Fertilizer for Florida Farm

The State of Maine Division of Purchases is requesting quotations for fertilizer supply and delivery to support agricultural operations, with bids due October 14, 2013.

The solicitation seeks bids for fertilizer products with specified quantities and delivery schedules to meet seasonal planting and maintenance needs. Bidders must submit separate unit pricing for each item on a per-unit or bulk basis as specified in the bid documents, with delivery cost structures clearly delineated. Submission occurs through the Vendor Self Service electronic platform, with the deadline set at 2:00 p.m. local time on October 14.

The State of Maine reserves the right to accept equivalent items meeting minimum quality standards. Evaluation may be based strictly on lowest price among conforming bids or on a combination of factors including quality, delivery time, and total cost to the state, with price receiving a minimum of 25% weight in multi-factor evaluations. Tie-breaking procedures may favor in-state bidders or those offering Maine-produced commodities.

Payments are net 30 days from receipt of correct invoice under FOB Destination delivery terms with transportation costs prepaid by the successful bidder. The State is exempt from federal and state taxes; quoted prices must exclude these charges. All submissions operate on a blind bidding basis until the RFQ closes. The state reserves discretionary authority to reject any or all quotations, partially accept quotations, increase or decrease quantities by up to 10%, and terminate contracts in whole or in part. The contract is governed by Maine and federal law. All questions must be submitted through the VSS system with answers provided in writing only.