Water Test Kits and Supplies

The State of Maine, Department of Health and Human Services, Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory is requesting bids for water test kits and supplies on an as-needed basis, with bids due September 12, 2008. The contract will run from approximately October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009, with the State reserving the right to renew for two additional one-year periods with contractor consent.

The estimated annual contract value is approximately $75,000. The State will award one contract to furnish a portion of the laboratory's normal requirements; the actual dollar value ordered may be more or less than the estimate. Vendors must accept credit cards as a form of payment with no surcharge permitted. Delivery orders of $5,000 or less will be emailed directly to vendors by the using agency, while orders exceeding $5,000 require Division of Purchases approval. All transportation charges must be prepaid and borne by the contractor on an F.O.B. destination basis.

The scope includes microbiological water testing products such as Quanti-Tray 2000 disposable wells, pre-dispensed comparators for coliform and E. coli testing, Colisure and Colilert test kits, Enterolert test kits, vessels with and without sodium thiosulfate additives, and a Quanti-Tray sealer unit, with products available in box and individual unit quantities. Specifications include aluminum material standards with detailed grade, dimensional tolerance, surface finish, and corrosion-resistance requirements. Manufacturers, importers, suppliers, or distributors of hazardous chemicals must provide current material safety data sheets per Maine's Chemical Substance Identification Law.

Award will be made to the lowest responsible bidder on an item-by-item or group basis, whichever serves the State's best interest. Bid prices must remain firm for the entire contract duration. Cash discounts of 20 days or more are considered in determining the low bidder; discounts under 20 days will not be factored into award. The State reserves the right to reject any or all bids, waive formalities and technicalities, and increase or decrease quantities by up to 10%. The Director of Purchases may cancel with 30 days' written notice or immediately if the contractor fails to comply with contract terms. The sole contact is Phillip Bort at the Division of Purchases.