MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Bemidji State University
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
FOR
RESIDENTIAL HALLS LAUNDRY EQUIPMENT AND SERVICE
Addendum 1 ~ May 9, 2014
This addendum is being provided to respond to additional questions received from Vendors about the
Bemidji State University Request for Proposal for Development of a Residential Halls Laundry Equipment
and Service Plan issued April 21, 2014.
The proposal due date of May 19, 2014, by 2 PM, will NOT change as a result of this Addendum
VENDOR QUESTIONS, MNSCU ANSWERS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------Q1
What is the time period and cost per minute for the dryers in the laundry rooms?
A1
The average time period for the dryer is sixty (60) minutes, costing $1 (one dollar) per drying cycle,
yielding an average cost per minute of $.0167.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------Q2
What is the student capacity per residential hall?
A2
See attachment A2.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------Q3
Is the University getting feedback from students requesting additional laundry services such as
more washer and dryers?
A3
The residents of Oak Hall are most vocal in regard to the quantity of washers and dryers, the
amount of time it takes for servicing the equipment and poor quality of the equipment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Q4
In Oak Hall C Wing there is 3 washers for only 2 drains, should the number is washers be reduced
due to lack of proper drainage capacity?
A4
Yes, there should only be 2 washers in this location due to drainage capacity.
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------Q5
Explain how the dryers are currently vented outside in each of laundry room in the residential
halls? Also is the vendor responsible for dryer venting maintenance to the wall or all the way
outside?
A5
We want the venders to be responsible for the duct all the way outside. The Birch dryer vent goes
from the laundry room and exhausts outside from the room right next to the laundry room, and has
a clean out box, no fan.
Linden has a booster fan in the room next to the laundry and has about 35 feet of duct and 2
cleanouts before it leaves the building.
Tamarack has a booster fan in the room and then is exhausted right out the wall.
Pine has a booster fan in the room and then goes to the roof with another fan there.
Cedar has a booster fan on each floor and goes to the roof with another fan there.
Oak A and C both have a booster fan inside laundry room and are vented through ground to the
outside vent.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------Q6
In Oak Hall does the laundry rooms in C and A Wings have the same student usage?
A6
No, Oak A wing and Oak C wing do not have the same student usage. It was mentioned on the
tour that Oak A wing residents and a majority of B wing residents use the A wing laundry room,
with Oak C wing laundry room, used mainly by Oak C wing residents, and rarely as overflow from
A. It is more difficult for Oak B wing residents to get to the C wing laundry room, therefore, B wing
students find the A room more convenient and easier to access.
Q7
Does the University have a preference for top loading laundry units or front loading units?
A7
Bemidji State University would prefer that each laundry room would have, at a minimum, one unit
that would be ADA compliant.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------Q8
Are the dryer fans on motion detector switches in the laundry rooms?
A8
Birch does not have a booster fan. Linden fan switch is tied to the dryers. Tamarack has a motion
switch. Pine Hall is directly vented to outside and there is no secondary fan. Cedar fans are run
on a Vmotion switch. Oak A and B are run on motion switches.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------Q9
Is there a special laundry card that is vendor owned?
A9
Under the current vendor, it is a vendor-owned (proprietary) laundry card.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------Q10
Is the University open to using Student ID’s for laundry services or laundry cards?
A10
Our IT department has expressed negative endorsement of this idea. The University would be
willing to explore the option.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------Q11
Which residential hall has the most student feedback for additional laundry needs?
A11
The residents of Oak Hall are most vocal in regard to the quantity of washers and dryers, the
amount of time it takes for servicing the equipment and poor quality of the equipment.
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------Q12
Does the University have a preference for dryer venting installation using tape or screws?
A12
Our maintenance department has recently discovered that screws were not allowed on dryer
venting.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Q13
Does the University have a preference for laundry units that have windows or solid doors?
A13
The University does not have a preference for laundry units with window or solid doors.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------Q14
Are all the laundry rooms networked?
A14
Yes, with one exception. Cedar Hall is the only laundry that is not on our wired network, but could
be with some effort. Residential Life will need to assess this need.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Q15
What is the card system for student ID’s
A15
Student IDs are printed, with barcodes, on cards with mag stripes. BSU is reserving the mag
stripe for its own future purposes. Other entities on campus (food service, etc.) use the barcode
for their services.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Q16
Is there wireless available is all the laundry rooms?
No. Typically the laundry rooms are in basements with no wireless availability. If there is, it’s
incidental and unreliable.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------Q17
Are all the laundry rooms locked?
A16
A17
Yes, student access the laundry rooms with their room keys and/or keycards.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------Q18
Do all the laundry rooms in each hall currently have at least 1 ADA complainant front loading
machine?
A18
Currently, not all the laundry rooms have at least 1 (one) ADA compliant front loading machine.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Q19
Are any of the residential halls going to be renovated which will affect the laundry rooms?
A19
No, not at this time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Q20
What is the total number of vendor laundry card dispensers and where are they located?
A20
There are currently two stationary vendor laundry card dispensers, one in Oak Hall lobby
and one in Walnut Hall (next to Residential Life Office). We have access to one portable unit
which is placed in Walnut Hall (next to Residential Life Office) during fall opening.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------Q21
Do the utility sinks in the laundry rooms belong to BSU or the vendor?
A21
The utility sinks belong to BSU.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------Q22
Do the laundry tables and chairs belong to BSU or the vendor?
A22
The tables and chairs belong to BSU.
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Q23
What was the gross income the from the washers and dryers and current rate of commission being
paid to the University?
A23
Per our current contract, the vendor guarantees 51% of gross revenue or $16.00 per student per
year, whichever is greater, the official Residential Life 10-day count will be used to determine the
number of students living in halls for fall and spring semester.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------Q24
How many times does the average BSU student do laundry throughout the school year? Or what
is the average number of washing/drying cycles done throughout the course of the school year?
A24
Over the past 24 months each machine operated an average of 61 cycles per month.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------Q25
Will the University accept remanufactured equipment as opposed to new washers and dryers as a
possible option?
A25
The University is opposed to remanufactured equipment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------Q26
On page 8 it states all the information in item 2.3 be listed under each proposal option offered. Is
acceptable to have a master section that discusses each item A1 – A4, knowing that each option
offers the same service, customer service, maintenance plan, repair frequency and reporting
available to the University under each financial proposal option?
A26
The State of Minnesota requires that all the information in item 2.3 be listed under each proposal
option offered. The University must follow this requirement and therefore each vendor should be
the information in the format that is required.
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