Department of Buildings and General Services
Office of Purchasing & Contracting
133 State Street, 5th Floor | Montpelier VT 05633-8000
802-828-2211 phone
http://bgs.vermont.gov/purchasing
Agency of Administration
SEALED BID
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
CORRECTIONAL OFFICER UNIFORMS
ISSUE DATE
QUESTIONS DUE
RFP RESPONSES DUE BY
January 12, 2026
January 19, 2026 – 4:30 PM (EST)
February 2, 2026 – 4:30 PM (EST)
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES, AND ADDENDUMS ASSOCIATED
WITH THIS SOLICITATION WILL BE POSTED AT:
http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php
AND
https://vtbuys.suppliers.vermont.gov/page.aspx/en/usr/login?ReturnUrl=%2fpage.aspx%2fen%2fbuy%2f
homepage
THE STATE WILL MAKE NO ATTEMPT TO CONTACT INTERESTED PARTIES WITH UPDATED
INFORMATION. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH BIDDER TO PERIODICALLY CHECK THE
ABOVE WEBPAGEFOR ANY AND ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES AND ADDENDUMS
ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SOLICITATION.
STATE CONTACT:
E-MAIL:
Edo Francisco, State Purchasing Agent II
SOV.ThePathForward@vermont.gov
E-MAIL SUBJECT LINE:
CORRECTIONAL OFFICER UNIFORMS
1. OVERVIEW:
1.1. SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: Through this Request for Proposal (RFP) the Office of Purchasing &
Contracting, on behalf of the Department of Correction (DOC), (hereinafter the “State”) is seeking to
establish contracts with one or more companies that can provide Correctional Officer Uniforms.
1.1.1.ADDITIONAL PURCHASERS: In the Certificate of Compliance attached to this solicitation bidders
are required to indicate whether political subdivisions and independent colleges of the State may
participate in the awarded contract at the same prices, terms and conditions.
1.2. CONTRACT PERIOD: Any contract(s) arising from this solicitation will be for a period of two (2) YEARS
with an option to renew for up to three (3) additional (12) twelve-month periods. The State anticipates
the start date for such contract(s) will be February 22, 2026.
1.3. SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT: All communications concerning this solicitation are to be addressed in
writing to the State Contact listed on the front page of this solicitation. Actual or attempted contact with
any other individual from the State concerning this solicitation is strictly prohibited and may result in
disqualification.
1.4. BIDDERS’ CONFERENCE: A bidders’ conference will not be held.
1.5. QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD: Any bidder requiring clarification of any section of this solicitation
or wishing to comment on any requirement of the solicitation must submit specific questions in writing no
later than the deadline for question indicated on the first page of this solicitation. Questions may be e-
mailed to the point of contact on the front page of this solicitation. Questions or comments not raised in
writing on or before the last day of the question period are thereafter waived. At the close of the question
period a copy of all questions or comments and the State's responses will be posted on the State’s web
site http://bgs.vermont.gov/purchasing/bids. Every effort will be made to post this information as soon as
possible after the question period ends, contingent on the number and complexity of the questions. All
information provided by vendors during this process will be public and bidders shall not provide
confidential information, except as described in 5.1 below.
1.6. CHANGES TO THIS SOLICITATION: Any modifications to this solicitation will be made in writing by the
State through the issuance of an Addendum to this solicitation and posted online at
http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php . Modifications from any other source are not to be
considered.
1.7. CONTRACT QUANTITY: Any quantities stated in the detailed requirements of this solicitation are
estimates only based on prior usage, and are annual quantities, unless otherwise stated. Actual
purchases may be higher or lower depending on the State’s needs.
1.8. SOURCE OF FUNDS: Federal funds will not be used.
2. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS: The Department of Correction (DOC) is seeking a qualified Contractor to
provide uniforms for DOC officers in accordance with the specification set forth below and in the Exhibit 1.
2.1. Availability: Delivery of orders will be expected 7-14 business days from date of order. If this date is not
achievable then bidder needs to state their timeline in their bid for our consideration.
2.2. Maintenance of uniforms: patches and emblems will be attached to uniforms at no additional charge.
Alterations are performed before the uniforms are delivered. If additional alterations are required
turnaround time is 3-5 business days.
2.3. Measurements: Provide “measure on site” service at no additional charge.
2.4. All pricing is to include delivery, embroidered badge patch, name tapes and applied shoulder patch.
2.5. The contractor is expected to maintain inventory of all clothing purchased. Maintain a clothing record for
each employee; provide “measure on site” service.
2.6. All “Returns” will be through a vendor sales representative.
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2.7. When facilities purchase uniforms for their officers, they may purchase up to 4 pants, 2 short sleeve shirts,
2 long sleeve shirts, 1 Jacket w/liner, 2 Velcro name tape for each officer. Each shirt and each jacket will
get 2 shoulder patches. The Velcro for the name tape must be black with silver lettering on some and gold
lettering on others. The color of the thread should match the color of the shirt, and the background material
will be black.
2.8. Refer to Exhibit 1 for the full uniform specification, Exhibit 2 for a sample photograph of the name tape,
and Exhibit 3 for the total list of correctional facilities staffing levels.
2.9. Performance Measurements:
2.9.1.Deliveries are required within 7-14 business days of acceptance of a purchase order unless the
contractor has advised the customer of any alternate schedule. The acceptable quality level for time
delivery will be 99%. The customer will report any deliveries that do not meet the contract promise
delivery date on the state contract manager.
2.9.2.The contractor must complete the reporting requirements outlined in the RFP and in the contract. A
failure by the contractor to complete their quarterly reporting on time in two consecutive quarters will
result in a contract review with potential consequences as severe as termination.
3. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
3.1. PRICING: Bidders must price the terms of this solicitation at their best pricing. Any and all costs that
Bidder wishes the State to consider must be submitted for consideration. If applicable, all equipment
pricing is to include F.O.B. delivery to the ordering facility. No request for extra delivery cost will be
honored. All equipment shall be delivered assembled, serviced, and ready for immediate use, unless
otherwise requested by the State. No charge for packing, shipping, or for any other purpose will be
allowed over and above the price quoted. Prices quoted for printing are to include printing, binding,
wrapping, and packaging.
3.1.1.Prices and/or rates shall remain firm for the initial term of the contract. The pricing policy submitted by
Bidder must (i) be clearly structured, accountable, and auditable and (ii) cover the full spectrum of
materials and/or services required.
3.1.2.Cooperative Agreements. Bidders that have been awarded similar contracts through a competitive
bidding process with another state and/or cooperative are welcome to submit the pricing in response
to this solicitation.
3.2. STATEMENT OF RIGHTS: The State shall have the authority to evaluate Responses and select the
Bidder(s) as may be determined to be in the best interest of the State and consistent with the goals and
performance requirements outlined in this solicitation. The State of Vermont reserves the right to obtain
clarification or additional information necessary to properly evaluate a proposal. Failure of bidder to
respond to a request for additional information or clarification could result in rejection of that bidder's
proposal. To secure a project that is deemed to be in the best interest of the State, the State reserves the
right to accept or reject any and all bids, in whole or in part, with or without cause, and to waive
technicalities in submissions. The State also reserves the right to make purchases outside of the awarded
contracts where it is deemed in the best interest of the State.
3.2.1.Best and Final Offer (BAFO). At any time after submission of Responses and prior to the final
selection of Bidder(s) for Contract negotiation or execution, the State may invite Bidder(s) to provide a
BAFO. The state reserves the right to request BAFOs from only those Bidders that meet the minimum
qualification requirements and/or have not been eliminated from consideration during the evaluation
process.
3.2.2.Presentation. An in-person or webinar presentation by the Bidder may be required by the State if it
will help the State’s evaluation process. The State will factor information presented during
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presentations into the evaluation. Bidders will be responsible for all costs associated with providing
the presentation.
3.3. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:
3.3.1.Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCOI): An OCOI arises when a bidder as a business entity has
interests (for example, customers, partners, contracts) that could undermine, or reasonably be
perceived to undermine, its faithful and unbiased performance of a contract with the State that may
result from this solicitation.
3.3.2.Personal Conflict of Interest (PCOI): A PCOI arises when an interest held by an individual, agent or
employee of a bidder could undermine, or reasonably be perceived to undermine, its faithful and
unbiased performance of a contract with the State that may result from this solicitation.
3.3.3.Requirements: The State does not seek to contract with any individual or business entity having a
conflict of interest which cannot be mitigated to the State’s satisfaction. To ensure the State’s
awareness of actual, potential, or reasonably perceived PCOIs and OCOIs, bidders shall:
a) Prior to submitting a proposal, conduct an internal review of its current affiliations and activities and
identify actual, potential, or reasonably perceived PCOIs or OCOIs relative to a contract with the
State that may result from this solicitation.
b) Disclose in your proposal any actual or potential PCOI or OCOI or the existence of any facts that
may cause a reasonably prudent person to perceive a PCOI or OCOI with respect to a contract
with the State that may result from this solicitation. Disclose, also, any actions proposed to mitigate
the PCOI or OCOI.
The State shall have sole discretion to determine whether a PCOI or OCOI can be mitigated to the State’s
satisfaction and may discuss the conflict with the bidder if and to the extent the State deems discussion
necessary to its determination. The State reserves the right to (a) reject from further consideration any
proposal having a PCOI or OCIO that cannot be mitigated to the State’s full satisfaction and (b) terminate
a contract upon discovery that a contractor failed to disclose facts pertaining to a PCOI or OCOI in its
proposal, or otherwise misrepresented relevant information to the State.
3.4. EXECUTIVE ORDER 05-16: CLIMATE CHANGE CONSIDERATIONS IN STATE PROCUREMENTS:
For bid amounts exceeding $25,000.00 Bidders are requested to complete the Climate Change
Considerations in State Procurements Certification, which is included in the Certificate of Compliance for
this solicitation.
After consideration of all relevant factors, a bidder that demonstrates business practices that promote
clean energy and address climate change as identified in the Certification, shall be given favorable
consideration in the competitive bidding process. Such favorable consideration shall be consistent with
and not supersede any preference given to resident bidders of the State and/or products raised or
manufactured in the State, as explained in the Method of Award section. But, such favorable
consideration shall not be employed if prohibited by law or other relevant authority or agreement.
3.5. METHOD OF AWARD: Awards will be made under the provisions of 29 V.S.A. § 903. The State may
award one or more contracts and reserves the right to make additional awards to other compliant bidders
at any time if such award is deemed to be in the best interest of the State. All other considerations being
equal, preference will be given to the following as identified in the applicable Certificate of Compliance.
3.5.1.resident bidders of the state and/or to products raised or manufactured in the state;
3.5.2.purchase of goods, products, or materials produced in the United States (including but not limited to
iron, aluminum, steel, cement, and other manufactured products) when the award involves the use of
applicable federal funds under 2 C.F.R. § 200.322)
3.5.3.bidders who have practices that promote clean energy and address climate change.
3.6. CONTRACT NEGOTIATION: Upon completion of the evaluation process, the State may select one or
more bidders with which to negotiate a contract, based on the evaluation findings and other criteria
deemed relevant for ensuring that the decision made is in the best interest of the State. In the event State
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is not successful in negotiating a contract with a selected bidder, the State reserves the option of
negotiating with another bidder, or to end the proposal process entirely.
3.7. COST OF PREPARATION: Bidder shall be solely responsible for all expenses incurred in the preparation
of a response to this solicitation and shall be responsible for all expenses associated with any
presentations or demonstrations associated with this request and/or any proposals made.
3.8. CONTRACT TERMS: The selected bidder(s) will be expected to sign a contract with the State, including
the Standard Contract Form and Attachment C as attached to this solicitation for reference. If IT
Attachment D is included in this solicitation, terms may be modified based upon the solution proposed by
the Bidder, subject to approval by the Agency of Digital Services.
3.8.1.Business Registration. To be awarded a contract by the State of Vermont a bidder (except an
individual doing business in his/her own name) must be registered with the Vermont Secretary of
State’s office https://sos.vermont.gov/corporations/registration/ and must obtain a Contractor’s
Business Account Number issued by the Vermont Department of Taxes http://tax.vermont.gov/ .
3.8.2.The contract will obligate the bidder to provide the services and/or products identified in its bid, at the
prices listed.
3.8.3.Payment Terms. Percentage discounts may be offered for prompt payments of invoices; however,
such discounts must be in effect for a period of 30 days or more in order to be considered in making
awards.
3.8.4.Quality. If applicable, all products provided under a contract with the State will be new and unused,
unless otherwise stated. Factory seconds or remanufactured products will not be accepted unless
specifically requested by the purchasing agency. All products provided by the contractor must meet
all federal, state, and local standards for quality and safety requirements. Products not meeting these
standards will be deemed unacceptable and returned to the contractor for credit at no charge to the
State.
3.9. SUBSTITUTION: Bidders may offer, in their bids, substitutes to items identified by a manufacturer’s
number or brand. When offering a substitution, bidder must describe any differences and provide
technical information that will assist in the State’s evaluation.
3.10. ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION: Bidders are requested to complete the Environmental Information
Form which is included in the Certificate of Compliance for this solicitation identifying the following for each
product being quoted:
a. Percent (%) of recycled content and post-consumer content; and
b. Mercury content certification.
3.11. SAMPLES:
3.11.1. Bidder Supplied Samples: The Commissioner reserves the right to request from the
Bidder/Contractor a representative sample(s) of the Product offered at any time prior to or after
award of a contract. Unless otherwise instructed, samples shall be furnished within the time
specified in the request. Untimely submission of a sample may constitute grounds for rejection of
Bid or cancellation of the Contract. Samples must be submitted free of charge and be accompanied
by the Bidder’s name and address, any descriptive literature relating to the Product and a statement
indicating how and where the sample is to be returned. Where applicable, samples must be
properly labeled with the appropriate Bid or Contract reference.
A sample may be held by the Commissioner during the entire term of the Contract and for a
reasonable period thereafter for comparison with deliveries. At the conclusion of the holding period
the sample, where feasible, will be returned as instructed by the bidder, at the bidder’s expense and
risk. Where the bidder has failed to fully instruct the Commissioner as to the return of the sample
(i.e., mode and place of return, etc.) or refuses to bear the cost of its return, the sample shall
become the sole property of the receiving entity at the conclusion of the holding period.
3.11.2. Enhanced Samples: When an approved sample exceeds the minimum specifications, all Product
delivered must be of the same enhanced quality and identity as the sample. Thereafter, in the event
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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.