Side Arm Refuse Trucks

The City of Owensboro, located in Daviess County, Kentucky, is seeking to procure three (3) new 2025 model automated side loader refuse collection trucks for its Sanitation Department through Request for Bids (RFB 4437). The trucks must be designed for residential solid waste collection, featuring a 29 cubic yard capacity body with a 6 cubic yard hopper, an automated side-loading collection arm capable of handling 36-110 gallon containers, and a packing mechanism rated at 900 pounds per cubic yard. Specific chassis requirements include a day cab configuration with an MP-7 11-liter diesel engine producing 355 HP, Allison 4500 RDS 6-speed transmission, and a 46,000 lb rear tandem axle capacity. Additional mandatory equipment includes a three-camera monitoring system, LED lighting package, and hydraulic ejection-dumping system, with the trucks to be painted in City of Owensboro blue. The bid is due August 14, 2025, at 2:00 PM CDT through the online Bonfire portal, with bid opening conducted via Microsoft Teams meeting. Evaluation will focus on the lowest responsive and responsible bidder meeting all specified requirements, with pricing to remain firm for a minimum of 60 days after bid opening.

The procurement appears open to all qualified vendors without specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. Bidders must obtain a City business license and provide certificates of insurance meeting minimum requirements of $1M general liability, $1M auto liability, and statutory workers compensation. Four vendors have already submitted bids, with pricing ranging from $1,081,123.95 to $1,255,509.00 for the three trucks. The lowest bid came from Amrep Mfg. at $360,374.65 per unit, while the highest was from VoMac Truck Sales & Service Inc. at $418,503.00 per unit. Warranty coverage includes a standard one-year or 100,000-mile base warranty, with an extended 60-month or 250,000-mile warranty for engine and exhaust after-treatment systems. Successful vendors must comply with all federal and state regulations, including OSHA and DOT requirements. Delivery is expected to range from 55 to 365 days after contract award, with trucks to be delivered fully serviced and operational to the City's Public Works Department at 1410 W. 5th Street, Owensboro, Kentucky.