Explanation
This ordinance is to establish an option contract to purchase Uniform Apparel for City of Columbus employees. The contract will provide City employees with a variety of apparel to select from for protection, safety and identification in performing their job duties. The term of the proposed option contract is for two (2) years with March 31, 2015 as the expiration date with an option to extend for one (1) additional year. The Purchasing Office opened formal bids on January 17, 2013.
The Purchasing Office advertised and solicited competitive bids in accordance with Section 329.06 of the Columbus City Code; Solicitation SA004745. Three hundred and fifty-two (352) bids were solicited (MBR: 7, M1A: 2, F1: 2, AS1: 3). Three (3) responses were received.
All three (3) bidders were considered non-responsive to the requirements/specifications two (2) of the bidders do not have local facilities with inventory/products and fitting services; however, the third bidder, Cintas Corporation, does have a local facility with inventory and fitting services and they provided pricing for almost all line items but they failed to provide information and pricing on extended and long sizes. Additionally, they did not indicate if they were bidding alternate products and didn't provide pricing for embroidery with their bid submittal. Upon clarification with Cintas Corporation, pricing provided was for the items specified in the solicitation and their brand could be purchased at the same price. Information on extended sizes with pricing and pricing on embroidery has been requested and provided requested from Cintas Corporation as these are important needs for our city-wide uniform contract.
The Purchasing Office recommends consideration of the bids on an informal basis and award of a contract to Cintas Corporation based on a negotiated contract and waive bidding requirements as per 329.27 as being in the City's best interest as there is insufficient time to conduct a new...
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