State Issue Boots FY 2017

The Colorado Department of Corrections, Division of Prison Operations, issued Request for Proposal #2017000165 on February 3, 2017, seeking proposals for the procurement of standard-issue offender work boots to be distributed to male and female inmates across Colorado correctional facilities. The Department projects annual usage of approximately 15,000 pairs (90% men's, 10% women's) and anticipates multiple awards to support both regular stock sizes and special sizing needs. The boots must be black leather, 6 inches high, with cushioned insoles and EVA rubber or composite soles, available in men's sizes 2-15 and women's sizes 4-17 in both regular and wide widths, designed for indoor and outdoor wear in all weather conditions. Specifications include custom imprinting or V-notched heels for tracking purposes, with pricing benchmarked at $21.31 per pair quoted on a unit cost basis, FOB destination freight prepaid to six Colorado facility warehouse locations. The procurement process requires written inquiries by February 17, 2017, proposal submission by March 17, 2017, followed by a multi-step evaluation process in which short-listed bidders must provide 20 sample pairs for 30-day wear testing, with final contract award projected for June 1, 2017. The contract term extends up to 60 months from July 2017 through June 2022, with orders placed three to four times annually through State purchase orders or procurement cards, and payment terms of 45 days after receipt of goods and invoice.

The procurement encourages participation from minority-owned and women-owned businesses, with potential preference extended to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses if proposals are otherwise comparable, consistent with Colorado Executive Order requirements establishing a 17% minority business enterprise participation goal for state contracts. The current incumbent contractor is Pride Enterprises, supplying boots under the Pride Boot brand, and replacement boots must meet the specifications detailed in the RFP including 4.5 to 5.5 genuine leather with smooth finish (excluding action leather) and metal or hard plastic eyelets without punched holes lacking reinforcement. Bidders must propose warranty terms and return policies for defective boots with an 18-month life expectancy goal for everyday use and are encouraged to propose cost incentives for complete delivery within 30 days of order placement, with optional quick-ship pricing available for single-pair orders. All prices must be guaranteed for at least 12 months following award, with any subsequent increases limited to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index unless supported by documented supplier cost increases. While the Department does not guarantee minimum purchase volumes and reserves the right to purchase boots elsewhere if necessary to maintain adequate inventory, the projected annual procurement of 15,000 pairs at the $21.31 benchmark pricing suggests an anticipated annual contract value in the range of approximately $319,650, with total potential contract value over the 60-month term potentially exceeding $1.5 million.