Description
South Carolina’s Department of Education is seeking an asset‑based freight carrier to provide statewide textbook and instructional‑material freight services for roughly 1,200 public schools. The contract is a fixed‑price, unit‑price IFB covering delivery, inside‑delivery, pickup of returns, and pallet provision over an estimated 7‑year period (initial 2‑year term with annual renewals). The carrier must maintain drop‑trailer inventory, supply GMA‑spec pallets, and offer web‑based tracking compatible with the state’s ordering system. Only carriers with multiple terminals and owned/leased fleets qualify; brokers and 3PLs are non‑responsive.
• Deliver textbooks to schools within 48 hours (excluding weekends) and provide inside‑delivery hand‑trucking.
• Pickup surplus materials from schools and return them to the central depository within 5 business days.
• Maintain a minimum of two 53‑ft drop‑trailers at the central depot during peak (June‑Sept) and supply at least 250 wooden pallets at contract start, replenishing as needed.
• Provide flat‑rate pricing per 100 lb across ten weight brackets, include all costs (no separate pallet or surcharge fees), and meet insurance and tax‑withholding requirements.