Steel

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, on behalf of the Department of Corrections, is soliciting competitive bids for steel materials and products through Request for Bid (RFB) 758 2400000653. The procurement includes ten line items of structural steel products to be supplied to Kentucky Correctional Industries-KSR located in LaGrange, Kentucky, with billing directed to Administrative Services-Central Office in Frankfort. The steel commodities being procured include flat strips, square tubing (3"x3"x24' and 4"x4"x24' with 3/16" thickness), cold-rolled steel sheets in various gauges and dimensions (ranging from 22 GA to heavier gauges), and 3/8" hot-rolled plates in 48"x96" sheets, with quantities ranging from 7 to 1,400 units depending on the specific line item. All pricing must be inclusive of shipping and delivery charges on an F.O.B. Destination Freight Prepaid and Allowed basis, with preferred delivery within two weeks (14 days) after receipt of order. Vendors' written questions were due by May 8, 2024 at 10:00 AM ET, the solicitation closes on May 15, 2024 at 1:30 PM ET, and bid readings will be conducted at 3:30 PM ET on the closing date via conference line. All bids must be submitted electronically through the Commonwealth's eProcurement system, and vendors must be registered in the Vendor Self Service System at least 24-48 hours prior to submission. Award will be based on a "best value" methodology allocating 90 points to price and 10 points to delivery performance, with the lowest bidder receiving maximum price points. Vendors must provide proof of commercial general liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate prior to award, with the Commonwealth listed as additional insured, and automobile liability insurance of $1,000,000 combined single limit is required if the vendor arranges delivery rather than using a common carrier.

The contract requires bidders to submit on a "Group All" basis, meaning vendors must bid all ten line items or face rejection as non-responsive. Kentucky resident bidders receive reciprocal preference equal to the preference given by the nonresident bidder's state of residence, and Kentucky Correctional Industries qualifies for a 20 percent preference equal to maximum points awarded. All vendors must comply with Kentucky recycled content requirements per 200 KAR 5:330 and submit required affidavits regarding campaign finance law compliance, resident bidder status, and qualified bidder status prior to contract award. Bidders must also be authorized to transact business in Kentucky, and for resident bidders, evidence of filing Kentucky corporate income taxes, making payments to the Kentucky unemployment insurance fund, and maintaining valid workers' compensation policies for the year prior to advertisement is required. Proposed pricing must remain valid for a minimum of 60 calendar days after the bid due date, and late bids will not be accepted regardless of cause. No specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the solicitation documents, and no incumbent vendors or existing contractors are identified. The Commonwealth reserves the right to cancel the contract with 30 days' written notice.