Drilling and tapping machine with compatible components

Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners issued Request for Quotation (RFQ) #010816-204/ZG on February 4, 2016, for the procurement of a complete drilling and tapping machine system with compatible components for the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department. The solicitation requires bidders to supply a main drilling and tapping machine (MUELLER Model #B-101 or equal), four drill/tap bits in varying sizes (½", ¾", 1", and 1¼"), three pipe saddles (8", 10", and 12"), and a power operator (MUELLER Model #H603 or equal) on an all-or-none basis. All nine items must be new, of current manufacture at bid opening, and include factory warranties effective upon delivery and acceptance by the County. Bidders were required to provide manufacturer/brand and model numbers matching submitted descriptive literature and establish firm and fixed pricing for ninety days from the bid opening date. Quotations were due on February 11, 2016, at 4:00 p.m. Palm Beach County local time, with submissions accepted via fax or email to Purchasing Department buyer Zulma Gasca at zgasca@pbcgov.org or (561) 616-6848. Delivery was to be made Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, within a timeframe specified by the bidder in the response, with the F.O.B. point at destination and the successful bidder responsible for all transportation charges, liability, and risk in transit.

The RFQ includes provisions for Small Business Enterprise (SBE) preference and Palm Beach County Local Preference ordinances, under which certified SBE vendors or Palm Beach County local businesses submitting bids within 10 percent of the lowest responsive bid may receive preference consideration. No specific incumbent vendors or existing infrastructure integration requirements were referenced in the solicitation documents. Payment is contingent upon the County's satisfaction and acceptance of delivered items, with pricing to include all labor, materials, transportation, and other services necessary for complete fulfillment of specifications. No specific award value or budget range was disclosed in the available procurement documentation. The solicitation did not reference a bidders' conference or mandatory site visit, indicating direct submission of quotations was the expected procurement method.