NIGP 05521: Couplings and Hitches

NIGP 05521 Couplings and Hitches, an Item code, encompasses trailer hitches, couplings, and towing hardware that state and local governments procure for fleet equipment and facility operations. Recent solicitations show state and local buyers purchasing complete trailer systems — including drop deck trailers, enclosed trailers, utility trailers, and tilt trailers — where coupling and hitch components are integral to the specification. Issuing bodies include community colleges, county governments, and county resource departments. The procurement activity reflects straightforward capital equipment acquisition for transportation and grounds maintenance, with buyers typically specifying manufacturer and model to ensure compatibility with existing fleet standards or operational requirements.

Activity under this code appears concentrated in the Southwest and Mid-Atlantic. Yuma County, Arizona issued an RFQ on August 26, 2026, for a one-time purchase of enclosed and utility trailers (one enclosed trailer, one tandem-axle utility trailer, one tilt trailer with separate pricing for winch configurations, and three high-side utility trailers), with bids due September 15, 2026. Middlesex College in Middlesex County, New Jersey, solicited an AIR-TOW UT14-10 drop deck trailer under RFQ 10969, posted September 14, 2026, with proposals due September 29, 2026. Both opportunities represent single-unit or small-quantity purchases typical of maintenance and operations spending rather than fleet-wide procurements.