Window & Wall Coverings & Accessories, Including Drapery & Upholstery Fabric & Optional Installation Services (UW-MAD) [19-5315]

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is seeking competitive bids for a comprehensive contract covering window and wall coverings, accessories, drapery, upholstery fabric, and optional installation services through Request for Bid (RFB) #19-5315. The procurement encompasses five distinct lots: window coverings (blinds), window coverings (roller shades), wall coverings (wallpaper), drapery and upholstery fabric, and decorative interior window films. Bidders may submit proposals for individual or multiple lots, with specific requirements for percentage discounts from current manufacturer price lists for manufacturers like Bali, Graber, Hunter Douglas, Kirsch, and Levolor. The initial contract term will run from November 1, 2018, through October 31, 2019, with potential automatic renewals for four additional one-year terms. Key submission requirements include providing electronic price lists on a flash drive, submitting three client references, demonstrating three years of business experience, and presenting current certificates of insurance. Written questions were due by September 19, 2018, with sealed bids required by October 3, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. CDT, and bid prices and terms remain firm for sixty days from the bid opening date.

The University provides potential preference for Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (DVB) firms, with those submitting the lowest qualified bid within 5 percent of the apparent low bid potentially receiving special consideration. The procurement allows for awarding contracts to primary and secondary contractors or multiple contractors within each lot to ensure comprehensive specification coverage. Bidders must submit two hard copies of their proposals to UW Purchasing Services in Madison, with electronic submissions not accepted. The contract will support general everyday business needs for the University and potentially other listed entities, with pricing structures accommodating orders ranging from small quantities to potentially exceeding 5,000 square feet. Contractors must provide detailed pricing for door delivery, installation services, cutting charges, removal rates for existing window films, and delivery timeframes. Bidders are required to certify compliance with non-collusion standards, conflict of interest regulations, and federal debarment status. While specific contract values are not explicitly stated, the multi-year, multi-lot structure suggests a potentially significant procurement opportunity for qualified vendors in the window and wall coverings market.