Aviation Upgrade

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Purchases, on behalf of the Capital City Airport Division (CCAD) in Frankfort, is soliciting bids for a one-time Aviation Upgrade contract involving comprehensive avionics and airframe improvements to a 1968 R172E aircraft (Serial Number R1720255). The scope of work includes furnishing and installation of Garmin G500 TXi primary flight display and multi-function display with synthetic vision, GTN 650 Txi upgrade, GDL 69A SXM, GTX 345 avionics systems, a Bendix King AeroCruze autopilot system, navigation and weather receiving radio upgrades, Whelen LED lighting systems, BAS Inc. shoulder harness systems, a Precision PAI-700 vertical card compass, cabin seals, and cabin carpet replacement. The selected contractor must complete all upgrade installation work within 10 weeks of receiving the aircraft, with penalties of one percent per day assessed for each day exceeding the contractual delivery deadline. The procurement requires submission of electronic bids only through the Kentucky Vendor Self Service eProcurement system at https://vss.ky.gov, with a bid closing date of April 21, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time and a tentative award date of April 28, 2023. The written question deadline was April 13, 2023, with Commonwealth responses provided on April 14, 2023. Award will be made on a best value basis with price as the sole measurable criterion worth 100 points, with the lowest bidder receiving maximum points. Three mandatory pass/fail requirements must be met: the bidder must be located within 200 nautical miles of CCAD in Frankfort or within 300 statute miles by automobile; the bidder must be a Garmin and Federal Aviation Administration-approved repair and installation avionics facility with proof provided prior to award; and the bidder must have documented proof of installing a minimum of 10 Bendix King AeroCruze autopilot systems.

Kentucky resident bidders may receive reciprocal preference pursuant to Kentucky Revised Statutes 45A.490-494, and qualified bidders as defined by Kentucky law may receive applicable preferences. All bidders must complete and submit a notarized Annual Affidavit for Bidders, Offerors and Contractors attesting compliance with Kentucky campaign finance laws prior to contract award. The successful contractor must maintain Aviation Commercial General Liability insurance with limits of $10,000,000 per occurrence, including hangarkeepers liability, and provide certificates of insurance naming the Commonwealth of Kentucky as an additional insured for 10 years following work completion. All bids must remain valid for a minimum of 90 calendar days after the bid closing date. Vendors must be registered in the Commonwealth eProcurement System prior to bid submission, with 24 to 48 hours allowed for vendor registration completion. The solicitation does not identify any incumbent vendors, current contractors, or specify an award value or budget range; however, the evaluation and award criteria indicate that pricing will be the primary determinant of contract award.