FY26 Forklift Bid D1, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, DL, BoM

The State of Illinois Department of Transportation is issuing an Invitation for Bid (IFB) under contract number 26-494DOT-FINAD-B-51238 for the procurement of material handling forklifts to be delivered to eight locations: Districts D1, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, DL, and the Bureau of Maintenance (BoM). The solicitation encompasses four distinct forklift specifications: 13,500-pound load diesel-powered pneumatic-tired forklifts (six-wheel, rider-type); 6,000-pound load diesel-powered forklifts (four-wheel, rider-type); 5,000-pound load propane-powered forklifts (four-wheel, rider-type); and 3,500-pound load electric-powered stand-up forklifts with minimum 36-volt Lithium-Ion batteries. All equipment must be newly manufactured current production models delivered fully operational and ready for immediate use, with comprehensive specifications detailing engine requirements, hydraulic systems, transmission controls, safety features including ROPS/FOPS protection, mast configurations, lighting systems, and tire specifications. Bidders must submit complete bid packages including the Vendor Disclosure form or IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure form, an Offer to the State of Illinois, specification acknowledgments, descriptive literature, operator manuals, parts lists, service manuals, warranty information, and educational instruction materials covering operation, maintenance, and routine service. The State will award to the lowest priced responsive and responsible bidder on a line-item basis, with bidders not required to bid on all line items; bids are due by April 15, 2026, and must remain firm for 180 days from the opening date. All equipment must include manufacturers' standard one-year warranties from the in-service date, with warranty service and defect correction provided at no cost to the State, and successful vendors must provide factory-trained instruction to assigned personnel at each location's headquarters. Bidders may submit written questions no later than seven business days from bid opening, with responses posted as amendments on BidBuy.

This procurement is not designated as a set-aside for small, minority, women, veteran-owned, or disability-owned businesses, though vendors may claim Illinois Business Preference or Domestic Product Preference if eligible and submit appropriate documentation. Only established manufacturers or their authorized dealers may submit bids, and dealers must provide documentation of authorized servicing capability and manufacturer authorization letters; no subcontractors are permitted, and all equipment must be serviced within Illinois. Vendors must possess active Illinois Procurement Gateway registration or complete comprehensive vendor disclosure forms certifying compliance with numerous state and federal requirements, including authorization to conduct business in Illinois, adherence to the Illinois Human Rights Act, non-debarment status, and compliance with environmental, drug-free workplace, and steel products manufacturing standards where applicable. Vendors employing fifteen or more full-time employees must provide proof of an Illinois Department of Human Rights Public Contracts Number, and those with aggregate state contracts exceeding $50,000 must register with the State Board of Elections. The solicitation requires general commercial liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 annual aggregate, auto liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence, and workers' compensation insurance as required by law. No bid bond or performance bond is required, and no federal funding is expected for this one-time purchase contract with an initial term of twelve months and a maximum total term not to exceed ten years, though the contract may be partially or wholly funded with federal funds with percentage and dollar amounts to be disclosed upon award notification.