RFQ 17D 240830-053.docx

STATE OF MAINE

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES

DIVISION OF PROCUREMENT SERVICES

RFQ # 17D 240830-053

Plow Truck Cab & Chassis, Class 6, 26,000 Lb GVWR

Quotations/Responses Due: Thursday, September 19, 2024 not later than 4:00 p.m. local time

Note: So all interested bidders receive the same information about the open bid opportunity, all questions and responses must be provided via the State of Maine’s E-Procurement system: AdvantageME / Vendor Self Service (VSS). The Division of Purchases will not answer questions unless they are submitted through the VSS. All questions must be submitted no later than two (2) business days prior to closure date and time. Not all questions will be answered.

General Instructions on Bidder Questions It is the responsibility of each Bidder to examine the entire RFQ and to seek clarification by submitting questions through the Q & A List tab on the Solicitation page. Any answers to questions will appear there as well. It is the vendor's responsibility to log in to view all questions and answers posted. Additional information obtained any other way will not be valid.

In the event that you must contact us for any other reasons than the Q & A previously mentioned, only the Buyer listed on the Solicitation page may be contacted from the time this RFQ is issued until award notification is made. No other person/State employee is empowered to make binding statements regarding this RFQ. Violation of this provision may lead to disqualification from the bidding process, at the State’s discretion.

Summary For this competitive Request for Quotations (RFQ) process, the State of Maine Division of Procurement Services (“Division”) is acting on behalf of The Department of Transportation (“Requesting Department”). The Division and the Requesting Department seek quotations (also referred to as “bids” or “responses” herein) to provide the goods/services listed above. This document provides instructions and descriptions of requirements for this competitive process.

RFQ REQUIREMENTS

1. Description of Requirements

The following is a description of the goods and/or services sought by the State of Maine under this RFQ.

· Please see Appendix B

2. Bid Documents

In addition to the cost, delivery, and other information required in VSS, all bids should contain the following information/documents as attachments. Bids received without these documents may be rejected without notice.

· Appendix B: Bid Specifications, page 13 through 34.

· Product Data/Information Sheets: List of required information and documents on page 34.

· Warranty Information

· Appendix A: Signed Bid Cover Page and Debarment Form, page 8 and 9 of this document. Wet signed using a pen is preferred.

· Appendix D: Municipality Political Subdivision and School District Participation Certification

· Appendix E: Master Agreement Vendor Information

· Appendix F: Maine DOT Certifications – All pages of this appendix must be submitted

· Appendix F: Maine DOT Terms and Conditions – All pages of this appendix must be submitted

3. Master Agreement Term

In addition to any mutually agreed upon delivery dates for purchases of goods, the contract resulting from this RFQ will have a term, or “Period of Performance”, during which the contract is considered to be in effect. The anticipated contract term is defined in the table below. Please note that the dates below are estimated and may be adjusted as necessary in order to comply with all procedural requirements associated with this RFQ and the contracting process. The actual contract start and end dates will be established by the completed and approved contract.

Contract Renewal: Following the initial term of the contract, the Division, at their discretion, may opt to renew the contract for two (2) extension periods as defined below.

The term of the anticipated contract, resulting from this RFQ, is defined as follows:

Information about approved price or rate adjustment requests during a contract period can be located in Appendix B.

4. Submitting a Quotation

a. Quotations Due: Quotations must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), on the date listed in VSS. Quotations received after the 4:00 p.m. deadline will not be accepted.

b. Submission Instructions: Bidders must submit their bids in the State of Maine’s electronic procurement system: Advantage “Vendor Self Service” (VSS). More information on this system can be found at the following internet link: http://www.maine.gov/purchases/venbid/rfq.shtml.

c. Multiple Quotations: Unless specifically prohibited in Section 1 of this RFQ, Bidders are permitted to submit multiple quotations for this RFQ, offering alternative items or pricing for the State of Maine to consider in its best value determination.

d. Withdrawal of a Quotation: Bidders are permitted to withdraw their own quotations up until the due date and time for receipt of quotations. To do so, a Bidder must enter the VSS system (as referenced above), identify and open their submitted quotation located in the Solicitation Responses tab, and click the “Withdraw” button found at the bottom of the screen. Quotations cannot be withdrawn after the due date and time for receipt of quotations.

e. Attachments: Any attachments provided with the Advantage VSS bid submission must be in MS Word, MS Excel, or Adobe (.pdf) format, unless otherwise specified in Section 1 of this RFQ. Vendors are encouraged to submit supporting documentation that aid the requesting department in understanding how the bid conforms to the requirements. The VSS attachment file size limit is 15Mb. Please contact the buyer for this RFQ if you must submit attachment files larger than this.

f. Vendor specifications: Unless otherwise stated in this RFQ document, limited specification information will be required upon submission of a bid in response to this RFQ. However, a Bidder’s response should include an affirmative statement that their bid complies with all requirements of this RFQ, unless the Bidder specifically addresses how its bid differs from the specifications, and why the differences should be deemed acceptable by the State.

5. General Instructions

a. The Bidder must submit a cost quotation response that covers the goods and term of the contract, including any optional renewal.

b. The cost quotation shall include the costs necessary for the Bidder to fully comply with the contract terms and conditions and RFQ requirements.

c. Failure to provide the requested information may result in the exclusion of the quotation from consideration, at the discretion of the Division.

d. No costs related to the preparation of the quotation for this RFQ or to the negotiation of the contract with the Department may be included in the quotation.

e. The State is exempt from the payment of Federal, State and local Taxes on articles not for resale. Please provide quotations that do not include these taxes. Upon application, an exemption certificate can be furnished by the State at the point of contract finalization.

6. Quotation Evaluation and Selection

Evaluation of the submitted quotations shall be accomplished as detailed below:

a. State of Maine RFQ documents are evaluated on a Best Value basis. The term “Best Value” may take into consideration the qualities of the goods or services to be supplied, their conformity with the specifications listed in the RFQ, the purposes for which they are required, the date of delivery, and the best interest of the State. Once the goods or services have been determined to conform to the specifications then the Division will make its award decision based on the lowest price among the Bidders. Delivery days can be a factor in awarding.

b. The State reserves the right to not make an award to the lowest price bidder when that bidder has had documented poor performance and/or a contract terminated or not renewed within the last five years.

c. At the discretion of the Division, if a Bidder’s submission is deemed to not conform to the specifications listed in the RFQ, or otherwise not conform to the requirements of the RFQ, then that Bidder’s submission may not be considered for contract award.

d. In the event that no Bidder submission conforms to the specifications of this RFQ, then the Division may choose not to make any award. Alternatively, the Division may make an award to the Best Value Bidder whose specifications most closely meet the specifications of this RFQ. For example, if there are five specification requirements, and two responses are received with one Bidder meeting four requirements, and one bidder meeting three requirements, then the Division, at its discretion, may make a contract award to the Bidder meeting four requirements.

e. If the specifications provided with this RFQ are of a technical nature, then the Division’s RFQ Coordinator, at his or her discretion, may seek to use an evaluation team comprised of subject matter experts, end-users from the Requesting Department, or other State Department representatives. In such a case, the evaluation team will judge the merits of the quotations received in accordance with the best value criteria defined in the RFQ.

7. Negotiations

a. No Best and Final Offers: The State of Maine will not seek a best and final offer (BAFO) from any Bidder in this procurement process. All Bidders are expected to provide their Best Value pricing with the submission of their quotation.

b. The Division reserves the right to negotiate with the successful Bidder to finalize a contract at the same rate or cost of goods and services as presented in the selected quotation. Such negotiations may not significantly vary the content, nature or requirements of the quotation or the RFQ to an extent that may affect the price of goods or services requested. The Division reserves the right to terminate contract negotiations with a selected Bidder who submits a proposed contract significantly different from the quotation submitted in response to the RFQ.

c. In the event that an acceptable contract cannot be negotiated with the highest ranked Bidder, the Division may withdraw its award and negotiate with the next-highest ranked Bidder, and so on, until an acceptable contract has been finalized. Alternatively, the Division may cancel the RFQ, at its sole discretion.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR RFQ AND CONTRACT

PART I GENERAL INFORMATION ON RFQs

A. Purpose and Background

The State of Maine (“State”) Department of Administrative and Financial Services (“Department”), Division of Procurement Services (“Division”) acts as the purchasing agent on behalf of all Executive Departments and other agencies within State Government. For this competitive Request for Quotations (RFQ) process, the Division is acting on behalf of the Requesting Department listed on the cover page. The Division and the Requesting Department seek quotations (also referred to as “bids” or “responses” herein) to provide the goods/services as defined above in Section 1 of this document. This document provides instructions for submitting quotations, the procedure and criteria by which the Bidder(s) will be selected, and the contractual terms which will govern the relationship between the State and the awarded Bidder(s). Following Bidder selection and upon reaching a mutual agreement, the State and the selected Bidder will enter into a contract – taking the form of a State of Maine Master Agreement or Buyer Purchase Order (all generally referred to as “contract” herein), as applicable.

B. General Provisions

http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/1/title1sec401.html

C. Eligibility to Submit Bids

Public agencies, private for-profit companies, and non-profit companies and institutions are invited to submit bids in response to State of Maine Requests for Quotations.

D. Delivery Terms

For the purchase of goods, the Division and selected Bidder will decide upon a delivery date in accordance with the State’s requirements and the terms offered in the Bidder’s quotation. Unless stated otherwise in Section 1 of this RFQ, all deliveries are expected with shipping terms of “Free on Board (FOB) – Destination”. The State intends for this to mean that all goods shall be priced in the bid response to include shipping charges, if any, to the State’s desired location. The “FOB – Destination” shipping term is also intended to mean that the State shall not bear any responsibility for the goods in question until the State takes possession of them at the destination point of delivery.

E. Alternate Bids and Approved Equals

When, in bid forms and specifications, an article or material is identified by using a trade name and catalog number of a manufacturer or vendor, the term “or approved equal,” if not inserted with the identification, is implied. Any Bidder that seeks to propose an alternate item from what is specified in this RFQ should refer to State of Maine Statute 5 MRSA §1825-B, for “Bids, awards and contracts”, found here: http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/5/title5sec1825-B.html

F. Appeal of Contract Awards

Any person aggrieved by the award decision that results from this RFQ may appeal the decision to the Director of the Bureau of General Services in the manner prescribed in 5 MRSA § 1825-E and 18-554 Code of Maine Rules, Chapter 120 (found here: http://www.maine.gov/purchases/policies/120.shtml). The appeal must be in writing and filed with the Director of the Bureau of General Services, 9 State House Station, Augusta, Maine, 04333-0009 within 15 calendar days of receipt of notification of contract award.

If this RFQ results in the creation of a pre-qualified or pre-approved list of vendors, then the appeal procedures mentioned above are available upon the original determination of that vendor list, but not during subsequent competitive procedures involving only the pre-qualified or pre-approved list participants.

PART II CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION AND CONDITIONS

A. Contract Document

The successful Bidder will be required to execute a contract in the form of a State of Maine Buyer Purchase Order, Contract Agreement to Purchase Services or State of Maine Master Agreement.

The Standard Terms and Conditions used with the aforementioned contract types may be found on the Division of Procurement Services’ website at the following link:

BPO_General_Terms

In the event that the State of Maine’s Standard Terms and Conditions or RFQ provisions do not otherwise cover contractual scenarios that are specific to the goods or services being purchased under this RFQ, then the State is willing to consider a Bidder’s standard terms and conditions. Consideration or use of a Bidder’s standard terms and conditions shall only occur under the general agreement that in the event of a conflict, the State of Maine’s Standard Terms and Conditions and RFQ provisions shall take precedence.

Other forms and contract documents commonly used by the State can be found on the Division of Procurement Services’ website at the following link: http://www.maine.gov/purchases/info/forms.shtml

B. Independent Capacity

In providing services and performing under the contract, the successful Bidder shall act independently and not as an agent of the State of Maine.

C. Payments and Other Provisions

The State anticipates paying the selected Bidder for goods and services received, on the basis of net 30 payment terms, upon the receipt of an accurate and acceptable invoice. An invoice will be considered accurate and acceptable if it contains a reference to the State of Maine contract number, contains correct pricing information relative to the contract, and provides any required supporting documents, as applicable, and any other specific and agreed-upon requirements listed within the contract that results from this RFQ.

The State of Maine reserves the right to pay for goods purchased through this solicitation by any of several available means, which include but may not be limited to check, EFT, and/or procurement card. Bidders are advised that state statute precludes sellers from imposing a surcharge on credit or debit card purchases (text follows):

“9-A MRSA §8-303 (2): A seller in a sales transaction may not impose a surcharge on a cardholder who elects to use a credit card or debit card in lieu of payment by cash, check or similar means.”

Appendix A

STATE OF MAINE

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES

DIVISION OF PROCUREMENT SERVICES

BID COVER PAGE and DEBARMENT FORM

Bidder’s Organization Name:

Chief Executive - Name/Title:

Headquarters Street Address:

Headquarters City/State/Zip:

(provide information requested below if different from above)

Lead Point of Contact for Bid - Name/Title:

Street Address:

City/State/Zip:

By signing below Bidder affirms:

· Their bid complies with all requirements of this RFQ;

· This bid and the pricing structure contained herein will remain firm for a period of 180 days from the date and time of the bid opening;

· That no personnel currently employed by the Department or any other State agency participated, either directly or indirectly, in any activities relating to the preparation of the Bidder’s proposal;

· That no attempt has been made or will be made by the Bidder to induce any other person or firm to submit or not to submit a proposal; and

· The undersigned is authorized to enter into contractual obligations on behalf of the above-named organization.

Name:

Title:

Authorized Signature:

Date:

State of Maine RFQ # 17D 240830-053 Form revised 2/7/2023 Debarment, Performance, and Non-Collusion Certification

By signing this document, I certify to the best of my knowledge and belief that the aforementioned organization, its principals, and any subcontractors named in this proposal:

1. Are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, and declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded from bidding or working on contracts issued by any governmental agency.

1. Have not within three years of submitting the proposal for this contract been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against them for:

0. fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a federal, state or local government transaction or contract.

0. violating Federal or State antitrust statutes or committing embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, or receiving stolen property;

0. are not presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a governmental entity (Federal, State or Local) with commission of any of the offenses enumerated in paragraph (b) of this certification; and

0. have not within a three (3) year period preceding this proposal had one or more federal, state or local government transactions terminated for cause or default.

1. Have not entered into a prior understanding, agreement, or connection with any corporation, firm, or person submitting a response for the same materials, supplies, equipment, or services and this proposal is in all respects fair and without collusion or fraud. The above mentioned entities understand and agree that collusive bidding is a violation of state and federal law and can result in fines, prison sentences, and civil damage awards.

· Failure to provide this certification may result in the disqualification of the Bidder’s proposal, at the discretion of the Department.

To the best of my knowledge all information provided in the enclosed proposal, both programmatic and financial, is complete and accurate at the time of submission.

Name:

Title:

Authorized Signature:

Date:

Appendix B

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES

DIVISION OF PROCUREMENT SERVICES

DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS

RFQ # 17D 240830-053

Plow Truck Cab & Chassis, Class 6, 26,000 Lb GVWR

The State reserves the right to not make an award to the low-cost bidder when the bidder has had documented poor performance and/or a contract terminated or not renewed within the last five years.

The results of this bid process will be the creation of a Master Agreement Contract (MA) that will allow all State of Maine Departments and Agencies to purchase the listed items as needed. The State reserves the right to add other similar items or commodities to the MA if it’s in the State’s best interest but does not obligate the State to purchase similar noncontracted items or commodities from the selected bidder.

Prices: Bid Price must be with shipping terms of “Free on Board (FOB) – Destination”. The State intends for this to mean that all goods shall be priced in the bid response to include shipping charges, if any, to the State’s desired location. The “FOB – Destination” shipping term is also intended to mean that the State shall not bear any responsibility for the goods in question until the State takes possession of them at the destination point of delivery.

Price and Rate Guarantee Period: All quoted prices and rates must be guaranteed for and must remain firm for minimally one year of the initial contract period. The State of Maine can request a price reduction at any time after the first twelve-month period of the contract period. Price adjustment requests must be made by the vendor(s) at least sixty (60) days prior to the effective date. Requests for price increases must include sufficient documentation from the manufacture documenting the request is based on the vendor’s actual cost increases. Any approved price or rate adjustments must be held firm for minimally one year or the remainder of the contract period if there is less than one year remaining. The price adjustment will not go into effect until the contract amendment has been fully approved by the State of Maine.

Delivery Location: All units ordered by MaineDOT will be delivered to Augusta Maine. Exact address will be provided to the selected bidder. Orders from other State of Maine Agencies may require delivery be made statewide.

Delivery and Inspection: The requested items will be inspected after delivery. If shipment is deemed unacceptable the delivery will be refused and will be returned at the risk and expense of the selling vendor.

Award: There is no guaranteed award associated with this bid opportunity. The State reserves the right to make multiple awards if it is in the State’s best interest.

Specifications

Twenty- Six Thousand (26,000 lb.) GVWR 4X2 Heavy Truck Regular Cab

Twenty-Six Thousand (26,000 lb.) GVWR Regular Cab Truck with automatic transmission. Cab and Chassis designed to mount a Dump Body, with Ice and Snow Removal Equipment

INTENT

It is the purpose and intent of these specifications to describe a base vehicle and options with a Twenty-Five Thousand Nine Hundred (26,000) pound GVWR, of substantial and durable construction congruent to practices acceptable to the chassis manufacturer. A vehicle, with a conventional cab (pick up type cabs and expanded roofs are not acceptable). This vehicle will be used in all months of the year pertaining to highway maintenance activities in a climate related to such as that in The State of Maine, by The Maine Department of Transportation. During winter maintenance, the vehicle’s main purpose will be the removal of ice and snow, sanding and salting which necessitates the installation of a myriad of controls, radios, etc. To accommodate these controls and provide acceptable operator ergonomics and comfort it is imperative that truck cabs provide as much clear interior space as possible. The cab width must be a minimum of 70” interior door to interior door while the dashboard, heater and other appurtenances must not diminish interior clear space for the installation of controls, radios, etc. The chassis is to be the heaviest duty available with all possible options to make it a heavy-duty vehicle.

The purpose of the BBC dimension is strictly to provide guidance in the selection of the appropriate make and model. Reasonable allowances will be made for the BBC dimension provided that intrusion of engine or doghouse into the cab is kept to an absolute minimum. The seats must be a premium high back and the most comfortable available with a minimum of 5” of vertical travel in the air suspended driver's seat. At full vertical driver seat height, there must be sufficient head, chest and lower torso clearance to both the roof and the steering wheel for individuals of larger than normal stature.

If cab mounted air ride suspension is provided as standard equipment by the manufacturer, then the vertical exhaust must be either cab mounted (which is preferred) or additional CA must be added to accommodate the frame mounting of the exhaust. Additionally, and for any other reason, if the exhaust system intrudes upon or diminishes useable CA then additional CA must be added to accommodate the loss. Fuel tanks must not extend past the rear of the cab.

It will also be the responsibility of the Bidder and/or Vehicle manufacturer to supply any and all “factory plow truck option packages” necessary to facilitate the assembly of the truck chassis and the related components supplied by others (such as the body and plow vendors) into a completed and fully functional plow truck. This would refer to inclusion of but not to be limited to special plow truck spring and suspension components, plow truck wiring harnesses, electrical relays, additional electronic speedometer feeds, plow truck light harnesses, etc. MaineDOT/Fleet Services must approve the “factory plow truck option packages,” prior to purchases or assembly.

COMPLETENESS

The price quoted in any proposal submitted shall include all items of labor, materials, tools, equipment, and other costs necessary to fully complete the manufacture and delivery of the vehicle pursuant to these specifications.

Any part or detail which makes the vehicle complete and ready for service shall not be omitted, even though such part or detail is not mentioned in these specifications.

CONFORMITY

All parts not specified shall be manufacturer’s best quality and shall conform in materials, design, or workmanship to the best practice known in the automobile industry. All parts shall be new and in no case will used, reconditioned or obsolete parts be accepted. The parts on all vehicles provided by the manufacturer should be interchangeable.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION SHEET

Please complete the checklist for technical specifications set forth below. Electronically enter responses directly into the text-enabled fields next to each specification, including actual dimensions when applicable. Each Bidder must indicate whether it can meet the technical specifications by inserting an “X” next to each specification. The “X” will demonstrate that the Bidder’s offering meets the technical specification. If a Bidder cannot meet a technical specification, then the Bidder must give an explanation for each exception and for equipment that is not available or that will be dealer installed. All explanations must be provided in detail on separate pages along with the justification as to why the alternative equipment or deliverables will be as good as the equipment or deliverables described in the detailed specifications for desired items. A copy of the vendor specification proposal must be provided. Following these instructions is essential for proper bid evaluation.

If a Bidder fails to provide requested information or if information on a quote is found to be false or misleading, the quote will be rejected as unresponsive.

The award will be made on a best value basis to the vendor that either meets or most closely meets the specifications, while taking price and delivery into consideration.

REGULAR CAB PATROLS

2.0 ENGINE

The proposed diesel engine must comply with the New Motor Vehicle Emission Standards issued by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection in the Code of Maine Rules (06-096 CMR Chapter 127).

2.4

3.14

Allison transmission electronic control module to be relocated inside the cab to minimize exposure to corrosive elements.

9.3

• R) 8.25 X 22.5 with 6.62” wheel off set Accuride A29169PW

a. adjustable dampening of the shock absorber

b. wide seat cushion

c. air controlled triple lumbar support

d. front and rear seat cushion adjustment

e. fore/aft seat track adjustment

f. adjustable reclining backrest

g. air adjustable back rest bolsters

h. air adjustable seat cushion bolsters

i. dual folding seat armrests

j. five (5)-year warranty seat