AM26-76 (2) Two Wood Chippers

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing, on behalf of the Forestry, Fire, and State Lands Division, seeks to procure two trailer-mounted drum-style wood chippers under contract AM26-76 through a non-competitive sole source award process. The procurement requires BC1500 specification wood chippers capable of processing wood material up to 15 inches in diameter with a 15" x 20" infeed throat capacity, equipped with either a minimum 130 horsepower Tier 4 Final diesel engine or 165 horsepower gasoline engine, and featuring precision-balanced drums with double-sided chipper knives and automated SmartFeed systems to prevent engine stalling. Each unit must include comprehensive safety systems meeting ISO/ANSI standards, be mounted on a 7,000-pound capacity rubber torsion axle with electric brakes, and feature a minimum 2,000-pound pull capacity hydraulic winch with a 12-gallon hydraulic tank and LT 285/75R16 load-range E tires. Deliverables include a minimum four hours of hands-on operator training for up to five operators, a comprehensive 1-year/1,000-hour warranty and 3-year/3,000-hour limited warranty on major components, guaranteed 48-hour service technician response for machine-down events, a "First 500-Hour Service Kit" with filters, spare knives, belts, and hydraulic components, a two-hour fleet maintenance briefing, two Operator's Manuals, one Service/Repair Manual, and access to an online parts catalog. The procurement unit justified the sole source award based on Vermeer Mountain West's exclusive patented safety systems, proprietary SmartFeed technology, and ability to meet a June 30 deadline; market research confirmed that competing vendors could not deliver comparable equipment within the required timeframe or offered only rental services. The notice was posted on April 13, 2026, with a due date of April 21, 2026, establishing a public challenge period during which qualified vendors may contest the sole source designation by submitting documentation demonstrating alternative sources or comparable products meeting or exceeding specifications.

All responding vendors must certify compliance with Utah Code 63G-27 et seq., confirming they are not engaged in economic boycotts or boycotts of the State of Israel and agree to maintain such compliance throughout the contract term. The procurement does not identify specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or restrictions on organizational types eligible to respond. Vermeer Mountain West is the identified incumbent vendor and current contractor, as evidenced by the March 4, 2026 quote for one BC1500 brush chipper priced at $102,897.04, which includes the BC1500 Domestic Value Package ($86,528.04), a 24-month comprehensive maintenance plan ($11,369.00), and factory freight ($5,000.00) with telematics hardware and three years of cellular service included at no additional cost. The estimated total contract value for two wood chippers is $205,794.08 with freight costs prepaid on a free-on-board destination basis. Vendors submitting proposals may claim protection for trade secrets and commercial financial information under Utah Code 63G-2-305 and 63G-2-309 by submitting both redacted and non-redacted proposal versions. No pricing information beyond the estimated contract value, specific contract term details, or renewal option information has been disclosed in the procurement documents.