Request for Lease of Tractor with mower, snowblower & cab

The State of Maine, Division of Purchases, is requesting lease proposals for a tractor with mower, snowblower, and cab, with proposals due December 19, 2008.

The specified equipment is a John Deere 1445 31 HP diesel tractor or equivalent, equipped with four-wheel drive (full-time or on-demand), comfort-adjust suspension seat with armrests, single-spool auxiliary hydraulic kit, and 4-post ROPS conversion kit with canopy and upgrade kit. Attachments include a 72-inch 7-Iron II commercial side discharge mower deck, 60-inch heavy-duty two-stage snowblower with lift arms and drive shaft, soft cab with front windshield, floor-mounted heater/defroster kit, single-speed front windshield wiper, six quick-attach weights (42 lb. each), and rear weight mounting kit. Tires must be 23 x 10.50-12 in. 4 PR Turf Drive.

Under Maine's standard purchasing conditions, the state reserves the right to award on an item-by-item or group basis and to increase or decrease ordered quantities by up to 10 percent. In case of tie bids, preference is given to in-state bidders or those offering Maine-produced or Maine-manufactured commodities. Bidders may propose alternate equipment if supported by complete descriptive literature. All transportation charges must be prepaid by the contractor unless otherwise specified. The state is exempt from sales tax and will provide exemption certificates upon request. Contractors must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including Maine's Chemical Substance Identification Law for hazardous materials.

Questions due and award timeline are not specified in the available documents.