Tablets (IT)

The California Department of General Services Procurement Division issued an Invitation for Bid (Event ID 0000000669) for a comprehensive statewide tablet procurement covering multiple manufacturers and device categories. The solicitation seeks to establish contracts for tablets across eight distinct silos: Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, Samsung, Rugged, and Open OEM categories, with configurations ranging from small (7-9 inches) to large (11.5+ inches) tablets. Bidders must provide detailed hardware specifications, accessories, warranties, and value-added services, with strict requirements for operating systems, durability, and environmental compliance. The contract will be mandatory for all state departments and available to local government agencies (excluding educational entities for Apple products), with a two-year base term and three potential one-year extensions. Key dates include an original IFB release on March 23, 2016, with final bid submissions due May 20, 2016, and a projected contract award date of May 25, 2016. Evaluation will primarily focus on cost, with bidders required to submit detailed cost worksheets using Exhibits 11.28A-H, which include pricing for hardware, accessories, warranty services, and value-added services like asset tagging and deployment logistics.

The procurement includes several set-aside and preference provisions, with a mandatory 3% Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation goal and a 5% preference for California-certified small businesses. Subcontractor participation is limited, with strict percentage caps: 1% each for imaging, deployment, asset tagging, disposition, and installation services, and 2% for warranty services. Local government agencies must pay a 1% incentive fee to DGS-PD on purchases, and there are specific requirements for post-consumer recycled content certification and environmental compliance, including ENERGY STAR and EPEAT standards. While no specific contract value is guaranteed, the solicitation suggests potential significant purchasing volume across state and local government agencies. Bidders must demonstrate financial stability through customer references from contracts within the last five years, with reference values ranging from $300,000 for 1-2 silos to $1,200,000 for over 4 silos. The contract will use a discount-off-list pricing model, with contractors required to maintain consistent discount percentages throughout the contract term, allowing for potential promotional pricing that could benefit participating agencies.