RFQ033430 - BIDDER GUIDE
The following information is provided by the City of Columbus to assist you in navigating the formal bid
procedures. This information is not to supersede or replace any of the actual bid specifications or
requirements; its sole purpose is to provide information on the process. If you have any questions regarding
the process, please contact the appropriate City of Columbus representative listed on the bid solicitation (for
specification questions see instructions below).
Any addenda issued by the City of Columbus will be posted on this site. The City of Columbus will send
notification of addenda to Bidders that have an active login id and password with Columbus Vendor Services
and are registered for the commodity code(s) associated with this solicitation.
Though the notification methods above will be utilized to notify bidders of addenda it is ultimately the Bidder’s
responsibility to check this site for verification of any issued addenda.
IN ORDER FOR YOUR BID TO BE CONSIDERED: (CHECK ONE BELOW)
Pricing is to be entered into the attachment of the RFQ. Please print, complete and attach your price
listing to your bid response
The following documents must be completed and attached to your response. Complete this checklist to
confirm the items required in your bid. Failure to submit the listed documents may be cause for rejection of
your bid:
Reference Pages
Subcontractor Information
Experience Documentation
Literature
Warranty
______ Proposal Pages (15 – 17)
______ Certificate of Insurance
______ BWC Certificate
Please refer to the Vendor Services User Guide for guidance using the Attachment feature to attach references,
literature, warranty information and any other documentation as needed.
PLEASE NOTE – ALL ATTACHMENTS MUST BE IN PDF FORMAT TO ATTACH.
1
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY CLAUSE
The Contractor will not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for
employment because of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion,
ancestry, national origin, age, disability, familial status or military status. The Contractor will take
affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during
employment without regard to their race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,
color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, familial status or military status. Such
action shall include, but not be limited to, the following: employment up-grading, demotion, or
termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for training. The Contractor
agrees to post in conspicuous places, available to employees and applicants for employment,
notices summarizing the provisions of this Equal Opportunity Clause.
The Contractor will, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on
behalf of the Contractor, state that the Contractor is an equal opportunity employer.
It is the policy of the City of Columbus that program members as defined in section 3901.01 of
the Columbus City Codes shall have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in the
performance of contracts awarded by the City.
The Contractor shall permit access to any relevant and pertinent reports and documents by
the Office of Diversity and Inclusion Director for the sole purpose of verifying compliance with
Title 39 of the Columbus City Codes, and with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion regulations.
All such materials provided to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion Director by the Contractor
shall be considered confidential.
The Contractor will not obstruct or hinder the Office of Diversity and Inclusion Director
or his/her deputies, staff and assistants in the fulfillment of the duties and responsibilities imposed
by Title 39 of the Columbus City Codes.
The Contractor and each subcontractor will include a summary of this Equal Opportunity
Clause in every subcontract. The Contractor will take such action with respect to any subcontractor
as is necessary as a means of enforcing the provisions of the Equal Opportunity Clause.
The Contractor agrees to refrain from subcontracting any part of this Contract or contract
modification thereto to a contractor not holding a valid certification number as provided for in
Title 39 of the Columbus City Codes.
Failure or refusal of a Contractor or subcontractor to comply with the provisions of Title
39 of the Columbus City Codes may result in cancellation of this contract.
Revised 2026
INFORMATION FOR BIDDERS
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
Special conditions included in the specifications, if inconsistent with
provisions included in "Information for Bidders", shall take precedence
over any provisions in "Information for Bidders" to the extent inconsistent.
SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL
Responses must be entered and submitted electronically in the body of
the RFQ. Some RFQs require pricing lists or additional documents to be
attached to the RFQ response electronically. In rare instances
documents require submission via regular mail delivery. Refer to the
"Proposal Information" section of the specifications for instructions for
submission. Any unauthorized conditions, limitations or provisions
attached to the proposal may render the bid nonresponsive and result in
its rejection.
ACCEPTANCE AND REJECTION
This proposal submitted by the bidder to the City of Columbus will be
accepted or rejected within a period of 180 days from bid opening date.
The City reserves the right to waive technicalities, and to request a rebid
on the required material. If more than one item, prices shall be quoted on
the units requested. However, each item shall be considered a separate
bid and the City reserves the right to award a contract on each item
separately or on all items as a whole or any combination thereof. Bidders
whose proposal is made on an "All or None" basis must clearly state
such fact in the proposals.
Each RFQ issued by the City shall state that the RFQ may be cancelled
and that any RFQ response may be rejected in whole or in part when it is
for good cause and in the best interests of the City.
WITHDRAWAL OF PROPOSALS
Bidders may withdraw their RFQ response at any time prior to the time
specified in the advertisement as the closing time for the receipt of bids.
However, no bidder shall withdraw or cancel his response for a period of
180 calendar days after said advertised closing time for the receipt of
proposals.
or sureties to the satisfaction of the said Director, within ten (10) days
after notice. In default thereof the default provision herein shall apply.
LIABILITY, INSURANCE, LICENSES AND PERMITS
Where bidders are required to enter or go onto City of Columbus
property to deliver materials or perform work or services as a result of bid
award, the bidder will assume full duty, obligation and expense of
obtaining all necessary licenses, permits, and insurance when required.
The bidder shall be liable for any damages or loss to the City occasioned
by negligence of the bidder (or his agent) or any person the bidder has
designated in the completion of his contract as a result of his bid.
Particular attention is directed to the statutory requirements of the State
of Ohio relative to the licensing of corporation organized under the Laws
of any other State.
TAXES
Federal and/or State Taxes are not to be included in prices quoted. The
successful bidder will be furnished an exemption certificate if needed.
SAMPLES
Samples, when requested, must be furnished free of expense to the City
and if not destroyed, will upon request be returned at the bidder's
expense.
DELIVERY
Time will be of the essence for any orders placed as a result of this bid.
Purchaser reserves the right to cancel such orders or any part thereof,
without obligations if delivery is not made within the time(s) specified.
Delivery shall be made during normal working hours and to the
destination shown on the proposal.
QUALITY
Unless otherwise stated by the bidder, the RFQ response will be
considered as being in strict accordance with the specifications outlined
in the Bid Document.
DEFAULT PROVISION
In case of default by the bidder or the contractor, the City of Columbus
may terminate and may procure the articles or services from other
sources and hold the bidder or contractor responsible for any excess
costs occasioned or incurred thereby.
SIGNATURE REQUIRED
By submitting this response electronically, bidder/proposer is affixing an
electronic signature as defined by the Ohio Uniform Transactions Act.
Said signature represents that he/she has the authority to bind the entity
to the terms and conditions contained herein.
APPLICABLE LAWS
The Revised Code of the State of Ohio, the Charter of the City of
Columbus, and all City ordinances insofar as they apply to the laws of
competitive bidding, contracts, and purchases, and wage theft
prevention, are made a part hereof.
References to a particular trade, manufacturer's catalog or model
number are made for descriptive purposes to guide the bidder in
interpreting the requirements of the City. They should not be construed
as excluding proposals on other types of materials, equipment and
supplies. However, the bidder, if awarded the contract, will be required
to furnish the particular item referred to in the specifications or
description unless a departure or substitution is clearly noted and
described in the proposal.
CHANGES AND ADDENDA TO BID DOCUMENTS
Each change or addenda issued in relation to this bid document will be
published on the City’s Vendor Services website no less than five (5)
working days prior to the scheduled bid opening date. In addition, to the
extent possible, notice will be e-mailed to each person registered as
having interest in the commodities selected for this bid. Total bid inquiry
or specific item cancellations may be issued later than that time specified
above.
PRICING
Bidders are to quote firm or fixed prices for the duration of any contract
which may be a result of this proposal unless otherwise noted in the
specifications. In case of discrepancy in computing the amount of the bid,
the UNIT PRICE quoted will govern.
Quotations are requested F.O.B. destination. If quoted F.O.B. Shipping
Point include freight estimate and full value insurance cost.
CONTRACT AND BOND
The bidder to whom an award is made will be required to execute a
written contract with the City of Columbus, Ohio within ten days after
receiving such contract for execution, and if specified in the legal notice,
furnish a good and approved bond conditioned upon the faithful
performance of the same. The proposal, contract, proposal bond, (if
applicable), and performance bond (if applicable) shall be in the form
herein specified.
If, at any time during the continuance of the Contract, any surety shall, in
the opinion of the Finance & Management Director, become
irresponsible, then said Director shall have the right to require additional
and sufficient surety or sureties. The Contractor shall furnish the surety
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WITHHOLDING OF INCOME TAX
All bidders are advised that in order for a contract to bind the City,
each contract must contain the provisions found in Chapter 362 C.C.C.
with regard to income taxes due or payable to the City of Columbus for
wages, salaries and commissions paid to the contractor's employees
as well as requiring those contractors to ensure that subcontractors
withhold in a like manner.
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS
Contractor hereby certifies the following: that it is familiar with Ohio
Revised Code (“O.R.C.”) Section 3517.13; that all applicable parties
listed in Subsection (I) or (J) of O.R.C. Section 3517.13 are in full
compliance with Subsection (I) and (J) of that Section; that it is eligible
for this contract under the law and will remain in compliance with
O.R.C. Section 3517.13 for the duration of this contract and for one
year thereafter.
PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS
The City of Columbus, as a political subdivision of the State of Ohio, is
subject to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 149, known as the Ohio Public
Records Law. Consequently, the Offeror understands that ALL
documents submitted in response to this solicitation are considered
public records and WILL be released when a public records request is
(INFORMATION FOR BIDDERS continued)
INFORMATION FOR BIDDERS
made by news media, competitors, or other interested parties, in
accordance with the law. If you contend that certain CLEARLY
MARKED portions of your response constitute an exception to Ohio’s
public records law, you MUST submit your legal basis in support of that
assertion with your response.
If a public records request is made for any portion of the documents that
you have submitted and you have NOT clearly marked such documents
as information constituting an exception to Ohio’s public records law,
your information will be released immediately.
If a public records request is made for such information and you HAVE
clearly marked portions of your response as information constituting an
exception to Ohio’s public records law, AND you have submitted the
legal basis supporting such claim, the City will release a redacted version
of your information to the requestor and notify you that a request was
made and that a redacted version of your response was released.
Should the requestor indicate that the redacted version is not sufficient
for their purposes, you then will be IMMEDIATELY responsible for
obtaining an order from a Court of competent jurisdiction in Franklin
County, Ohio enjoining release of your clearly marked information
constituting an exception to Ohio’s public records law.
If a public records request is made for such information and you HAVE
clearly marked portions of your response as information constituting an
exception to Ohio’s public records law, but you have NOT submitted the
legal basis supporting such claim, the City WILL RELEASE your
information to the requestor and notify you that a request was made and
that your response was released.
DO NOT mark your entire response/submittal as information constituting
an exception to Ohio’s public records law. If your entire
response/submittal is so marked, the City of Columbus will not consider
your offer.
-3B-
(INFORMATION FOR BIDDERS continued)
INFORMATION FOR BIDDERS (Continued)
IN THE EVENT OF A CONTRACT
1. Where applicable according to the specifications successful seller
shall transfer and deliver to City goods which conform to the
specifications.
2. The City shall accept from seller goods that conform to the
specifications, and shall pay for the goods in accordance with the
terms of an agreement, which may result from this proposal.
3. The risk of loss from any causality to the goods regardless of the
cause of the casualty shall be on seller until the goods have been
delivered at the address designated in the order and are approved
after inspection by the City.
4. Seller warrants and represents that seller has absolute and good
title to and full right to dispose of the goods, and that there are no
liens, claims, or encumbrances of any kind against the goods, and
at the time of delivery shall be free from any security interests or
other lien or encumbrance.
5. If there is a breach by seller of the warranty against encumbrances
granted by seller in an agreement, which may result from this
proposal, the City shall have the option to cancel an agreement,
which may result from this proposal.
6. Seller shall defend any action brought against the City so far as the
action is based on a claim that the goods, or any part of the goods,
furnished under an agreement which may result from this proposal
constitutes an infringement of any patent of the United States or a
trademark. Seller shall be notified promptly in writing of the action
and be given authority, information, and assistance, at the expense
of seller, for the defense of the action. Seller shall pay all damages
and costs awarded in the action. In case the goods or a part thereof
are held to constitute infringement and the use of the goods or part
thereof is enjoined, seller shall, at the expense of the seller, either
procure for the City the rights to continue using the goods, replace
the goods or a part hereof with non-infringing goods of equal or
better quality, modify the goods so that the goods become non-
infringing while continuing to meet or exceed the original
specifications, or retake the goods and refund the purchase prices
and the transportation and installation costs of the goods at the
option of the City.
7. Seller warrants that (1) the goods to be supplied pursuant to an
agreement which result from this proposal are fit and sufficient for
the purpose intended, (2) the goods are merchantable, of a good
quality, and free from defects, whether patent or latent, in material or
workmanship and (3) the goods sold to the City pursuant to an
agreement which may result from this proposal conform to the
specifications. The particular purpose of which the goods are
required may be set forth in the specifications.
8. The benefit of any warranty made in an agreement which may result
from this proposal by seller shall extend to the City and to the
employees of the City, any employee of the City may bring an action
directly against seller for damages or injuries sustained by the
employee resulting from any breach of warranty by seller.
9. All goods ordered shall be subject to final inspection and approval at
the facility of the City designated for delivery. Any goods, which do
not conform to the order of the City, may be rejected by the City.
The City may hold any goods rejected pending instructions from the
seller or the City may return goods to seller at seller's expense.
10. If any tender or delivery by seller is rejected by the City for
nonconformity, no notice of intention to cure can be effective unless
it is received by the City agency within five (5) days after notice of
rejection is sent to seller.
11. The liability of the City for either non-acceptance of conforming
goods or repudiation of the agreement which might result from this
proposal shall be limited to the difference between the market price
at the time and place for tender of the goods and the unpaid sales
price together with any incidental damages, but less expenses paid
in consequence of the breach by the City.
12. An agreement which may result from this proposal shall not be
modified or altered by any subsequent course of performance
between parties or by additional terms contained in any subsequent
documents unless said additional or differing terms are incorporated
by contract modification authorized to be entered into by ordinance.
13. Contractor shall protect, indemnify and save the City harmless
from and against any damage, cost, or liability, including
reasonable attorneys’ fees, resulting from claims for any or all
injuries to persons or damage to property arising from intentional,
willful or negligent acts or omissions of Contractor, its officers,
employees, agents, or Subcontractors.
14. The City will not indemnify the contractor and is prohibited from
doing so.
15. This Contract may not be assigned or otherwise transferred to
others by the Contractor without the prior written consent of the City.
If this Contract is so assigned, it shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon any respective successors and assigns (including
successive, as well as immediate, successors and assignees) of
the Contractor.
16. The signatories to this Contract represent that they have the
authority to bind themselves and their respective organizations to
this Contract.
17. In the event either party is unable to perform its obligations under
the terms of this Agreement because of acts of God, strikes,
equipment or transmission failure or damage reasonably beyond
its control, epidemics, pandemics, or other causes reasonably
beyond its control, such party shall not be liable for damages to
the other for any damages resulting from such failure to perform or
otherwise from such causes.
LOCAL CREDIT
Pursuant to City of Columbus Ordinance # 2607-2012, in determining
the lowest bid for a contract the local bidder credit will not be applied.
WAGE THEFT PREVENTION
Chapter 377 of the Columbus City Codes is hereby incorporated into
the contract and seller is required to comply with said chapter. This
includes, but is not limited to reporting requirements and the obligation
to review the commission list of contractors and subcontractors that
received an adverse determination. Penalties for failure to comply with
the wage theft prevention code include suspension for three years, up
to permanent disbarment.
CERTIFICATE OF TITLE ON EQUIPMENT
If applicable to this purchase, all documents required to obtain a State of
Ohio Certificate of Title must be delivered to:
Fleet Management Administrator
City of Columbus/Fleet Management Div.
4211 Groves Road
Columbus, Ohio 43232
After signature by the Fleet Management Administrator, an original title is
to be delivered to the above address within three (3) days. No payment
for vehicles requiring a title will be authorized by the Fleet Management
Administrator until a valid title is received.
REMEDIES
All claims, counterclaims, disputes and other matters in question
between the City, its agents and employees, and the Contractor arising
out of or relating to this agreement or its breach will be decided in a court
of competent jurisdiction within the County of Franklin, State of Ohio.
OFFERORS TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Terms and conditions, submitted with this proposal, which are contrary to
City Code or Charter shall be disregarded for the purpose of any
subsequent contract. The successful bidder shall be notified as to which
terms and conditions, if any, have been deleted.
PUBLICATIONS
The Contractor agrees to submit to the City’s Contract Administrator all
advertising, sales promotion, and other publicity matters relating to this
Contract wherein the City’s name is mentioned or language used from
which the connection of the City’s name therewith may, in the City’s
judgment, be inferred or implied. The Contractor further agrees not to
publish, or use such advertising, sales promotion, or publicity matter
without the prior written consent of the City except that may be required
under law.
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Revised 09-07-21
This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.