Asphalt pavers

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is procuring five self-propelled asphalt pavers through a competitive solicitation (5400019771) for use in road construction and maintenance projects across Richland County. The procurement requires new, factory-authorized heavy-duty asphalt pavers capable of receiving hot or warm plant mixed bituminous paving materials, with specific technical requirements including a minimum operating weight of 26,000 pounds, hydraulically adjustable paving width from 8 to 16 feet, a nine-ton hopper capacity, and a diesel engine producing 142-175 horsepower. Optional equipment includes tow hitches and spacers for rollers. Key qualifications mandate that vendors have service facilities within four hours' driving distance of South Carolina and provide a twenty-four-month/2,000-hour warranty. The solicitation was initially issued on July 29, 2020, with questions due by July 14, 2020, and original bid submissions required by August 4, 2020. After two amendments, the final submission deadline was extended to August 24, 2020, at 2:30 PM EST, with award notifications rescheduled from September 1 to September 28, 2020. All bids must be submitted online through www.procurement.sc.gov, with the lowest responsible and responsive bidder expected to be selected.

The solicitation does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged businesses or minority-owned enterprises. The contract will be awarded for an initial one-year term beginning September 11, 2020, with the option of four additional one-year renewals, potentially extending the contract through September 10, 2025. While specific budget ranges are not detailed, pricing must be submitted as unit prices for the base asphalt paver, optional tow hitch, and optional spacers. Delivery requirements stipulate that all units must be delivered to SCDOT's Equipment Depot at 1500 Shop Road in Columbia, South Carolina, within 180 days of purchase order receipt. Replacement parts and lubricants must be available from specific manufacturers, including AC, FRAM, WIX, Baldwin, Shell, Exxon, Texaco, and Citgo. The contract will automatically renew annually unless SCDOT provides thirty days' notice of non-renewal, ensuring continuity of equipment procurement for road maintenance operations.