COUNTY OF ALAMEDA

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION No. 900483

SPECIFICATIONS, TERMS & CONDITIONS

for

FIRE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

NETWORKING/BIDDERS CONFERENCES

at

10:00 a.m.
on
November 12, 2008
at
General Services Agency
Room 1105, 11th Floor
1401 Lakeside Drive
Oakland, CA 94612 / 2:00 p.m.
on
November 13, 2008
at
Dublin Library
The Program Room
200 Civic Plaza
Dublin, CA 94568

For complete information regarding this project see RFQ posted at http://www.acgov.org/gsa_app/gsa/purchasing/bid_content/contractopportunities.jsp

or contact the person listed below. Thank you for your interest!

Contact Person: Kelley Smith, Contracts Specialist II

Phone Number: (510) 891-5670

E-mail Address:

RESPONSE DUE

by

2:00 p.m.

on

December 5, 2008

at

County of Alameda

GSA-Purchasing

1401 Lakeside Drive, Suite 907

Oakland, CA 94612

COUNTY OF ALAMEDA

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION No. 900483

SPECIFICATIONS, TERMS & CONDITIONS

for

FIRE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page 1 of 2

Page

I. ACRONYM AND TERM GLOSSARY 4

II. STATEMENT OF WORK

A.  Intent 5

B.  Scope 5

C.  Specific Requirements 6

D.  Vendor Qualifications 32

E.  Debarment and Suspension 32

F.  General Environmental Requirements 33

III. INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS

G.  County Contacts 34

H.  Calendar of Events 35

I.  Networking/Bidders Conference 36

J.  Submittal of Bids 37

K.  Response Format 38

L.  Notice of Award 39

M.  Bid Protest / Appeals Process 39

IV. TERMS AND CONDITIONS

N.  Term / Termination / Renewal 40

O.  Brand Names and Approved Equivalents 41

P.  Quantities 41

Q.  Pricing 41

R.  Award 42

S.  Method of Ordering 43

T.  Invoicing 43

U.  County Provisions 44

V.  Online Contract Compliance Management System 47

W.  Compliance Information and Records 48

X.  Account Manager/Support Staff 48

Y.  General Requirements 48


COUNTY OF ALAMEDA

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION No. 900483

SPECIFICATIONS, TERMS & CONDITIONS

for

FIRE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page 2 of 2

ATTACHMENTS

Exhibit A – Acknowledgement

Exhibit B – Bid Form

Exhibit C – Insurance Requirements

Exhibit D1 – Current References

Exhibit D2 – Former References

Exhibit E – SLEB Certification Application Package

Exhibit F – Small and Local Business Subcontracting Information

Exhibit G – Request for Small and Local or Emerging Preference

Exhibit H – First Source Agreement

Exhibit I – Exceptions, Clarifications, Amendments

Exhibit J – Standard Agreement Contract Draft

Exhibit K – Environmental Certification

Exhibit L – RFQ Vendor Bid List

Exhibit M – Response/Content Submittal; Completeness Check List

Exhibit N – Debarment and Suspension Certification

Specifications, Terms & Conditions

for Fire Equipment and Supplies

I. ACRONYM AND TERM GLOSSARY

Unless otherwise noted, the terms below may be upper or lower case. Acronyms will always be uppercase.

ACFD / Refers to the Alameda County Fire Department
Bid / Shall mean the bidders’/contractors’ response to this Request
Bidder / Shall mean the specific person or entity responding to this RFQ
Board / Shall refer to the County of Alameda Board of Supervisors
Contractor / When capitalized, shall refer to selected bidder that is awarded a contract
CRTG / Cartridge
County / When capitalized, shall refer to the County of Alameda
Environmentally Preferable Products / Products manufactured in a manner such that the impact on the environment is minimized throughout the entire lifecycle of the product by implementing sustainable practices during material sourcing, manufacturing, transportation, and by providing products that can be used and disposed of in an environmentally sound manner
EPA / United States Environmental Protection Agency
Federal / Refers to United States Federal Government, its departments and/or agencies
FLDNC / Fire Line Do Not Cross
F.O.B / Shall mean without charge for delivery to destination and placing on board a carrier at a specified point (Free On Board)
FR / Fire Resistant
ISO / International Organization of Standardization
Labor Code / Refers to California Labor Code
LH / Left Hand
LTWT / Light Weight
MSDS / Refers to Material Safety Data Sheets
NFPA / Shall refer to the National Fire Protection Association
NHM/NHF / National Hose Thread Male/National Hose Thread Female
NPSH / National Pipe Standard Hose
NYC / New York City
OSHA / Refers to California Occupational Safety and Health Administrations
OZ / Ounce(s)
PBTs / Persistent, Bioaccumulative Toxins including compounds such as dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, and mercury as defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and listed on the EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/opptintr/pbt/
PO / Shall refer to Purchase Order(s)
PTFE / Refers to Polytetrafluoroethylene
Quotation / Shall mean bidder’s response to this RFQ
Request for Quotation / Shall mean this document, which is the County of Alameda’s request for contractors’/bidders’ proposal to provide the goods and/or services being solicited herein. Also referred herein as RFQ
Response / Shall refer to bidder’s quotation submitted in reply to RFQ
RFQ / Request for Quotation
SLEB / Small Local Emerging Business
Source Reduction / Refers to products that result in a net reduction in the generation of waste compared to their previous or alternate version and includes durable, reusable and remanufactured products; products with no, or reduced, toxic constituents; and products marketed with no, or reduced, packaging.
SST / Super Shelltite
State / Refers to State of California, its departments and/or agencies
TPP / Thermal Protective Performance
UL / As used herein shall refer to the Underwriters Laboratories
VEH / Vehicle

II. STATEMENT OF WORK

A.  INTENT

It is the intent of these specifications, terms and conditions to describe the goods and services that are required by the Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD) to select the lowest responsible bidder or bidders who have the necessary qualifications to provide all of the goods and services outlined in this RFQ.

The County intends to award a three (3 year) contract (with option(s) to renew) to the bidder selected as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder meeting the County’s requirements as stated in this RFQ.

B.  SCOPE

ACFD currently has eighteen (18) fire stations with approximately two hundred ninety (290) firefighting personnel. The ACFD requires fire equipment, clothing and supplies for all firefighting personnel including but not limited to the following products:

-  adapters - hose dryers - ladders

-  air compressors - first aid provisions - water vacuums

-  axes - flares - lanterns

-  badges - flashlights - flood lights

-  safety belts - flow test equipment - nozzles

-  boots - foam - personal alarms

-  brackets - gas detectors - pike poles

-  breathing equipment - gaskets - power expanders

-  chemicals and additives - gauges - pumps

-  cleaning solutions - generators - hose reels

-  clothing - gloves - rescue equipment

-  couplings - goggles - resuscitators

-  cutters - hazardous materials - rope

-  educators - heat sensors - salvage covers

-  expansion rings - helmets - saws

-  fire extinguishers - hoses - smoke ejectors

-  smoke generators - strainers - turnouts

-  spanners & wrenches - tanks - training foam

-  spill cleanup supplies - entry tools - valves

-  squeegees - wheel chocks

In order to be considered for the ACFD Fire Equipment and Supplies contract, bidders must submit pricing on all of the products specified in Exhibit B, Bid Form of this RFQ. Failure to submit pricing on any of the products specified will result in disqualification of the bid. Bidder is required to continually stock all products listed.

In addition to the aforementioned firefighting products, ACFD requires specific styles and fabrications of the protective clothing utilized by their firefighting personnel. Section C of this RFQ, entitled Specific Requirements, contains the exact requirements of the ACFD with regard to stated protective garments. Bidder must be in complete compliance, as deemed solely by the County, with all stated product requirements outlined in Section C.

C.  SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

The ACFD has very specific requirements concerning the style and fabrication of protective clothing for its firefighting personnel. The following section of this RFQ contains exact ACFD requirements. Bidder must be in complete compliance with all stated product requirements. For each item in Section C, bidder is to check “Comply” if in compliance with all specifications stated. If bidder is not in compliance with any specification stated for each item they are to check “Exception.” If checking “Exception”, bidder must clearly state any and all exceptions to the specifications listed. Bidder is to clearly reference each exception by its corresponding item number and name. The County, at its sole discretion, shall have the right to deem acceptable any exceptions stated by bidder. Use additional pages for exceptions, if necessary.

EXCEPTIONS TO SPECIFICATIONS: Any and all exceptions to the below specifications must be clearly stated for each heading.

The requirements listed in this section describe the protective jacket and trousers for structural firefighting and protective jacket and trousers for wildland firefighting.

1.  PROTECTIVE JACKET AND TROUSERS FOR STRUCTURAL FIRE FIGHTING

The below specification details the design and materials criteria to afford protection to the upper and lower body, excluding head, hands, feet, against adverse environmental effects during structural fire fighting. All materials and construction will meet or exceed National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard #1971 (2007 revision) and OSHA for structural fire fighters protective clothing. Garments shall be manufactured in the United States.

a.  OUTER SHELL MATERIAL JACKETS AND TROUSERS

The outer shell shall be constructed of "BLACK ADVANCE PCA (Producer Colored Aramid)" 50/50 Kevlar®/Nomex® blend material with an approximate weight of 7.5 oz. per square yard. The shell material must be treated with SSTÔ (SUPER SHELLTITE) which is a durable water-repellent finish that also enhances abrasion resistance. Color of garments to be black. Bids offering this shell material without the SSTÔ will not be considered.

_____Comply _____Exception

b.  THERMAL INSULATING LINER JACKET AND TROUSERS

The thermal liner shall be constructed of “CALDURA® SL2”; one layer of 1.5 oz. and one layer of 2.3 oz. per square yard E89 spunlaced Nomex®/Kevlar® aramid blend, quilt stitched to a 3.9 oz. per square yard combination spun/filament Caldura® SL face cloth, with a finished weight of approximately 7.6 oz. per square yard. A 7 inch by 9 inch pocket, constructed of self material and lined with moisture barrier material, shall be affixed to the inside of the jacket thermal liner on the left side by means of a lock stitch. The thermal liner shall be bound around its perimeter with Bias-Cut Neoprene coated cotton/polyester binding. The thermal liner shall be attached to the moisture barrier (as described under the “Separating Liner System” section). Further mention of “Thermal Liner” in this specification shall refer to this section. NOTE: This thermal liner MUST be used exclusively with a minimum 7 oz. per square yard outer shell material.

_____Comply _____Exception

c.  MOISTURE BARRIER JACKETS AND TROUSERS

The “CROSSTECH Type 2C” moisture barrier material shall be a 5.0 oz. per square yard two-layer laminate comprised of a bicomponent membrane and a 3.2 oz. per square yard Nomex® IIIA woven pajama check substrate. The bicomponent membrane shall be comprised of an expanded PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene, for example Teflon) matrix having a continuous hydrophilic (i.e. water loving) and oleophobic (i.e. oil hating) coating that is impregnated into the matrix. The moisture barrier material shall meet all moisture barrier requirements of NFPA 1971-2007 edition, which includes water penetration resistance, viral penetration resistance, and common chemical penetration resistance. The moisture barrier shall be bound along the edges with Bias-Cut Neoprene-coated cotton/polyester binding. Further mention of “Specified Moisture Barrier” in this specification shall refer to this section.

_____Comply _____Exception

d.  SEALED MOISTURE BARRIER SEAMS

All moisture barrier seams shall be sealed with a minimum 1 inch wide sealing tape. One side of the tape shall be coated with a heat activated glue adhesive. The adhesive side of the tape shall be oriented toward the moisture barrier seam. The adhesive shall be activated by heat and the sealing tape shall be applied to the moisture barrier seams by means of pressure exerted by rollers for that purpose.

_____Comply _____Exception

e.  METHOD OF THERMAL LINER/MOISTURE BARRIER ATTACHMENT FOR JACKETS AND TROUSERS

The thermal liner and moisture barrier shall be completely removable from the jacket shell. Two strips of 5/8 inch wide flame resistant hook and pile fastener tape shall secure the thermal liner/moisture barrier to the outer shell along the length of the neck line under the collar (see Collar section). The remainder of the thermal liner/moisture barrier shall be secured with a minimum of four snap fasteners appropriately spaced on each jacket facing and four snap fasteners at each sleeve end. There shall also be three hem snap tabs spaced along the bottom of the liner to secure the liner in place at the hem.

The thermal liner and moisture barrier shall be completely removable from the trouser shell. Nine snap fasteners shall be spaced along the waistband to secure the thermal liner/moisture barrier to the shell. The legs of the thermal liner/moisture barrier shall be secured to the shell by means of two snap fasteners per leg.

_____Comply _____Exception

f.  THERMAL PROTECTIVE PERFORMANCE

The assembled garment, consisting of an outer shell, moisture barrier, and thermal liner, shall exhibit a TPP (Thermal Protective Performance) rating of not less than 36.3 and a THL (Total Heat Loss) rating of not less than 257.84.

_____Comply _____Exception

g.  STITCHING

The outer shell shall be assembled using stitch type #301, #401, and #516. The thermal liners and moisture barriers shall be assembled using stitch type #301, #401, #504, #514, and #516. Stitching in all seams shall be continuous. There shall be no joined stitching in mid-seam. All major A outer shell structural seams, major B structural liner seams, shall have a minimum of 8 to 10 stitches per inch.

_____Comply _____Exception

JACKET CONSTRUCTION

h.  BODY

The body of the shell and AXTION liner system shall be constructed of three separate panels consisting of two front panels and one back panel. The body panels shall be shaped so as to provide a tailored fit thereby enhancing body movement and shall be joined together by double stitching with Nomex® thread.

_____Comply _____Exception

i.  DRAG RESCUE DEVICE (DRD)

A Firefighter Drag Rescue Device shall be installed in each jacket. The ends of a 1.5 inch wide Kevlar® strap will be sewn together to form a continuous loop. The strap will be installed in the jacket between the liner system and outer shell such that when properly installed will loop around each arm. The strap will be accessed through a portal between the shoulders on the upper back where it is secured in place by a Velcro strap. The access port will be covered by an outside flap with beveled corners designed to fit between the shoulder straps of an SCBA. The flap will have a compliant reflective patch sewn to the outside to clearly identify the feature as the DRD (Drag Rescue Device). The DRD shall not extend beyond the outside flap. User of the garment must be able to reset the DRD without sending to the manufacture or a third party maintenance facility.