Alignment Rack

The City of Madison Fleet Service issued Request for Bids (RFB #8855-0-2019-JA) for a specialized alignment rack procurement designed for automobiles and light trucks up to 18,000 pounds. The specific equipment requirements include a 4-post, drive-on alignment lift with two moveable axle jacks, stainless steel turn plates, ALI certification, 3-phase electrical connection at 480 volts, and capabilities for two and four-wheel alignment with a minimum length of 290.25 inches. Bidders were required to submit comprehensive proposals electronically by Wednesday, November 27, 2019, at 2:00 PM CST, with initial questions due by Friday, November 15, 2019, and answers posted by Wednesday, November 20, 2019. The evaluation criteria focused on price and other factors deemed advantageous to the City, with the intent to award to the lowest responsible bidder meeting all specifications. Optional elements for the bid included rack lighting, automatic plate locks, extended approach ramps, front-mounted power unit, OBD interface, vehicle-specific procedures, and lift and machine training for up to 25 Fleet staff members. Installation was tentatively scheduled no earlier than July 2020.

The procurement included local preference provisions that granted scoring advantages to registered local suppliers. Contractors employing 15 or more employees and conducting aggregate annual business with the City of $50,000 or more were required to file an Affirmative Action Plan within 30 days of contract execution. Three vendors submitted bids: Best Buy Auto Equipment ($24,530.00), Mohawk Resources, LTD ($63,227.56), and Snap On Industrial ($51,807.38), with Mohawk Resources ultimately awarded the contract for a Hunter Rack and system. The City of Madison maintained a tax-exempt status and would not pay federal excise or Wisconsin state sales taxes. While no specific contract term or renewal options were explicitly defined, the bid documents indicated that the procurement was structured to secure a comprehensive alignment rack solution with potential for extended service and support. The total bid value ranged from $24,530.00 to $63,227.56, with the winning bid at $63,227.56, suggesting that factors beyond price were considered in the vendor selection process.