100, 000 pounds

The State of Maine, Division of Purchases, is requesting quotations for 100,000 pounds of conversion-coated aluminum substrate material for the manufacture of reflectorized multi-year motor vehicle license plates, with quotes due June 8, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. local time.

The material must be virgin aluminum Alloy 3003-H12 in Gauge 20 thickness, supplied in coiled rolls on 20-inch cores with outer diameters between 42 and 51 inches. Standard widths are 12-1/8 inches for standard plates and 7-1/16 inches for motorcycle plates. Ultimate tensile strength must fall between 17,000 and 23,000 ksi with minimum yield strength of 12,000 ksi. The aluminum substrate requires a light, tightly adherent chromate conversion coating such as Alodine 1200 or equivalent, applied per ASTM B-449-67 Class 2 with coating weights between 8 and 12 mg/square foot (median optimum 10 mg/square foot). Packaging must consist of coils wound to a maximum weight of 2,200 pounds on skids not exceeding 2,300 pounds total weight, individually strapped with a minimum of three evenly spaced strips, and shipped in closed vans with moisture-proof wrapping. Prospective bidders must submit six sample pieces (12-1/8 inches by 40 inches or 7-1/16 inches by 40 inches) by the bid closing date to the Plate Shop in Warren, Maine.

Delivery is FOB Warren, Maine, limited to Monday through Friday between 6:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., with 24-hour advance phone confirmation required. Award will be based on price, lead time, and specification compliance. The state reserves the right to increase or decrease quantities by up to 10 percent upon 60 days' written notice and to reject all bids. All questions must be submitted through the Vendor Self Service AdvantageMe system; inquiries through alternative channels will not be addressed.