Tire Chains

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), Division of Purchases, issued a Request for Bid (RFB) for the procurement of tire chains for use by Elliott County and potentially other state agencies. The solicitation sought competitive bids for four line items: 500 pairs of Single Truck Highway Service Chains, 75 pairs of Grader Tire Chains, 300 pairs of Cable Chains, and 75 pairs of Grader Tire Chains with Ice Cleats, with all items specified by manufacturer and model number (including PEWAG and Security brand chains meeting National Association of Chain Manufacturers' specifications) and approved equal alternatives permitted. Bidders were required to bid all line items to be considered for award and submit only one response with one model/brand per item, with minimum order quantities per shipment specified for each item type. Delivery was required on an F.O.B. Destination, Freight Prepaid and Allowed basis to the KYTC Division of Equipment Warehouse at 1239 Wilkinson Boulevard in Frankfort, Kentucky, with the vendor responsible for all freight charges. The evaluation was based on best-value analysis using 95 points for price and 5 points for delivery time, with payment due within thirty working days of receipt of goods and proper invoices, subject to a one percent monthly penalty for late payments and a one percent per day penalty for late deliveries. The deadline for written questions was June 24, 2019, at 3:30 PM, with the Commonwealth's response posted by June 25, 2019, at 7:00 PM, and bids were due by 10:00 AM on July 9, 2019, with a tentative award date of July 3, 2019. The contract was structured as a Master Agreement initially awarded through June 30, 2020, with four optional one-year renewal periods available.

Kentucky resident bidders were eligible for statutory reciprocal preference in the evaluation process, and qualified bidders including the Department of Corrections Division of Prison Industries, Kentucky Industries for the Blind, and qualified nonprofit agencies for individuals with severe disabilities received preference points in the bid evaluation. Pricing was required to remain firm for the first twelve months of the contract, with only one price increase permitted thereafter based on industry-wide price changes requiring thirty days' written notice, and the Commonwealth reserved the right to reduce prices to reflect any industry-wide decreases and immediately pass through price reductions to the buyer. During optional renewal periods, one additional price increase was permitted after the first six months of each renewal term. The Commonwealth reserved the right to extend the contract to other state agencies and political subdivisions with vendor consent, potentially expanding the scope of the award beyond Elliott County. Vendors were required to submit sealed, signed bids in ink in person or by courier to the KYTC Division of Purchases at 200 Mero Street, 4th Floor, Frankfort, Kentucky, along with required affidavits, certificates of authority if applicable, and equipment specifications. No specific incumbent vendor or budget range was identified in the solicitation documents.