Custom Aluminum Platform Body - 145. 3", 60" CA Wheelbase

The State of Maine's Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Office of State Procurement Services, is seeking quotations on behalf of the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife for a custom aluminum platform body designed specifically for a 2026 Ford F350 with a 145.3" wheelbase and 60" cab-to-axle dimension. The Request for Quotation (RFQ) requires a platform body meeting precise dimensional specifications of 114"-116.5" length and 96"-101" width, with specific components including extruded aluminum tongue-and-groove flooring, a headboard, grab handles, DOT-compliant LED lighting, an aluminum ladder step, two diamond-plate toolboxes, and four aluminum mounting plates for tank installation. Quotations must be submitted electronically through the State of Maine's Advantage Vendor Self Service system by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on December 11, 2025, with bidders allowed to submit questions up to 48 hours before the deadline. The procurement will be evaluated on a best-value basis, with award going to the lowest-priced qualified bidder who meets all specifications, though the State reserves the right to reject bids from vendors with documented poor performance. Bidders must provide manufacturer assembly drawings, compliance literature, equivalency documentation, and warranty information, with all bid pricing required to remain firm for 180 days from the bid opening date.

The RFQ does not explicitly indicate any specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The requested delivery date is March 1, 2026, with delivery to be FOB Destination at the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife in Augusta, Maine. The State is exempt from federal, state, and local taxes, and pricing must include all shipping charges for an uninstalled platform body, with optional installation costs to be evaluated separately and not factored into the award decision. While a specific budget range is not disclosed, the procurement is for a one-time purchase of a custom vehicle platform body. Bidders must demonstrate the ability to fully manufacture and deliver the platform body in ready-for-service condition, with all labor, materials, and associated costs included in the quotation. The State maintains the discretion to not award to the lowest bidder if the vendor has a history of contract termination or poor performance within the past five years, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation beyond just price.