The purchase of 1 waste oil furnace

The state of Maine, through its Division of Purchases, is seeking to procure one waste oil furnace through a competitive bidding process. The procurement opportunity, posted on August 7, 2007, with bid responses due by August 17, 2007, requires a furnace with specific technical specifications. The required waste oil furnace must have a fuel consumption of no more than 1.2 gallons per hour, a minimum BTU rating of 175,000 per hour, and the capability to accept multiple fuel types including waste oils and fuel oils. Technical requirements include a self-metering oil pump, minimum air flow of 1650 CFM, a new burner assembly, and electrical specifications of 115 VAC, 60 Hz, single phase with a 20 amp circuit breaker. The furnace must also come with a comprehensive one-year warranty covering all parts and labor. The Division of Purchases reserves the right to reject any or all bids, award to the lowest responsible bidder, and adjust quantities by up to 10%.

The contract opportunity does not specify any specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. No incumbent vendors are listed in the available documentation. Bidders are required to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, with specific reference to the Maine Chemical Substance Identification Law, which mandates material safety data sheet provisions for hazardous chemical purchases. The state is exempt from federal taxes and Maine state sales and use taxes. While no specific budget range is provided, the procurement is for a single waste oil furnace. Potential bidders should note that failure to submit bids on three consecutive requests may result in removal from the state's vendor register. The procurement documents emphasize the importance of using prescribed bidding forms and consideration of "or approved equal" products when submitting competitive proposals.