Laundry vending services

South Carolina State University is procuring a comprehensive laundry vending services contract through the State Fiscal Accountability Authority's Division of Procurement Services. The solicitation seeks a turnkey provider to supply, install, and maintain commercial laundry equipment for six traditional residence halls and on-campus apartment units, serving approximately 3,500 students. The current equipment inventory includes 23 washers, 14 single dryers, 5 stack dryer pockets, and 189 stackable washer/dryer units. Contractors must provide new, Energy Star-rated commercial equipment with front-loading designs, ID card operation, wireless monitoring capabilities, and at least nine ADA-compliant units. Key requirements include weekly maintenance visits, 24-hour equipment malfunction response, a web-based monitoring system with smartphone application access, and monthly service reports. The procurement timeline included a non-mandatory pre-bid conference on August 26, 2020, site visits available between August 10-25, 2020, and bid submissions due by September 18, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. The contract term is one year with four one-year renewal options, with an initial effective period from October 7, 2020, through October 6, 2025.

The solicitation does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The incumbent contractor was Mac-Gray Campus Laundry Solutions, which previously managed the laundry services. The contract requires the selected vendor to provide comprehensive services, including all installation costs, equipment maintenance, repairs, cleaning, and removal expenses. Equipment will be set to "free vending" mode for the entire contract year, with the university paying in two equal installments at the end of fall and spring semesters. While no specific budget range is detailed, the pricing structure is based on an annual per-machine cost on a fixed-price basis. The contractor must maintain trained personnel with managerial supervision and coordinate closely with University housing staff. Additional equipment may be requested by the University within 30 days of notification, and the contractor must be prepared to accommodate such changes. The procurement was ultimately suspended pending an administrative review following a protest, and a subsequent no-award statement indicated that the specifications would be revised for re-solicitation.