Manufacturing Equipment – Mills & Lathes

Rockford Public School District No. 205 in Rockford, Illinois, issued Invitation for Bid (IFB) No. 26-42 on February 24, 2026, to procure manufacturing equipment for the Production Academy Build Out at The Quad, which will support Manufacturing, Fabrication, and Welding instructional pathways at secondary and postsecondary levels. The procurement requires bidders to supply six vertical mills and six engine lathes that meet specific performance and safety standards for machining operations. Vertical mills must feature a minimum 36-inch table length with 0.001-inch positioning accuracy via digital readout, operate at 60-4000 RPM with a 3 horsepower motor at 220V or 440V three-phase power, and include R8 collet sets, swivel machine vises, and work-holding clamps; acceptable brands include Bridgeport, Clousing, Lagun, and Sharp. Engine lathes must have a minimum 13-inch swing over bed and 48-inch distance between centers, operate at 55-2000 RPM with 0.001-inch carriage positioning accuracy, and include 1/8-inch collet sets, auto-feed capability, quick-change tool posts, and basic cutting tools; approved brands are Clousing, Bridgeport, LaBlond, Sharp, and Standard. All equipment must include delivery, installation, setup, calibration, 12-month workmanship warranties, manufacturer warranties, and both electronic and paper manuals. Bidders must submit questions by March 4, 2026, at 12:00 p.m., with the final addendum issued by March 6, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Sealed bids are due by March 17, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. CST at the Rockford Board of Education, 501 Seventh Street, 6th Floor Conference Room, Rockford, Illinois 61104, with public bid opening at that time. Board approval is anticipated for March 24, 2026, with notice of award on March 25, 2026, and a final completion date of August 7, 2026. Selection will be based on adherence to specifications, price, bidder qualifications, delivery date, product quality, warranty provisions, and overall value, with the District reserving the right to award related items on a group basis or make an aggregate award.

Bidders must provide three references of similar work completed within the last three years and complete all required certifications, including bid-rigging certification, debarment certification, lobbying certification, OFAC compliance, vendor conflict of interest disclosure, equal opportunity affirmation, sexual harassment policy compliance, and drug-free workplace certification. The District requires insurance coverage consisting of commercial general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence with $5,000,000 aggregate, comprehensive auto liability of $5,000,000, and general umbrella excess liability of $3,000,000 to $5,000,000, and all contractors must provide a Certificate of Liability Insurance. All vendors must complete the Minority, Women and Disabled-Owned Business Concern Representation form, which requires disclosure of ownership status, though no specific set-asides or reservations for disadvantaged enterprises are indicated in the procurement documents. Bidders must also certify that all employees have cleared criminal history records checks, Statewide Sex Offender Database checks, and Statewide Child Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Database checks in accordance with Illinois law. All pricing must be F.O.B. Rockford, Illinois, with no prepaid charges added to invoices, and bid prices must remain valid for 60 days after the opening date and until delivery and acceptance by the District. No specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the procurement documents; however, the District may extend the contract term for option years not exceeding five years total.