Pot and pan liquid detergent

The South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) solicitation for pot and pan liquid detergent to be used across multiple correctional facilities in Richland County and statewide. The procurement seeks 6,424 cases annually of concentrated liquid detergent, packaged in 1-gallon plastic containers with four containers per case, with a preferred brand of ALCO Pot Shot 0330-1 or an equivalent product. The detergent must meet stringent performance requirements, including biodegradability, strong degreasing capabilities, high sudsing properties, and effectiveness in both hard and soft water conditions at various temperatures. Key product specifications mandate that the detergent be free of alkalis, have a minimum three-month shelf life, and comply with federal, state, EPA, and DHEC labeling regulations. Prospective bidders must submit sealed bids by January 23, 2024, at 10:00 AM to the SCDC Purchasing Branch in Columbia, with questions accepted until January 3, 2024, at 7:00 AM. The solicitation requires that the lowest bidder provide free samples within 72 business hours for testing and evaluation, with award notification expected on January 31, 2024.

The contract does not specify a set-aside for small or minority businesses, though vendors may claim preferences for South Carolina or U.S. end-product manufacturing. Vendor registration with the State of South Carolina is mandatory, and the contract allows for identifying minority business participation. The initial contract term is one year, with options to renew for four additional one-year periods, not to exceed a total of five years. The contract was ultimately awarded to Authorized Lake Cleaning Org. (ALCO) of Mooresville, North Carolina, with an initial contract year value of $134,197.36 and a total potential contract amount of $670,986.80 across the full renewal period. The unit price is $20.89 per case, with deliveries required within 30 days of purchase order receipt to 21 designated SCDC facilities statewide. Pricing will remain fixed for the initial contract term, with potential adjustments for renewal periods subject to procurement officer approval and limited by Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) increases. Protests to the award may be filed with the South Carolina Materials Management Office's Chief Procurement Officer within the specified timeframe under Section 11-35-4210 of the South Carolina Consolidated Procurement Code.