DNR Forestry Mulcher Tractor

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is seeking to procure a Forestry Mulcher Tractor for habitat management and trail maintenance purposes through a competitive bidding process for St. Clair County. The solicitation (Bid Number 25-422REALT-B-47730) requires a new, current model year tractor with specific technical specifications, including a minimum 375 ISO horsepower diesel engine, FAE 300/U/PM-250 hydraulically driven rotor grinding head, and a maximum gross weight of 45,000 lbs. The equipment will be used for creating, maintaining, and restoring wildlife habitat, public upland hunting areas, and clearing obstructive vegetation from horse, OHV, and walking trails. Bid submissions are exclusively electronic through BidBuy and must be received by May 28, 2025, with bids remaining firm for 90 days after opening. Evaluation criteria will focus on responsiveness, vendor responsibility, and lowest overall total price. The successful vendor must provide two copies of owner's, parts, and service manuals, conduct on-site training for equipment operation and service, and deliver the machine to the Heavy Equipment Crew Headquarters Jack Perschbacher Service Center in Pawnee, Illinois.

The procurement does not specify a specific small business set-aside or Business Enterprise Program (BEP) goal, but vendors must complete comprehensive vendor disclosure forms demonstrating compliance with state regulations. Potential bidders must be registered in the Illinois Procurement Gateway and provide detailed documentation about their business operations, ownership structure, and potential conflicts of interest. The contract will run from the last dated signature through June 30, 2026, with a maximum total term not exceeding ten years. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the contract notes that payment is contingent on appropriation availability. The vendor must provide a manufacturer's full coverage warranty and list all certified repair shops within Illinois qualified to perform warranty repairs. Successful bidders may be eligible for employment tax credits if they hire qualified veterans or certain ex-offenders. The state reserves the right to amend the solicitation, reject any or all bids, and make final award determinations based on the best interests of the state.