Vendors Only

Receipt and Opening of Formal Invitation To Bid (ITB)/Request for Proposal (RFP)

It is the vendor's sole responsibility to ensure that a response is physically delivered to the University of West Florida (UWF) before the specified time and date. Do not include more than one response per envelope. Late responses will not be opened and will be rejected unopened, regardless of the degree of lateness or the reason related to it, including causes beyond the vendor's control,

Likewise, vendors must ensure that the responses submitted are sealed before delivery. Vendors may use an envelope or box. The container must be clearly marked with the vendor name, submittal address, ITB/RFP number, date, and opening time.

The public is invited, but optional, to attend formal openings. A designated official will open the responses on the date and time specified. The public reading of the ITB will consist of the firm's name and pricing; the public reading of a an RFP will consist of the names of firms who submitted responses but will not include pricing information. No activity on the part of vendors at an opening other than attendance and note-taking is permitted. Any attempt to qualify or change any response by any vendor in attendance may result in the rejection of that respondent's bid or proposal response. Prices will be available to the public when practical. No decisions related to the award of a contract or purchase order will be made at the opening.

UWF keeps all responses and tabulation sheets for a period of time established by regulation or statute after the award is made. Bids/proposal responses can be examined during regular working hours by appointment, upon notice of a decision or intended decision, or within 10 (ten) days after opening, whichever is earlier.

Cancellation of Invitation to Bid/Request for Proposal/Invitation to Negotiate

A solicitation may be canceled at any time before an award.

Bonding and Sureties

While there may be cases where bid bonds, payment bonds, or performance bonds are required, UWF is committed to using bonds only when specifically justified. Bonding is recognized as a possible impediment to a new or a small business enterprise and, as such, is not called for on a routine or general basis.

ITB/RFP Errors

Before submitting a response to a solicitation, errors may be corrected by lining out and entering the substituted words or figures. The change shall be initialed by the person signing the response. In the case of errors in the price extension, the unit price will govern. Vendors are urged to examine all documents before submission; failure to do so will be at the vendor's risk.

Modification or Withdrawal of Solicitation Responses

Solicitation responses may be modified or withdrawn before to the opening date and time specified. Generally, solicitation responses may be withdrawn after the opening. A withdrawal request may be considered if received by UWF in writing within 72 hours after the bid/proposal opening time and date. UWF may grant requests this provision receives upon proof of the impossibility of performing based upon an obvious error by the bidder or offeror. Bidders may be allowed to clarify a specific portion of a bid upon request of the purchasing agent.

Criteria for Award

The criteria to be applied for an award will be incorporated into the ITB/RFP.

Samples and Literature

Vendors must provide any samples or descriptive literature requested must be provided free of charge. Samples that are not destroyed by testing will be returned, at the vendor¹s expense upon request. Samples submitted by successful vendors may be kept for the duration of the contract for comparison with the shipment(s) received.

Specifications

Unless a vendor specifies otherwise in the bid, it is assumed that the vendor is bidding in strict accordance with the specifications in the ITB. When merchandise that does not meet these specifications is received, it will be returned to the vendor, and a shipping charge will be collected.

New Equipment

All supplies and equipment offered and furnished must be new and of current production unless specified in writing.  Remanufactured or reconstructed items are not considered new.

Substitutions

Substitution is the shipment of an item that materially conforms to the specifications but is technically different from the item bid. Substitution requires the buyer's approval before shipment. Any products delivered that do not meet the specifications will be returned to the vendor at the vendor's expense. When a shipment or product is returned, the vendor must immediately replace it with acceptable merchandise, or UWF may seek default remedies.

Back Orders

If any items need to be back-ordered, the vendor should notify UWF and advise us of the expected delivery or shipment date. If this date is not acceptable, UWF may seek default remedies.

Default by Vendor

In case of a contractor default, UWF may procure the product or service from other sources and hold the contractor responsible for any damages incurred, including, but not limited to, excess cost or handling charge. UWF can remove any contractor who defaults on any contract from its vendor lists.

Packaging

All packaging must conform to standard commercial packaging and meet ICC regulations. A packing slip or invoice must accompany all shipments and reference the Purchase Order Number.

Vendor Ombudsman

A Vendor Ombudsman, whose duties include advocating for vendors experiencing problems in obtaining timely payment(s) from the University of West Florida, may be contacted at 850.474.2628.

Inspection

All materials, equipment, and supplies are subject to inspection and testing. Items that do not meet specifications will be rejected.

Prompt Payment

After delivery of commodities or services ordered, the vendor must prepare and submit an original and appropriate number of invoice copies for payment to UWF in the purchase order or contract.

Vendors can expedite payment by preparing and mailing invoices according to the instructions given on the purchase order. The vendor may submit separate invoices for each delivery for large orders requiring partial or periodic deliveries and involving sizable amounts of money.

The contractor shall be paid upon submission of properly completed invoices to the purchaser. The invoice(s) should be at the prices stipulated on the contract when the order is placed. Payment occurs after delivery and acceptance of goods, and the invoice(s) should reflect any discounts or deductions provided.

Invoices shall contain the contract number, purchase order number, contractor's name, and federal employer identification number. Failure to follow these instructions may result in a delay in processing invoices for payment.

Payment shall be made following Section 215.422, Florida Statutes. (The State of Florida must pay all properly completed and correctly addressed invoices within 40 days of receipt of the invoice for goods or services received.) If supposed payment is not made within 40 days, a separate interest penalty set by the State Department of Banking and Finance according to Section 55.03 F.S. will be due and payable in addition to the original invoice amount.

Acceptance

The delivery of a UWF purchase order or contract award with a valid signature constitutes acceptance of the offer to sell and consummate a binding contractual agreement.

Appeal Procedure

Any actual or prospective bidder who protests the terms, specifications, and conditions of the ITB or contract award recommendation shall file such protest in the form of a petition in compliance with Chapter 28-110, Florida Administrative Code. Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed in Section 120.57(3), Florida Statutes shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120.

Convicted Vendor List & Public Entity Crime Form

Every vendor doing business with the state in the amount of $25,000 or greater must be advised of the public entity crime requirements of Section 287.133(2)(a), Florida Statutes, which specifies the state shall not contract with an entity or any officer, director, executive partner, shareholder, employee, member or agent active in management of the entity nor any affiliate of the entity if the person or affiliate has been charged and convicted of a public entity crime and has been placed on the convicted vendor list maintained by the Division of Purchasing.

A public entity crime is a violation of any state or federal law by a person directly related to the transaction of business with any public entity or political subdivision of any other state or with the United States, including, but not limited to, any bid or contract for goods or services; any lease for real property; or any contract for the construction or repair of a public building or public work involving antitrust, fraud, theft, bribery, collusion, racketeering, conspiracy, or material misrepresentation.

Code of Ethics

State employees may not accept personal gratuities from the private sector or associate with the vendor for personal gain.

Other Procurement Methods

Florida Statutes also provide for other methods of purchasing. The state uses these methods when competition is not possible or may not be in the state's best interest. They are:

• Single Source (Sole Source) Purchase: This may be used when goods/services are available only from a single source.
• Emergency Purchase: An emergency purchase may be used only when necessitated by a sudden turn of events (e.g., acts of God, riot, fires, flood, or circumstances beyond the control of the agency) with an immediate danger to public health, safety, welfare or substantial loss to the state.
• Negotiation After Receipt of No Competitive Sealed Bids/Proposals: This may be used when receiving a single or no response bid.

Professional Services Purchases

Including, but not limited to, those services within the scope of practice of architecture, professional engineering, or registered land surveying.

Construction Projects

Firms interested in bidding on construction projects should regularly check the UWF Open Solicitations and Public Notices page.