Liquor transportation

The Alabama ABC Board is requesting bids on liquor transportation services from its Montgomery warehouse to state liquor stores, military outlets, and non-ABC operated retail outlets throughout Alabama under ITB with bids due August 19, 2026, and questions due August 7, 2026. The current contract expires September 30, 2026; the new contract takes effect October 1, 2026.

The scope encompasses transportation of approximately 4 million cases annually (projected to reach 4.2 million cases by 2030) across 248 store locations organized into six geographic delivery groups. The supplier must deliver Monday through Thursday to ABC retail and combination stores, with mandatory Saturday service to 15 wholesale locations and possible Sunday deliveries with 24-hour notice. Peak capacity during holidays reaches 26 loads daily versus an average of 20 loads daily. The supplier must also dispose of approximately 300 tons of corrugated cardboard and stretch wrap annually and return empty pallets to the warehouse.

Equipment and infrastructure requirements include day-cab trucks, 53-foot dry van trailers (with 60% of locations requiring trailers under 48 feet), lift-gate trailers, box trucks not exceeding 30 feet, two hydraulic fifth-wheel trailer spotters, and miscellaneous handling equipment. The supplier must establish a security-fenced facility with 24-hour armed guard protection, maintain real-time GPS tracking accessible to ABC personnel, fleet management software compatible with Microsoft Dynamics 365, geo-fencing capabilities, and email capability for up to 20 MB data transfers. Two onsite coordinators must be maintained at the warehouse during daily operations.

Insurance requirements include $1 million combined single limit, $3 million general liability, and $350,000 cargo per load, with the State of Alabama listed as certificate holder and additional insured. The supplier must provide proof of two references for hauling spirits experience and maintain Workers' Compensation insurance for all employees. Price escalation may be considered if material or labor costs increase significantly and do not exceed the Consumer Price Index; any de-escalation must be passed to the State immediately. Semi-monthly invoicing is required by the 5th and 20th of each month.

The contract is established for an initial 12-month period with options to extend for four additional 12-month periods at the same pricing, terms, and conditions, subject to written approval by both parties no later than 30 days prior to expiration of each period. Award will be made on an "all or none" basis to the lowest responsible bidder meeting all specifications.