5 Loader Mounted Snow Blowers

The Maine Department of Transportation is requesting bids for five loader-mounted snow blowers under a solicitation due November 22, 2011, with electronic submission closing at 2:00 p.m. local time. Awards will be made to the lowest responsible bidder offering best value, with in-state preference applied in tie-bid situations.

The procurement consists of four two-stage, self-contained snow blowers for John Deere 624K wheeled front-end loaders and one unit for a Caterpillar 972G loader. Cutting widths must be minimum 114 inches for the J.D. 624K and 126 inches for the Caterpillar application. Discharge rates must fall between 1,500 and 2,000 tons per hour, with casting distances of at least 60 feet and variable chute adjustment from 3 to 40 feet. Maximum weight is 10,000 pounds per unit. Engines must be heavy-duty, turbocharged, six-cylinder diesel units with minimum 250 net horsepower for the J.D. 624K and 300 net horsepower for the Caterpillar application. All units must be painted in Cat Highway Yellow with specified frame and construction details.

Bidders must submit specification sheets, price quotes separately for each configuration, and two complete sets of technical publications (operator's manuals, parts manuals, and maintenance and service manuals) for each unit. All pricing must be inclusive of shipping and delivery to Maine DOT Fleet Service in Caribou, Maine. The State is exempt from Federal and Maine sales and use taxes. Vendors must clearly identify any exceptions to specifications on separate documentation; unlisted exceptions will be deemed acceptance of all listed specifications. Maine DOT reserves the right to pre-inspect equipment before delivery and may require vendor training within eight weeks of delivery. Evaluation will consider price, warranty, manufacturers' performance data, delivery schedule, and parts availability. The Division of Purchases reserves the right to award on an item-by-item basis or as a group and may increase or decrease ordered quantities by up to 10 percent.