Inspection and Testing of Aerial Devices and Ground Ladders

The City of Austin is soliciting bids under IFB 7800 MAS1013 for a contractor to provide annual and as-needed inspection, testing, and certification of aerial devices and ground ladders. The scope of work covers a diverse inventory including ladder fire trucks, forklifts, aerial man lifts, bucket trucks, and approximately 7,200 linear feet of ground ladders. All services must be performed at designated City fleet service centers using mobile test equipment. The contractor is required to employ technicians certified to NDT Level II or III and must adhere to the latest industry standards, including ANSI/SAIA, ASME, OSHA, and NFPA 1932. Key deliverables include the provision of official certification stickers for compliant units, the installation of heat sensor labels for ground ladders, and a contingency plan identifying the City as a priority customer during emergencies. The contract is structured around three pricing categories: non-fire aerial apparatuses, fire department aerial apparatuses and ground ladders, and expedited services. Award criteria are based on overall low cost or a combination of factors most advantageous to the City, with preferences available for local and small businesses. Mandatory compliance requirements include the City of Austin Living Wage Program, which sets a minimum wage of 22.15 per hour, and a certification that the firm has not been adjudicated for wage theft within the last five years. Additionally, contractors must meet strict insurance requirements with an A.M. Best rating of B+VII or better and comply with Texas Government Code Chapter 2275 regarding foreign ownership restrictions. Offers are due by October 22, 2026.