Onsite Maintenance of Laboratory Equipment

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is seeking a vendor to provide onsite maintenance for three Netzsch Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) units located at the Laboratory Building in Austin, Texas. The solicitation (No. 601440000049902) requires comprehensive preventative maintenance and calibration services, including unlimited service visits, travel, parts, and labor. Vendors must have at least three years of experience maintaining dynamic shear rheometers, with technicians possessing a minimum of two years specialized experience. The contract will initially run from execution through November 15, 2026, with options to renew for three consecutive one-year periods. Key deliverables include annual software updates, air bearing inspections, motor cooling system checks, calibration verification, and ensuring equipment compatibility with the latest ASTM and AASHTO standards. The bid is due on October 30, 2025, at 10:00 AM Central Time, with all responses to be submitted through the TxDOT Procurement Portal on Bonfire. Evaluation will be based on the lowest price and the respondent's ability to meet the specified technical requirements.

The solicitation does not specify explicit subcontracting opportunities, and a HUB Subcontracting Plan is not required unless the vendor plans to use subcontractors. Potential vendors must be registered on the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts' Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL) and have appropriate NIGP class and item codes. The procurement allows for potential preference categories, including preferences for Texas-produced goods, agricultural products, USA-produced supplies, and products from businesses owned by service-disabled veterans. Vendors must provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including Workers' Compensation, Commercial General Liability, and Commercial Automobile Insurance, with minimum coverage limits of $600,000 per occurrence. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the contract will be awarded on a firm, all-inclusive, fixed-price basis with potential annual adjustments correlated to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). TxDOT has indicated that the services are likely proprietary to one provider, suggesting a specialized and technical procurement process.