Wildland Fire Engine (NWCG Type 6)

Location:	Vermont
Posted:	May 1, 2026
Due:	May 14, 2026
Agency:	State of Vermont
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	42 - Fire Fighting, Rescue, and Safety Equipment F - Natural Resources and Conservation Services
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Department of Buildings and General Services

Office of Purchasing & Contracting

133 State Street, 5th Floor | Montpelier VT 05633-8000

802-828-2211 phone |802-828-2222 fax

http://bgs.vermont.gov/purchasing

Agency of Administration

SEALED BID

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Wildland Fire Engine (NWCG Type 6)

ISSUE DATE

QUESTIONS DUE

RFP RESPONSES DUE BY

April 27, 2026

May 1, 2026 – 9:00AM (EST)

May 14, 2026 – 4:30 PM (EST)

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES, AND ADDENDUMS ASSOCIATED

WITH THIS SOLICITATION WILL BE POSTED AT:

http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php

THE STATE WILL MAKE NO ATTEMPT TO CONTACT INTERESTED PARTIES WITH UPDATED

INFORMATION. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH BIDDER TO PERIODICALLY CHECK THE

ABOVE WEBPAGEFOR ANY AND ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES AND ADDENDUMS

ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SOLICITATION.

STATE CONTACT:

E-MAIL:

Bill Vivian, State Purchasing Agent II

SOV.ThePathForward@vermont.gov

1. OVERVIEW:

1.1. SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: Through this Request for Proposal (RFP) the Office of Purchasing &

Contracting (hereinafter the “State”) is seeking to establish contracts with one or more companies that

can provide a type 6 fire engine apparatus.

1.2. CONTRACT PERIOD: Any contract(s) arising from this solicitation will be for a period of 2 years with an

option to renew for up to three additional twelve-month periods. The State anticipates the start date for

such contract(s) will be May1, 2026.

1.3. SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT: All communications concerning this solicitation are to be addressed in

writing to the State Contact listed on the front page of this solicitation. Actual or attempted contact with

any other individual from the State concerning this solicitation is strictly prohibited and may result in

disqualification.

1.4. QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD: Any bidder requiring clarification of any section of this solicitation

or wishing to comment on any requirement of the solicitation must submit specific questions in writing no

later than the deadline for question indicated on the first page of this solicitation. Questions may be e-

mailed to the point of contact on the front page of this solicitation. Questions or comments not raised in

writing on or before the last day of the question period are thereafter waived. At the close of the question

period a copy of all questions or comments and the State's responses will be posted on the State’s web

site http://bgs.vermont.gov/purchasing/bids. Every effort will be made to post this information as soon as

possible after the question period ends, contingent on the number and complexity of the questions. All

information provided by vendors during this process will be public and bidders shall not provide

confidential information, except as described in 5.1 below.

1.5. CHANGES TO THIS SOLICITATION: Any modifications to this solicitation will be made in writing by the

State through the issuance of an Addendum to this solicitation and posted online at

http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php . Modifications from any other source are not to be

considered.

1.6. CONTRACT QUANTITY: Any quantities stated in the detailed requirements of this solicitation are

estimates only based on prior usage, and are annual quantities, unless otherwise stated. Actual

purchases may be higher or lower depending on the State’s needs.

DETAILED REQUIREMENTS: Bidders must note: There are three areas where substitutions will NOT be

considered:

• The apparatus must be built on a Ford F550 cab and chassis as specified. No substitutions to the make or

model of the cab and chassis will be accepted.

• The auxiliary pump must be a Waterax BB-4 powered by a Kubota Diesel Engine. No substitutions to the

make or model of the pumpwill be accepted.

Substitutions will be considered in all other areas of the build specifications. When offering a substitution, bidder

must describe any differences and provide technical information that will assist in the State’s evaluation.

2. The State of Vermont Agency of Natural Resources – Forrest, Parks and Recreations (FPR) as seeking bids for

one (1) Wildland Fire Engine (NWCG Type 6) Defined by National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG) that

meets or exceeds the specifications outlined in Exhibit A – Specifications.

2.1. SERVICES

2.1.1.Bidders must note Although services are not part of this solicitation and will not be part of any

resulting agreement, bidders must provide as part of their bid the closest service location to 111

West Street Essex Junction, VT 05452 The intent of this specification is to ensure that in the event

warranty or non-warranty work needs to be performed, there is a location capable of performing that

service.

2.2. DOCUMENTATION

2.2.1.As part of their bid, bidders must provide all relevant documentation demonstrating the specifications

of the equipment they are providing in their bid. These documents must include but is not limited to

relevant photos and cut sheets.

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Page 2 of 22

2.3. INSPECTION, APPROVAL, ACCEPTANCE AND PAYMENT MILESTONES

2.3.1.The awarded bidder agrees to allow a representative or representatives from the Department of

Forest Parks and Recreation (FPR) to perform at a minimum four (4) inspections of the vehicle at the

contractor’s location, the date and time of which will be mutually agreed upon.

2.3.2.The awarded bidder must provide allow for four (4) mandatory inspection and approval points during

the design, manufacture, and delivery of one (1) Wildland Fire Engine (Type 6). Advancement to

subsequent phases and release of associated payments shall not occur without written approval from

the State of Vermont (“State” or FPR).

2.3.3.PRE-CHASSIS ORDER / DESIGN APPROVAL - Payment Milestone: 10% of Total Contract Price

2.3.3.1. Prior to ordering the chassis, the awarded bidder must submit final design documents for

State review and approval and shall participate in a design review inspection if requested by the

State.

2.3.3.2. The awarded bidder must not order the chassis until written approval is issued by the

State.

2.3.3.3. Upon written approval, the awarded bidder must invoice the State for ten percent (10%) of

the total contract price.

2.3.4.BUILD-STAGE INSPECTION (PRE-PAINT) Payment Milestone: 30% of Total Contract Price

(Cumulative 40%)

2.3.4.1. The State reserves the right to conduct an inspection during construction after major body

components and systems are installed and prior to paint and graphics.

2.3.4.2. Any deficiencies identified must be corrected prior to proceeding, at no additional cost to

the State.

2.3.4.3. Upon written approval, the awarded bidder must invoice the State for thirty percent (30%)

of the total contract price.

2.3.5.PAINT AND GRAPHICS APPROVAL Payment Milestone: 30% of Total Contract Price (Cumulative

70%)

2.3.5.1. Prior to final completion of paint and graphics, the awarded bidder must submit paint and

graphics for State review and approval and must provide access for inspection if requested.

2.3.5.2. Final paint and graphics must not be completed without written approval from the State.

2.3.5.3. Upon written approval, the awarded bidder must invoice the State for thirty percent (30%)

of the total contract price.

2.3.6.PRE-DELIVERY / FINAL ACCEPTANCE INSPECTION Payment Milestone: 30% of Total Contract

Price (Cumulative 100%)

2.3.6.1. Final inspection and acceptance must occur prior to final payment.

2.3.6.2. Final payment of thirty percent (30%) must be contingent upon successful inspection and

written acceptance by the State.

2.3.6.3. Total payments shall not exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the total contract price.

2.3.6.4. In the event the awarded bidder fails to provide a product that meets the specifications

provided to the contractor by the State, the awarded bidder must agree to provide to the State a

refund of any payment provided.

2.3.6.5.

2.3.7.CHASSIS PASS-THROUGH PAYMENT

2.3.7.1. Notwithstanding the milestone payments above, the State may, at its sole discretion,

authorize a one-time chassis pass-through payment subject to the following conditions:

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Page 3 of 22

2.3.7.2. ELIGIBILITY FOR CHASSIS PASS-THROUGH PAYMENT

2.3.7.2.1.

Written approval of the Pre-Chassis Order / Design Approval milestone

2.3.7.2.2.

Documentation confirming the chassis has been ordered and accepted by the

manufacturer

2.3.7.2.3.

An invoice itemizing the actual invoiced cost of the chassis only, with no markup

2.3.8.LIMITATIONS FOR CHASSIS PASS-THROUGH PAYMENT

2.3.8.1.1.

The chassis pass-through payment shall not exceed the actual invoiced cost of the

chassis, up to a maximum of twenty percent (20%) of the total contract price

2.3.8.1.2.

Any pass-through payment shall be credited against subsequent milestone

payments and shall not increase the total contract price

2.3.9.TITLE AND RISK

2.3.9.1. Payment does not constitute acceptance

2.3.9.2. Title to the chassis must transfer to the State upon payment

2.3.9.3. The awarded bidder retains full responsibility for the chassis and completed apparatus

2.3.10. OFFSET PROVISION

2.3.10.1. Any chassis pass-through payment must be deducted from the next eligible milestone

payment(s) until fully offset

2.3.10.2. Final payment remains contingent upon final acceptance by the State

2.4. REMOTE INSPECTION PROVISION

2.4.1.At the State’s discretion, any inspection may be conducted remotely, in whole or in part, using live

video, photographs, or electronic documentation acceptable to the State. Remote inspection shall not

limit the State’s right to require an in-person inspection at any time.

2.5. DELIVERY

2.5.1.The awarded bidder must supply a fully complete, serviceable and ready-to-use vehicle which must

be delivered on or before April 1, 2027, or sooner. The State of Vermont prefers not to take delivery

of the vehicle between November 15, 2026, through March 1, 2027.

2.5.1.1. As part of their bid, bidders must sign in the area designated on the Price Schedule

signifying their ability to meet or exceed the delivery deadline as outlined herein.

2.5.1.2. As part of their bid, bidders must provide a estimated delivery date after receipt of order

(ARO).

2.6. SOFTWARE AND/OR HARDWARE

2.6.1.Information Security Requirements: In cases where the State is not permitted to manage/modify

the automation equipment (server/computer/other) that controls testing or monitoring devices, the

Contractor agrees to update and provide patches for the automation equipment and any installed

operating systems or applications on a quarterly basis (at minimum). The Contractor will submit a

report to the State of updates installed within 30 days of the installation as well as a Plan of Actions

and Milestones (POA&M) to remediate any vulnerabilities ranging from Critical to Low. The

contractor will provide an upgrade path or compensatory security controls for any operating systems

and applications listed as beyond “end-of-life” or EOL, within 90 days of the EOL and complete the

EOL system’s upgrade within 90 days of the approved plan.

2.6.2.State of Vermont Cybersecurity Standard Update: Contractor confirms that all products and

services provided to or for the use of the State under this Agreement shall be in compliance with

State of Vermont Cybersecurity Standard Update in effect at the time of this Agreement. The State of

Vermont Cybersecurity Standard Update prohibits the use of certain branded products in State

information systems or any vendor system, and a copy is available at:

https://digitalservices.vermont.gov/cybersecurity/cybersecurity-standards-and-directives

3. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

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3.1. PRICING: Bidders must price the terms of this solicitation at their best pricing. Any and all costs that

Bidder wishes the State to consider must be submitted for consideration. If applicable, all equipment

pricing is to include F.O.B. delivery to the ordering facility. No request for extra delivery cost will be

honored. All equipment shall be delivered assembled, serviced, and ready for immediate use, unless

otherwise requested by the State. No charge for packing, shipping, or for any other purpose will be

allowed over and above the price quoted.

3.1.1.Prices and/or rates shall remain firm for the initial term of the contract. The pricing policy submitted by

Bidder must (i) be clearly structured, accountable, and auditable and (ii) cover the full spectrum of

materials and/or services required.

3.1.2.Cooperative Agreements. Bidders that have been awarded similar contracts through a competitive

bidding process with another state and/or cooperative are welcome to submit the pricing in response

to this solicitation.

3.2. STATEMENT OF RIGHTS: The State shall have the authority to evaluate Responses and select the

Bidder(s) as may be determined to be in the best interest of the State and consistent with the goals and

performance requirements outlined in this solicitation. The State of Vermont reserves the right to obtain

clarification or additional information necessary to properly evaluate a proposal. Failure of bidder to

respond to a request for additional information or clarification could result in rejection of that bidder's

proposal. To secure a project that is deemed to be in the best interest of the State, the State reserves the

right to accept or reject any and all bids, in whole or in part, with or without cause, and to waive

technicalities in submissions. The State also reserves the right to make purchases outside of the awarded

contracts where it is deemed in the best interest of the State.

3.2.1.Best and Final Offer (BAFO). At any time after submission of Responses and prior to the final

selection of Bidder(s) for Contract negotiation or execution, the State may invite Bidder(s) to provide a

BAFO. The state reserves the right to request BAFOs from only those Bidders that meet the minimum

qualification requirements and/or have not been eliminated from consideration during the evaluation

process.

3.2.2.Presentation. An in-person or webinar presentation by the Bidder may be required by the State if it

will help the State’s evaluation process. The State will factor information presented during

presentations into the evaluation. Bidders will be responsible for all costs associated with providing

the presentation.

3.3. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:

3.3.1.Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCOI): An OCOI arises when a bidder as a business entity has

interests (for example, customers, partners, contracts) that could undermine, or reasonably be

perceived to undermine, its faithful and unbiased performance of a contract with the State that may

result from this solicitation.

3.3.2.Personal Conflict of Interest (PCOI): A PCOI arises when an interest held by an individual, agent or

employee of a bidder could undermine, or reasonably be perceived to undermine, its faithful and

unbiased performance of a contract with the State that may result from this solicitation.

3.3.3.Requirements: The State does not seek to contract with any individual or business entity having a

conflict of interest which cannot be mitigated to the State’s satisfaction. To ensure the State’s

awareness of actual, potential, or reasonably perceived PCOIs and OCOIs, bidders shall:

a) Prior to submitting a proposal, conduct an internal review of its current affiliations and activities and

identify actual, potential, or reasonably perceived PCOIs or OCOIs relative to a contract with the

State that may result from this solicitation.

b) Disclose in your proposal any actual or potential PCOI or OCOI or the existence of any facts that

may cause a reasonably prudent person to perceive a PCOI or OCOI with respect to a contract

with the State that may result from this solicitation. Disclose, also, any actions proposed to mitigate

the PCOI or OCOI.

The State shall have sole discretion to determine whether a PCOI or OCOI can be mitigated to the State’s

satisfaction and may discuss the conflict with the bidder if and to the extent the State deems discussion

necessary to its determination. The State reserves the right to (a) reject from further consideration any

proposal having a PCOI or OCIO that cannot be mitigated to the State’s full satisfaction and (b) terminate

Revised February 13, 2026

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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

TITLE	QUESTIONS DUE	ANSWERS POSTED	DUE DATE	NO POSTING AFTER
Wildland Fire Engine (NWCG Type 6) Exhibit A Specifications	05/01/2026 09:00AM	RFP Wildland Fire Engine (NWCG Type 6) Q&A. (05/01/2026 09:52AM)	05/14/2026 04:30PM

Wildland Fire Engine (NWCG Type 6)

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See also