Laundry Services

The purpose of this service is for VENDOR to provide laundry services of laboratory clothing for the National Institute of Aging Intermural Research Program (NIA IRP). The VENDOR shall provide the NIA IRP located at 251 Bayview Blvd. with laundry services in accordance specifications below: - A. Hazard Exposure Control The items to be laundered include NIA IRP laboratory coats. These items are potentially biologically or chemically contaminated. Proper precautions must be taken by laundry personnel to protect themselves from exposure to potentially hazardous material. Laundry areas should have hand washing facilities readily available to workers. Laundry workers should wear appropriate personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves and protective garments) while sorting soiled items. Laundry equipment should be used and maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions to prevent microbial contamination of the system. Damp textiles should not be left in machines overnight. - B. Pick-up of Soiled Laundry NIA IRP is responsible for gathering the soiled lab coats from their Baltimore IRP facilities and pooling them together to be picked up by VENDOR at designated location. Items will be placed in cloth laundry bags clearly marked NIA. If the VENDOR prefers another type of bag, they must provide those bags. Gathered soiled coats may be found in red laundry bins in room BRC 02B123, near the loading dock of the Biomedical Research Center located at 251 Bayview Blvd. VENDOR will pick up soiled lab coats every other Wednesday, except VENDOR observed holidays. During any Wednesday when VENDOR is closed for a holiday, VENDOR will pick up soiled coats on agreed upon day in lieu of the holiday. The number of items to be laundered will vary depending upon the NIA IRP activities. An individual bag may contain one to 55 items. Each pick up will consist of one to two individual bags. Clean and contaminated items should be transported in vehicles (e.g., trucks, vans, and carts) that allow for separation of clean and contaminated items. - C. Laundering The antimicrobial action of the laundering process results from a combination of mechanical, thermal, and chemical factors. If hot water is used, linen should be washed with a detergent in water at least 160 degrees F for 25 minutes. If low temperature (less than 160 degrees F) laundry cycles are used, chemicals suitable for low-temperature washing at proper use concentration should be used. Chlorine bleach provides an extra margin of safety. A total available chlorine residual of 50-150 ppm should be achieved during the bleach cycle. The last action of the washing process should include the addition of a mild acid to neutralize any alkalinity in the water supply, soap, or detergent. This shift in pH also may inactivate some microorganisms. - D. Clean Laundry Return Clean linen should be handled, transported, and stored by methods that will ensure its cleanliness. After washing, cleaned and dried items are to be pressed, placed on hanger, covered in plastic to prevent soiling during transport, and hung on rack for delivery. Cleaned items will be returned every other Wednesday, except VENDOR observed holidays. During any Wednesday when VENDOR is closed for a holiday, VENDOR will return cleaned coats on agreed upon day in lieu of the holiday. Items may be returned on rack to BRC 02B123, near the loading dock of the Biomedical Research Center located at 251 Bayview Blvd. Empty rack may be picked up during the following delivery/pick up. - E. VENDORs should submit their charge per unit for the following: Laboratory coats Laundry bag rental Any emergency pick up and/or delivery charge should also be submitted.