PPE

The state of Arkansas, through the Department of Transformation and Shared Services Office of State Procurement (TSS OSP), has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) to obtain pricing and a contract for the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for statewide use by all state agencies and possible utilization by various public entities, including Pulaski County and the City of Little Rock. The IFB covers a wide range of PPE items such as masks, face shields, goggles, isolation gowns, coveralls, gloves, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes. The bid opening is scheduled for March 22, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Central Time. The initial contract term is for one year with the potential for up to six additional one-year renewals, not to exceed a total aggregate term of seven years. Bidders are required to provide pricing based on a minimum percentage discount off list price, with a bid of zero percent off list price being unacceptable. The state will award contracts to up to three of the lowest responsive and responsible bidders on an all-or-none basis.

The contract opportunity is open to individuals, sole proprietorships, public service corporations, partnerships, corporations, and nonprofits, including minority and women-owned businesses. No specific set-asides or preferences for small or disadvantaged businesses are mentioned. The state does not have historical purchase volumes for these items and is seeking proposals that cover all requested items. The current incumbent contractors, if any, are not identified, and the available budget or funding sources are not specified in the provided information.