Fire Apparatus Inspection and Testing

The Board of County Commissioners of Garrett County, Maryland is requesting sealed bids for annual inspection, testing, certification, and documentation of fire apparatus equipment serving ten volunteer fire departments under IFB #26-0917, with bids due September 17, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. and public opening at 2:00 p.m. the same day.

The scope encompasses inspection and testing of 32 fire apparatus pumps, approximately 76,040 linear feet of fire hose, 88 portable ground ladders totaling approximately 1,501 linear feet, and 4 aerial ladders totaling approximately 387 linear feet. Testing must comply with current NFPA standards (NFPA 1910 for pump testing, NFPA 1932 for ground ladders, and NFPA 1962 for fire hose), manufacturer requirements, and applicable OSHA standards. The contractor must furnish all labor, supervision, calibrated test instruments, equipment, transportation, documentation, and materials necessary to complete the work. All inspections, testing, certifications, and documentation must be completed no later than October 31, 2026.

Pricing is submitted as unit and extended prices for each line item; quantities are estimates subject to actual field verification, and payment is based on actual quantities satisfactorily tested at the stated unit prices. Award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder based on total evaluated bid price, provided the price is reasonable and advantageous to the county. The successful contractor must guarantee all work for one year from final payment and correct any deficiencies identified during final inspection at no additional cost to the county.

The contractor must obtain and maintain general liability insurance with minimum limits of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million annual aggregate, automobile liability insurance with $1 million combined single limit, and workers' compensation insurance meeting Maryland statutory requirements, with the Board of County Commissioners named as additional insured. No material portion of testing services may be subcontracted without prior written approval. Bid submissions must include the signature page, completed bid proposal, notarized affidavit, purchasing preference affidavit when applicable, contractor qualification information, three references for comparable work, and identification of any proposed subcontractors.