Prescription Safety Eyewear Program

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for a Prescription Safety Eyewear Program to provide safety glasses for its safety-sensitive, full-time employees who require prescription eyewear and are routinely exposed to eye hazards. The procurement seeks a vendor to supply prescription safety eyewear meeting ANSI Z87.1-2004 standards, with comprehensive requirements for frame types (metal, plastic, titanium) and lens styles (single vision, bifocal, trifocal, progressive). The successful contractor must maintain a network of at least 10 service providers within each of MoDOT's districts, ensuring statewide coverage and convenient access for employees. The contract term runs from November 1, 2021, through October 31, 2024, with options for two additional one-year renewal periods. Bids were due by September 7, 2021, at 2:00 PM CDT, with MoDOT estimating between 550-775 employees will utilize the program bi-annually. The evaluation will focus on the lowest responsive and responsible bid, considering price, vendor responsibility, and adherence to specified technical requirements.

The IFB encourages participation from Minority/Women Business Enterprises (M/WBE) with specific participation goals of 10% for Minority Business Enterprises and 5% for Women Business Enterprises. Service-disabled veteran-owned businesses are also encouraged to participate. MoDOT will provide a fixed subsidy per employee for prescription safety glasses, with employees responsible for any costs exceeding the initial subsidy and eye exam expenses. The contract includes a provision for potential price escalation after the first six months of the original contract or renewal periods, subject to written justification and MoDOT approval. While no specific incumbent vendor is identified, the program offers cooperative purchasing opportunities for Missouri counties, cities, and other political entities. The estimated total program participation is approximately 1,325 employees across eight districts, with individual district participation ranging from 75 to 250 employees. The program requires a minimum one-year warranty on frames and lenses, with no limits on repairs or replacements during the warranty period.