Expanded Shale

The State of Nebraska, through the Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Materiel Division, State Purchasing Bureau (SPB), is procuring Expanded Shale for the Nebraska Department of Transportation via Invitation to Bid (ITB) Number 6846 OF. The solicitation covers the procurement of Expanded Shale in various specifications, including 3/4" x #8 and 1/4" x 1/8" grades, to be delivered across eight NDOT districts with quantities ranging from 25 to 5,000 cubic yards. The primary objective is to select qualified contractors to provide essential construction material for state transportation infrastructure projects. The bid opening occurred on February 15, 2024, at 2:00 PM Central Time, with two vendors—Buildex, LLC and Reliant Transportation—submitting proposals. Evaluation criteria include lowest responsible bidder status, with considerations given to quality of past performance as permitted by state law. The contract term is set for one year, with potential options to renew for two additional three-month periods.

The procurement allows for non-exclusive contracting, enabling the State to source similar goods from multiple vendors simultaneously. While no specific set-aside designations were explicitly detailed, the ITB indicates preferences for Nebraska contractors, resident disabled veterans, and businesses located in designated enterprise zones. Two vendors were identified as potential awardees: Buildex, LLC and Reliant Transportation, with unit pricing ranging from $90.40 to $127.00 per cubic yard. The pricing structure includes net 30-day payment terms, and the contract does not restrict participation based on business size or type. Pricing variations were noted, with Buildex proposing an alternate 5/8" x 3/8" product for District 4 locations due to supply constraints. The State reserves the right to award contracts to multiple vendors and maintain flexibility in procurement strategies. While specific total contract value was not disclosed, the broad quantity ranges and multiple district deliveries suggest a potentially significant procurement opportunity.