Polar King PKM616 Refrigerated Tandem Axle Trailer

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking competitive bids for a custom Polar King PKM616 refrigerated tandem axle trailer to support marine fisheries research operations, specifically for Smalltooth Sawfish carcass recovery and transport. The procurement is structured as an Invitation to Bid (ITB FWC 24/25-52), with specific technical requirements including a custom aluminum rear ramp of at least 5 feet, a 3-4K electric winch mounted to the front interior floor, a 12-volt deep cycle battery, 110-volt onboard charger, and a 6500-watt tongue-mounted electric start Honda generator package. Bidders must be registered in the MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP) system and with SunBiz prior to bid opening. Key deadlines include questions due by December 2, 2024 at 5:00 PM ET, bid submission deadline of December 16, 2024 at 1:25 PM ET, and a public bid opening at 1:30 PM ET the same day. The award will be made to the responsive, responsible bidder submitting the lowest total price, with an anticipated award date of December 20, 2024. Bidders are required to provide a minimum of three references for similar projects and must possess all required federal and state workers compensation insurance.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the procurement documents. The contract term will be effective for one year upon issuance of the Purchase Order, with delivery required within 3 months of purchase order issuance or by June 30, 2025, whichever is earliest. Subcontracting is explicitly not permitted for this contract. While a specific budget range is not disclosed, the procurement suggests a specialized equipment purchase for marine research purposes. The FWC will conduct an inspection meeting prior to delivery to ensure satisfaction with the trailer specifications. The procurement is limited to Leon County, Florida, and is specifically targeted at acquiring a highly customized refrigerated trailer for scientific research purposes, indicating a narrow and specific market for potential bidders with expertise in specialized marine research equipment.