OFF51 Art and Instructional School Supplies

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is seeking vendors to provide art and instructional school supplies under a new Statewide Contract, OFF51. The contract will cover four categories of supplies: Instructional Supplies, Arts and Crafts Supplies, Recreational Supplies, and Therapeutic Supplies. The resulting contract will have an initial term of 3 years and 4 months, with one 3-year renewal option for a maximum possible duration of 6 years and 4 months. Bidders must have been in the business of providing these supplies for at least the 2 most recent consecutive years prior to the bid submission deadline, which is July 25, 2023 at 2:00 PM. Pricing will be structured as a percentage off MSRP, with awarded contractors required to offer prompt payment discounts. The Commonwealth is looking for vendors that offer a robust selection of environmentally preferable products, and at least 25% of the evaluation points will be allocated to the Supplier Diversity Plan, which requires a minimum 1% financial commitment to partnering with diverse businesses. Contractors will be required to submit quarterly sales, supplier diversity, and environmentally preferable product reports, as well as pay a 1% contract administration fee to the Operational Services Division.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the lead state for this procurement, with the State of Connecticut participating as a Participating Entity. The contract is open to all Commonwealth departments and agencies, as well as political subdivisions and institutions in the State of Connecticut. While the contract term is not specified, the RFR indicates that the contract may include renewal options. The Commonwealth has not provided any information about incumbent vendors, current contract values, or budget ranges for this procurement.