Pharmaceutical Supply Services (Annual Contract)

The Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia is requesting bids on pharmaceutical supply services for Columbus Fire and Emergency Medical Services under RFB 22-0011, with bids due September 29, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. EST and a virtual bid opening the same day via Microsoft Teams. The City will consider bids from non-area hospitals, wholesale pharmaceutical distributors, and other qualified vendors; no set-aside or preference program applies.

The scope covers 38 line items of pharmaceutical supplies including controlled substances and intravenous solutions, with estimated annual usage ranging from 1 to 856 units per item. Specific medications include epinephrine, morphine sulfate, naloxone, dextrose solutions, and sodium chloride bags. The awarded vendor will serve as both primary supplier and reverse distributor, handling pickup and DEA-compliant disposal of expired medications. Columbus Fire and Emergency Medical Services will pick up medications from the hospital pharmacy on an as-needed basis. All pricing must be submitted on a unit cost basis with freight, shipping, and handling included; no additional fees are permitted. Medications should ideally have minimum expiration dates of 12 months from purchase, with 18 months preferred; however, the City will accept shorter-dated inventory when longer-dated products are unavailable from wholesalers. During unexpected drug shortages, vendors may substitute medications on the established drug list with the same drug in the same strength or concentration but different volume, subject to approval from the Division Chief of EMS and the Medical Director.

The initial contract term is two years with options to renew for three additional twelve-month periods contingent upon mutual agreement. Contract pricing is fixed for the initial two-year term; any subsequent price escalation requests are limited to five percent and must include documented manufacturer justification. If a price increase request is denied, the vendor may remove that item from the contract without penalty, provided an alternative is offered.

Bidders must maintain general liability insurance of $1 million combined single limit, workers' compensation per statutory requirements, and errors and omissions coverage. Required submissions include E-Verify affidavit, communication form, insurance checklist, W-9 form, and business license via DemandStar. Acknowledgment of Addendum Nos. 1 and 2 is mandatory with sealed bids or the submission may be deemed incomplete.