Purchase of Loaded Wheel Asphalt Testing System for Materials and Tests Division.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is soliciting bids for a Loaded Wheel Asphalt Testing System to be delivered to its Materials and Tests Division in New Braunfels, Texas, through Invitation for Bid (IFB) No. 601440000047088. The procurement seeks a specialized scientific instrument for conducting Hamburg Wheel-Track Testing of Compacted Asphalt Mixtures, conforming to AASHTO T 324-23 standards. The system must include a temperature-controlled water bath, wheel-tracking capabilities, linear displacement transducers, and automated testing functionality, with specific technical requirements such as a 203.2 mm diameter steel wheel, 47 mm wheel width, and ability to test various specimen types. Key deliverables include a complete installation, calibration, training services, and a minimum 12-month warranty covering 100% parts and labor. The solicitation timeline includes a bid opening on February 5, 2025, with questions due by February 11, 2025, TxDOT responses by February 14, 2025, and a final submission deadline of February 19, 2025, at 3:00 PM Central Time, with a tentative contract award date of February 24, 2025.

Vendors must be registered on the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Centralized Master Bidders List to participate in this procurement. While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly mentioned, the bid documents reference potential preferences for tie-breakers, including Texas-produced materials, service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, and products from persons with disabilities. Acceptable equipment models include the InstroTek SmartTracker and Gilson HM-459 Asphalt Pavement Analyzer, suggesting some flexibility in vendor solutions. Insurance requirements include $600,000 minimum Commercial General Liability coverage and specific Workers' Compensation provisions. The contract is non-exclusive, allowing TxDOT to procure similar products from other sources as needed. Vendors must submit comprehensive documentation, including a Texas Family Code Schedule, Certificate of Insurance, and Early Payment Program form. While no specific budget range is stated, the procurement is for a single unit of specialized testing equipment, with all costs to be included in the fixed-price submission.