Tree spade, trailer mounted, purchase of

Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, Purchasing Department, issued Request for Quotation (RFQ) #080316-68/JM on August 16, 2016, for the purchase of one trailer-mounted tree spade unit for the Palm Beach County Fleet Management Department. The solicitation seeks firm, fixed pricing for a complete, ready-to-operate unit, specifically a BIG JOHN model 45DTD or equivalent, featuring four minimum AR500 steel blades capable of handling trunk diameters of 3-4 inches and root ball weights of at least 1,500 pounds. Required specifications include a 20-horsepower gasoline engine with electric start, a 45-gallon minimum water tank, and 21-gallon minimum hydraulic oil capacity. The trailer must incorporate a hydraulic tongue with 24-degree minimum left swivel and 43-degree minimum right swivel capability, hydraulic jack stand, hydraulic gate lock, electric brakes, hydraulic stabilizers, LED lights, and a 3-inch eye lunette. Equipment must be properly serviced, detailed, and ready for operation upon delivery between 7:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, with 24 hours advance notice required. The submission deadline was August 23, 2016, at 4:00 P.M. local time, with faxed or e-mailed responses accepted. Quotations were required to remain firm for 90 days from the opening date to allow for evaluation and award, and vendors must provide factory/manufacturer warranty effective upon delivery and acceptance, with all defects in materials or workmanship repaired or replaced at no cost to the County during the warranty period. The successful vendor must also furnish an authorized factory service representative location and contact information.

Bidders must comply with Palm Beach County's non-discrimination policy and SBE program requirements, with local preference provisions allowing up to 5 percent preference in evaluation for bidders with a permanent place of business in Palm Beach County or the Glades. The vendor must arrange wiring to meet SAE, ATA, and Canadian Standards Association recommendations for six-pole trailer connections and comply with all federal, state, county, and local laws and regulations. The County reserved the right to purchase additional quantities for up to 12 months from the award date at the quoted prices and under the same terms and conditions, subject to mutual written agreement. No specific incumbent vendors or budget ranges were identified in the solicitation documents. Interested vendors were required to include delivery timeline specifications in their responses and demonstrate capability to provide ongoing factory support and warranty services throughout the warranty period.