FIRE DEPARTMENT CLASS B UNIFORMS

The City of Torrington is accepting sealed bids to obtain prices for the purchase of Class B Firefighter Uniforms for the Torrington Fire Department per specifications. The preferred manufacturer is specified but equivalent manufacturers and qualities will be considered. If equivalent manufacturers and styles are bid, the manufacturer’s name and style number must be written on the bid proposal. One sample of each equivalent item must be submitted with the bid proposal. Manufacturer’s sales literature and warranty for equivalent items must be included with the bid proposal.

This bid shall be for an eighteen (18) month period covering January 2019 to June 30, 2020.  All quantities shown in this bid are estimates of quantities required and are not guarantees of actual quantities to be purchased under this bid. Quantities purchased may be more or less than quantities shown. Vendor shall provide sample of set-up to D/C David Tripp for final approval of layout.

The City of Torrington will not be liable for any costs incurred by vendor in the preparation or submittal, presentation or evaluation of any proposal. Any alleged oral agreement made by a bidder or contractor with any agency or employee of the City of Torrington will be disregarded.

Potential bidders/proposers are instructed not to contact City of Torrington employees regarding this project with the exception of employees of the Purchasing Department. Potential bidders/proposers requesting clarification or additional information should contact the Purchasing Agent by the following method: e-mail pennie_zucco@torringtonct.org.

Identification:  Each garment provided by the supplier under this contract shall have the size of the garment attached thereto and marked indelibly. Shirts will include sleeve length-- pants will include in-seam length.

Delivery Time: All items on list must be delivered to TFD within forty-five (45) days from the date on the   purchase order                          

EXCEPTION(S): Special Orders - exceptionally large or small sizes, bidder to specify standard size ranges on bid proposals.                

Purchaser Rights:  Starting on the forty-sixth (46th) day from the date the purchase order was issued, or agreed date of delivery of an order, if said order is not delivered in full to the TFD, the purchaser has the right to purchase the undelivered item(s) on such order from any supplier of its choice. If there is an increase in price between the items ordered from the original supplier and the items received from another supplier, the difference will be deducted from the next payment to the original supplier.                     

Substitution for bid items:  If bidders elect to bid an alternate manufacturer’s item that is of the same or better quality yet meets the specifications as spelled out for that item, a sample of the items to be substituted is to be submitted with the bid. The sample must be readily identified with the manufacturer’s name and model number or order number, along with the bidder’s name & phone number. See “Instructions to Bidders” for City’s policy regarding the return of samples.

Sizes:  Sizes for fire fighter clothing shall be provided to the supplier upon award of an order; however the supplier shall be responsible for measuring/fitting fire fighter clothing, if requested. Measurements shall be taken at the City of Torrington Fire Headquarters, 111 Water Street, Torrington, CT on an as needed basis.

Sewing: The supplier is responsible for sewing two patches on each shirt (one on each sleeve). The City of Torrington will provide the supplier with the patches.

Quantities: The quantities listed are ESTIMATED annual quantities only and not necessarily the quantity the City will order. The City reserves the right to increase or decrease the quantities stated in accordance with the unit prices bid.

Packaging: Shrink-wrap or similar packaging methods shall be used. To aid in the distribution of clothing to the appropriate fire fighter, the supplier shall also have the clothing packaged so as to identify each article by fire fighter and size.

Stock: The bidder shall have a fully stocked facility where the business is the sale of fire fighter clothing. If in the judgement of the Buyer, a facility is not adequately stocked, the bid may be rejected.

Bid Submission: The bidder is required to quote firm, fixed pricing. Cost to include any set-up charges.  All prices shall be on an F.O.B. destination basis; no additional costs shall be allowed for (inside) delivery; no additional surcharges allowed for fuel. The City is exempt from all taxes and fair trade restrictions. Prices shall be valid for the full contract term.

Proposals will be received at the Office of the Purchasing Agent, City Hall, 140 Main Street, Room 206, Torrington, Connecticut 06790 until December 20, 2018 by 11:00 A.M. Proposals received later than date and time specified will not be accepted. One original and two (2) exact copies shall be placed in a sealed envelope and clearly marked “BID #FUB-022-122018, FIRE DEPARTMENT CLASS B UNIFORMS”. Contractors mailing proposals should allow for normal delivery time to ensure timely receipt of their proposals. In the case where City Hall is closed for weather related or some other emergency related circumstance, then submittals shall be due the next day when City Hall reopens for business, no later than 11:00 AM on that day. Proposals not clearly identified, run the risk of bid being opened prior to the scheduled Bid Opening time. Once opened such bids are public record. All proposal submissions and materials become property of the City and will not be returned. No fax or e-mail bids will be accepted.

This Bid shall remain open and shall not be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days from the date set for its opening. The 60-day period may be extended upon written mutual agreement. Pricing must be held firm for the duration of contract.

The City of Torrington reserves the right to award or reject any or all bids, or any portion thereof, to waive technicalities, to award the contract to a bidder other than the lowest bid and to award the bid and/or contracts to one or more bidders submitting essentially identical proposals and, that in the city’s judgment will best serve the public interest.  

MBE’S WBE’S AND SBE’S ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY