Police uniforms and accessories

The City of Rochester, located in Monroe County, New York, is seeking bids for a term contract to procure police uniforms and accessories for the Rochester Police Department. The procurement opportunity, designated as Invitation to Bid (ITB) No. 523700, covers a comprehensive range of uniform items including shirts, pants, jackets, coats, badges, holsters, and duty belts from manufacturers such as Flying Cross, Blauer, Carhartt, and Vertx. The contract term is one year, commencing on the award date and ending on November 30, 2026, with potential extensions up to three additional one-year periods. Bidders must submit their proposals by September 24, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with any questions regarding specifications required in writing to the Office of the Director of Purchasing no later than ten days prior to the bid opening. Required qualifications include being an authorized distributor or reseller with manufacturer letters confirming their standing, and all items must be new, unused, and come with a minimum one-year guarantee on materials and workmanship.

The bid includes specific provisions for Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBE), offering a 5% price advantage to qualifying vendors. Bidders must provide a $1,000 bid deposit and meet performance security requirements. The City reserves the right to award by group, item, or combination to achieve the lowest overall cost, with estimated quantities ranging from 1 to 200 units per item. The procurement also includes tailoring and alteration services, with specific pricing for modifications like hemming, patch application, and size adjustments. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the uniform and accessory procurement suggests a significant investment in outfitting the Rochester Police Department. The bid emphasizes inclusive pricing, requiring vendors to cover all transportation, shipping, handling, and delivery costs, and maintains flexibility in vendor selection to optimize both cost-effectiveness and quality of procurement.