Paper and tabs

The South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) Purchasing Branch issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for a one-year contract to supply paper and tabs for the SCDC Prison Industries Print Shop, located in Richland County. The procurement seeks specific quantities of offset paper, repro tabs, and carbonless paper across seven line items, including 900,000 sheets of 50 lb white offset paper (19x25), 600,000 white repro tabs (90 lb, 9x11, 5 bank straight), and various carbonless paper specifications in different weights and sizes. Bidders must submit sealed offers by October 22, 2019, at 10:00 AM to the SCDC Purchasing Branch, with questions due by October 8, 2019, at 11:00 AM. Free product samples for each item are mandatory and must be received prior to the bid opening date. The contract includes an option to renew for two additional one-year terms, with delivery requirements stipulating Monday through Friday deliveries between 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM, and all items to be delivered within 30 days of purchase order receipt. Award will be posted on October 29, 2019, with the contract being awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder.

Vendors must be registered with the State of South Carolina vendor registration system and can claim resident vendor preference, South Carolina end-product preference, and United States end-product preference by line item. No minimum order requirements exist, and all orders will be placed on an as-needed basis with varying quantities throughout the contract period. The solicitation allows for potential vendor preferences, including provisions for South Carolina and United States-based businesses. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned, bidders must meet standard qualifications, including providing new products and acknowledging solicitation documents with authorized signatures. Late delivery penalties range from 5% to 20% depending on the duration of delay. The state reserves the right to reject any or all bids and can terminate the contract for convenience or default. Payment will be processed in accordance with South Carolina Code Section 11-35-45, though a specific budget range or award value is not detailed in the provided documentation.