Portable variable message center trailer MTD

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) Division of Purchases is issuing a Request for Bid (RFB) for the establishment of a master agreement contract to procure 10 portable variable message center trailers equipped with solar power technology. Each unit must feature a 130" x 72" x 12" aluminum display cabinet with LED technology displaying yellow-orange pixels at 5904 nm, capable of showing three lines of eight characters per line, solar panel arrays with minimum 150-watt capacity, 30-day battery backup without sunlight, and an NTCIP-compliant onboard computer with 250 preprogrammed messages. The procurement also includes 10 axle lock bars and replacement letter character sets. Required specifications include a minimum 6-foot height when raised, 360-degree rotation capability, hydraulic brake systems, and 4-ply rated 15-inch wheels, with the Wanco Model WTLMB(A) or approved equivalent serving as the baseline specification. Evaluation will be performed on a best-value basis, with the lowest price receiving 95 of 100 points and delivery time receiving 5 points, with late deliveries subject to 1% daily deductions. Bids must be submitted electronically through the Kentucky Vendor Self Service system at https://vss.ky.gov by March 18, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time, with vendors required to register in the eProcurement system 24-48 hours prior to bid closing. The tentative award date is April 1, 2026, with an initial contract period from award through March 31, 2027, followed by four optional one-year renewal periods. All pricing must be quoted F.O.B. Destination Freight Prepaid and Allowed, with vendors bearing all shipping costs and prohibited price increases during the first 12 months of the contract.

The solicitation is subject to Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funding requirements, necessitating compliance with Buy America provisions (23 CFR 635.410) and Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act requirements, including certification that steel, iron, and manufactured products are produced in the United States. Vendors must submit required affidavits including non-collusion certifications, Buy America/BABA materials certificates, and resident bidder status affidavits if applicable. All equipment must be accompanied by manufacturer's warranties covering 100% parts and labor for two years, with warranty repairs performed on-site by manufacturer-authorized representatives, and OEM parts and service must be available within 36 hours of equipment breakdown notification. The RFB document references FHWA Form 1273 regarding mandatory contract provisions for federal-aid construction contracts, establishing compliance requirements for employment practices, labor standards, safety requirements, and nondiscrimination obligations, with contractors responsible for ensuring subcontractor compliance. No specific set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the available documentation, though the solicitation emphasizes resident bidder status affidavits where applicable. While no specific budget range is disclosed in the procurement documents, the master agreement structure with optional renewal periods suggests a substantial multi-year contract commitment for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.