Reflective sign sheeting

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for permanent reflective sign sheeting and related supplies, targeting procurement for Richland County. The solicitation seeks bids for multiple types of reflective sheeting, including Type III and Type XI prismatic sheeting in various colors such as white, yellow, green, blue, red, brown, and fluorescent variants. Additional supplies include screening inks, transfer tape, non-reflective film, and electro-cut film, with quantities ranging from 1,000 to 850,000 square feet for sheeting products and 25 to 350 gallons for ink products. Bidders must provide manufacturer's literature and free samples of five sheeting types, and all materials must meet SCDOT 2007 Standard Specifications, AASHTO M 268 standards, and be listed on the SCDOT Qualified Products List #20. The bid submission deadline is February 28, 2024, at 2:30 p.m., with questions due by February 16, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. Award notification is scheduled for March 21, 2024, with an initial contract term of one year and four potential one-year renewals. Evaluation will be conducted on a low-bid basis, calculated by summing extended prices, and contractors must provide delivery within 30 days of purchase order receipt to the SCDOT Sign Shop in Columbia.

The procurement opportunity does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Qualified vendors must be registered with the state, and nonresident vendors may be subject to South Carolina withholding requirements. Manufacturers seeking to provide reflective sheeting must have their materials tested and qualified through the AASHTO National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP) Sign Sheeting Material/Roll Up Signs program. Qualified suppliers include 3M Company, Avery Dennison, ORAFOL Americas, and Nippon Carbide Industries (USA), Inc. The contract requires comprehensive packaging, annual technical assistance, and training at no additional cost. While a specific total contract value is not disclosed, the comprehensive nature of the solicitation and the large quantity of materials suggest a significant procurement opportunity. Contractors must provide custom color match formulas within seven days of SCDOT request and include all associated costs in their pricing. The successful vendor will be responsible for delivering high-quality reflective sign sheeting materials that meet stringent transportation infrastructure standards.