Passenger Boarding Walkway

The Greater Rockford Airport Authority is requesting proposals for one mobile passenger boarding ramp for Chicago Rockford International Airport under RFP #26-19, with proposals due August 28, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. CDT and questions due August 14, 2026. The equipment must be new, current production, and supported within North America — a critical qualification filter. The ramp must be compatible with Boeing 737-700/800/MAX, Embraer E170/E175/E190/E195, CRJ700/900/1000, and Airbus A319/A320 aircraft, with additional compatibility preferred.

Functional requirements include complete mobility with no fixed infrastructure, operation by a single trained operator, ADA-compliant step-free access, continuous handrails on both sides, non-slip walking surfaces, edge protection, emergency stop controls, parking brake and stabilizing devices, covered egress, and lighted walkways. The ramp must operate within a deck height range of 63 to 104 inches with a maximum operating slope not exceeding 8 degrees, support a 650-pound concentrated wheelchair load and 65 pounds per square foot distributed load, and function in temperatures from -20°F to 110°F while withstanding snow, ice, rain, and high winds.

Evaluation criteria weight technical compliance (30%), safety features (20%), accessibility (15%), reliability and maintenance (10%), warranty and service (10%), price (10%), and delivery schedule (5%). Vendors must provide a minimum 2-year bumper-to-bumper warranty and preferably a 10-year structural warranty, plus operator training, maintenance training, parts manuals, electronic service manuals, and a preventive maintenance schedule. Vendors must certify North American parts inventory, technical support, and parts availability for a minimum of ten years and submit at least three customer references; failure to include references disqualifies the bid.

Pricing submissions must separate self-propelled and towed ramp options, shipping and handling, and additional charges on a net basis after deducting all trade and quantity discounts. The contract is subject to FAA Airport Grant Assurances, Buy American preferences under 49 U.S.C. 50101, Davis-Bacon Act compliance, and debarment and suspension regulations. Either party may terminate without fault upon 90-day written notice.