REQUEST FOR BID #14-05 October 1, 2004
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE
PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
ORONO, MAINE 04469-5765
VEHICLE BID - SEDANS
1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 The University of Maine System, acting through the University of Maine, is seeking quotations for the purchase of vehicles according to the attached schedules.
The University of Maine will hereinafter be referred to as the "University". Respondents to the RFB shall be referred to as "Bidders". The Bidder to whom the contract is awarded shall be referred to as the "Contractor".
1.2 Alternates: Unless otherwise provided for in this solicitation, the name of a certain brand, make or manufacturer does not restrict bidders to the specific brand, make or manufacturer named; but conveys the general style, type, character, and quality of the article desired. Any article that the University, in its sole discretion, determines to be the equal of that specified, considering quality, workmanship, economy of operation, and suitability for the purpose intended, shall be accepted. It is the bidder's responsibility to clearly and specifically indicate the vehicle being offered and to provide sufficient descriptive literature, catalog cuts and technical detail to enable the University to determine if the vehicle offered meets the requirements of the solicitation. Failure to furnish adequate data for evaluation purposes may result in declaring a bid non-responsive. Unless the bidder clearly indicates in its bid that the product offered is an "equal" product, such bid will be considered to offer the brand name products referenced in the solicitation.
1.3 Award: The University reserves the right to award this bid on a schedule-by-schedule basis, price and other factors considered. The University reserves the right to conduct any tests it may deem advisable and to make all evaluations. The University reserves the right to reject any or all bids, in whole or in part and is not necessarily bound to accept the lowest bid if that bid is contrary to the best interests of the University. The University reserves the right to waive minor irregularities. Scholarships, donations, or gifts to the University will not be considered in the evaluation of bids. A bid may be rejected if it is in any way incomplete or irregular. When there are tie bids, there shall be a preference for "in-state bidders". When tie bids are both in-state or both out-of-state, the award will be made to the bid that arrives first in the Purchasing Department.
1.4 Award Protest: Bidders may appeal the award decision by submitting a written protest to the director of Purchasing within five (5) business days of the award notice, with a copy of the protest to the successful bidder. The protest must contain a statement of the basis for the challenge.
1.5 Bid Envelope: If a special envelope is not furnished, or if return in the special envelope is not possible, the signed bid should be returned in an envelope or package, sealed and identified as follows:
From _____________ __________ __________ __________
Name Due Date Time Bid No.
1.6 Evaluation Criteria: Awards will be made to the low bidder, providing delivery needs and all other requirements are satisfactorily met. However, in keeping with the spirit of the State’s Clean Government Initiative the University will consider passenger sedans with a 30 mile per gallon or greater efficiency (highway) rating even if they do not have the lowest purchase price.
1.7 Communication with the University: It is the responsibility of the bidder to inquire about any requirement of this RFB that is not understood. Responses to inquiries, if they change or clarify the RFB in a substantial manner, will be forwarded by addenda to all parties that have received a copy of the RFB. Addenda will also be posted on our web site, www.umaine.edu/purchasing/. The University will not be bound by oral responses to inquiries or written responses other than addenda.
Inquiries must be made to: Robert Eslin
Purchasing Department Room 101A
University of Maine
5765 Service Building
Orono, Maine 04469-5765
(207) 581-2688
email: eslin@maine.edu
1.8 Debarment: Submission of a signed bid in response to this solicitation is certification that your firm (or any subcontractor) is not currently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any Federal department or agency. It is also agreement that the University will be notified of any change in this status until such time as an award has been made.
1.9 Specification Protest Process and Remedies: If a bidder feels that the specifications are written in a way that limits competition, a specification protest may be sent to the Purchasing Department. Specification Protests will be responded to within five (5) business days of receipt. Determination of protest validity is at the sole discretion of the University. The due date of the bid may be changed if necessary to allow consideration of the protest and issuance of any necessary addenda. Specification protests shall be presented to the University in writing as soon as identified, but no less than five (5) business days prior to the bid opening date and time. No protest against the award due to the specifications shall be considered after this deadline. Protests shall include the reason for the protest and any proposed changes to the specifications. Protests should be delivered to the Purchasing Department in sealed envelopes, clearly marked as follows:
SPECIFICATION PROTEST, RFB #______
1.10 Submission: A signed original plus one copy of the bid must be received at the University Purchasing Department, 5765 Service Building, Orono, Maine 04469-5765, no later than 2:00 P.M. local time, Wednesday, October 13, 2004, for a public opening. Bidders are strongly encouraged to submit bids in advance of the due date to avoid the possibility of missing the 2:00 deadline due to unforeseen circumstances. Vendors assume the risk of the methods of dispatch chosen. The University assumes no responsibility for delays caused by any package or mail delivery service. Postmarking by the due date WILL NOT substitute for receipt of bid. Bids must be date and time stamped by the Purchasing Department on time to be considered. In the event that the University is closed because of inclement weather at the time that a bid is due, the bid will be opened at the same time on the next day that the University is open. Vendors may wish to call 207-581-SNOW or 800-581-SNOW if the weather is bad, to learn if the University has closed. Bids received after the due date and time will be returned unopened. Additional time will not be granted to any vendor. Additional time may be granted to all vendors when the University determines that circumstances require it. FAXED OR E-MAILED BIDS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
1.11 Costs of Preparation: Bidder assumes all costs of preparation of the bid and any presentations necessary to the bidding process.
1.12 Bid Understanding: By submitting a bid, the bidder agrees and assures that the specifications are adequate, and the bidder accepts the terms and conditions herein. Any exceptions should be noted in your response.
2.0 CONTRACT TERMS
2.1 Delivery Notification: Notification must be made to the following twenty-four hours prior to delivery so that personnel may be available to receive delivery.
Campus Contact Phone Number
University of Maine Mike Hambrock 207-581-2742
2.2 Litigation: This Contract and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maine. The Contractor agrees that any litigation, action or proceeding arising out of this Contract, shall be instituted in a state court located in the State of Maine.
2.3 Transportation Charges: Quotations must be F.O.B. Destination. Prices quoted will be considered to include all charges for transportation, packaging, crates, containers, insurance, duty and brokerage charges, etc. necessary to complete delivery on a F.O.B. Destination basis.
2.4 Payments: Payment will be upon submittal of an invoice to the address provided on the purchase order, on a net 30 basis unless discount terms are offered with the bid document. Invoice must include the purchase order number.
2.5 Temporary Plates: All vehicles must be delivered with a 14-day plate.
NOTICE TO ALL BIDDERS
The owner of record on the title application for any vehicle purchased by the University shall be: The University of Maine System, 107 Main Avenue, Bangor, Maine 04401. The legal residence on the vehicle registration shall reflect the campus location, i.e. Orono; Farmington; Presque Isle; etc.
3.0 SPECIFICATIONS AND PRICE QUOTE
SCHEDULE I - University of Maine Department of Facilities Management -Two new 2004 or 2005 model mid-size 4-door sedans Ford Taurus, or acceptable alternate with the following specifications:
:
Air Conditioning Factory installed
Air Bags, Driver & Passenger Factory installed next generation
Battery Heaviest available
Brakes Power/ABS/anti-lock
Color Blue
Cooling System To -40 degrees Fahrenheit
Cruise Control Factory installed
Door locks Power
Engine V-6
Lights, Inside Dome, with map & reading light, if available
Mirrors Power
Radio AM/FM w/cassette player, factory installed
Seats 6 passenger Cloth bench
Defogger Electric rear window
Steering Power
Exhaust Stainless steel if available
Transmission 4-Speed automatic w/overdrive
Tires All season steel belted radials
Wheel Covers full wheel covers
Windshield Wipers Electric, variable intermittent
Windows Power
Additional Requirements 14-Day plate
Make, Model and Year
Net Price Delivered $
Delivery Time from Receipt of P.O.