Raised Seedling Bench Materials

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking a vendor to supply raised seedling bench materials for the Claridge Nursery in Goldsboro through Invitation for Bid (IFB #10-IFB-1381839355-TT). The specific procurement includes 432 T-Rails (22 feet in length), 162 galvanized angles, 168 square tubes for angle support, 1,728 OD tubes for T-Rail support, and 1,728 T-Rail clips to construct a T-Rail raised bench system for growing containerized forestry seedlings. The original bid submission deadline of December 17, 2024, at 2:00 PM ET was extended to December 27, 2024, at 2:00 PM ET through Addendum #2. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive bidder meeting the detailed specifications, with delivery expected within 120 calendar days after receipt of the purchase order. Vendors must submit their bids through the Ariba Network e-procurement system and be registered in North Carolina's Electronic Vendor Portal (eVP) to be considered.

The procurement includes a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) participation goal of 10% utilization of diverse firms as 1st or 2nd tier subcontractors. Vendors must meet standard insurance requirements for contracts valued between the small purchase threshold and $1,000,000. The solicitation is a one-time delivery with no previously awarded pricing available for reference. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the procurement appears to be a targeted purchase of specialized materials for a specific nursery infrastructure project. Potential bidders should note that the specifications include detailed requirements for the T-Rails, including specific mounting hardware and design characteristics as illustrated in the addendum's accompanying photographs. The procurement process emphasizes compliance with state purchasing guidelines and provides opportunities for diverse business participation.