Spotlighting Recent Successes: Ergonomic Task Chair Evaluation Process

The Ergonomic Task Chair Contract isn't like most other contracts at Iowa State in that it isn’t awarded to a single supplier and is instead awarded to multiple suppliers based on which of the ergonomic task chairs they submitted for consideration as part of the Request for Quotes (RFQ) process.  The chairs that are available through the current Ergonomic Task Chair Contract have succeeded in passing the two rounds of evaluations that are conducted as part of the bid evaluation process.

During the first round of evaluation, each chair is reviewed and scored on the seat depth, type of arms, lumbar support, chair controls, tilt control, location of seat slide adjustment, recycled content, warranty and service for repairs.  Following the completion of the first round of evaluation, samples of the highest-scoring chairs are requested from the suppliers who submitted them in response to the bid.

Once the highest-scoring sample chairs arrive on campus, the second round of evaluation is conducted by a committee comprised of individuals with varied heights and body types.  This round of evaluation includes physical testing of the chairs and reviewing and scoring on ease of use (taking into account the adjustments, how easy they were to use, location of adjustments), construction of the chair (reviewing the back, arms, seat, and frame), and overall chair design (taking into account the overall ease of use, overall comfort, lumbar size and location, seat cushion comfort, depth and width of seat).  Contracts are then awarded to the suppliers for each of the highest-scoring chairs from the second round of evaluation.  Some contracts may be issued to a supplier for a single chair and others may be issued to a supplier for multiple chairs.

The Ergonomic Task Chair Contract is also one where we require you to come and try out the product before you buy it!  You are going to spend a lot of time in the selected chair and we want to make sure that you find the right one that meets your needs.  While each chair available has been through the evaluation process described above to assure that they are high quality, made with durable materials, and have 9-10 year warranties, each chair is priced individually, offers different ergonomic features and adjustments, and has a selection of fabrics from which to choose.

If you are interested in testing out one of the new chairs, please make an appointment with Tisha Campbell, 515-294-4542, tishac@iastate.edu to visit the chair room and see which one best meets your needs!  You’ll leave your appointment with a slip of paper containing all of the information your Procurement and Expense Specialist (PES) needs to submit the order on your behalf!  Just take a photo of the slip of paper and send it along with your University Business Purpose and Worktag to finance_delivery@iastate.edu and they will submit the order for you!

The Ergonomic Task Chairs included in the current contract include:

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