Variable Message Boards

Solicitation 24023 is a competitive procurement issued by the Washington Department of Enterprise Services in collaboration with the State of Oregon to establish Cooperative Purchasing Agreements for Variable Message Boards. The contract covers eleven categories of equipment, including truck-mounted arrow boards, truck-mounted 2-line and 3-line matrix boards, and trailer-mounted full-matrix and line-matrix message boards. These units must be designed for highway applications, featuring LED displays legible from 650 to 1,000 feet, NTCIP-compliant controllers, and the ability to operate in temperatures ranging from -20°F to +110°F. Technical requirements mandate deep-cycle battery arrays supporting over 168 hours of operation without sunlight, 160W solar charging, and compliance with SAE J1455 and MUTCD standards. The contract term extends up to 73 months, with awards categorized as Statewide, Standard, or Reserved to encourage participation from small businesses and certified veteran-owned businesses. Awards are determined on a best-value trade-off basis, evaluating bid responsiveness, technical performance, total cost, and state procurement priorities such as PCB-free and mercury-free preferences. Bidders must provide a Unified Business Identifier and certify their financial solvency, insurance status, and absence of conflicts of interest. Deliveries are managed via individual purchase orders from eligible purchasers across Washington and Oregon, with all technical and environmental specifications serving as the primary criteria for inspection and acceptance.