Vending services-PTC (8 locations)

Piedmont Technical College (PTC), located in South Carolina and operating across multiple campuses in Greenwood County, is seeking a comprehensive vending services contract through the State Fiscal Accountability Authority-Division of Procurement Services. The solicitation (No. 5400028387) aims to procure vending machine services for eight campus locations: Greenwood, Abbeville, Edgefield, Laurens (Main and Center for Automated Manufacturing), McCormick, Newberry, and Saluda. The contract requires a vendor to provide and maintain approximately 20 beverage machines, 17 food/snack machines, and 2 commercial-grade coffee brewers, with machines being less than three years old and capable of accepting multiple payment methods including cash, credit/debit, and mobile payments. Bidders will be evaluated primarily on the highest percent commission rate, with key requirements including machine maintenance, product stocking, inventory rotation, and ensuring product freshness. The solicitation is due on 07/18/2025 at 11:00 AM (ET), with a non-mandatory online pre-bid conference scheduled for 06/12/2025 at 11:00 AM, and the proposed contract term running from 08/12/2025 to 08/11/2030, featuring an initial one-year term with four potential one-year renewal options.

The solicitation documents do not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The current vending infrastructure spans multiple campus buildings, including academic centers, student facilities, and specialized locations like the Upstate Center for Manufacturing Excellence, with machine placements strategically determined across each campus. While no incumbent vendor is directly named, the solicitation indicates a comprehensive replacement of existing vending equipment. The contract will be awarded to a single responsible and responsive bidder, with the successful vendor responsible for comprehensive service including machine installation, maintenance, product selection (adhering to the approved brand list in Exhibit C), and regular servicing. Although specific financial terms are not detailed, the commission-based structure suggests the potential for revenue generation for Piedmont Technical College, with the expectation that the vendor will manage all operational aspects of the vending service without direct cost to the institution.