IDOC men liquid laundry detergent

The Illinois Department of Corrections issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB #26-426DOC-MENAR-B-50287) for the procurement of liquid laundry detergent concentrate to supply Menard Correctional Center under a three-year contract term. The solicitation was posted on December 8, 2025, with a bid submission deadline of December 23, 2025, and was ultimately awarded on February 2, 2026. The required product must be supplied in 55-gallon drums with specific technical specifications including a minimum of 32% solids, viscosity greater than 500 cps, pH between 6 and 8, and a stain removal index greater than 375 when tested against aged blood, blood/milk/ink, oatmeal/cocoa, soot, and starch stains. The detergent concentrate must contain five specific stain-fighting enzymes: protease, cellulase, alpha-amylase, pectate lyase, and mannanase. Year 1 requires five deliveries of 4,400 gallons each; Year 2 requires five deliveries of 4,400 gallons each; and Year 3 requires six deliveries of 4,400 gallons each, with all deliveries FOB Menard and a minimum order of 40 drums per delivery. Vendors were required to submit product samples consisting of four one-quart bottles and a Safety Data Sheet with their bids, and the State conducted sample approval testing during the evaluation phase before final contract award. The contract is subject to firm pricing, with deliveries occurring on an as-needed basis during normal facility business hours between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding weekends and holidays, and vendor drivers must complete background clearance and comply with facility security requirements.

No small business, minority-owned business, women-owned business, persons with disabilities-owned business, or veteran-owned small business set-asides apply to this procurement. The contract was awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder with no incumbent vendor restrictions, as the previous contract with Joem Chemical had expired on June 2, 2025, and no active contract was in place at the time of solicitation. Eight vendors submitted bids for this opportunity, with Bowgren Group LLC selected as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder at a total award value of $514,844.00 for the three-year initial contract term. Other competing bids included Joem Chem LLC at $515,328.00, Dutch Hollow Services & Supplies Inc. at $523,336.00, Chicago Green Office Company at $591,360.00, Floor-chem Inc at $615,154.32, DASH Industries at $787,072.00, Spartan Innovations & Solutions at $931,392.00, and Amber Solvent Recycling at $1,019,920.00. Vendors must maintain General Commercial Liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence with $2,000,000 annual aggregate, Auto Liability of $1,000,000, and Workers' Compensation as required by law, with the State named as an additional insured. The State reserves the right to terminate the contract for convenience with 30 days' written notice or for cause if performance standards are not met, and the contract is subject to availability of appropriated funds.