OHIO DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
SRC36470
The Ohio Department of Commerce, (COM) Division of State Fire Marshal, (SFM) on behalf of the Ohio Fire Academy
(OFA) is soliciting Proposals for a vendor to design, manufacture, supply, test, and deliver an estimated amount of up-to
Eighty (80) complete sets of turnout gear, in compliance with NFPA 1971 Standard On Protective Ensembles For
Structural Fire Fighting And Proximity Fire Fighting, FED-OSHA CFR 1910, Subpart L, OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.1030,
and/or the requirements Of CAL-OSHA Title 8, Article 10.1, Para. 3406).
1. Project Information:
1.1. Project Title: Turnout Gear and Employee Duty Uniforms
1.2. UNSPSC CATEGORY: 53102718 - Firefighter uniform
1.3. Posting and Due Dates: January 26, 2026 – February 10, 2026, 12:00PM
1.4. Inquiry Start and End Dates: January 26, 2026 – February 2, 2026 12:00PM
1.5. Background: Ohio Department of Commerce, State Fire Marshal (SFM) – Ohio Fire Academy (OFA) is
located at 8895 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. The OFA, a bureau within the Division of
State Fire Marshal, is responsible for providing training to Ohio’s first responders (firefighters, emergency
medical services, and law enforcement).
The mission of the Ohio Fire Academy is to provide fire service personnel and other allied professionals
with training, education, and accredited courses that are consistent with nationally recognized standards to
improve the safety and proficiency of Ohio’s Fire Service.
Turnout gear is the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used by firefighters. A complete set of turn-out
gear shall include a matching jacket and pants.
1.6. Project Objective: The purpose of this RFP is to obtain Proposals from qualified Offerors (hereinafter
Contractors) interested in partnering with the Division to provide the Ohio Fire Academy staff with complete
sets of turn-out gear, to include a matching jacket and pants, to fit the specifications which are detailed in
this RFP. This RFP details design and materials criteria to afford protection to the upper and lower body,
excluding head, hands, and feet, against adverse environmental effects during structural firefighting and
structural firefighting training. All materials and construction shall meet or exceed the requirements of
NFPA 1971 for structural firefighters' protective clothing. Contractor shall set up times to measure and
spec turnout gear for each OFA employee at times and dates set forth by OFA and Contractor to meet the
project deadlines.
1.6 Definition of Proposal: For purposes of this RFP, the term “Proposal” refers to the materials submitted to
the Department by a Contractor for consideration of a contract for the services described herein. A
Proposal consists of two components: (1) the Technical Proposal and (2) the Cost Proposal. A
Contractor must submit both a Technical Proposal and a Cost Proposal as part of its Proposal package
before the Proposal due date and time. These are two separate components which shall be submitted as
separate electronic documents and clearly identified as either “Technical Proposal” or “Cost Proposal” and
the RFP number.
1.7 Project Budget: Not to exceed $360,000.00 per State Fiscal Year (SFY). Offerors may propose an alternate
quantity to fit the project’s budget.
The Contractor’s proposed compensation shall be submitted as the “Cost Proposal.” The Cost Proposal
shall provide an itemized budget. The Contractor shall deliver up to Eighty (80) turnout gear sets.
Please note, quantities may be less, and Eighty (80) sets is an estimate. Cost Proposals shall not exceed
$360,000.00. Cost Proposals that exceed $360,000.00 shall not be accepted.
To meet appropriate budget year deadlines, the Offeror’s Proposal must meet the deadline requirements
for manufacturing, delivery, and final payment by October 31, 2026.
1.8 Agreement Term and Project Period: Once awarded, the Contract term will begin upon final signature and
continue through June 30, 2027. This period is contingent upon satisfactory performance, compliance with
the Contract’s terms and conditions, continued availability of appropriation, and all required approvals.
Through mutual agreement between the Contractor and the Department, the Contract may be renewed for
up to two additional fiscal years, subject to and contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds by
the Ohio General Assembly and all required approvals.
1.9 Contractor Responsibilities: The selected Contractor shall fulfill all requirements outlined in this RFP and
the Contract. Failure to meet these obligations may result in termination of the Contract.
2. Scope of Work & Deliverables:
Throughout the Contract term ending June 30, 2027, the Contractor shall ensure its project satisfies the objectives listed in
this RFP. The Contractor shall design, manufacture, supply, test, and deliver an estimated, up to amount of Eighty (80)
complete turnout gear sets of NFPA 1971 Standard On Protective Ensembles For Structural Fire Fighting And Proximity
Fire Fighting, FED-OSHA CFR 1910, Subpart L, OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.1030, and/or the requirements of CAL-OSHA Title
8, Article 10.1, Para. 3406. A complete set of turn-out gear shall include a matching jacket and pants.
2.1 Exceptions to Specifications:
Please list all exceptions taken from the original specifications. Offerors should list the heading category to
which the exception applies and a detailed description of the requested exception. The Ohio Fire Academy
will review all listed exceptions and determine whether each is acceptable. Any Proposal that includes an
item marked as having an exception without a detailed explanation will be considered non-responsive and
will not be accepted. Attach additional sheets as necessary if needed. Offerors should prepare their
Technical Proposal that follows the format of the specifications listed below and should clearly list that their
proposed specification complies with COM’s requirements or clearly state a proposed exception. If
exceptions are proposed, the Offeror may be disqualified, at the sole discretion of COM.
2.2 Each garment shall include instructions on how to access the User Information Guide with information
required by NFPA 1971.
This guide shall include:
A.
Pre-use information.
B.
Safety considerations.
C.
Limitations of use.
D.
Garment marking recommendations and restrictions.
E.
A statement that most performance properties of the garment cannot be tested by the user in the
field.
F.
Warranty information.
G.
Preparation for use.
H.
Sizing/adjustment.
I.
Recommended storage practices
J.
Inspection.
K.
Inspection frequency and details.
L.
Don/Doff:
M. Donning and doffing procedures.
N.
Sizing and adjustment procedures.
O.
Interface issues.
P.
Use:
i.
Proper use consistent with NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department, Occupational
Safety and Health Program, and 29 CFR 1910, 132.
Q.
Maintenance and Cleaning:
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i.
Cleaning instructions and precautions with a statement advising users not to use garments
that are not thoroughly cleaned and dried.
ii.
Inspection details.
iii.
Maintenance criteria and methods of repair, where applicable.
iv.
Decontamination procedures for both chemical and biological contamination.
v.
Retirement and Disposal
vi.
Retirement and disposal criteria and considerations.
vii.
Drag Rescue Device (DRD) Use, inspection, maintenance, cleaning, and retirement of the
DRD.
2.3 Jackets & Pants Outer Shell Material Requirements:
2.3.1 Outer Shell Material Requirements (Jacket & Pants):
The outer shell shall be constructed of +/- 7.0 oz./sq. yd. 70% "PBI Dominant" PBI®/para-aramid spun
yarns/30% 600 denier para-aramid filament in a twill weave with extremely durable FPE water-resistant
non-fluorinated durable water repellent (DWR) FPE alloy finish. Color shall be natural (gold).
•
Comply or Exception
2.3.2 Thermal Insulation Liner (Jacket and Pants) Requirements:
The thermal liner shall be constructed of NCAP: Timantum 81.87. 70% or equivalent.
•
Comply or Exception
2.3.3 Moisture Barrier (Jacket and Pants) Requirements:
The moisture barrier material shall meet all moisture barrier requirements of NFPA 1971. Stedair4000 or
Stedair3000 or equivalent.
•
Comply or Exception
2.3.4 Sealed Moisture Barrier Seams (Jacket and Pants) Requirements:
All moisture barrier seams shall be sealed.
•
Comply or Exception
2.3.5 Method of Liner Attachment (Jacket and Pants) Requirements:
The thermal liner and moisture barrier shall be completely removable from the jacket and pants shell. Liner
inspection access is required.
•
Comply or Exception
2.3.6 Thermal Protective Performance and Total Heat Loss (Jacket and Pants) Requirements:
The outer shell, moisture barrier, and thermal liner shall be tested for thermal protective performance
(TPP) and total heat loss (THL) in accordance with NFPA 1971. All values must exceed the NFPA
minimums for TPP and THL. These values shall be included in the Cost Proposal.
•
Comply or Exception
2.4 General Requirements (Jackets and Pants):
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2.4.1
All components used in the construction of these garments shall be tested for compliance with
NFPA Standard 1971(OR EQUVILENT) by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Underwriters
Laboratories shall certify and list compliances to that standard. Such certification shall be donated
by the UL certification label.
•
Comply or Exception
2.4.2
Labels: Appropriate warning labels shall be permanently affixed to each garment. Additionally, the
labels shall include the following information:
A.
Compliance with NFPA Standard 1971 (OR EQUIVALENT)
B.
UL classified mark
C.
Manufacturer’s Name
D.
Manufacturer’s Address
E.
Manufacturer’s Serial Number
F.
Date of Manufacturer
G.
Size of garment
•
Comply or Exception
2.4.3 Country of Origin: Jackets and Pants shall be manufactured in the United States.
•
Comply or Exception
2.5 Jacket Construction Requirements:
A.
Jacket Construction:
i.
The body panels shall be shaped to provide a tailored fit, thereby enhancing the body
movement range of motion, including “take up” straps (Describe Detail). The panels shall
be joined together by double stitching with Nomex thread.
ii.
The hem of the jacket and liner system shall be constructed incorporating all 3-layers of
the system (outer shell, thermal liner & moisture barrier). The back will provide and
maintain proper overlap when bending or crawling.
iii.
The bottom of the jacket shall be completed with a detachable, customizable name patch
incorporating snaps to secure the name patch.
•
Comply or Exception
2.5.1
Jacket Customizable Name Patch: The name patch shall be constructed of a double layer of shell
material and shall include 3” 3M Scotchlite reflective lettering as ordered for each individual's last
name. The letter patch shall attach to the lower back of the jacket using snaps.
•
Comply or Exception
2.5.2
Jacket Drag Rescue Devise (DRD) System: NFPA-compliant firefighter drag rescue devices shall
be installed in each jacket. The DRD shall be removable for laundering of the jacket. The DRD
system shall be easily identifiable as such.
•
Comply or Exception
2.5.3
Jacket Liner Access Opening: The thermal liner and moisture barrier shall be completely
removable from the jacket shell. An opening shall be provided for the purpose of inspecting the
inner surfaces of the jacket liner system. The opening shall facilitate inspection of the inner layers
and enable a complete liner inspection.
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•
Comply or Exception
2.5.4
Jacket Reflective Fluorescent Trim: The reflective fluorescent trim shall be 3” Red/Orange/Silver
and 3” Yellow/Silver 3M ScotchliteTM trim (color borders with silver center). Trim shall be original
3” stitched trim. Each jacket shall have an adequate amount of retroreflective fluorescent trim
affixed to the outer shell to meet or exceed the requirements of NFPA 1971 and OSHA.
•
Comply or Exception
2.5.5
Jacket Trim Striping: Jacket trim shall have 3” wide stripes around the bottom of the jacket within
approximately 1” of the hem, and a second 3” wide stripe within approximately 3” below the armpit
area of the jacket. 3” trim shall also be on each sleeve within 1” of the cuff and around the bicep
area of each sleeve.
•
Comply or Exception
2.5.6
Jacket Reinforced Trim/Lettering Stitching: Where applicable, all reflective trim and lettering is
secured to the outer shell with Nomex thread, using a locking chainstitch. All trim ends shall be
securely sewn into a seam from clan appearance.
• Comply or Exception
2.5.7 Jacket Sewn or Retroreflective Lettering: Each jacket shall have sewn on the back of the jacket 3”
3M ScotchliteTM lettering as follows:
A.
Row A- OFA
B.
Row B- INSTRUCTOR
•
Comply or Exception
2.5.8 Jacket Collar and Free Hanging Throat Tab:
A.
The collar shall consist of a minimum of four layers and be a one-piece design. There
shall be two layers of the specified moisture barrier material (SEE MOISTURE BARRIER
SECTION) sandwiched between two layers of specified outer shell material. The multi-
layered configuration shall protect against water and other hazardous elements; no gaps
are permitted in the throat area. A strap shall be constructed to hold a radio microphone. It
shall be sewn to the collar at the ends only. The strap size shall be 1” x 3”. The strap shall
be mounted on the inside of the right side of the collar and constructed of double-layer
outer-shell material.
B.
The throat tab shall be constructed in the same manner as the collar. The throat tab shall
be secured in the closed and stowed position with a magnetic closure system. NO HOOK
AND LOOP SYSTEM.
•
Comply or Exception
2.5.9
Jacket Front: The jacket shell shall incorporate separate facings to ensure uninterrupted thermal
and moisture protection at the front closure area. The facing shall measure no less than 2” wide,
extend from collar to hem, and be double-stitched to the underside of the outer shell at the leading
edges of the front body panels. A breathable moisture-barrier material shall be sewn into the
jacket facings and configured to be sandwiched between the facing and the inside of the
respective body panel. The wicking barrier shall extend no more than a maximum of ¾” beyond
the inner facing. False facing shall be unacceptable.
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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.