Water Rescue Equipment and Supplies, Personal Water Protective Gear and Flotation Devices

MANDATORY SPECIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

005-RFB-2832-2026

SECTION 1 – BACKGROUND

1.1 Background:

This RFB is designed to provide Bidders with the information necessary for the preparation of competitive bids. The RFB process is for the Lead Agency’s and Participating Agencies’ benefit and is intended to provide the Lead Agency with competitive information to assist in the selection process. It is not intended to be comprehensive. Each Bidder is responsible for determining all factors necessary for submission of a comprehensive Bid. The Lead Agency may choose to award to multiple Bidders. Any contract(s) resulting from the RFB shall not be an exclusive contract.

The State of Iowa is seeking eligible bidders for supply of Water Rescue Equipment and Supplies, Personal Water Protective Gear and Flotation Devices for use in marine law enforcement, water training and rescue events. The resulting contract(s) will be available to all State Agencies and Political Subdivisions.

Estimated usage, by the State of Iowa Department of Natural Resources only, based on Calendar 2025

• Inflatable Personal Flotation Device (PFD) – 125

• High-Buoyancy Inherently-Buoyant Personal Flotation Device (PFD) – 10

• Kayak-Style Inherently-Buoyant Personal Flotation Device (PFD) – 125

• Float Coat/Bomber Jacket Personal Flotation Device (PFD) – 100

• Flotation Bids – 12

• Ice-Rescue Suits – 3

• Emergency Throw-bags - 25

SECTION 2 – CONTRACT TERM

2.1 Contract Term:

The term of the contract will begin 7/28/2026 and end on 7/27/2027. The agency shall have the sole option to renew the contract upon the same or more favorable terms and conditions, for up to five (5) annual extensions.

SECTION 3 – SPECIFICATIONS

All items listed in this Section are Bid Specifications. A successful Bidder must be able to satisfy all these specifications to be deemed a Responsible Bidder.

Samples may be requested by the contracting official during the evaluation process. If requested, the Bidder shall provide two samples of the requested item(s) at no charge to the State for testing purposes and can be returned at the vendor’s expense.

3.1 General Requirements

3.1.1 Bidder shall require no minimum order quantities or total order amount from the Agencies.

3.1.2 All products delivered shall be fully guaranteed to be free of defect, first quality, and no seconds or irregulars shall be accepted.

3.1.3 The Bidder shall certify that the product offered shall be equal to or greater quality than specified in this bid.

3.1.4 Bidder shall have the necessary production facility or inventory to be able to provide below-list of items to Agency in a timely manner and in full accordance with the material specifications in Section 3.2 and 3.3.

3.1.5 In the event that the manufacturer makes noticeable changes to an item, or an item currently on Contract is discontinued by the manufacturer, the Bidder shall notify the issuing officers of this RFB or DAS Central Procurement within fifteen (15) days. Failure to do so immediately may result in cancellation or termination of the Contract.

3.2 Pricing

Bidder shall enter a price for each commodity line, per each. Please notate if available via case quantity.

3.3 Samples

Bidder shall provide samples of the items, at Agency request, for all commodity lines. Samples shall be provided at no charge to the State for testing purposes and will not be returned to the Bidder. Samples submitted in response to this RFB shall meet or exceed all specifications listed for each commodity line. The items will be evaluated for quality and verify specifications were met.

3.4 Order Processing

3.4.1 Orders shall be accepted via phone, email or online. Bidders may enter the link to an internet site for on-line ordering with the State Pcard. All Internet-based ordering mechanisms provided shall be free of charge and shall comply with the state’s Pcard protocol.

3.4.2 Bidder shall provide requesting Agencies quotes for catalog products per discount percentage. Bidder quotes shall include the list price and the discounted price on the quote. Bidder shall provide quote to requesting Agencies within twenty-four (24) business hours of receipt.

3.4.3 The Bidder shall email an order confirmation to the Agency when an order has been placed within twenty-four (24) hours following receipt of the order. This email service shall be available from all Bidders who accept purchase orders via phone or email at no additional charge to the Agency. Internet-based orders will receive confirmation via email.

3.5 Acceptance and Returns

3.5.1 All items found to be defective or not in accordance with specifications related to this RFB, although accepted through oversight or otherwise, within thirty (30) days of receipt shall be returned and replaced free of charge at the Bidders expense including all transportation and restocking costs.

3.5.2 Bidder shall have the ability to resolve any questions or problems and correct all order errors within Thirty (30) days of receipt of order to Agency. The State of Iowa shall not be assessed restocking charges or any other form or return charges.

3.5.3 Bidder shall provide a detailed packing slip with all deliveries.

3.6 Customer Service Requirements

Bidder Customer Service shall respond to all inquiries from the Agency within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of inquiry.

3.7 Backorders

Bidder shall notify the Agency within twenty-four (24) hours by email when an item or order is on backorder or out of stock once the Bidder is aware of the backorder. This email notification shall be available from all Bidders who accept orders.

3.8 Stock Buyout

The State of Iowa will not buyout any Bidder’s stock or inventory at the end of the resulting contract.

3.9 Item-specific Requirements

Line-item specification requirements:

• Inflatable Personal Flotation Device (PFD)

o Minimum USCG Type II rated.

o Rated for minimum 40 lb buoyancy.

o Shall be designed to be worn over law enforcement body armor.

o Shall include an Automatic Inflator.

o Shall include molle attachment points, microphone loops, accessory-type pocket and front badge/ID pocket and rear identification pocket with Velcro panels.

o Device shall be body-camera compatible.

o Color: Black or Green

o Sizes: Universal sizing OR Minimum of M-2XL

• High-Buoyancy Inherently-Buoyant Personal Flotation Device (PFD)

o Minimum USCG approved.

o Shall be designed to be worn over law enforcement body armor and with duty belt and to support minimum 20 lb of additional law enforcement gear.

o Shall include molle attachment points, microphone loops, accessory-type pocket and front badge/ID pocket and rear identification pocket with Velcro panels.

o Device shall be body-camera compatible.

o Color: Black or Green

o Sizes: Minimum M-2XL

• Kayak-style Inherently-Buoyant Personal Flotation Device (PFD)

o Minimum USCG approved.

o Designed to be worn by law enforcement officers who may be swimming or immersed in water (paddling operations).

o Shall include molle attachment points, microphone loops, accessory-type pocket and front badge/ID pocket and rear identification pocket with Velcro panels.

o Device shall be body-camera compatible.

o Color: Black or Green

o Sizes: Minimum M-2XL

• Float Coat/Bomber Jacket Personal Flotation Device (PFD)

o Minimum USCG approved for use in the following settings:

• Marine patrol.

• Snowmobile patrol.

• ATV settings.

• Law enforcement on frozen lakes or on ice.

o Shall include molle attachment points, microphone loops, accessory-type pocket and front badge/ID pocket and rear identification pocket with Velcro panels.

o Device shall be body-camera compatible.

o Color: Black or Green

o Sizes: Minimum M-2XL

• Flotation Bibs

o Designed for use by law enforcement officers in the following settings:

• Marine patrol.

• Snowmobile patrol.

o ATV settings.

o Color: Black or Green.

o Sizes: Minimum M-2XL

• Ice-Rescue Suits

o Nylon construction.

o Designed for cold water and immersion settings.

o Color: Bright Yellow (preferred) or Bright Orange.

o Sizes: Minimum M-2XL

• Emergency Throw-Bags

o Polypropylene rope: minimum 50 ft - maximum 75 ft long, in bag.

o Bag constructed of Quick-drying mesh.

o Color: Bright Yellow or Bright Orange