Tire Chains and Shoe Chains

The State of Maine, Division of Purchases, is soliciting bids on tire chains, shoe chains, and plow shoes for winter fleet maintenance operations across six regional service facilities, with bids due September 9, 2009.

The tire-chain scope covers V-Bar chain sets in nine tire sizes (225/75R16, 215/85R16, 8.75×16.5, 11R22.5, 12R22.5, 14.00×24 3/8, 265/70R17, 245/75R17, and 315/80R22.5 VOLVO), plus cross chains in 11R22.5, 12R22.5, and 14.00×24, totaling 1,049 units distributed across the five primary regions and Houlton. The plow-shoe scope includes eight product lines (curb shoes, plow shoes, wing shoes, nose shoes, and tooth-blade scrapers from manufacturers including Everest, Frink, and Sterling), totaling 1,201 units. All tire chains must be manufactured from AISI 1074 and SAE 1020 certified steel and carry a minimum 30-day warranty. Cross chains are specified in boxes of 25 units. Delivery locations are fleet service facilities in Scarborough, Augusta, Dixfield, Hancock, Caribou, and Houlton, Maine, with designated regional contacts for each.

Bids must be submitted electronically to the Division of Purchases, Room 119, 9 State House Station, Augusta, Maine, prior to the closing date and time. Unit pricing is required for each line item; awards will be made to the lowest responsible bidder on an item-by-item or group basis as the State deems in its best interest, considering quality, conformance with specifications, delivery date, and ultimate cost. Cash discounts of 20 days or more are evaluated; shorter-term discounts are disregarded. All transportation charges are prepaid and at the contractor's expense. The State is exempt from Federal and Maine sales taxes. In case of default, the State reserves the right to procure from alternative sources and charge excess costs to the original contractor, except for delays caused by strikes, fires, acts of God, or other causes beyond reasonable control.