PWC LE Central Swift Water Gear FY25

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking to procure specialized swiftwater technician rescue gear for the Law Enforcement Central unit. The procurement involves acquiring multiple pieces of advanced water rescue equipment, including Kokatat Men's Legacy GORE-TEX Pro Dry Suits in multiple sizes (M, L, XL), NRS HydroSkin 0.5 Helmet Liners, NRS Rapid Rescuer PFDs, and NRS Havoc Livery Helmets. The goods will be delivered to 2045 Morse RD, Building A2 in Columbus, OH, with a required delivery deadline of October 31, 2025. This Request for Quotation (RFQ) requires bidders to quote all items to be considered responsive, and the procurement is structured to be completed within the current fiscal year, with the purchase order valid through June 30, 2025. Evaluation will be based on the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, determined by calculating the low lot total through multiplying unit costs by estimated usage. The solicitation was posted on May 30, 2025, with a proposal due date of June 16, 2025.

The procurement includes several notable set-aside and preference provisions that could impact vendor selection. The solicitation incorporates the Veteran-Friendly Business Enterprise (VBE) program, which allows certified veteran-owned businesses to have bid prices up to 5% higher or proposal scores up to 5% lower and still be eligible for award. Additionally, the RFQ includes Buy Ohio and Buy American preferences, permitting bids with Ohio, border state, or U.S.-produced products to be selected even if they exceed non-local product bids by 5-6%. Vendors must comply with the State of Ohio's Standard Terms and Conditions, which include rigorous data security and performance requirements. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the shopping cart from Northwest River Supplies indicates a potential order value around $8,076.90 for the requested equipment. Interested suppliers must obtain an OH|ID to access the OhioBuys procurement platform and must be prepared to submit invoices directly to Ohio Shared Services with specific documentation requirements.