Police uniforms, equipment and supplies

The Town of Manchester, Connecticut (Hartford County), issued Invitation to Bid 25/26-39 on February 26, 2026, for the procurement of police uniforms, equipment, and supplies for the Manchester Police Department. This comprehensive procurement encompasses 83 line items including Blauer shirts and pants, uniform hats, ties, belts, duty equipment (holsters, batons, handcuffs), body armor, badges, patches, and tactical apparel from manufacturers such as Safariland, Bianchi, and Monadnock, with quantities ranging from 5 to 750 units per item. The successful bidder must provide on-site measuring services at the Manchester Police Department for all uniformed personnel and meet specified delivery timelines: 60 days for dress uniforms, 30 days for dress uniform shirts, and 45 days for all other items following receipt of order. Bid prices must be firm net delivered prices including all delivery costs and applicable taxes (federal excise tax and Connecticut sales tax) to the Manchester Police Department at 239 Middle Turnpike East, with no fuel or energy surcharges permitted. The question submission deadline is March 11, 2026, with bids due by March 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with virtual bid opening conducted via Zoom. The contract term runs from the date of award through August 31, 2027, with the option to extend on an annual basis for four additional one-year periods by mutual agreement, and liquidated damages of $50 per day will be assessed for failure to meet delivery requirements.

The procurement documents reference prevailing wage requirements under Connecticut General Statutes Section 31-53, applicable to public works projects; however, the primary procurement documents do not explicitly designate set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises or other restricted bidder categories. Bidders must submit vendor information including company name, address, FEIN number, SAM number, state contractor license number (if applicable), and authorized contract signatory details through the Town of Manchester Procurement Portal. No substitutions are allowed without explicit authorization, and samples may be requested at no cost to the Town. For contract extensions beyond the original term, prices will be adjusted annually based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index using a published methodology. The Town reserves the right to reject any and all bids, make awards by item, total, or group, and terminate the contract with 30 days' written notice at any time. Specific budget or award value ranges are not disclosed in the available procurement documents.