RFR 2026 Laundry Services

The Veterans Home at Chelsea (CHE), a Massachusetts state facility, is soliciting responses to RFR 2026 Laundry Services for off-site laundry services, with questions due November 10, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. and responses due November 23, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. The procurement carries a Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) preference, awarding the contract to an eligible SBPP participant if it meets the best value criteria, and requires all bidders to commit a minimum of 1 percent of contract sales to Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) partners certified by the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office. SBPP-eligible businesses must be Massachusetts-based, in business for at least one year, employ 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees, and have gross revenues of $15 million or less on a three-year average. Eligible SDP categories include Minority-Owned, Women-Owned, Veteran-Owned, and Disability-Owned Business Enterprises, and at least 25 percent of total evaluation points are allocated to SDP Plan submissions.

The scope covers pickup, washing, drying, folding, bundling, and delivery of bed sheets, pillowcases, towels, blankets, mattress covers, table linens, and clothing protectors. The facility processed approximately 232,421 pounds in FY 2025, averaging 619 pounds per calendar day. Pickup occurs seven days a week and clean linen delivery occurs six days a week, both between 5:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Vendors must hold full commercial laundry facility licensing and comply with prevailing wage requirements, OSHA, state health, VA, and CDC regulations, including specified temperature and chlorine bleach requirements. Turnaround shall not exceed 48 hours under normal service conditions. The facility operates 122 beds today and is projected to reach 154 residents at full occupancy within two years.

The estimated procurement value is $230,000. The initial term is two years with three optional one-year renewals, for a maximum of five years, with an estimated start date of December 7, 2026. Vendors must submit a single flat per-pound rate and may offer a prompt payment discount. Invoicing is monthly, and payment is issued by Electronic Funds Transfer 45 days from invoice receipt.

Evaluation prioritizes pricing and cost-effectiveness, service quality and reliability, business references and past performance, and prior laundry experience in long-term care settings. Required submissions include the SDP Plan Form as an Excel file, the Business Reference Form, the CASL, the Prompt Pay Discount Form, the EFT Sign Up Form with a voided check, a W-9, and the Commonwealth Terms and Conditions. Bidders must register in COMMBUYS to submit responses.