Roller Shades Installation and Supply of Shades and Blinds

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) is seeking a qualified vendor to supply and install manual roller shades for the Sandburg Hall-West Tower through a Request for Bid (RFB) numbered KK20-17-O. The procurement involves two distinct lots: Lot 1 requires the installation of 470 manual roller shades, specifically Draper clutch-operated Flexshade XD shades or equivalent, with widths ranging from 38 to 115 inches and a standard 64-inch length in Oyster/Pearl Gray color with a 1% openness factor. A mandatory site visit is scheduled for February 28, 2020, at 10:00 a.m., with bid questions due by March 4, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. CST, and sealed bids due by March 16, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. CDT. The installation project must commence on May 18, 2020, and be completed by July 3, 2020. Lot 2 requires discount pricing for additional horizontal blinds and window treatments. Evaluation criteria will focus on lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with pricing encompassing supplies, labor, delivery, and installation. Bidders must have a minimum of three years of experience in window treatment supply and installation.

The contract includes provisions for potential set-aside preferences for Minority Business Enterprises or Disabled Veteran-Owned Business firms, allowing bids up to 5% higher than the lowest bid to receive consideration. Bidders must provide criminal background checks for employees accessing residence halls and maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including $1,000,000 in commercial general liability and automobile liability insurance. The initial contract term is two years, with three optional one-year renewals, and UWM reserves the right to use alternative vendors if the awarded contractor cannot fulfill requirements. Contractors must provide warranties covering one year for workmanship, five years for fabric and accessories, and ten years for hardware. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the project involves 470 shade installations with potential for future individual shade deliveries and additional window treatment purchases. The procurement allows for future purchases through Wisconsin's Cooperative Purchasing Service, potentially expanding the contract's overall value beyond the initial project scope.