10_4_23 HEAVY DUTY MOBILE COLUMN SCHOOL BUS L.pdf

864 Broad Street – 4th Floor Augusta, Georgia 30901 – 1215

(706) 826-1000 Fax: (706) 826-4612

Charlie Walker, Jr. KENNETH BRADSHAW, Ed.D. BOBBY A. SMITH, CPA President Superintendent of Schools Chief Financial Officer

QUOTE COVER SHEET

HEAVY DUTY MOBILE COLUMN SCHOOL BUS LIFTS; RFQ #23-152

Date:

Vendor Name:

Address:

Phone:

Fax:

Email:

Addendum(s) Acknowledged: (If Applicable)

#1 _________________

Yes_________________

No_________________

#2 _________________

#3 _________________

BID DUE BY 3:00 P.M., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2023.

864 Broad Street – 4th Floor Augusta, Georgia 30901 – 1215

(706) 826-1000 Fax: (706) 826-4612

Charlie Walker, Jr. KENNETH BRADSHAW, Ed.D. BOBBY A. SMITH, CPA President Superintendent of Schools Chief Financial Officer

You are invited to submit a sealed bid to provide HEAVY DUTY MOBILE COLUMN SCHOOL BUS LIFTS to the County Board of Education of Richmond County, Georgia, (herein after referred to as “Richmond County School System”, “RCSS” or “Owner”) at the time and place noted herein. Pricing should be F.O.B. to RCBOE Transportation Department; 2950 Mike Padgett Hwy, Augusta, GA 30906. Contact person(s) for this contract are Mr. Paul Abbott, Senior Director of Transportation or Mr. Johnny Beard, Transportation Shop Manager (706) 796-4777.

Also note further requirements under the following standard terms and conditions:

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1) TIME AND PLACE: Bids will be received by the Richmond County School System until

3:00 p.m. EST, on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at 864 Broad Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901.

2) LATE BIDS AND QUOTES: Regardless of cause, late bids and quotes will not be accepted and will automatically be disqualified from bid consideration. It shall be solely the vendor’s risk to ensure delivery at the designated office by the designated time. Late bids and quotes will not be opened and may be returned to the vendor.

3) BID FORM: All bids must be made on the provided bid form. All blank spaces for bid prices must be filled in with ink or typewritten.

4) NOTE TO BIDDERS: Bidders must satisfy themselves of the accuracy of the estimate quantities in the bid schedule by a review of provided specifications including any addenda. After bids have been submitted, the bidder shall not assert that there was a misunderstanding concerning the quantities of work or of the nature of the work to be done.

TO:

HEAVY DUTY MOBILE COLUMN SCHOOL BUS LIFT(s) PROVIDERS

FROM:

RICHMOND COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

DATE:

SEPTEMBER 18, 2023

SUBJECT:

HEAVY DUTY MOBILE COLUMN SCHOOL BUS LIFTS RFQ #23-152

RICHMOND COUNTY SCHOOLS

HEAVY DUTY MOBILE COLUMN SCHOOL BUS

LIFTS RFQ #23-152

5) SEALED BID REQUIREMENT: Each bid must be submitted in a sealed envelope addressed to Dr. Kenneth Bradshaw, Superintendent of Schools, c/o Mr. Bobby A.

Smith, Chief Financial Officer, Richmond County School System, 864 Broad Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901. Each sealed envelope containing a bid must be plainly marked on the outside “HEAVY DUTY MOBILE COLUMN SCHOOL BUS LIFTS RFQ #23-152” and the envelope must bear on the outside the name and complete address of the vendor. If forwarded by mail, the sealed envelope containing the bid must be enclosed in another envelope addressed to Dr. Kenneth Bradshaw, Superintendent of Schools, c/o Mr. Bobby A. Smith, CFO, Richmond County School System, 864 Broad Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901, RFQ #23-152.

6) CERTIFICATION: The Richmond County School System may make such investigations as deemed necessary to determine the ability of the bidder to perform the work, and the bidder shall furnish the Owner all such information and data for this purpose as it may request. The School System reserves the right to reject any bid if the evidence submitted by or investigation of such bidder fails to satisfy the Board that such bidder is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the agreement and to complete the work.

7) WARRANTY: The successful vendor will provide in writing to the Richmond County

School System, a warranty on all permanent fixture and piping repairs for a period of five (5) years, beginning at successful completion of repair. Warranty shall exclude recalled equipment and future changes necessitated by NFPA code revisions and/or amendments. If there is a standard warranty for a period of longer than five (5) year, then it will be provided in lieu of the above. [Please see specifications for warranty information specific to product being bid.]

8) PROOF OF INSURANCE: The contractor will be required to carry Workmen’s

Compensation Insurance, Contractor’s Protective Liability Insurance, and Contractor’s Public Liability Insurance, Personal Injury, including death limits of $100,000 for each person and $250,000 for each accident; Property Damage limits of $50,000 for each accident and $100,000 for aggregate of operations. Certificates of Insurance must be sent to the School System prior to commencement of work, with the Richmond County School System to be named as additional insured on public liability insurance for personal injury and property damage.

9) RIGHT TO RE-BID: The Richmond County School System reserves the right to reject any and all bids. The right is reserved to reject any and all quotations, to omit any items called for or to accept the bid deemed best for the Richmond County School System.

10) REJECTION OF PROPOSAL: The Richmond County School System reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any and all proposals received, to waive technicalities, or to negotiate any term(s) or provision(s) of such proposals as meet the requirements and specifications of this RFQ. Such rejection, waiver, or negotiation to be accomplished in any manner necessary to serve the best interests of the Richmond County School System. The Richmond County School System also reserves the right to be the sole judge of the suitability of any and all proposals for use by the Richmond County School System.

The Richmond County School System reserves the right to reject or otherwise disregard, in whole or in part, any ambiguous proposals or proposals which are uncertain as to terms or compliance with specifications.

11) NON-WITHDRAWAL PERIOD: Proposals may not be withdrawn for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of opening.

12) STATE-MANDATED WALK AWAY PROVISION: In the event a contract is awarded for more than one year:

202-2-506 (b) (1)

“Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 20-2-506, notwithstanding any other provision herein this contract shall terminate absolutely and without further obligation on behalf of the School System at the close of each calendar year in which it was executed and at the close of each successive calendar year for which it may be renewed provided thirty

(30) days prior written notice is given by the School System to the vendor prior to the end of such calendar year.

In addition, this contract shall terminate immediately and absolutely at such time that appropriated and otherwise obligated funds are no longer available to satisfy the obligation of the School System under the contract.

This contract shall be deemed to obligate the School System for the sums payable during the calendar year the agreement was executed or in the event of a renewal by the School System for those sums payable at the end of any renewed calendar year.

The contract shall be deemed to have been automatically renewed for each applicable calendar year, not to exceed the initial term of contract, unless positive action is taken by the School System to terminate such contract herein as set forth.”

13) JURISDICTION AND VENUE: “This contract shall be governed and constructed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, Richmond County. Venue and jurisdiction will be that of a court of competent jurisdiction in Richmond County, Georgia.

14) CANCELLATION: In the event at any time during the contract period the vendor cannot provide acceptable service, the Richmond County School System reserves the right to make other arrangements for the procurement of HEAVY-DUTY MOBILE

COLUMN SCHOOL BUS LIFTS.

15) DUTY TO PROTECT: The Contractor (or Vendor) shall not knowingly send any employee, agent or subcontractor personnel who is a registered sex offender or who has been convicted of sexual abuse to any school building or school property when students are attending school or a school related activity.

The Contractor (or Vendor) shall make periodic criminal history record inquiries as authorized by O.C.G.A. §35-3-34, as now written, or here-after amended; or allowed by all or any other laws allowing such inquiry, to identify these persons who have been convicted of sexual abuse or any other act which would require such person to be entered into a national or state sexual offender registry.

For the purpose of this policy, the term periodic shall mean that the criminal history record inquiries shall be made current upon the awarding of a successful bid on contract and checked no less than annually during the duration of the contract. See ATTACHMENT “A” for Sex Offender Acknowledgement Form.

16) E-VERIFY: The Contractor agrees to comply with the requirements of A.R.S. § 41-

4401.

a. The Contractor warrants compliance with all Federal immigration laws and regulations relating to employees and warrants its compliance with Section A.R.S. § 23-214, Subsection A. (That subsection reads: “After December 31, 2007, every employer, after hiring an employee, shall verify the employment eligibility of the employee through the E-Verify program.)

b. A breach of a warranty regarding compliance with immigration laws and regulations shall be deemed a material breach of the contract and the Contractor may be subject to penalties up to and including termination of the contract.

c. The Owner retains the legal right to inspect the papers of any employee who works on the contract to ensure that the Contractor or its subcontractor(s) is/are complying with the foregoing warranty under paragraph (a).

See ATTACHMENT “B” for E-Verify Affidavit Form.

17) SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENT: Bidder shall prohibit employees from using or displaying tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco, while the employee is on duty at the assigned location. There shall be no use of any tobacco products on any property of the Richmond County School System.

18) AWARD METHOD: Award will be based on the lowest responsible and responsive bidder meeting specifications and the overall general value received. This may result in awards not made to the lowest bidder. for the number of systems listed. Each proposal will be evaluated on the following matrix scale.

Category Weighted Scale RFID Key or Security Password System Startup to Protect Against Unauthorized Use

20%

Compliance to the RFP Instructions and Technical Specifications

10%

Length of Lifting Forks 25% Number of Fail-Safe Mechanical Locks 15% Terms of Warranty/Guarantee 10% Lead Time of Less than 30 Days 10% Cost 10%

19) NOTIFY: WORK TIMES AND DELIVERIES MUST BE CLEARED THROUGH MR.

PAUL ABBOTT (706)339-6725 OR MR. JOHNNY BEARD WITH THE

TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT (706) 220-0231.

20) TIME OF THE ESSENCE: Failure of the successful vendor to perform contracted service or deliver the merchandise within the required time shall constitute a material breach of contract. If a breach occurs, the vendor may be responsible for any damages the school system incurs.

21) TAX EXEMPT: The Richmond County School System is exempt for State sales taxes.

Bid prices shall exclude Federal or State taxes that can be eliminated in sales to public school systems in the state of Georgia.

22) SERVICE REQUIREMENT: The successful vendor agrees to accomplish all work covered by these specifications.

23) QUESTIONS, REQUESTS FOR CLARIFICATION, OR INTERPRETATIONS REGARDING

THIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL: All communications concerning this request for proposal must be submitted in writing by electronic mail to:

Richmond County School System – Business Office Attn: Ms. Cecilia Perkins (706)826-1298 Email perkice@boe.richmond.k12.ga.us

Only written questions submitted by email will be accepted. No response other than what is written and distributed by the Business Office will be binding upon the Richmond County School System.

Originating departments may be called upon for clarification in their area of expertise at the discretion of the Business Office. Written responses to questions, requests for clarification, or interpretations will be furnished to all participating vendors.

All requests for clarification or interpretations must be submitted to the Business Office on or before the close of business SEPTEMBER 27, 2023, 5:00 P.M.

24) BRAND NAME STATEMENT: Any reference to brand names, trade names, model numbers or other descriptions peculiar to specific brand products is made to establish a required level of equality and functional capabilities; it is not intended to exclude other products of that level. Comparable products of other manufactures will be considered if proof of comparability is contained in the bid or with the product at the showing of goods or products.

It shall be the responsibility of the bidders, to furnish with their bids such specifications, catalog pages, brochures, of the quality and functional capabilities of the product offered. The Richmond County School System reserves the right to request samples of any bidders prior to bid award. Failure to provide this data or the requested samples may be considered valid justification for the rejection of the bid. Unless so specified, similar products of other reputable manufacturers will be acceptable, provided it is determined to the satisfaction of the Director of School Safety and Security or their designated representative. This determination shall rest solely with the Richmond County School System.

25) INSPECTION OF PUBLIC RECORDS: All information received from vendors shall be subject to inspection once the bid is awarded under the Georgia Public Records Act.

mailto:perkice@boe.richmond.k12.ga.us

SPECIFICATIONS FOR HEAVY DUTY MOBILE COLUMN SCHOOL BUS LIFTS

Evaluation and Selection of Products bid: Safety is the most important factor for product being sought under this RFQ. Each bid will be evaluated on the following matrix to determine the best product for Richmond County School System.

[PLEASE SEE EVALUATION MATRIX LISTED IN ITEM 18 ABOVE]

Richmond County School System is looking for a vendor to provide 2 sets of 4 mobile column lifts. Delivery will be to RCBOE Transportation Department located at 2950 Mike Padgett Highway; Augusta, GA 30906. The awarded vendor will be expected to provide an in-depth training session for employees on the operations and use of the mobile column lifts purchased. The training session will be scheduled with the vendor to take place on site of the RCBOE Transportation department.

Provide 2 sets of 4 mobile column lifts

Quality Assurance:

• Products must have 3 years of industry experience with reference for 5 installations of same product in Georgia School Bus Shops or comparable regional bus shops. (Please describe.)

Verification must be provided with bid package.

• Lift must be ALI-ETL certified. Verification must be provided with bid package.

• Lift Manufacturing Company must be ISO 9001 certified. Verification must be provided with bid package.

MINIMUM SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS

FOR A SET OF 4 ST-1085 FWA, WIRELESS MOBILE COLUMN LIFTS

Successful bidder must meet:

1. Lifting Capacity=18,500 lbs. per column

2. Lifting Height= 69”

3. Power Supply=On board 24V DC with internally mounted, on board(120VAC) charging system. System must also be capable of recharging while in use without damage to the system. Charging cable must be disconnect-able on each end and not hard wired into the charger.

4. Drive mechanism= electric-hydraulic operation. Lift must have automatic hydraulic overload protection from exceeding rated capacity.

5. Each column must have its own control panel using an easily viewable, 7” high resolution touch screen display for diverse operating and safety features. This is to be used in conjunction with a potentiometer or any other device that provides absolute height measurements.

6. Wireless Communication system must automatically select the most advantageous communication channel and shall not require the operator to select the communication channel.

7. A minimum of 8 columns can be linked in a set.

8. Mode of operation, Single, Pair, or All to be displayed on the 7” high resolution touch screen display.

9. Each column must have the ability to be a master column and operate every function of the lift system to its full capacity.

10. ****For safety, Lift system must require that the operator of the system is operating the lift system from one of the control panels physically attached to the column of one of the mobile columns that is in the set of lifts being used. Lifts shall not be operated by any wireless linked device that is not physically attached to one of the mobile column lifts in the set of lifts being used.

11. ***For Safety, the use of an RFID key or SECURITY password protection is required for system startup to protect against unauthorized use. The provided operational security system must be the type that can be issued by the shop safety supervisor to trained and authorized users.

12. A minimum of a 7” Display screen shall display a battery charge indicator, number of columns in set, achieved lifting height, and Action in progress(lifting/lowering). All of this information is viewable at one time.

13. User has a choice of languages to be displayed on the 7” (minimum) high resolution touch screen display.

14. Any System fault information to be displayed with a detailed description on the 7”

(minimum) high resolution touch screen display.

15. ****For Safety, Columns must have a “Fail-Safe” mechanical locking system that has a locking position at a minimum of every 2.5” for the entire lifting stroke and a minimum of 25 safety locking positions.

16. Lifting forks shall have a minimum length of 12”. [Note: Longer forks are preferred.]

17. Wheel contact forks shall be adjustable by hand and freely accept tires with rim diameters between R10 and R22.5. The adjustable forks shall incorporate a mechanical locking device to ensure the fork cannot relocate/adjust during use.

18. ****Lifts shall have a hydraulic pallet jack mechanism to maneuver lifts. Pallet Jack shall also have a gas shock incorporated into its design to dampen the impact of floor imperfections during relocation, and to ensure that the lift is resting safely on its foundation during the lifting cycle.

19. ****For Safety, Pallet Jack mechanism must incorporate a system to provide automatic communication shut down upon column relocation to prevent unsafe operation.

20. The lift must be able to be moved while the pallet jack handle is any position necessary and advantageous to the operator.

21. ****The column shall be fitted with fixed front roller wheels fabricated from oil impregnated nylon so as to be non-destructive to the floor and to allow ease of movement over imperfect floors. These wheels should not require the use of springs to function correctly and safely.

22. Columns must connect with each other using wireless communication, using NO cables between columns or wireless controller to create communication link between columns.

23. Lifting carriage must utilize guide rollers.

24. Control voltage to be 24 volts maximum.

25. This Entire system must be certified by the ALI(Automotive Lift Institute)/ETL and proof of certification to be included with bid. http://www.autolift.org

26. Lifts must be maintenance-free other than visual inspections.

27. Manufacturer of lifts must have ISO 9001 certification.

28. Minimum Warranty: 2 years parts, 1year labor, 5 years on hydraulic cylinder, Lifetime on carriage rollers.

29. Owners Service Manuals to be provided upon delivery of lifts.

30. Lead time of sixty (60) days or less.

VENDOR MUST SCHEDULE DELIVERY OF PRODUCT TO RCBOE TRANSPORTATION

DEPARTMENT:

The awarded vendor will work with the Senior Director of Transportation to schedule product delivery and training for users of the product. Please email Paul Abbott at AbbotPa1@boe.richmond.k12.ga.us to schedule installation as soon as the product comes available. Payment will be made once the work is completed and accepted by the Senior Director of Transportation.

INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING WITH YOUR PROPOSAL:

1. Proof of Insurance

2. Specifications for product you are bidding

3. Proposal Form - completed

4. Sex Offender Acknowledgement Statement - completed

5. E-Verify Affidavit - completed mailto:AbbotPa1@boe.richmond.k12.ga.us

HEAVY DUTY MOBILE COLUMN SCHOOL BUS LIFTS

BID FORM

DESCRIPTION BRAND/MODEL DELIVERED PRICE FOR 2

SETS OF 4 COLUMN LIFTS

HEAVY DUTY MOBILE

COLUMN LIFTS

My prices are good for ______________ days from anticipated award date of October 17, 2023

Provide Lead time for delivery once award is made and order is placed: ________days

My firm can and will provide an in-depth training session to be scheduled with the Transportation department. Yes_________ No_________

VENDOR NAME: __________________________________________________

SIGNATURE OF PERSON SUBMITTING BID:

DATE: ___________________________________________________

PRINTED NAME: _________________________________________________

TITLE: ______________________________________________________

COMPANY NAME: _______________________________________________

ADRESS: ____________________________________________________

CITY, STATE, ZIP: _______________________________________________

PHONE NUMBER: _________________________________________________

FAX NUMBER: __________________________________________________

CONTACT PERSON: __________________________________________________

EMAIL: ________________________________________________________

BID DUE BY 3:00 P.M., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2023.

RFQ #23-152

ATTACHMENT “A”

SEX OFFENDER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM

Read, sign and return this form to the Richmond County Board of Education along with bid proposal

The Contractor (or Vendor) shall not knowingly send any employee, agent or subcontractor personnel who is a registered sex offender or who has been convicted of sexual abuse to any school building or school property when students are attending school or a school related activity.

The Contractor (or Vendor) shall make periodic criminal history record inquiries as authorized by O.C.G.A. §35-3-34, as now written, or here-after amended; or allowed by all or any other laws allowing such inquiry, to identify these persons who have been convicted of sexual abuse or any other act which would require such person to be entered into a national or state sexual offender registry.

For the purpose of this policy, the term periodic shall mean that the criminal history record inquiries shall be made current upon the awarding of a successful bid on contract and checked no less than annually during the duration of the contract.

The Contractor (or Vendor) is certifying to the Richmond County Board of Education that periodic criminal history record checks are made by the company for all employees and that to the best of the Contractor’s (or Vendor) knowledge it has no employee or agent who has been convicted of a sex offense or who is a registered sex offender, who will be assigned to any school building or school property while students are attending school or a school related activity.

I have read and understand the above Richmond County Board of Education Policy regarding me or my company’s obligation as a contractor (or vendor). I further acknowledge that the failure to comply with the requirements to identify a sex offender, to comply with any part of this policy, to assign a sex offender to any school building or school property while students are attending school or a school related activity will constitute a breach of the contract.

Company Name:

Contractor/Vendor Signature Date Signed

Witness Signature Date Signed

RFQ #23-152

ATTACHMENT “B”

E-VERIFY AFFIDAVIT

under O.C.G.A. § 13-10-91(b)(4)

Read, fill out and return this form to the Richmond County School System By executing this affidavit, the undersigned Contractor verifies its compliance with Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), Pulp. 99-603, stating affirmatively that the individual firm or corporation which is engaged in services on behalf of the Richmond County School System has registered with, is authorized to use and uses the federal work authorization program commonly known as E-Verify, or any subsequent replacement program, in accordance with the applicable provisions and deadlines established by federal law and regulation.

Furthermore, the undersigned Contractor will continue to use the federal work authorization program throughout the contract period. Contractor hereby attests that its federal work authorization user identification number and date of authorization are as follows:

Federal Work Authorization User Identification Number:

Date of Authorization:

Name of Project:

HEAVY DUTY MOBILE COLUMN

SCHOOL BUS LIFTS

Solicitation Number (if applicable): RFQ #23-152

Name of Public Employer: Richmond County School System

I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed on _______________________, _________, 202_______ in ____________________ (city), ______________ (state).

Signature of Authorized Officer or Agent

Printed Name and Title of Authorized Officer or Agent

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN BEFORE ME

ON THIS THE ______________________ DAY OF _______________________________________________ ,202_____________.

NOTARY PUBLIC

My Commission Expires:______________________________________________________________________________________