Request for Information: ZPMC: Engineering, Repair, Maintenance, Retrofits & Part

Broward County, Florida is issuing a Request for Information regarding sole-source/sole-brand designation for engineering, repair, maintenance, retrofits, and parts related to Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (ZPMC) equipment, with responses due September 29, 2026. This RFI is not a request for pricing or a purchase commitment, but rather a pre-solicitation determination of whether alternative suppliers or comparable commodities exist.

The scope covers six ship-to-shore cranes operated by Broward County Port. The RFI seeks vendors capable of providing replacement parts and technical support that meet or exceed ZPMC's quality standards while maintaining system integrity, safety compliance, and operational reliability. Prospective vendors may either demonstrate capability to supply comparable commodities or services, or submit written objections to the proposed sole-source designation with supporting documentation.

Respondents must address eight supplier qualifications: experience with ship-to-shore crane systems; technical certification demonstrating parts compatibility with existing ZPMC equipment without compromising safety; quality assurance processes meeting ZPMC engineering specifications; component delivery capacity sufficient to minimize downtime; comprehensive technical support capabilities; past performance references on comparable port crane systems; and long-term lifecycle asset management and maintainability commitments. The RFI notes that the six cranes rely on proprietary, integrated components engineered and manufactured by ZPMC, with many critical assemblies available exclusively through ZPMC China or ZPMC USA, though some third-party components are incorporated into ZPMC-designed mechanical, electrical, structural, and control systems.

The Director of Purchasing retains sole authority in determining what constitutes a comparable offering and whether to designate ZPMC as sole source or brand. This determination is not subject to objection, protest, or appeal. Responses must be submitted through the County's electronic bidding system.