ITB - Stab Resistant Vest for detention officers for the Harris County Sherrif’s Office

Harris County, Texas, through the Harris County Sheriff's Office, issued Invitation for Bid (IFB) 23/0359 for the procurement of stab-resistant vests for detention officers. The solicitation seeks new, unused vests designed for concealed or external wear that provide Level III stab resistance certification per NIJ Standard 0115.00, including two protective panels per vest, an adjustable carrier with Velcro strapping, and a carrying/storage box. Each vest package must include comprehensive torso protection with U-neck design, self-suspending ballistic system, removable cummerbund system, and side straps for secure fit, with distinct male and female sizing options available. Vendors must provide sizing samples in all available sizes, maintain product liability insurance of no less than $25,000,000 per incident, provide a five-year warranty on panels and a two-year warranty on carriers, complete alterations and resizing at no cost within the first 60 days, and deliver all equipment within 45 calendar days of order. The contract requires vendors to provide controlled online ordering and inventory management systems, on-site sizing and alteration services, and a minimum of two trained staff members for mass sizing events. The question submission deadline is April 10, 2026, by 2:00 PM CST, with bid submissions due on April 27, 2026, by 2:00 PM CST via sealed bid or electronic submission through Bonfire. The anticipated contract term is one year beginning June 8, 2026, with four renewal options, and Harris County reserves the right to award to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and may reject any or all bids.

Bidders must comply with all federal and state requirements applicable to this procurement, including certification of compliance with federal standards, lobbying restrictions, and prevailing wage requirements under the Harris County Minimum Wage Policy requiring a minimum wage of $21.65 per hour for all contractor staff directly assigned to the contract. A bid bond equal to 5 percent of the total contract price is required if the contract value exceeds $100,000, and performance bonds must be provided within 10 days of award for contracts exceeding $50,000 in the full amount of the contract value. All pricing must be all-inclusive, incorporating all labor, materials, equipment, overhead, and associated costs without separate line items, with transportation, freight, and related charges prepaid by the successful bidder and incorporated into bid prices. The contract will be funded in whole or in part with federal grant monies from sources including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), or the Texas General Land Office (GLO), requiring compliance with 2 CFR 200 and applicable federal regulations. Bidders must carry comprehensive insurance coverage including $1,000,000 commercial general liability per occurrence, $1,000,000 automobile liability combined single limit, and maintain workers' compensation insurance in compliance with Texas law. Section 3 compliance does not apply as this solicitation does not involve HUD funding exceeding $200,000; however, bidders must certify compliance with applicable federal standards, anti-lobbying provisions, civil rights protections, environmental standards for contracts exceeding $150,000, contract work hours and safety standards for contracts exceeding $100,000, and debarment and suspension verification requirements.