Bid MDOT bedchains for statewide use, ship by region

The Maine Department of Transportation is requesting bids for bedchains for statewide use with regional shipping, with bids due August 12, 2011. A preference for in-state bidders or those offering commodities produced or manufactured in Maine applies in cases of tied bids.

The scope covers bedchain products meeting detailed technical specifications for chain gauge, link size, and attachment requirements. Bidders must submit quantities by region to support statewide distribution; a bedchain worksheet attached to the solicitation establishes the quantitative framework and regional allocation structure. Alternate commodity proposals are permitted if accompanied by complete identification and descriptive literature.

Awards will be made to the lowest responsible bidder offering the best value, with evaluation criteria including quality of goods, conformity to specifications, delivery dates, and overall economy. The State reserves the right to reject any or all quotes, waive technicalities, and increase or decrease ordered quantities by up to 10 percent unless otherwise specified.

Pricing must be submitted on a per-unit basis with all transportation charges prepaid by the contractor and included in the quoted price unless otherwise specified. Bidders should specify applicable cash discounts and delivery terms; cash discounts under 20 days will not be considered in award determination. Electronic submission closes at 2:00 p.m. local time on August 12. The State is exempt from federal and Maine state sales and use taxes, and quotes should exclude these taxes. Contractors must furnish items exactly as specified and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Manufacturers, importers, and suppliers of hazardous chemicals must provide current material safety data sheets as required by Maine's Chemical Substance Identification Law.