Student Uniform Services

The North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) in Wahpeton is seeking a uniform rental services vendor for its Diesel Technology and Automotive programs through a Request for Proposal (RFP) for student and faculty uniforms. The procurement covers comprehensive uniform services for approximately 360 students annually, including weekly laundry, delivery, locker provision, inventory tracking with barcode systems, and customizable entry mats with cleaning services. Each student will receive a minimum of 5.5 complete uniforms per week, consisting of pants, shirts, jackets, and lab coats, with all uniforms to be labeled with employee names and feature the NDSCS emblem. The proposal evaluation will award points based on technical proposal (80 points), experience and qualifications (10 points), and cost proposal (20 points), with proposals due December 9, 2025, at 3:00 PM CT via electronic submission through the North Dakota State Procurement Office Online system. Sizing will occur during NDSCS Student Registration days in April-August 2026, with full implementation required by August 21, 2026. The initial contract term is one year (2026-2027), with options for annual renewal up to nine additional years, ultimately to be rebid in 2036.

The RFP does not specify specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. The current incumbent vendor is Vestis, and the procurement indicates fiscal year 2025 expenses were approximately $137,000 for the two participating departments. Contractors must possess a minimum of five years of experience in uniform rental services and maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including general liability ($2,000,000 per occurrence), automobile liability ($500,000 per person, $2,000,000 per occurrence), and workers' compensation, with NDSCS named as additional insured. Payment terms are net 30 days following correct invoice receipt, with purchase card payments accepted without additional fees. Contractors must include transportation, lodging, and per diem costs in their proposal price and ensure compliance with Federal Rehabilitation Act Section 508 standards and North Dakota state requirements. Pricing will be firm-fixed with provisions for potential adjustments after the initial 12-month period, subject to NDSCS approval and requiring supporting documentation for any proposed increases.