STC MICROSCOPES

The State of South Carolina's Materials Management Office is seeking to establish a multi-vendor Statewide Term Contract (STC) for microscopes, accessories, parts, and related services. The procurement is structured across two distinct lots: Lot A focuses on microscope systems, accessories, parts, and supplies, requiring vendors to submit percentage discount pricing off manufacturers' catalog list prices, with a weighted evaluation of 70% for complete microscope systems and 30% for consumables and parts. Lot B covers microscope maintenance and repair services, with vendors required to submit all-inclusive hourly and daily service rates that encompass transportation and travel. The contract is mandatory for all state governmental bodies and available to all South Carolina public procurement units. Bidders must be manufacturers or authorized dealers, with mandatory submission of either manufacturer authorization letters or authorized dealer certifications. The solicitation requires a comprehensive Microscopes Bid Spreadsheet as a mandatory submission, with offers lacking this document being deemed non-responsive. A pre-bid conference was held on July 29, 2021, via Microsoft Teams, with questions due by September 3, 2021, and offers to be submitted online by September 8, 2021, at 11:00 AM.

Only manufacturers or dealers expressly authorized to represent manufacturers are eligible to bid on this contract. The initial contract term is set for one year, with four optional one-year renewal terms, spanning from October 10, 2021, to October 9, 2026. Vendors must agree to collect and remit a 1% administrative services fee on total quarterly purchases to Procurement Services. All items must be new and delivered within specified days after receipt of purchase order, typically limited to 30 days unless alternative timeframes are specified. The bid includes line items for multiple microscope brands such as AccuScope, Carl Zeiss, Leica, Nikon, and Olympus, covering various models and product series. While specific award values are not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the contract suggests a potentially significant procurement opportunity for microscope and related service providers. The evaluation methodology for Lot A uses an automatic calculation system based on percentage discounts, while Lot B pricing will be assessed based on submitted hourly and daily service rates.