Safety Shoes for the EHS Department

Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC), a SUNY system institution located in Troy, New York, is seeking a vendor to provide a comprehensive safety shoe voucher program for its Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) department. The Request for Proposal (RFP 26-536) calls for a vendor to supply safety shoes and boots meeting ASTM F2413-18a safety standards for approximately 114 employees, with a contract period from November 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026, and potential extensions for two additional one-year terms. Vendors must offer online and phone ordering capabilities, with a 15-calendar-day pickup timeline, and provide extensive size and width options for men and women. The college will reimburse employees up to $150.00 per pair of safety shoes, with employees responsible for any costs exceeding that amount. Vendor selection will be based on four key evaluation criteria: distance to HVCC's main campus (25 points), discount percentage off manufacturer's list price (50 points), online ordering capabilities (10 points), and product selection (15 points). Proposals are due by 2:00 pm DST on October 16, 2025, and can be submitted electronically through Bonfire, in-person, or by mail.

The procurement opportunity does not specify explicit set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though the RFP emphasizes equal opportunity and affirmative action requirements. Vendors must be located within a 30-mile radius of the main campus and demonstrate experience with similar safety footwear programs. Bidders are required to submit a Certificate of Insurance naming Hudson Valley Community College, the County of Rensselaer, and the State University of New York as additional insureds. While no specific budget range is provided, the per-employee shoe voucher is capped at $150.00, suggesting a potential total program value of approximately $17,100 annually. Contractors must comply with various labor laws and provide comprehensive documentation, including brochures, catalogs, model numbers, and references, preferably from educational institutions. The RFP includes provisions for local employment preference, with particular consideration given to New York State residents in the Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area.