This Request for Proposal (RFP) from the State of Vermont's Office of Purchasing and Contracting seeks to establish contracts for the supply of lowband repeaters and duplexers for the Department of Public Safety Radio Technology Services Division. The contract period will be three years with an option to renew for two additional twelve-month periods. Bidders are required to submit their proposals electronically via email by June 2, 2026, 4:30 PM ET. All communications regarding the solicitation must be directed to the designated State Contact. A bidders conference will not be held. Questions are due by May 21, 2026. The state emphasizes cybersecurity compliance, requiring contractors to provide updates and patches for automation equipment and operating systems quarterly. Environmental considerations and sustainable purchasing practices are also encouraged. Bidders must provide a written warranty for each product, with a minimum term of one year. Samples may be requested at any time. The award will be made based on the best interest of the state, considering factors such as resident bidders, US-made products, and environmentally friendly practices. Bidders must be registered with the Vermont Secretary of State's office and have a Vermont Department of Taxes business account number to be awarded a contract. All bids must be submitted as a single, digitally searchable PDF attachment with a size limit of 40 MB.
The RFP responses are due by June 2, 2026, at 4:30 PM ET. The state will make no attempt to contact interested parties with updated information; it is the responsibility of each bidder to periodically check the specified webpage for any and all notifications, releases, and addendums.
The bid notice states that payment terms are net 30 days from the date the state receives an error-free invoice with all necessary and complete supporting documentation. Percentage discounts may be offered for prompt payments of invoices, but such discounts must be in effect for a period of 30 days or more to be considered in making awards.
The manufacturer shall include with its proposal a written warranty for each product that it intends to furnish. Warranties must be based on commercial use, and shall extend for a minimum term of one year from the date a product is available for use by the purchaser; however, longer term warranties are desirable and will be given favorable consideration, all else being equal.
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 resident bidders of the state and/or products raised or manufactured in the state, purchase of goods, products, or materials produced in the United States, and bidders who have practices that promote clean energy and address climate change.
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 and must obtain a contractor's business account number issued by the Vermont Department of Taxes.
The bid notice does not explicitly detail penalties for non-compliance or default beyond the general statement that in case of default of the contractor, the state may procure the materials or supplies from other sources and hold the contractor responsible for any excess cost occasioned thereby.
A bidders conference will not be held.
The commissioner reserves the right to request from the bidder/contractor a representative sample 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.
The bid notice states that 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 questions indicated on the first page of this solicitation. Questions or comments not raised in writing on or before the last day of the question period are thereafter waived.
