Rubber-Tired Loader (Buyback) FY26

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), Division of Purchases, on behalf of Elliott County, issued a Request for Bid (RFB) for the acquisition of 12 four-wheel drive articulated rubber-tired loaders with parallel lift capability, including a guaranteed one-year buyback provision for all units. The equipment must be new, manufacturer's latest standard production models meeting stringent specifications, including Tier IV final diesel engines with minimum 160 horsepower, power shift transmissions with minimum four forward and three reverse speeds, 3.0 cubic yard general purpose buckets, and SAE-rated static tipping loads of at least 16,000 pounds. Each unit must include comprehensive cab equipment with air conditioning, heater, and safety features, along with auxiliary hydraulic tool attachments, pallet forks, lift booms, and complete documentation comprising one operator's manual per unit plus two additional copies; vendors must also provide one day of training on safety, operation, and preventative maintenance. Bidders must be authorized dealers of the brand being submitted and must provide a 24-month/2,000-hour full machine standard warranty at no cost to KYTC, including all parts and labor, with guaranteed on-site response by a certified technician within 24 hours of notification and replacement equipment if repairs cannot be completed within that timeframe. The evaluation methodology employs best value scoring, allocating 65 points to the lowest price bid and 35 points to the highest total buyback amount, with bidders required to bid all line items to be considered for award. The bid submission deadline is September 18, 2025, at 1:30 PM Eastern Time via electronic submission through the Kentucky eProcurement system at https://vss.ky.gov, with a tentative award date of October 1, 2025, and preferred delivery by November 30, 2025, with daily damages of $600 per unit applicable if all units are not delivered by that date.

Set-aside preferences are available for qualified entities, including a 20 percent preference for Kentucky Correctional Industries and a 15 percent preference for qualified nonprofit agencies, while Kentucky resident bidders are eligible for reciprocal preference under applicable state regulations. Qualified bidders as defined by 200 KAR 5:410 may receive additional preference points, and foreign entities must provide a certificate of authority from the Secretary of State. The successful vendor must deliver all equipment F.O.B. Destination Freight Prepaid and Allowed and is required to post a performance bond equal to 25 percent of the guaranteed buyback price within 10 calendar days of notification of award. All units are limited to maximum usage of 1,000 hours per year and must be equipped with telematics capabilities providing service notifications, engine information, and real-time location tracking at no expense during the buyback period. Service and repair at specified Kentucky counties must be provided on-site at vendor expense with no additional cost to KYTC. Late payment penalties of one percent per month apply if payment exceeds 30 working days after invoice receipt. The specific contract value or budget range is not disclosed in the solicitation documents.