790 Fuel Oil and Diesel

The Capitol Region Purchasing Council (CRPC), on behalf of multiple Connecticut municipalities, boards of education, and agencies located in Hartford County, is soliciting competitive bids for the supply of heating oil, ultra-low sulfur diesel, biodiesel, and bioheating fuel for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Bidders must submit proposals exclusively through the Bonfire online platform, with a bid submission deadline of February 19, 2026. The procurement requires vendors to complete a standardized Company Questionnaire template that documents firm qualifications, similar work completed over the past five years, and reference information. All fuel deliveries must comply with ASTM D396 and ASTM D6751 specifications, and vendors may submit pricing under Option A, offering a differential from the New Haven Rack Average as published by the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) with prices held for 60 days, or Option B, submitting a fixed markup price held for 21 days with final adjustments based on NYMEX strip pricing. Bidders are required to submit a bid bond equal to 10% of the total bid price issued by a Connecticut-licensed insurance company, and successful bidders may be required to provide performance bonds at 100% of each purchase order. Each CRPC member will make independent awards and payments; written orders from individual members will be required before work commences, specifying quantities, fuel types, delivery schedules, and other relevant parameters.

The procurement does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions limiting eligibility to particular business classifications. Bidders must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage throughout the contract period, including Commercial General Liability of $1,000,000 each occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, Automobile Liability and Physical Damage Coverage of $1,000,000 each accident, and Umbrella Liability of $2,000,000 each occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate on a following form basis, with additional insured endorsements naming the participating municipalities and their boards of education. Workers' Compensation insurance must be maintained at statutory rates with minimum employer's liability limits of $1,000,000. All insurance policies must be issued by Connecticut-authorized companies with a Best's rating of at least A:VII, and vendors assume full responsibility for delivery failures, spillage, and any resulting damages. CRPC members are exempt from federal and state taxes, and bid prices must exclude the NORA Assessment and Connecticut Gross Receipts Tax; the CRPC strictly prohibits unilateral imposition of surcharges during the contract period. Contracts may be extended for up to two years beyond the initial contract period by mutual agreement of the parties, though individual contract start dates may be delayed due to mild winters and the need to fulfill previous contracts. No incumbent vendors or budget ranges are specified in the procurement documents.