Technology Equipment, Software, and Services - Catalog Discount

The School District of Manatee County, Florida is conducting a competitive procurement to establish contracts for technology equipment, software, and services on a catalog discount basis. The solicitation seeks qualified vendors to provide firm, fixed percentage discounts off published catalogs or manufacturer price lists across multiple product categories, with products to be delivered to various District sites as needed throughout the contract term. Rather than specifying predetermined quantities, the District will determine order volumes based on its operational needs, meaning bidders must submit competitive discount percentages by category that will apply to future purchases made by District personnel. Bidders must demonstrate a minimum of three years' experience in technology equipment, software, and services sales and distribution, provide three professional references, maintain required business licenses and insurance coverage (including a minimum of $1,000,000 in general liability), comply with E-Verify requirements, and submit certifications regarding drug-free workplace status, debarment, anti-discrimination, and anti-lobbying compliance. The procurement will be evaluated based on best value considerations, including pricing competitiveness, product variety, scheduling capabilities, and service quality. Key deadlines include a Request for Information deadline of February 20, 2026, electronic bid submissions due via VendorLink by March 24, 2026, at 3:00 PM Eastern Time, with the School Board award anticipated on or about April 28, 2026. The contract period runs from May 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030 (five years), with an option for one additional three-year renewal period by mutual written agreement.

The District intends to award this solicitation to all responsive and responsible bidders and explicitly reserves the right to continue utilizing existing Florida Department of Management Services statewide contracts and other available purchasing agreements concurrently with any award from this solicitation, making this a nonexclusive procurement. Pricing shall be submitted as firm percentage discounts that must remain fixed throughout the initial contract term, though price de-escalation is permissible at any time; the District will not accept bids containing escalation clauses for the initial contract period, though price increases may be requested at renewal based on the Producer Price Index, not to exceed four percent. Awarded contractors must accept Purchasing Card payments, provide F.O.B. Destination freight terms with all delivery charges included to multiple District locations, and may be required to establish customized websites reflecting awarded pricing. During declared disaster situations, any bid items with markup will be billed at actual cost without markup. No set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the solicitation documents. No incumbent vendors or specific technology infrastructure integration requirements are identified. The District provides no guarantee of contract value or minimum purchase commitments, as order volume will depend entirely on District personnel purchasing decisions and operational requirements.