Vendor Self Service (VSS) system, maintain current Business Tax Receipts, comply with the Commercial Non-Discrimination Policy, and submit drug-free workplace certifications to be considered for award. Transportation charges must be included in the unit price, with the vendor assuming all liability and risk in transit. No incumbent vendors or budget values were specified in the solicitation documents. The RFQ evaluation criteria focus on responsiveness, responsibility, and compliance with set-aside provisions, with award decisions made on an item-by-item basis to achieve the lowest overall cost while supporting County preferences for local and disadvantaged business enterprises.