IFB 1646 - Personal Protective Equipment

The County of San Mateo, California, is seeking bids for personal protective equipment (PPE) through Invitation for Bid (IFB) 1646, targeting emergency preparedness and response operations. The procurement includes specialized wildland and emergency protective gear such as 24 yellow Nomex wildland coats in various sizes, 6 midnight navy Nomex tactical pants, 18 blue wildfire helmets, 18 ear-neck-face protectors, 18 Striketeam rescue goggles, and 6 white MSA Cairns modern helmets with custom accessories. Bidders must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and in good standing, with the ability to deliver all products within five business days of purchase order receipt. The bid submission deadline is December 3, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. through the OpenGov portal, with a questions and comments deadline of November 25, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Evaluation will be based on total bid price, with the lowest responsive and responsible bidder receiving the award. All pricing must include shipping and delivery to San Mateo County, and bids will remain firm for 60 calendar days after the due date.

The County has implemented a local business procurement preference ordinance, which will consider proposers who qualify as local businesses, local non-profits, or small/micro businesses. Contractors must provide a W9 tax form and maintain comprehensive general liability insurance of $1,000,000, along with workers' compensation insurance. Additional contractual requirements include adherence to indemnification clauses, compliance with prevailing wage requirements if applicable, and conformance to non-discrimination and civil rights provisions. While no specific award value is explicitly stated, the procurement appears to be a targeted emergency equipment purchase supporting county-wide preparedness initiatives. The solicitation covers San Mateo County and includes potential integration with existing emergency response infrastructure, with custom lettering and modifications available for jacket patches and helmet shields. Vendors must demonstrate product availability, delivery capability, and meet the county's stringent qualification standards to be considered for the contract.