Laundry Equipment

Western Carolina University's Residential Living Department is seeking to procure laundry equipment through an Invitation for Bid (IFB) issued for Jackson County, North Carolina. The procurement specifically requires 29 total units, including 12 Speed Queen Washer/Dryer Stack Combo units, 6 Speed Queen Dryer Stack units, and 11 Speed Queen front-load washing machines to be installed at Black Rock Hall and The Village campus locations. Vendors must be authorized resellers and provide manufacturer authorization and customer references, with strict specifications that do not allow equipment substitutions. The bid was issued on 4/9/2025, with written questions due by 4/15/2025, and electronic bid submissions required by 4/21/2025 at 2:00pm ET. The contract will have an initial one-year term, with anticipated delivery and installation planned for June-July 2025 and a mandatory completion date of August 1, 2025. Evaluation criteria will focus on lowest price meeting specifications, with additional considerations for vendor performance and references. The state reserves the right to award partial contracts or reject any or all bids.

The procurement encourages participation from Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) and diverse vendors, with specific HUB participation information required as part of the bid submission. Vendors must complete several attachments, including pricing forms and a financial condition certification. The equipment is specified for non-coin operated "free play" usage, indicating an internal campus service model. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the comprehensive equipment replacement suggests a significant investment in campus residential infrastructure. The procurement follows North Carolina state purchasing guidelines, with careful attention to vendor qualifications and equipment specifications. The university's requirements suggest a comprehensive approach to vendor selection that goes beyond simple price comparison, seeking vendors who can provide reliable, high-quality laundry equipment and demonstrate technical competence in equipment installation and service.