ITB Oral Rehydration Packages

The City of Fort Worth seeks bids through Invitation to Bid (ITB) #25-0223 to establish a non-exclusive supply agreement for Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) packages for the Fort Worth Police and Fire Departments on an "as needed" basis. The procurement covers powder-based ORS packages available in multiple flavors suitable for reconstitution in 16-ounce and 2.5-gallon water volumes, with specific electrolyte and nutritional components meeting World Health Organization guidelines, FDA regulations, and NSF certifications. Required products must be gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan, and vendors must demonstrate a minimum of three years of experience in the industry, provide documentation as a manufacturer or authorized distributor, and maintain sufficient inventory to fulfill city requirements. Bids must be submitted electronically through the City of Fort Worth Bonfire Portal, with a deadline of September 11, 2025; the initial contract term is one year with options for up to four additional one-year renewal periods. Vendors must comply with delivery requirements, including delivery to multiple city department locations within fourteen days of purchase order receipt, with shipments accepted between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM Monday through Friday, excluding city-observed holidays. The City reserves the right to award contracts to the most advantageous bidder based on lowest price and responsiveness, with the city maintaining sole discretion to determine product equivalency.

Interested bidders must submit comprehensive documentation including a completed Conflict of Interest Questionnaire (CIQ Form) within seven days of beginning contract negotiations, Form W-9, an authorized signature and contact details form, three customer references, and responses to a detailed qualification questionnaire addressing product specifications, delivery capabilities, shelf life, and order quantity requirements. All submitted materials become public property subject to the Texas Public Information Act, with pricing information publicly available after bid evaluation, though vendors may mark proprietary information for confidentiality determination by the Texas Attorney General. Vendors must provide proof of appropriate insurance coverage including Workers' Compensation, Commercial General Liability, and Auto Liability Insurance with specified minimum limits, and comply with all federal, state, and local laws, including non-discrimination provisions and prohibitions against boycotting specified entities. The solicitation documents indicate a local business consideration policy allowing preference for bidders whose principal place of business is within Fort Worth's corporate limits if their bid is within 3-5 percent of the lowest out-of-municipality bid. No specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the available procurement documents.