PIE- Grounds Crew - Small Mini Truck Acquisition

Pinellas County is seeking to procure a small mini-truck for the St. Petersburg Clearwater International Airport (PIE) Facilities department through Invitation to Quote #24-0844-ITQ. The procurement specifically targets a 2023 Daihatsu Hijet Low Dump truck with precise requirements including a hydraulic dump bed, four-wheel drive, automatic transmission, air conditioning, and a rear tow-hitch receiver. The vehicle will primarily support grounds crew maintenance operations, particularly for landscaping tasks in crowded parking lots and congested curbside areas, with the ability to operate on public roads with speed limits below 35 mph. The solicitation was released on June 13, 2024, with proposals due by June 20, 2024, at 3:00 pm, requiring electronic submission through the OpenGov procurement portal. Key vehicle specifications include fuel economy exceeding 40 miles per gallon, a cargo bed with hydraulic dump and drop sides, and various safety features. The procurement seeks a vehicle that can supplement the airport's current fleet and enhance operational efficiency for the Facilities department.

The solicitation encourages participation from Small Business Enterprises (SBEs), who may receive preference in the award process. Pinellas County is sales tax exempt, as verified by their Consumer's Certificate of Exemption valid from 05/31/2020 to 05/31/2025. The estimated budget for the procurement is approximately $40,000, with current quotes ranging between $25,995 and $28,000 for the mini-truck. Two potential vendors have submitted quotes: Weatherford Mini Trucks and US Mini Truck Sales, with the latter offering a white S510P-0522068 model priced at $26,750.00, including delivery to Clearwater, FL. The county reserves the right to terminate the agreement if the vendor does not maintain required insurance coverages or meet other contractual obligations. The vehicle must be delivered with an Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) title, and the procurement process includes a non-competitive oversight committee review to justify the direct purchase approach.