RFB - 25016 dry cell batteries

Cattaraugus-Allegany Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) is conducting a cooperative purchasing solicitation for dry cell batteries serving 14 participating school districts in Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties, New York. The competitive bid (Bid #25016) seeks battery supplies with a comprehensive procurement approach allowing vendors to bid on specified items or propose substitutes. Vendors must submit electronic bids via Excel spreadsheet by June 6, 2024, at 3:00 P.M., with a public bid opening scheduled for June 7, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. via Zoom. The contract term will span from July 4, 2024, through July 31, 2025, with pricing required to include all freight, packing, and delivery costs within unit pricing. Evaluation criteria emphasize lowest qualified bidder status, with BOCES reserving the right to award by group of items, total bid, or individual items based on maximum advantage to participating districts. Bidders must complete multiple compliance forms, including an Affidavit of Compliance, Non-Collusive Bidding Certificate, Iran Divestment Act Certification, Indemnification Agreement, and State Finance Law 139-L Certification addressing sexual harassment prevention.

The procurement opportunity appears open to all qualified vendors without specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. Vendors must demonstrate capability to provide battery supplies and adhere to strict submission requirements, including precise Excel spreadsheet formatting and comprehensive documentation. The bid allows for catalog pricing with minimum percentage discounts, enabling flexible purchasing throughout the contract term. No minimum or maximum purchase quantities are guaranteed, allowing participating districts significant procurement flexibility. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly detailed, the cooperative purchasing model suggests potential significant aggregate purchasing power across the 14 participating school districts. Vendors are required to provide comprehensive pricing information, including potential substitute products and variations in packaging sizes. The procurement approach emphasizes competitive pricing, with awards determined by the most advantageous proposal considering factors beyond solely the lowest price.