ITB-self-contained breathing apparatus

Thomas County Board of Commissioners has issued an Invitation to Bid (ITB) for Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Equipment through their Emergency Services Department. The procurement encompasses 136 SCBA Units, 272 Air Cylinders, 204 Face Masks, and 7 Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) Packs to support structural firefighting and limited hazardous materials response operations. The equipment must conform to the latest NFPA, NIOSH, and OSHA standards, specifically requiring 4500 PSI systems with 45-minute cylinders, integrated PASS devices, and RIC/UAC connections. Bids are due by October 31, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., with a bid opening at the same time, a committee review scheduled for November 4, 2025, and a tentative award date of November 11, 2025. The comprehensive procurement requires vendors to provide a 5-year annual service rate covering flow testing, fit testing, and battery replacement. Training is a critical component, mandating four sessions over three days, including at least one evening session for volunteers, covering topics such as donning procedures, emergency valve use, and cylinder maintenance. Delivery is required within 60 days of the order date, with pricing to include all freight and delivery charges.

The ITB does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. Thomas County currently operates approximately 130 ISI Viking SCBA Units from 2013 and seeks to upgrade its emergency response equipment. The pricing sheet allows bidders to quote unit prices for SCBA units, battery packs, chargers, face masks, cylinders, RIT packs, annual service, training, freight, and warranty, with a total bid price to be calculated at the end of the document. While specific budget ranges are not detailed in the provided documentation, the comprehensive nature of the procurement suggests a significant investment in emergency services equipment. The bid process appears open to qualified vendors capable of meeting the stringent technical specifications and comprehensive service requirements. Prospective bidders must carefully review the detailed specifications and be prepared to provide a complete solution that meets the technical, training, and service demands of Thomas County's Emergency Services Department.