Purchase of MicroFridges for UWRF Residence Life

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls has issued a Request for Bid (RFB) for the procurement of approximately 1,300 compact refrigerator/freezer/microwave combination appliances (MicroFridges) for its residence halls and apartments over a five-year contract term. The procurement seeks black-colored units with specific technical requirements, including a 4.0-5.0 cubic foot refrigerator with Energy Star rating, reversible door hinges, adjustable shelves, and a 0.7 cubic foot microwave operating at 700 watts with an LED timer display. Bidders must provide pricing for four distinct delivery and installation scenarios: full installation with or without existing unit removal, and delivery to residence hall lobbies with or without existing unit removal. The solicitation was initially released on March 16, 2020, with the original bid due date of April 2, 2020 extended to April 9, 2020 at 2:00 PM CDT due to COVID-19 restrictions. Bidders are required to submit detailed documentation including signed bid forms, vendor information sheets, specifications, descriptive brochures, and client references. The University will evaluate bids based on lowest responsive and responsible bidder status, with a minimum requirement of one-year parts and labor warranty and five-year coverage on major components.

The procurement includes supplier diversity preferences for certified Minority Business Enterprises, Woman-Owned Businesses, and Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses, with these businesses receiving consideration when their bids are within 5% of the lowest bid. Bidders must be original manufacturers, authorized distributors, or dealers with service and repair capabilities, and must possess at least three years of experience providing similar appliances. The contractor is required to maintain commercial general liability insurance with a minimum of $1,000,000 in coverage and must add the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System as an additional insured. While no specific funding source or budget amount was explicitly identified, the contract allows for approximately 1,300 units to be purchased over five years, with no guaranteed minimum purchase volume. Pricing must remain firm for one year from contract execution, with any subsequent price increase requests requiring 60 days' notice and full documentation. The University reserves the right to terminate the contract without cause with 60 days' written notice or immediately for performance failures, health and safety concerns, or insurance maintenance issues.