REQUEST FOR BID #6-05 July 16, 2004
Administered by
PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE
ORONO, MAINE 04469-5765
1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 Purpose: The University of Maine System, acting through the University of Maine at Farmington is seeking bids for a new loader tractor according to the following specifications.
1.2 Definition of Parties: The University of Maine at Farmington 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."
1.3 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 which 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 product being offered and to provide sufficient descriptive literature, catalog cuts and technical detail to enable the University to determine if the product 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.
1.4 Award: It is the intent of the University to award this bid all to one vendor. 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.
1.5 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.
1.6 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.
1.7 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.
1.8 Evaluation Criteria: Award will be made to the low bidder provided that all other requirements are satisfactorily met. However, consideration will be given to delivery.
1.9 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: Hal Wells
Purchasing Department Room 101J
University of Maine
5765 Service Building
Orono, Maine 04469-5765
(207) 581-2708
1.10 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 State or Federal department or agency. Submission is also agreement that the University will be notified of any change in this status.
1.11 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 #______
1.12 Submission: A signed original plus one (1) 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 Thursday, July 29, 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 due to 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 single vendor, however, additional time may be granted to all vendors when the University determines that circumstances require it. FAXED BIDS OR E-MAIL BIDS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
1.13 Costs of Preparation: Bidder assumes all costs of preparation of the bid and any presentations necessary to the bidding process.
2.0 TERMS AND CONDITIONS
2.1 Delivery Notification: The University shall be notified 24 hours prior to delivery so that personnel may be available to allow access to the building and verify items received. Notification shall be made to:
Bob Lawrence 207-778-7006
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 to the University of Maine at Farmington, 147 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington, Maine 04938. Prices quoted will be considered to include all charges for transportation, packaging, crates, containers, insurance, duty and brokerage charges, etc. necessary to complete delivery.
2.4 Manuals: The Contractor shall provide an equipment owner’s manual and / or maintenance instructions and parts lists with each piece of equipment.
2.5 Payments: Payment will be upon submittal of an invoice to the University of Maine at Farmington, Department of Facilities Management, 147 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington, Maine 04938 by the Contractor on a net 30 basis unless discount terms are offered. Invoice must include the purchase order number.
3.0 SPECIFICATIONS:
ONE (1) NEW DIESEL FARM LOADER TRACTOR with CAB John Deere Model 5320 or equivalent, according to the following specifications. Bidders must clearly identify all deviations from the specifications shown.
All equipment shall be fully compatible with the tractor offered. Attachment brackets, pins, hydraulic couplings, attachable hose, power beyond kits, etc. will be included.
MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS
55 minimum PTO horsepower rating
6,000# base approximate minimum weight for tractor and cab combined, without added / supplemental weights, loader or any equipment attached.
Four wheel drive
9F/3R “SyncShuttle” like transmission to allow smooth synchronized shifting
Rear differential lock
Power steering
Selective control valve (SCV) system with dual mid SCV and dual rear SCV
Fully enclosed cab with heater and defroster
Side mirrors
Windshield wipers, front and rear
Work lights front and rear, caution lights and signal lights
Grill / Hood guard
Engine hour meter
Turf tires appropriate for the tractor and configuration offered
Loader bucket, John Deere Model 541 or equivalent: Heavy duty “quick attach / detach” capability with side and bottom wear plates and detachable / replaceable cutter edge. NOTE: The University would prefer an 85” minimum width material bucket to enhance its snow removal capability. If an 85” bucket is not available please quote the largest size bucket available for the tractor offered.
Pallet Forks, 48”, tine rail style, heavy duty, “quick attach / detach” capability
4.0 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
4.1 List the make and model of the loader tractor and each separate component offered, e.g. cab, loader, forks and tires.
Tractor _______________________________________________
Factory Cab _________________________________________
Loader ________________________________________________
Forks ________________________________________________
Tires ________________________________________________
Price F.O.B. destination to the University of Maine at Farmington
$_____________________________________________
4.2 OPTIONAL TRADE-IN OF 1989 MODEL 385 DIESEL 4X4 46HP TRACTOR WITH BUCKET AND STEEL CAB. Anti-freeze leaking from engine – currently not in operation.
Price F.O.B. destination with trade-in
$_____________________________________________
4.3 Lead Time: State the number of days to delivery after receipt of order: ________________
5.0 SIGNATURE:
COMPANY NAME _______________________
By:
(Signature)
(Print Name)
(Title)
(Date)