Pierce Transit furnishes uniforms to approximately 480 coach operators. The following components shall be contained in this contract(s): parkas, windbreakers, men's trousers, women's slacks, polo shirts, short sleeve shirts, long sleeve shirts, vests, cardigans, ties, and hats. In addition, bidders are requested to provide pricing for shorts which will not be purchased by Pierce Transit directly, but will be made available for purchase by operators to ensure uniformity of quality and style.

APPROVAL OF ALTERNATE GARMENTS
Prior to bid submittal, Pierce Transit requires that prospective bidders submit samples of all garments/items to be offered as alternates, in response to our “open to suggestion” specifications, or if such garments/items are of a different make or model than the garment listed in the DETAIL SPECIFICATION pages of this document. If samples cannot be furnished in the colors indicated in each detailed specification, swatches of the specified colors shall be provided to Pierce Transit at a minimum. Sample submittals shall include information regarding submitting company, manufacturer’s specification, list of variations from our specifications, manufacturer's name and item or reorder number, available colors, available sizes (include non-common sizes) and any other information that will assist us in making an or equal or acceptable suggestion determination. Bidders are not limited to the number of different alternates or suggested items they may submit.

Pierce Transit shall review all samples for compliance with specifications and shall approve or disapprove any variations. Sample garments may be worn and/or laundered by Pierce Transit staff to test durability. All prospective bidders shall be notified in writing of all approved garments prior to bid submittals. Bids will only be accepted for pre-approved garments.

Upon receipt of written addendum identifying approved garments, rejected alternate requesters are responsible to make arrangements with Pierce Transit to pick up any unapproved sample garments. All accepted alternate garments will be retained by Pierce Transit until the contract(s) is awarded. All alternate garments awarded a contract may be retained by Pierce Transit throughout the contract period.

SAMPLE SUBMITTAL DUE DATE
All samples must be received by Pierce Transit no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, January 24, 2003. Samples submitted after 4 p.m. on Friday, January 24, 2003 will not be considered unless an extension has been granted in the form of a written addendum.

GARMENT SIZING
Bidders are required to indicate on the bid form the common sizes of each proposed garment, non-common sizes, and sizes that are not available. The successful supplier should be capable of fitting all operators including those requiring specially sized garments, for example 2X-Small and 6X-Large and a range of Tall sizes. Bidders are allowed to identify and provide different prices for non-common sizes on the bid form. The successful supplier will be required to assist in providing or locating garments to properly fit those operators that may fall outside of the realm of sizes considered common or non-common. The price of these garments will be established on a case by case basis.

LABELS
Manufacturer's name label must be permanently sewn in each garment. The label(s) shall include the correct fiber content of the fabric/materials, manufacturer identification, garment individual identification, location of manufacture/assembly, size, and care instructions. The label(s) shall be specially treated with writing finish surface.

EMBROIDERY
Logos shall be embroidered directly on garment or on a patch that is attached to the garment. Pierce Transit’s requirements are included in each garments description in the DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS section of this document.

Pierce Transit logo shall be embroidered in teal and yellow thread as closely as possible matching PMS 323 and PMS 102. Exact placement and artwork will be furnished to the successful bidder. (See Attachment A at the end of the DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS portion of this document for approximate size and style of the logo.)

The successful contractor shall embroider only Pierce Transit approved garments with the Pierce Transit logo.

GARMENT PRESSING
All garments shall be pressed completely and properly by the successful contractor before delivery to Pierce Transit.

GARMENT FITTINGS
It is Pierce Transit's preference that the successful bidder is responsible for measuring and fitting all operators. Bidders should indicate on the bid form if this service is available, a brief description outlining the process to be used, and cost (if any) to Pierce Transit.

If this optional service is not available, fittings will be handled as described in the ORDERING PROCEDURE paragraph of this document.

ALTERATIONS
To assure proper fit, alterations may be required to hem and sleeve length, leg width, waist, seat and crotch as garments are ordered. Such alterations shall be performed in a professional manner, including hems straight, length even on both legs, color of thread matching color of material, and pressed after alterations are completed. If the initial alterations were done incorrectly, the garment shall be re-altered at no additional charge.

Trousers and slacks (hemmed with no cuff) shall be finished to exact customer length of the individual. The bid price of all trousers and slacks shall include the cost of initial hemming. All other types of alterations are listed separately on the bid form.

ORDERING PROCEDURE
The following procedure will be utilized unless the optional fitting service described in the GARMENT FITTINGS paragraph of this document is accepted:

1. Pierce Transit shall place orders as needed for replacement garments and to outfit new operators.
2. A Contractor’s representative shall be at Pierce Transit to assist Pierce Transit employees with the development of the initial order. At the same time, the Contractor shall train Pierce Transit staff on proper measuring and fitting procedures. Preferably, the successful Contractor shall provide measuring tape and order forms giving step by step instructions where and how to measure. The successful Contractor shall provide additional training as necessary throughout the term of the contract.
3. To assist Pierce Transit in its ongoing fitting effort, Pierce Transit shall purchase one each of the full range of sizes of each garment that Pierce Transit does not already have, except for parkas and windbreakers.

DELIVERY
Orders shall be placed on an as needed basis. The Contractor shall make every effort to fill orders within twenty-one (21) calendar days from date of order. Pierce Transit shall be notified immediately if the twenty-one (21) calendar day delivery requirements cannot be met and why. If delivery of any contracted item is consistently late thirty (30) days or more, the Contractor shall work with Pierce Transit for a mutual remedy.

GARMENT SUBSTITUTIONS AFTER AWARD
The Contractor must obtain Pierce Transit's approval prior to making a substitution for any garment for any reason including the inability to meet delivery requirement with the contracted garment. The substituted product will be priced the same or less than the garment that should have been delivered.

If a designated garment is no longer available from the manufacturer in the style or color(s) previously approved by Pierce Transit, a permanent substitution will be necessary. The Contractor shall give thirty (30) calendar days advance notice to Pierce Transit in writing about pending unavailability. The Contractor shall include a recommended substitution(s) description, color(s), price and any other pertinent information along with a sample garment. Pierce Transit reserves the right to accept or reject the Contractor's recommendation.

CONTRACT AWARD(S)
The detailed specifications are arranged by sections. Pierce Transit reserves the right to award the contract as a whole, by section, or by line item. Bidders are encouraged to complete each section, however, bids for partial sections will also be accepted. Pierce Transit reserves the right to award any combination of optional or alternate items that are in the best interest of the agency.

PRICING
Prices for garments and accessories contained in the bid shall be firm for one hundred eighty (180) calendar days from award of contract(s). Thereafter, the successful Contractor shall be permitted to pass on to Pierce Transit manufacturer's price increases and decreases (if any). A thirty (30) day advance written notice of price changes shall be provided to Pierce Transit along with verification of such changes from the manufacturer, showing before and after pricing.

Pricing for alterations and optional service(s) shall be firm for the first contract year, thereafter increases shall not exceed the Seattle/Tacoma/Bremerton CPI with a maximum of 5% per contract year for the life of the contract (including option years). A thirty (30) day advance written notice of price changes shall be provided to Pierce Transit.

TERM OF CONTRACT
The contract shall be for a period of three (3) years. Upon agreement by both parties, the contract may be extended for two (2) additional one-year periods.

CANCELLATION
If the Contractor fails to comply with the conditions of these specifications, if pricing is no longer competitive, or if the quality of the garments provided deteriorates, Pierce Transit may cancel the contract by providing a thirty (30) day written notification of intent to cancel the contract.