Purchase of signs and accessories

The Town of Manchester, located in Hartford County, Connecticut, is soliciting bids for an Invitation to Bid (ITB #23/24-34) to purchase street signs, traffic regulatory signs, work zone signs, and associated accessories for its Public Works Department. The procurement seeks various sign types including regulatory, warning, temporary control, school area, street name, and parking regulatory signs, along with accessories like sign stands, u-channels, and reflective sheeting. All signs must comply with Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices specifications and ASTM D4956-04 standards for reflective sheeting. The bid was released on October 16, 2023, with a question submission deadline of October 24, 2023, and a final response deadline of October 27, 2023, at 11:00 am. The initial contract term runs from December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024, with potential for three additional one-year extensions upon mutual agreement. The pricing structure includes detailed line items for different sign types, sizes, and reflective grades, with quantities ranging from 1 to 150 units per item. The Town reserves the right to reject any and all bids and does not guarantee a specific quantity of signs to be purchased during the contract period.

The procurement includes a Living Wage Certification requirement, where bidders must certify their status as a "Covered Employer" under the Manchester Living Wage Ordinance. Bidders can claim exemption if they are a nonprofit organization, employ fewer than 25 eligible employees, or have an annual contract value less than $25,000. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned, the living wage certification provides a mechanism for labor standards compliance. The bid does not list incumbent vendors or specify existing technological infrastructure requirements. Pricing is determined through the comprehensive line-item bid schedule, with vendors required to include inside delivery and absorb all associated freight costs. The Town will not pay additional freight charges or surcharges, and bid prices must cover all delivery expenses. Although a specific budget range is not disclosed, the flexible "as-needed" procurement approach suggests the contract will accommodate variable purchasing needs throughout the one-year term, with potential for extension.