MPA-403 OE Auto and Truck Towing

The State of Rhode Island Division of Purchases is conducting an open enrollment period for MPA-403, a master price agreement establishing a qualified vendor list for auto and truck towing services statewide, with vendor applications accepted through August 14, 2027 at 3:00 PM EDT. Existing vendors on MPA-403 do not need to reapply. Rhode Island General Laws 37-14.1 mandates that MBE/WBE certified businesses receive a minimum of 15 percent of the dollar value of the entire procurement, and when agencies issue scopes of work to qualified vendors, preference is given to MBE/WBE-certified vendors.

Towing services are divided into four categories by vehicle weight and axle configuration. Category 1 covers passenger vehicles and light trucks under 8,000 GVW (wheel lift and flat bed trucks); Category 2 addresses 8,001–18,000 GVW (medium duty trucks, minimum 25,000 GVW); Category 3 covers 18,001–30,000 GVW (heavy duty trucks, minimum 35,000 GVW); and Category 4 addresses 30,001 GVW and greater (tandem axle trucks, minimum 55,000 GVW, with 50-ton wrecker capability). Vendors must provide equipment lists by make, model, and GVW for all vehicles in each category. Pricing is tiered by category and includes hook fees, per-mile charges, and hourly portal-to-portal rates. Proposals must remain firm and fixed and irrevocable for 180 days following opening.

All vendors must carry general liability ($1,000,000 combined single limit), workers' compensation ($100,000 each accident), and automobile liability ($1,000,000 combined single limit). Vendors exceeding $10,000 in annual government business must submit an Affirmative Action Policy Statement. Those with 50 or more employees and $50,000 or more in government contracts must submit a written Affirmative Action Plan prior to purchase order issuance. All awarded contracts are subject to a 0.33% contract administrative fee withheld at invoice payment. Vendors must register in Ocean State Procures, submit a Vendor Certification Questionnaire, Vendor Qualifications Assessment form, and MBE Participation Acknowledgment Form. Qualifications are evaluated on a pass/fail basis; all criteria must pass for inclusion on the qualified vendor list. The resulting agreement applies statewide to state agencies, municipalities, quasi-governmental organizations, and Legislative and Judicial branches.