Maintenance, Repair, and Operating Supplies - LOCAL

The School District of Manatee County is soliciting bids for a Maintenance, Repair, and Operating (MRO) Supplies contract covering Manatee and Sarasota Counties in Florida. The procurement seeks to establish multiple local suppliers for in-store pickup and local delivery of MRO supplies across eight product categories including batteries, building materials, electrical supplies, hardware, HVAC equipment, motors, plumbing, and general-purpose tools. Bidders must submit pricing through either a markup from cost or a firm percentage discount from current preprinted catalog prices, with pricing required to remain constant throughout the contract period. The solicitation requires vendors to provide comprehensive product catalogs and maintain a verifiable pricing structure. Bids are due on May 7, 2024, at 3:00 PM Eastern Time, with electronic submissions required through VendorLink. The contract period will run from May 29, 2024, through June 30, 2029, with potential options for two additional one-year renewals. Evaluation criteria will include pricing, product variety, scheduling capabilities, and overall service quality.

Five bidders have already submitted proposals: Carrier Enterprise, LLC; Consolidated Electrical Distributors; Electric Supply; Fastenal Company; and Harden Supply, offering inventory discounts ranging from 5-70% across different product categories. There are no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types, though vendors must comply with various requirements including E-Verify, drug-free workplace standards, and maintaining comprehensive insurance coverage (minimum $1,000,000). While no guaranteed contract value is specified, the district emphasizes the potential for significant business opportunities. A unique contract provision mandates that during declared disaster situations, contractors must bill items at actual cost without markup. Contractors must also meet federal grant terms, including background screening under the Jessica Lunsford Act and compliance with equal employment opportunity and clean air/water standards. The district retains full discretion in ordering from specific contractors and may utilize different suppliers based on immediate operational needs.