Chains for Buoys, 5/16", Grade 30 Steel, Domestic, Oil Free

The State of Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Office of State Procurement Services, is issuing a Request for Quotations (RFQ) on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry for a one-time purchase of specialized buoy chains. The procurement seeks 13 drums of 550-foot chains, totaling 7,150 feet, with specific requirements including 5/16" diameter, Grade 30 steel, domestic origin, and oil-free treatment. These chains are intended for securing navigational buoy markers in Maine's lakes and ponds, with a workload limit of 1,900 pounds. Quotations must be submitted electronically through the State of Maine's Vendor Self Service (VSS) system by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on November 25, 2025. The State anticipates making a single award following bid evaluation and plans to negotiate a contract with the selected vendor, who must provide complete delivery by March 1, 2026, with at least two business days' advance notice. All bids must remain firm for 180 days, and vendors must be prepared to provide proof of specification compliance within 48 hours upon request.

While no specific set-aside designations or disadvantaged enterprise requirements are mentioned, the procurement has strict specifications regarding the chain's origin and treatment. The State reserves the right to negotiate additional chain purchases from the selected vendor for six months after the official award at the bid price. Shipping charges must be included under Free on Board (FOB) - Destination terms, with delivery to 1009 Brunswick Rd., Richmond, Maine 04357. The State is exempt from federal, state, and local taxes and expects quotations to reflect this tax-exempt status. Partial shipments are not permitted, and the entire order must be shipped complete. Although a specific budget range is not disclosed, the procurement appears to be a targeted, one-time purchase with potential for additional negotiations. Vendors must strictly adhere to the domestic origin and oil-free treatment specifications, which are critical for the intended use of securing navigational buoy markers in Maine's aquatic environments.