EVEREST BLUE CONSULTING• BID OF THE WEEK • ISSUE #1 • APRIL 21, 2025
Green Work Shirts –
What the Specs (and the Past) Reveal About Winning
NYS Department of Corrections (Corcraft) IFB #PA25015
Prepared exclusively for Everest Blue Consulting clients and partners.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- What’s Up for Bid
- Qualification Quick-Check
- Comparative Analysis: Past MTA Award
- Critical Success Factors
- Pricing Strategy Takeaways
- Key Questions Before Bidding
- Everest Blue’s Insider Insight
- How We Can Help
- About Everest Blue
1. WHAT’S UP FOR BID
The NYS Department of Corrections (Corcraft) is soliciting bids for green work shirts — but on the surface, this looks like a simple textile contract. It’s not.
Here’s what the IFB (#PA25015) really asks you to prove:
- You can deliver at scale.
- You know how to meet agency specs.
- You can package, price, and fulfill cleanly.
Contract Specifics:
| Parameter | Details | Notes |
| Due Date | May 9, 2025 | 3:00 PM EDT submission deadline |
| Specification | Jungle green work shirts, cotton/poly blend | 65% polyester/35% cotton preferred |
| Packaging | 5 dozen per box, labeled | Size-specific labeling required |
| Size Range | S–7X (broad range) | Extended sizing critical factor |
| Minimum Order | 1,750 dozen | ~21,000 units total |
| Delivery Location | Corcraft – Albany, NY | FOB destination terms |
| Contract Term | 1 year with 2 optional renewals | Price stability during term required |
This bid is straightforward only if you’ve done it before. Otherwise, it’s a test in supply chain readiness.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This contract includes potential penalties for late delivery. The Corcraft facility supplies multiple state agencies, and timely fulfillment is considered critical to their operations.
2. QUALIFICATION QUICK-CHECK
Before investing time in this bid proposal, confirm your capability in these key areas:
- Source specified fabrics in required quantities.
- Manage manufacturing or sourcing of extended sizes (up to 7X)
- Meet packaging and labeling requirements.
- Delivery to Corcraft’s Albany location.
- Have a production capacity for a minimum of 21,000 shirts.
- Demonstrate similar past performance.
Meet requested timeline for initial delivery (45 days after award)
- Provide required quality control documentation.
- Meet 5% bid bond requirement.
EXPERT TIP: The extended sizing requirement (up to 7X) has eliminated otherwise qualified bidders in past similar contracts. Ensure your supply chain can accommodate these sizes before proceeding.
3. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS: PAST MTA AWARD
To understand what makes a winning bid, we analyzed a comparable contract: MTA Bus Company award for moisture-wicking polos (Bid #PRB183399). While the specs differ, the lessons align:
Detailed Comparison:
| Category | Corcraft (Current) | MTA Polo (Past Award) |
| Fabric | Cotton/poly twill | 100% polyester |
| Color | Jungle green | Navy or white |
| Customization | None specified | MTA logo embroidery |
| Unit Packaging | 60 shirts per box | 40 shirts per box, labeled |
| Size Range | Up to 7X | Up to 3XL |
| Quantity | ~7,630 dozen (est.) | 27,000 units |
| Delivery Timeline | 45 days after award | 60 days after award |
| Quality Requirements | Sample approval required | Pre-production sample + production QC |
| Warranty | 90 days minimum | 180 days |
Bid Results Analysis:
The MTA contract was awarded to a vendor who positioned their bid approximately 12% below the average of all submitted bids. The winning vendor successfully balanced competitive pricing while maintaining sufficient margin to manage all contract requirements, including embroidery, specialized packaging, and precise delivery scheduling.
BID INSIGHT: While this MTA contract was awarded over 5 years ago and absolute pricing has changed significantly due to inflation and supply chain factors, the relative pricing strategy remains relevant. The key takeaway is not the specific price point but the competitive positioning at approximately 12% below the average bid.
4. CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
Our analysis of similar apparel contracts revealed three key factors that consistently differentiated winning bids:
1. Demonstrated Experience with Similar Volume
The winning MTA vendor included:
- Production capacity documentation
- References from 3 similar-sized contracts
- Staff allocations for quality control
- Contingency planning for potential delays
2. Comprehensive Quality Control Processes
Successful vendors detailed their:
- Incoming material inspection procedures
- In-process quality checks at key production points
- Final inspection protocols with statistical sampling methods
- Documentation and reporting procedures
3. Clear Inventory Management and Production Timeline
The proposal included:
- Gantt chart of production milestones
- Material sourcing and lead times
- Production capacity allocation
- Shipping logistics and delivery confirmation procedures
WINNING STRATEGY: “In public apparel contracts, winners demonstrate capacity AND quality control — not just low pricing. Detail your QC process in every bid.”
5. PRICING STRATEGY TAKEAWAYS
From our Bid of the Week Tracker, this contract fits the category: 🧩 “All-in pricing (including supplies, insurance) built trust.”
Key Pricing Insights:
- Transparency is Valued
- Agencies prefer clear line-item pricing that shows understanding of all requirements.
- Include all costs in your pricing model (no surprises or “add-ons” later)
- Price Stability
- The contract includes potential renewals requiring stable pricing.
- Consider how you’ll manage potential material cost fluctuations.
- Value Demonstration
- Winning bids connect price points to value markers:
- Quality control procedures
- Delivery reliability
- Past performance metrics
- Warranty terms
- Winning bids connect price points to value markers:
- Strategic Positioning
- Based on historical patterns, aim for the 10-15% below average bid range
- Too low raises concerns about quality; too high eliminates you without review.
PRICING INSIGHT: Vendors who win in this space offer <strong>clarity and completeness — not just low numbers. Your bid should demonstrate value at every price point.
6. KEY QUESTIONS BEFORE BIDDING
Based on our experience with similar contracts, we recommend asking the following questions before finalizing your bid strategy:
1. Sustainability Requirements
Question to Ask: “Does the agency have specific requirements for sustainable materials or recycled content?”
Why It Matters: In past similar bids, we’ve seen preferences for recycled content that weren’t explicitly stated in the initial specifications but were mentioned in Q&A sessions. This requirement can significantly impact material sourcing and costs.
2. Inspection Protocols
Question to Ask: “What are the specific inspection protocols upon delivery?”
Why It Matters: Understanding acceptance criteria upfront prevents costly returns. Different agencies have varying standards for quality acceptance, and Corcraft specifically has been known to have stringent inspection procedures.
3. Volume Flexibility
Question to Ask: “Are there potential volume increases during the contract period?”
Why It Matters: Ensuring your capacity can manage potential growth is critical. Many government contracts include options for volume increases of 15-25%, which must be honored at the same unit pricing.
4. Sample Requirements
Question to Ask: “When are pre-production samples required, and what is the approval timeline?”
Why It Matters: Sample approval processes can significantly impact your production timeline. Understanding this process helps you build appropriate lead time into your delivery commitments.
7. EVEREST BLUE’S INSIDER INSIGHT
If you’re submitting a bid for IFB PA25015, don’t just submit a price. Submit a solution: a production plan, packaging outline, delivery schedule, and warranty/support language.
What Sets Winners Apart:
In a bid like this, the winner isn’t always the cheapest — it’s the one who shows they understand what Corcraft really needs:
- Reliability: State correctional facilities operate on tight budgets and precise inventories. Your bid should emphasize delivery certainty.
- Documentation: Include a sample of your quality control documents, packing slips, and reporting tools. Agencies value administrative clarity as much as product quality.
- Contingency Planning: Address potential challenges proactively – how you’ll manage supply chain disruptions, staffing fluctuations, or specification adjustments.
- Value-Added Services: Consider including elements like:
- Electronic inventory reporting
- Flexible delivery scheduling
- Extended warranty options
- Quality assurance visits
- Expert Packaging: Detail your approach to packaging for institutional environments – durability, easy inventory counting, and proper labeling are critical factors.
RED FLAG ALERT: This contract requires the vendor to manage sizes up to 7X. Many previous bidders have been disqualified because they couldn’t demonstrate capacity to fulfill the extended size requirements. Be explicit about your capability in this area.
8. HOW WE CAN HELP
At Everest Blue Consulting, we specialize in helping businesses like yours win government contracts through strategic preparation and positioning.
Our Services for This Bid:
Bid Preparation & Packaging Strategy
- Complete RFP response development
- Requirements compliance matrix
- Technical narrative development
- Past performance presentation
Pricing Benchmarks and Competitive Analysis
- Historical pricing data for similar contracts
- Competitive positioning strategy
- Price-to-win analysis
- Value proposition development
Compliance Review
- Product specifications verification
- Size charts and measurement standards
- Labeling and packaging requirements
- Delivery and logistical planning
Capability Statement Development
- Targeted capability statements for apparel contracts
- Past performance documentation
- Production capacity verification
- Quality control protocols
🗓 This bid is due May 9th. Let’s get your proposal in shape now.
Contact us at:
- 📩 Email: andre@ebluec.com
- 📞 Phone: (212) 812-2975
- 🌐 Schedule online: https://meetings.hubspot.com/andre-messiah
9. ABOUT EVEREST BLUE CONSULTING
Everest Blue Consulting specializes in helping minority-owned, women-owned, and small businesses navigate the complex world of government contracting. Our team has over 25 years of combined experience in public procurement, proposal development, and contract management.
Our Approach
We believe in creating strategic, sustainable relationships between businesses and government agencies. Our services go beyond simply helping you win a single contract—we aim to position your business for long-term success in the public sector.
Our Commitment to MBEs and WBEs
As a certified minority-owned business ourselves, we understand the unique challenges faced by diverse businesses in the government contracting space. We’re committed to increasing diversity in public procurement by providing specialized support to MBEs and WBEs.
Everest Blue Consulting Inc. Clarity. Strategy. Growth. Helping MBEs, WBEs, and small businesses win in the public sector.
10. NEXT WEEK’S PREVIEW
Coming in Issue #2: Medical Equipment Maintenance
Next week, we’ll analyze an upcoming bid for medical equipment maintenance services for a major metropolitan healthcare system. This multi-million-dollar contract represents a significant opportunity for service providers with technical capabilities and healthcare facility experience.
We’ll cover:
- The hidden certification requirements not mentioned until the Q&A phase.
- How the previous contract was split between three vendors.
- Pricing strategies that have succeeded in similar healthcare maintenance contracts
- The critical importance of response time guarantees.
Watch your inbox next Monday for all the details!
Everest Blue Consulting Inc.
Isabella Avenue Irvington, NJ 07111
www.ebluec.com | (212) 812-2975
© 2025 Everest Blue Consulting Inc. All rights reserved. This document contains proprietary analysis intended for Everest Blue clients and partners. Distribution without permission is prohibited.
Bid of the Week: Issue #4 | April 21, 2025 |
