UNSPSC 22101509: Backhoes

UNSPSC 22101509 Backhoes, a Commodity code, encompasses compact excavation equipment and full-size backhoe loaders that state and local governments procure for municipal operations, water authority fleet modernization, county public works maintenance, and school district grounds and infrastructure support. State and local issuing bodies—including city public works departments, county boards of supervisors, water authorities, and independent school districts—solicit backhoes and closely related mini excavators and backhoe loaders through sealed-bid invitation-to-bid (ITB) and request-for-bid (RFB) processes, typically specifying equipment brand, model, engine displacement, bucket capacity, track type, and delivery location. Recent activity shows governments buying single units or small fleets (one to three pieces) of new compact hydraulic mini excavators in the 3.5 to 4-ton class, full-size Caterpillar Model 420 backhoe loaders, and backhoe trailers for operation and maintenance work; several solicitations reference trade-ins of existing equipment to facilitate fleet turnover. The issuing-body mix reflects broad geographic and institutional diversity: the City of Valdosta and City of Summerville (Georgia), Emanuel County Schools (Georgia), Floyd County Water Department (Georgia), Macon Water Authority (Georgia), Oscoda Area Schools (Michigan), and Montgomery County (Pennsylvania) represent the recent visible activity, with a concentration of Georgia municipal and water authority buyers.

Activity clusters in Georgia and California, with secondary presence in Michigan, Mississippi, Connecticut, Texas, and Pennsylvania. Representative recent opportunities include the City of Valdosta RFQ #6-27-(1) seeking one 2026 or newer mini excavator with bids due June 23, 2026; Emanuel County Schools' ITB for a compact 3.5-4 ton mini excavator with delivery to Swainsboro, Georgia, closing April 3, 2026; the City of Summerville RFB for a new Caterpillar Model 420 backhoe loader with bids due March 9, 2026; and Butts County's multi-unit heavy equipment five-year lease solicitation (Bid #26-14) covering one backhoe among eight equipment categories, with bids due April 7, 2026, ultimately awarded to Yancey Bros, Co. on April 30, 2026. Evaluation criteria typically emphasize price, equipment specifications compliance, warranty coverage (commonly 24 months minimum), proximity and responsiveness of authorized service centers, and delivery lead time; no set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises appear in recent postings, and bid bonds typically range from 5 percent of bid value to none required.