Thermoplastic Lid Design and Manufacture Services

The University of Utah's Office of Comparative Medicine (OCM) is seeking an injection molding and tooling design supplier to manufacture specialized thermoplastic rodent cage lids through Invitation for Bids #UU195067590. The procurement requires a vendor to design and produce two sizes of cage lids: 5,000 small lids and 750 large lids annually, specifically engineered to fit Thoren cages and capable of withstanding commercial washer and steam autoclave processing. Vendors must submit a prototype by 2:00 pm MST on February 28, 2025, with electronic submissions required through BidNet Direct. The contract may result in a one-year agreement with potential for four additional renewal options, contingent upon annual performance review. Evaluation criteria will focus on the lowest responsive bid that meets all technical specifications, with pricing considerations for design development, mold/tooling manufacturing, and lid production. Key vendor qualifications include technical capability to create precise injection molds for specialized laboratory equipment and ability to consistently produce lids meeting stringent scientific research standards.

The procurement appears open to various vendor types, with potential preferences for small businesses, minority-owned enterprises, and vendors meeting state procurement diversity goals. While no specific set-aside designations were explicitly detailed, the University of Utah indicates a preference for vendors who can demonstrate compliance with campus policies, including being a drug-free, alcohol-free, and tobacco-free workplace vendor. Payment terms are structured as net 30 days after receipt (ARO), with F.O.B. destination prepaid and a preference for SUA virtual payment methods. Though exact budget ranges were not specified, the annual production volume of 5,750 total lids suggests a potentially significant contract value. The procurement may involve federal funding requirements, which could introduce additional compliance considerations for potential bidders. The technical specifications, as evidenced by accompanying detailed drawings of Maxi-Miser Mobile System specifications, indicate a sophisticated procurement targeting precise scientific research equipment manufacturing capabilities.