MILK CRATES

The South Carolina Department of Corrections issued a solicitation (5400020946) for procuring 2,808 milk crates through a competitive bidding process. The procurement specifically requires 6-gallon size, black polyethylene plastic milk crates with precise outer dimensions of 17.75" long x 10.15" wide x 10" high, without any logos or printing. The crates must be new and delivered to the Wateree River Dairy facility located at 8200 State Farm Road in Rembert, South Carolina, during facility hours of 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The solicitation was released on February 18, 2021, with sealed offers due by March 2, 2021, at 10:00 AM, and award notification scheduled for March 5, 2021. Vendors must submit unit pricing inclusive of delivery costs, and all items must be delivered within 30 days of purchase order receipt, with late delivery penalties of 5% for each 1-3 day delay increment up to 15 days.

Vendors responding to this solicitation may claim South Carolina resident vendor preference, South Carolina end-product preference, or United States end-product preference if they meet specific statutory requirements outlined in SC Code Section 11-35-1524. The contract term is one year with an option to renew for an additional year, and the initial contract was awarded to Design Specialties, Inc. of Hamden, Connecticut. The total initial contract value is $18,813.60, calculated at $6.70 per crate, with a potential total contract value of $37,627.20 including the renewal period. Nonresident contractors may be subject to South Carolina income tax withholding requirements. Bidders must maintain vendor registration with the state, comply with drug-free workplace regulations, and meet ethics certification requirements. The state will not pay sales or use taxes, and payment will be processed following invoice submission and goods acceptance.