Specialized Materials to Support Individuals with Disabilities

The State of Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) is procuring specialized materials to support individuals with disabilities through Contract #25PSX0211, an Invitation to Bid (ITB) solicitation posted July 28, 2025, with responses due August 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM EDT. The procurement encompasses a broad range of assistive technology and adaptive equipment, including screen readers, magnifiers, modified utensils, mobility aids, hearing devices, electronic visual aids, communication devices, and digital recorders/players, along with associated technical support services. Eligible vendors must be authorized resellers, distributors, dealers, or manufacturers of these goods and must provide telephone or remote technical support for proper use at no additional cost for at least six months from the Client Agency's acceptance. Contractors must submit complete product specifications, quality levels, catalogs, price lists, and three references from organizations other than Connecticut state agencies demonstrating similar experience and past contract fulfillment. The scope explicitly excludes home healthcare items such as bathing and bathroom accessories, bed accessories, wheelchairs, and special education programming or curriculum offerings. Awards will be made based on lowest responsible qualified bidder pricing, conformity of supplies to specifications, past performance, financial responsibility, and delivery terms, with DAS retaining discretion to award by individual item, group of items, or all items collectively. Questions must be submitted by August 4, 2025, with answers posted as an addendum on August 11, 2025.

The contract extends to all political subdivisions of the state, towns and municipalities, schools, and not-for-profit organizations, with Connecticut reserving the right to implement set-asides for certified minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) or disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) in accordance with state procurement guidelines. The contract runs from the effective date through August 31, 2028, without renewal options, with pricing fixed for twelve months following the effective date and allowing one price adjustment per calendar year thereafter, subject to DAS approval with manufacturer-provided documentation. Contractors must specify FOB Destination with fully prepaid transportation and delivery charges or provide actual freight charges with written proof, with no additional fees permitted for fuel, handling, packaging, equipment, taxes, or shipping. All goods must be new, latest model, in-stock products conforming to current industry standards, with warranty coverage for the longer of the standard manufacturer's warranty or one year, with the contractor responsible for all warranty administration costs. Payment shall be made within forty-five days of acceptance, or twenty-five days for certified small contractors or minority business enterprises, through electronic funds transfer via ACH or the State's P-Card Program. The solicitation does not specify an overall budget range or award value, as estimated quantities are for planning purposes only and do not represent a commitment to purchase specific amounts.