Residential Laundry Equipment

Western Carolina University, a state agency in North Carolina operating within Jackson County and Denver CDP, is soliciting bids through an Invitation for Bid (IFB) to procure and install residential laundry equipment for on-campus facilities. The procurement encompasses 23 total units consisting of seven Speed Queen dryer stack units (Model #SSENYAGS176TW01 or equivalent), two Speed Queen front control single dryers (Model #SDENYAGS176TW01 or equivalent), and fourteen Speed Queen front-load washing machines (Model #SFNNYASP118TW01 or equivalent), all configured for non-coin op "free play" operation. Equipment must be delivered and installed at two locations—Noble Hall (14 washers and 7 stack dryers across two third-floor laundry rooms) and Albright/Benton Hall (2 single dryer units in separate ground-floor laundry rooms)—with completion required by August 1, 2026. The vendor's scope includes delivery, installation, ductwork, electrical connections, plumbing, control programming, and old equipment disposal on a firm, fixed-price basis. Critical deadlines include a written questions submission deadline of March 4, 2026, at 3:00 PM EST, with responses provided by March 5, 2026, and bid submissions due March 10, 2026, at 2:00 PM EST via Bonfire Hub (https://wcu.bonfirehub.com/opportunities). Award criteria emphasize the lowest responsive bid meeting all specifications and requirements, with past performance verification through three customer references for identical equipment models. The initial contract term is one year from the date of final execution, with pricing firm for ninety days from the contract effective date.

Vendors must be registered with the North Carolina eVP (Electronic Vendor Portal) and Secretary of State prior to contract award and must submit a manufacturer's authorization statement confirming their right to distribute or resell the specified products. All equipment must meet OSHA requirements and obtain appropriate safety certifications from organizations such as Underwriters Laboratories or the National Electrical Manufacturers' Association. The state encourages participation by historically underutilized businesses (HUB) with a goal of at least 10% utilization of diverse firms as subcontractors. Vendors must provide a contract manager and customer service point of contact and complete financial stability certification prior to award. The IFB does not identify incumbent vendors or current contractors, and no specific budget range is disclosed; however, pricing shall be submitted as a comprehensive firm basis including all delivery, installation, and ancillary services. The state reserves the right to make separate awards to different vendors for individual line items or cancel the IFB entirely at its discretion.