Eq Rental w/Operator D-1 STATE

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Purchases, issued a Request for Bid (RFB) for equipment rental with operators on behalf of Highway District 1 (Paducah District Office). This procurement solicits bids for fifteen line items of heavy equipment and vehicles, including excavators with various attachments (bucket/grapple, hammer, and long-reach boom), tandem dump trucks, dozers in small and large configurations, skid steer loaders, light plants, cutting and grinding attachments, motor graders, escort trucks, wheeled loaders, and articulating trucks (30-ton and 40-ton capacities). The quantities range from 25 to 2,000 hours across the line items, with all equipment required to be furnished in excellent mechanical condition and fully operated by qualified operators, including all necessary maintenance, repairs, fuel, and lubrication. Vendors must guarantee a minimum of eight hours per work order and specified response times following receipt of delivery orders, with penalties of $1,000 per day for routine work delays and $750 per equipment piece for emergency mobilization failures. Pricing shall be submitted on a per-hour basis for each line item, with rates firm for the first twelve months and subject to industry-wide adjustment thereafter with written justification. The evaluation will be conducted on a best-value basis using 95 points for price and 5 points for response time. Key deadlines include April 30, 2025 at 4:00 PM EST for written questions, May 2, 2025 for posted responses to questions, and May 16, 2025 at 1:30 PM EST for bid closing, with a tentative award date of May 31, 2025. The initial contract period extends from award through May 31, 2026, with four optional one-year renewal periods available with mutual written approval.

Bidders must submit responses electronically through the Kentucky Vendor Self Service (VSS) portal, and all successful bidders must maintain Contractor's General Liability Insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and Kentucky workers' compensation insurance, with certificates submitted within ten days of notice of award. The vendor bears all responsibility for mobilization and demobilization costs, including equipment delivery with no expense to the Transportation Cabinet. Kentucky resident bidders are eligible for reciprocal preference under KRS 45A.494, and qualified bidders—including Kentucky Industries for the Blind, nonprofits furthering KRS Chapter 163 purposes, and qualified nonprofit agencies serving individuals with severe disabilities—receive a 15-20 percent preference in the evaluation process. Required affidavits must accompany bids as applicable, addressing resident status, campaign finance compliance, qualified bidder status, employee eligibility, and subcontractor compliance. No incumbent vendor or current contractor information is specified in the solicitation documents. The procurement represents a significant equipment rental contract for the state's transportation operations, though specific budget amounts are not disclosed in the available documentation.