RFR 270131 Linen and Laundry Services for the DPH Hospital System

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is soliciting linen and laundry services for four state-operated hospitals through RFR 270131: Tewksbury Hospital (370 beds), Lemuel Shattuck Hospital (Jamaica Plain), Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children (Canton), and Western Massachusetts Hospital (87 beds in Westfield). The procurement encompasses comprehensive laundry services including collection, washing, drying, pressing, folding, and daily delivery of flatwork items (sheets, pillowcases) charged per pound, rough dry items (towels, gowns, blankets) charged per pound, and facility-owned items (curtains, drapes, uniforms) charged per piece. The selected vendor must own and supply all linen and equipment, provide exchange cart systems with specific dimensions (28"x48"x60"), manage inventory at established par levels, and deliver to each facility 365 days per year with next-business-day fulfillment of any shortages. Bidders must demonstrate minimum qualifications including five years of healthcare linen and laundry services experience, three client references from healthcare facilities within the past five years, Worker's Compensation Insurance compliance, and designation of an Account Manager. The Request for Response was released April 8, 2026, with a submission deadline of April 22, 2026 at 1:00 PM EST via COMMBUYS; questions must be submitted by April 15, 2026. The anticipated contract start date is July 1, 2026, with an initial three-year term plus one two-year renewal option extending through June 30, 2031. Evaluation criteria allocate 25% of scoring points to Supplier Diversity Program Plans and assess bidders' qualifications, pricing, service capabilities, and proposed SDP commitments.

This procurement is an open enrollment solicitation that may be reopened during the contract term for adding vendors, and it permits multiple contractors. The procurement is restricted to vendors meeting the defined eligibility criteria and serving designated departments within the DPH and potentially other Executive Office of Health and Human Services agencies. All bidders are required to commit to a mandatory Supplier Diversity Program participation of at least 1% of contract sales with certified diverse business enterprises in categories including Minority-Owned, Women-Owned, Veteran-Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Disability-Owned, and LGBTBE enterprises, or recognized non-profit organizations. Bidders must submit completed SDP Plan Forms in Excel format identifying proposed partners certified through the Supplier Diversity Office Directory or SBA Veteran Small Business Certification directory. The estimated total contract value is $5,750,000 with an annualized amount of $1,150,000, structured as a rate contract with no maximum obligation; bidders must submit pricing for each of the initial three years with no allowance for fuel, environmental, insurance, or other surcharges. Payment shall be made through Electronic Funds Transfer, and all contractors must complete CORI background checks on employees prior to engagement and comply with HIPAA Business Associate Agreement requirements for protection of Protected Health Information.