Personal Protection Equip. Purchase/Deliver, Term Contract

Palm Beach County, Florida, through its Purchasing Department, issued Request for Quotation (RFQ) #700109/KP on September 30, 2016, for the establishment of a term contract to purchase and deliver personal protective equipment. The solicitation seeks competitive bids for three specific hearing protection items: earmuffs with a minimum Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 29dB with an estimated annual requirement of 152 units, corded earplugs with NRR 30dB with an estimated annual requirement of 4,300 units, and corded earplugs with NRR 33dB with an estimated annual requirement of 4,200 units. All items must meet or exceed specified manufacturer standards and industry safety requirements, with bidders required to submit detailed specifications and descriptive literature for any substitutions offered as equal alternatives. The RFQ is awarded on an all-or-none basis to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, requiring all bidders to submit prices for all three items to receive consideration. Unit prices must remain firm for ninety days from the opening date and for the initial contract term and any renewal periods unless modified by special conditions. The submission deadline was October 14, 2016, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, with faxed or emailed responses accepted. Deliveries must be completed within ten business days of receiving a delivery order, with the F.O.B. point set at destination (Palm Beach County Purchasing Warehouse) and the vendor retaining responsibility for all transportation charges and risk in transit.

The successful vendor shall be awarded an initial contract term of twelve months or until the estimated amount is expended at the County's discretion, with options to renew for four additional twelve-month periods upon mutual written agreement and appropriation of funds. Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certified firms within ten percent of the lowest responsive, responsible vendor price may receive award consideration, providing a competitive advantage for eligible small businesses. Additionally, a five percent local preference discount is available for quoters with a permanent place of business in Palm Beach County, verified by a valid Business Tax Receipt, encouraging participation from local vendors. Vendors must comply with comprehensive terms and conditions addressing non-discrimination requirements, criminal history record checks, public records requirements, and performance obligations during emergencies, and must provide either a non-discrimination policy or signed affirmation of compliance with Palm Beach County Resolution R-2014-1421 prior to contract execution. The County is exempt from federal and state taxes, and payment will be rendered only upon County acceptance of delivered items. While no specific budget range or award value is listed in the solicitation, the estimated annual requirements for the three items provide an indication of contract magnitude based on unit pricing submissions.