Isotonic Sports Drinks

Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Fire Rescue Department is seeking competitive sealed bids for isotonic sports drinks through Invitation to Bid ITB-26-00050. The procurement targets beverages to supplement fluid loss during firefighting and training operations, with specific requirements for single-flavored cases containing 24 bottles of 20-ounce wide-mouth plastic bottles in Cool Blue/Blueberry Blast, Lemon-Lime, and Orange flavors. Acceptable products include Gatorade, Powerade, or equivalent brands complying with 21 CFR Part 165, without FD&C Red40 or Red3 dyes, and available in both regular-calorie (8%-13% carbohydrate) and low/no-calorie formulations. Bidders must be authorized resellers or manufacturers with documented experience providing similar services, and all products must be new, unused, first-quality items with a minimum six-month shelf life from delivery date. The bid submission deadline is December 19, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time through the County's electronic bidding system, with award going to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder meeting all specifications.

The procurement does not specifically indicate set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, but does mandate E-Verify compliance for all contractors and subcontractors. The contract will be established as a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) or Contract Purchase Agreement (CPA), with an estimated project budget of $102,850.00 for the two-year contract period. Delivery requirements include transportation within five business days of purchase order receipt to the Public Safety Operations Complex in Tampa, with deliveries restricted to Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, excluding County holidays. The contract terms include fixed pricing for the entire two-year period and allows for potential usage by members of the Hillsborough County Governmental Purchasing Council, which encompasses multiple municipalities and regional agencies. Insurance requirements are comprehensive, including Commercial General Liability, Automobile Liability, Workers' Compensation, and potential additional coverages depending on contract scope. The County operates under a Cone of Silence policy restricting bidder communications with County employees from solicitation issuance through five business days after notice of intent to award.