Residential Laundry Equipment

Western Carolina University, a state agency located in Jackson County, North Carolina, has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB #00762) for the purchase, delivery, and installation of residential laundry equipment to replace damaged units in two on-campus residential facilities: Noble Hall and Albright/Benton Hall. The specific equipment required includes 14 Speed Queen front-load washing machines (Model #SFNNYASG118TW01 or current equivalent), 7 Speed Queen dryer stack units (Model #SSENYAGS176TW01 or current equivalent), and 2 Speed Queen front control single dryers (Model #LDEE5BGS173TW01 or current equivalent), all configured for non-coin operated "free play" functionality. The bid price must constitute a total all-inclusive cost to the State, encompassing delivery, assembly, installation, ductwork, electrical connections, plumbing, control programming, hauling, and disposal of existing equipment. Key deadlines include written questions due by February 25, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., and bids due on March 2, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. EST via electronic submission through the Bonfire platform, with public bid opening scheduled via Microsoft Teams at the submission time. Equipment delivery is anticipated between June and July 2026, with all installation required to be completed by August 1, 2026. Qualified vendors must be authorized resellers or manufacturers, provide a manufacturer's warranty, submit at least three customer references for the exact equipment models offered, demonstrate financial stability through certification, and be registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State prior to contract award.

The procurement includes a 10% Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) participation goal, which encourages participation from disadvantaged enterprises. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the procurement documents. The contract term is one year from the effective date of final execution, with award timing to be determined by the University, and pricing is subject to firm pricing for 90 days from the contract effective date, with any subsequent price adjustments requiring written agreement from both parties. Invoices may not be paid until inspection and acceptance of all work has been completed by the University. While no specific budget range is disclosed in the procurement documents, vendors should note that they must assume full responsibility for product recall notification and support at no cost to the State. The evaluation criteria emphasize vendor qualifications, equipment specifications, pricing competitiveness, and compliance with the 10% HUB participation goal.