Preventive Maintenance and Calibration of Rheometers

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is soliciting bids for an annual contract to provide preventive maintenance and calibration services for eight Dynamic Shear Rheometers (DSR) located at the Materials and Tests Division in Austin, Texas. The solicitation (No. 601440000050453) requires a vendor to perform one comprehensive onsite maintenance visit per contract year, covering all eight rheometers with factory-trained and certified technicians. Specific service requirements include replacing wear parts, conducting electrical and mechanical checks, performing calibration using manufacturer standards, and providing firmware upgrades, with all replacement parts being new Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) components. The procurement is an Invitation for Bid (IFB) with a bid opening date of October 23, 2025, and a closing date of November 6, 2025, at 3:00 PM Central Time, with TxDOT planning to award the contract on November 10, 2025. Evaluation criteria will focus on the lowest price and the respondent's ability to meet the specified requirements, with services to be performed between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding state and federal holidays.

The solicitation includes several compliance and eligibility requirements for potential vendors, including submission of a Certificate of Insurance (Form 1950) with specific coverage minimums and a Waiver of Subrogation in favor of TxDOT. Vendors must complete an Execution of Bid form certifying compliance with anti-trust laws, terrorism watch list guidelines, and other procurement regulations, with opportunities for bid preferences for businesses producing supplies in Texas, offering agricultural products, using recycled materials, or being owned by service-disabled veterans. The procurement also requires vendors to complete a Texas Family Code Schedule, disclosing ownership information and certifying compliance with child support obligations. While no specific incumbent vendor is mentioned, the solicitation indicates that TxDOT believes the services may be proprietary to one provider. Although the exact contract value is not explicitly stated, the Pricing Schedule provides line items for the maintenance and calibration of specific rheometer units, with the expectation that vendors will provide unit pricing for each service. The contract includes a performance and materials warranty requiring the vendor to guarantee all work against defects for a minimum of six months.