Field Portable Profilometer (UW-MAD) [17-0080]

The University of Wisconsin-Madison's Purchasing Services is seeking bids for a Field Portable Profilometer for the Department of Geoscience, with a specific focus on acquiring a highly precise surface measurement device. The equipment must demonstrate micron-level height measurement accuracy (1 micrometer), high lateral accuracy (0.1 millimeter), and the capability to scan hand-sample sizes up to 5 centimeters by 5 centimeters across various surface types. The procurement involves purchasing one profilometer unit with optional maintenance service pricing for years two through four following the warranty period. Potential bidders must have been in the surface measurement equipment business for at least five years and be original manufacturers or authorized distributors with service and repair capabilities. Written questions were due by June 9, 2017, with bid submissions required by 2:00 p.m. CDT on June 15, 2017. The university reserved the right to require oral presentations, product demonstrations, and vendor site visits at its discretion, with award to be made based on the lowest extended net total price deemed in the university's best interest.

The procurement includes specific provisions for Wisconsin-certified minority business enterprises (MBE), women-owned businesses (WBE), and disabled veteran-owned businesses (DVB), which are eligible for preference consideration if their bids are not more than 5 percent higher than the apparent low bid. Contractors must provide one day of training for up to five people at no charge, maintain manufacturer-standard warranty coverage, ensure replacement parts are available within five days, and provide service calls within 72 hours of notification with completion within two weeks. The university will pay Net 30 days following acceptance testing, which occurs within 15 days of delivery. Bids must include FOB Destination pricing, with delivery charges and risk of loss borne by the contractor, to be delivered to 1215 Dayton Street in Madison, Wisconsin. While no specific budget range was mentioned, bidders must provide three client references from similar institutions and are expected to offer governmental and educational discounts in their unit pricing.