Purchase of Airboat, Engine, and Trailer

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is seeking to procure a heavy-duty 16-foot aluminum airboat package, including a custom-built hull, engine, and trailer, through Bid #25-422DNR-DIREC-B-46104. The procurement requires a specific marine vessel with a minimum 525hp marine LSX engine, comprehensive safety features, and navigation equipment, along with a heavy-duty aluminum tandem axle trailer. Vendor qualifications include being a recognized wholesaler/retailer of boat products with at least three consecutive years of experience and a minimum of fifty airboats constructed. The contract mandates that the equipment must be ready for pickup by June 30, 2025, and includes mandatory operator training for two IDNR staff members at the vendor's facility. Bids must be submitted through the state's BidBuy electronic procurement system, with proposals remaining firm for 90 days from opening. The evaluation criteria focus on the lowest priced responsive and responsible bidder, with awards made by lowest line item price. The bid submission deadline is January 27, 2025, with no specified pre-bid conference or site visit requirements.

The procurement appears to have potential small business set-aside provisions, though not definitively specified in the documentation. If designated as a Small Business Set-Aside, bidders must be registered with the Illinois Small Business Set-Aside Program at the time bids are due, with small business awardees allowed to subcontract up to 49% of the contract value to non-small businesses. Vendors must complete extensive vendor disclosure forms, including certifications regarding compliance with state regulations such as the Illinois Human Rights Act and Drug Free Workplace Act. The contract includes comprehensive warranty requirements, including a lifetime warranty on the hull structure, five-year metal work warranty, two-year polymer warranty, three-year engine warranty, and one-year warranty on the drive unit. While no specific contract value is explicitly stated, the procurement involves a specialized marine vessel package that likely represents a significant capital investment for the IDNR. The bid is a rebid of a previous procurement (B45916), suggesting ongoing equipment replacement or expansion needs for the department's wildlife management operations.