Variable Message Boards

The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services, in collaboration with the State of Oregon, is issuing a competitive solicitation for a statewide contract for the purchase of Variable Message Boards. The contract will cover 11 separate categories of truck-mounted and trailer-mounted message boards, including arrow boards, 2-line and 3-line matrix boards, and full-matrix and line-matrix changeable message signs. Eligible purchasers include Washington state agencies, Oregon Cooperative Purchasing Program members, and other political subdivisions, federal government agencies, public-benefit nonprofits, and federally-recognized Indian tribes located in Washington. The solicitation includes detailed technical specifications, pricing terms, and contractual requirements. Key dates include a pre-bid conference on September 19, 2024, a question and answer period ending on October 4, 2024, and a bid submission deadline of October 28, 2024, with an anticipated contract award date of December 31, 2024. The resulting cooperative purchasing agreements will have an initial term of up to 49 months.

The solicitation includes set-aside awards for Washington small businesses and certified veteran-owned businesses, with up to one reserved award per product category. Bidders must submit certifications related to their qualifications, compliance with laws and regulations, and ability to service all eligible purchasers. No incumbent information is provided, but historical annual sales for prior similar contracts have totaled approximately $1.3 million, with the majority of purchases made by the Washington State Department of Transportation and Oregon cities and counties.