PEPPM 2024 Marketplace Bid - Frequently Asked Questions

Bid Policy Questions

Submit questions about terms and conditions or specifications to BidQuestions@PEPPM.org no later than 4 p.m. Eastern Time, April 18, 2024.

Technical Bidding Help

Epylon will not answer policy questions related to the bid but can assist with technical help in filling out the bid forms or gaining access to the RFB. Contact Epylon at Service@Epylon.com or call customer service at (888) 211- 7438.

Questions:

1) I have a question in regard to PEPPM 2024 Marketplace Bid (Electronic Bid #540042). Do all 300,000 products need to be on our website for people to purchase or can we have a PDF catalog available for users to look through on our website?
 
2) The bid document says that to be responsive, we need to have a single URL, directing users to a Marketplace Offering, We don’t have our catalogs online, we offer our discount catalogs through email, or regular mail. We are able to upload our catalogs on the Template. Can we still participate without a URL?, Or is this part of the Epylon Services?

Answer:

The website/URL is intended to be dynamic (see T&C sections I.4 Bid Scope and VIII.9 Price Change Policies) and allow for eligible entities to view and purchase products online using a shopping cart feature (see T&C section VI.1 An Overview of the Ordering Process), as opposed to a static page such as a PDF or a catalog sent to eligible entities.
 
Description of RFB: The PEPPM 2024 Marketplace RFB seeks bids from bidders who operate and control an online dynamic Marketplace in terms of both presenting and pricing a wide selection of Products for sale. The RFB contemplates the use of an ecommerce platform that is capable of allowing buyers to electronically browse, select, and purchase Products using the ecommerce functions incorporated into the Marketplace, and that functions in a manner that is both easy to understand and simple to use.
 
The Marketplace Bid Terms and Conditions will be amended with the below language on the Response-to-Exceptions by Amendment date:
 
Revision of II.25
Definition of “Marketplace” or “Marketplace Solution” A “Marketplace” or a “Marketplace Solution” is an ecommerce platform through which an Awarded Vendor works alone or gathers together a network of Authorized Resellers to sell Products on a single website, overseen and managed by the Awarded Vendor. The Marketplace should allow buyers to electronically browse, select, and purchase Products using the ecommerce functions incorporated into the Marketplace, and should function in a manner that is both easy to understand and simple to use. The Awarded Vendor must operate the Marketplace Solution, be the coordinator, and serve as the central point for sales. The Awarded Vendor must oversee any network of Authorized Resellers while centralizing invoicing, payments, delivery processes, return instructions, customer calls, and a Product database. The Awarded Vendor must organize any Authorized Reseller model in such a way as to conduct business through a centralized Marketplace website. Though the Awarded Vendor may or may not be the Seller of Record for all Products under the Contract, the Awarded Vendor is the central point of contact for the Agency and the Eligible Entities and must maintain authority over any Authorized Resellers as described in Section V.8.

Question:

3) As I understand, we have to respond to at least 50% of the core items on the Marketplace List to be eligible (on the excel file, it says 75%). Does that mean that if we don’t meet that criteria, we cannot offer just Catalog Discounts?

Answer:

To be Responsive, a Bidder must Offer an Effective Bid Price for at least fifty percent (50%) of the Products listed by the Agency as Core List Products. Please see Section VII.5 Core List Products of the terms and conditions.

The Marketplace Pricing Template (Excel File) has been updated to reflect 50% on the Instructions tab.

Question:

4) I received bid solicitation notification for the PEPPM Marketplace. Can you provide  examples of what product lines fall into the marketplace category?

Answer:

The PEPPM Marketplace bid is looking for a single bidder who is able to provide at least 300,000 products that fall under the categories: Breakroom Supplies, Foodstuffs; First Aid and Safety; Instructional, Art, and Craft Supplies; Maintenance, Repair, and Operations; and Office Supplies.
 
Please review the T’s and C’s for this solicitation for additional information, as well as Prebid Meeting recording and FAQs. Links are found here: https://www.peppm.org/bidding-information/24marketplace/

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